Robin III Part 64: Batman #486 (November, 1992)

Jack Drake’s recovery is going rather nicely…Bruce’s not so much.

I have this issue.

Tim meets with Dr. Shondra Kinsolving, his father’s physical therapist, who recommends acupuncture to help Jack Drake’s recovery. Tim is unsure about it…since his father hates needles…but tells her they’ll consider it.

That night in the Batcave, Tim and Alfred discuss Bruce’s behavior of late, with Tim acting mostly as a sounding board to Alfred’s “armchair psychology”. They agree that Bruce has been pushing himself more than usual since Black Mask’s escape (in Batman #485). 

Later, Alfred drives Tim to the cemetery where they find Bruce dragging a body dressed in spikes across the grass. Tim explains to Bruce that even though Black Mask escaped, Batman didn’t fail, and they’ll be even more ready when Black Mask makes his next move.

Tim convinces Bruce to head back to the Cave, and ties up the criminal for the police.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim’s a really good son, helping his father into and out of cars and wheelchairs. He cares, and does what he can to be there for his dad - a valuable trait to have…as Bruce learns later on.

WTF? Moment: If Bruce is getting too involved and obsessed, why doesn’t he use Tim more? It could be because he doesn’t want Tim to share Jason’s fate.

WTF? Moment #2: Whoa, hold up. Exactly how did Tim and Alfred find Bruce in the graveyard? Tim just guessed? Why did writer Doug Moench waste so many pages on dialogue when we could have just seen Tim figure out where Bruce went and then get Alfred to drive him in the van? Then again, doesn’t the Batmobile have a tracker of some sort? Granted - this is 1992, years before iPads, smart phones and GPS, but geez…couldn’t Tim have just looked it up on the ‘Puter? He’s there often enough.