Robin III Part 61: Detective Comics #653 (November, 1992)

Tim helps Bruce with a case, but is kept on the sidelines.

I have this issue.

There’s a terrorist group in Gotham hiding behind diplomatic immunity, and Tim looks into the people involved. He tells Bruce that all of the Krasnian “statesmen” are members of a terrorist mob called Krasna Voll Beranya. He offers to go with Bruce, but is told that it’s only a reconnaissance mission so he won’t be needed.

Notes of Interest:

1) I’m putting this issue here because after this story, things start leading towards Knightfall.

2) Tim’s wearing the suit must mean he’s itching for action. Too bad he doesn’t get any...

WTF? Moment: …and I can guess why – Robin III was coming out and the Powers That Be didn’t want Tim to meet Huntress before then. Okay, fine. But couldn’t he have something else to do besides sitting at a computer…in the Cave…in the suit…again?

Robin III Part 60: Detective Comics #651 (Early-October, 1992)

Tim helps Batman help Detective Bullock…who’s been getting death threats.

I have this issue.

Tim is given copies of five years’ worth of Bullock’s cases and uses the Bat-computer to make a list of possible suspects.

Notes of Interest:

1) Absolutely no character development here. Move along.

WTF? Moment: Four panels. Tim appears in all of four panels and is told by Bruce to “run the search and collate programs”? WTF?

WTF? Moment #2: Nice mention of Tim saving the reporter from Detective Comics #650 though!

Robin III Part 59: Detective Comics #650 (Late-September, 1992)

Tim unwinds with a little detective work, and winds up saving some lives.

I have this issue.

The opening of a vault once owned by legendary Gotham mob boss Nicky Fabio is being broadcast live, and Tim tunes in from the Batcave. As the show goes on, he does a background check on Fabio and learns that he was a fan of the Ancient Egyptians. So much so that the crime king had his mansion decorated with antiquities from the dynasty of a pharaoh named Zozer. Digging deeper, Tim learns that Zozer’s Tomb was full of booby traps…which killed the first three archeologists that tried to open it. This convinces him that Fabio’s vault may be equally protected, and with Alfred at the wheel of the “van” they make it to the vault in time to save the announcer. On their way home, Tim spots Harold walking down a street.

Notes of Interest:

1) Yep, Tim’s suit is Kevlar…and bulletproof…thank you Alfred.

WTF? Moment: We’ve seen Tim use the Batcomputer before while dressed in civvies, so why is he sitting back and watching a television show dressed as Robin? Maybe he pulled monitor duty and was watching the show while Gotham was quiet?

WTF? Moment #2: Zozer? Really? I was expecting the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man any second.

WTF? Moment #3: Nice Geraldo Rivera reference!

WTF? Moment #4: The newspaper article about Cluemaster being caught was cool too, but the Bills leading the AFC East? That’s going too far.

Robin III Part 58: Detective Comics #649 (Early-September, 1992)

Tim helps foil Cluemaster’s plans and makes a friend…sort of.

I have this issue.

It’s the eleventh hour (actually twenty minutes of) and Tim listens as Stephanie reveals what she knows of her father’s plan to rob the mall. He goes with Bruce to the scene of the crime and takes out several of Cluemaster’s goons before he’s left behind as the villain starts his getaway. Tim gets pinned down by another bad guy with a knife, but is rescued by some of Gotham’s finest. 

Notes of Interest:

1) We learn that Tim is younger than Stephanie.

2) Tim discovers Bruce’s fascination with the more clever of his rogues’ gallery.

3) It seems Tim’s costume has a break-away cape…which comes in handy.

WTF? Moment: Okay – this marks the second time Tim is saved by Gotham PD. (The first time being in Robin II #2.) Not that there’s anything wrong with the cops helping out, but there’s no reason for Tim to need help here. His suit is made of Kevlar…KEVLAR! Granted - it’s not 100% bulletproof, but it’s certainly strong enough to stop a knife…isn’t it?

WTF? Moment #2: You can already feel the kind of a love-hate chemistry developing between Tim and Stephanie.

Robin III Part 57: Detective Comics #648 (Late-August, 1992)

Tim makes an impact on a girl, who winds up making one right back.

I have this issue.

Labor Day Weekend approaches and someone’s taken the time to paint clues all over Gotham. Tim and Bruce figure out Arthur Brown has become Cluemaster again, and is planning a big score. They track Brown to his apartment, but let the Gotham PD go in to make the bust (which backfires and sets off a bomb). As they do, Tim notices movement a few rooftops away. Thinking they’re part of Cluemaster’s gang, Bruce lets Tim go after him.

He takes the costumed perp down and discovers that he is a she…then gets clocked in the face with a brick.

Later, Tim’s back at the Cave going over the spray-painted clues when Bruce arrives to put the final piece together and identify the intended target: the grand-opening of Castle-Land Park Mall in Evanstown, where there’s going to be a charity telethon ending on Labor Day Sunday.

After a little research, Tim tracks down the girl he fought: Stephanie Brown - Cluemaster’s daughter. Tim tells her that Arthur Brown might not have died in the explosion and learns that if he is still alive, the robbery’s still on.

Tim brings her to meet Batman, and together the three of them decide their next move.    

Notes of Interest:

1) It seems Tim needs to work on his “rooftop pursuit technique” a little more.

2) Isn’t that a nice shot when Tim sees Stephanie’s face for the first time? Priceless.

3) Oh yeah, this is the first time Tim meets Stephanie Brown, who calls herself The Spoiler.

WTF? Moment: I’m not sure if this is true for every copy, but mine has a misprint. The page where Tim talks with Alfred in the Cave about Cluemaster having a visitor while at Blackgate comes after the page where Tim finds Stephanie’s house. It took me a second to catch the mistake though…I mean Tim’s a great detective, but he still needs a lead before he can act on it.

Robin III Part 56: Detective Comics #647 (Early-August, 1992)

Tim literally helps Batman solve a puzzle.

I have this issue.

Tim helps Bruce put an end to a hostage situation before meeting up at GPD headquarters to look over a message mailed to Gordon – a puzzle piece attached to a note saying “Catch me if you can!”

Taking the message back to the Cave, they eliminate some suspects…and confront Arthur Brown, also known as Cluemaster – the only suspect currently in Gotham. He tells the duo that he’s been clean since getting out of prison and as far as Brown is concerned, “Cluemaster” is dead.

Over two weeks later, Tim and Bruce meet back up with Gordon who just got the sixth piece of the puzzle, which is clearly a photograph of a castle. Tim tells them that there’s still six pieces missing, which means the final piece is would be coming on Labor Day Sunday. Tim also lets them know of two possible targets: a monkey castle at the zoo in Coventry and Castle Electronics HQ in Victoria Place.

Before leaving Gordon’s office, Tim learns that the Mayoral Candidate Krol’s campaign is making Gordon look bad, so solving this puzzle quickly would be a big help. 

Notes of Interest:

1) This is the first time Tim meets Cluemaster.

2) Tim mentioning that he knew “where Joker is” was a nice nod to the Robin II mini-series.

WTF? Moment: Time sure flies. Gordon gets the first puzzle piece, and in less than eight pages has six. At three days per piece, that’s fifteen days. Fifteen days in eight pages?

Robin III Part 52: Detective Comics #646 (July, 1992)

Tim gets a post-graduate course on crime in Gotham City.

I have this issue.

Tim tries to get Driscoll back inside the building but doesn’t make it in time – Galvan electrocutes him on the spot.

Bruce goes after Galvan and gets temporarily blinded. Tim follows the criminal, but can’t reach Galvan before he starts a fire in the middle of the street. When Gotham Fire and Police arrive, Tim goes with Bruce to the Batmobile and head to Police Headquarters to save Galvan’s next target …Gordon.  They arrive to see Gotham’s finest surrounding the darkened building, and head inside.

Tim waits in the wings before taking a shot at Galvan and gets thrown against a firehose. He grabs the hose and goes after Galvan when Electrocutioner grabs him. Tim knocks the villain out, and prepares to shoot water at Galvan when he discovers that the water pressure’s been shut down. After taking a jolt from Galvan, Bruce arrives and removes the device regulating the killer’s electricity.

Bruce turns his attention on Tim, and reprimands the boy for his somewhat jovial attitude towards Galvan…then quickly apologizes for overreacting.

The violence over, Tim (along with Bruce) swings away into the night.

Notes of Interest:

1) This issue takes place immediately after Detective Comics #645.

2) We do see a bit more humor from Tim, which could be considered a defense mechanism – especially since…

WTF? Moment: …Tim was holding what remained of Driscoll’s arm after Galvan killed him. That’s just gross. Good thing Tim was wearing his insulated suit.

WTF? Moment #2: Bruce reprimanding Tim for his behavior is bulls#!t enough. But doing it in front of Gordon? No way. Bruce should have held it together until they were alone. And even then, he would have been wrong…which I’m glad writer Chuck Dixon made him realize so quickly. Honestly, I think Tim did the best he could. Remember – this is the first time Tim’s been up close and personal with a murder victim. Driscoll didn’t just die in front of Tim. He was killed while Tim was holding onto his arm.

Robin III Part 51: Detective Comics #645 (June, 1992)

Tim saves Bruce’s life. No…really!

I have this issue.

Tim finds Bruce’s dead body in a sewer tunnel and a costumed man with glowing hands walking away from it. Infuriated, Tim confronts the killer, and forces him to jump-start Bruce’s heart. After three tries, Tim finds a pulse and lets the villain go to get Bruce back to the cave.

Once there, Tim tries to convince Bruce to take a few days off to recuperate. After learning a bit about the man who killed/resurrected him (and promising to search Gotham P.D.’s records for anything they’ve got on the man they’re after) he succeeds.

The next night, Tim goes with Bruce to Gordon’s office with the information he found. The suspect’s name is Elmo ‘Buzz’ Galvan, a convicted felon who went to the chair years ago - witnessed by all three victims, a judge, a reporter…and Gordon.

Tim goes with Bruce to keep an eye on the reporter - Guy Driscoll, of the Gotham Gazette.

While they wait, Tim picks up some news on his police scanner: Galvan’s giving them a hard time at Judge Hargreave’s location. Bruce tells him that the cops have it wrong, and Galvan’s arrival at the Gazette proves it.

Tim grabs Driscoll and pulls him out onto the ledge, but Batman’s fight with Galvan leads outside the building…where Galvan juices up for the killing strike.

Notes of Interest:

1) This is the first time Tim meets the Electrocutioner.

2) We learn that his battle staff is made of wood.

WTF? Moment: Why would Tim pull the target of an assassination onto a ledge? Granted, there was a lot happening rather quickly, but couldn’t he have taken Driscoll someplace safer? Like a stairwell? Or the ground?

Robin III Part 50: Detective Comics #644 (May, 1992)

Tim tries to track down a murderer...and is cut short.

I have this issue.

Tim’s on patrol with Bruce when the Bat-signal appears. Attorney Arthur Rome has been found dead at his rooftop apartment – electrocuted.

They meet up with Gordon, who tells them that Rome is the second body killed this way. The first one was Sidney Lester, a Prison Warden. 

Back at the ‘cave, Tim works the Bat-computer searching for a connection between the killings. Bruce brings out maps of Gotham’s power stations and the underground tunnels that connect them and tells Tim that the killer must be using a weapon requiring a tremendous amount of electricity…which needs recharging.

Another victim is discovered, and Tim stays behind to track down any recent power fluctuations. Two power spikes are found which correspond to the first two murders and he has Alfred call Gotham Power and Light to see if anything more recent turned up. One has, over in Neville. Tim informs Bruce, who tells him to meet up there. He loads up the van and tells Alfred to take the wheel.

When they arrive, Tim learns that Bruce is underground at a power junction. He lowers himself (and the insulated gear he brought) into the sewer system to hook up but is told to contact Gordon and tell him that they’ve figured out the pattern the killer is using.

Before Tim can learn any more, the line goes dead.

Notes of Interest:

1) Not much character development, but it was cool that Tim thought to bring equipment necessary for the job. Seems he learned a lot from his one-on-one with Joker.

WTF? Moment: Didn’t Tim create a map of all the underground tunnels in Gotham already? Why would Bruce need to pull out diagrams and charts when Tim could just pull it up on the ‘puter?

WTF? Moment #2: That was a mean trick Tim played on Alfred…but a good one.

Robin III Part 32: Detective Comics #637 (October, 1991)

This sad, sad tale comes to a close, as Tim helps Bruce save young Fidel Finnegan from the evil clutches of Dr. Wyse.

I have this issue.

Tim is still in Arkham Asylum, wrapped in wires, as he and Batman learn that the reality-warping abilities of videogame master Finnegan are being manipulated by Dr. Wyse, a psychologist on staff at the facility.

Finnegan’s floating head appears again, and helps Tim and Bruce escape by sending them to another part of Arkham. As digital spiders appear and approach them, Tim explains that they’re from yet another game. The duo then create the weapons from the game needed to destroy the spiders to get past them, as well as free Joker, Penguin and Two-Face…who happen to be locked in their cells nearby (?)

The villains attempt to escape, but Tim and Bruce use their fleeing to distract the spiders enough to return to Dr. Wyse’s lair. Using more creatures from more videogames, Wyse’s machinery is destroyed, and Finnegan is freed. Reality returns to normal, and Tim follows Bruce out of Arkham as Finnegan falls into a coma and heads to a hospital.

Notes of Interest:

1) Aside from more providing more proof that he knows his videogames, there’s absolutely no development of Tim’s character this issue.

WTF? Moment: How was Tim able to create weapons out of thin air? I thought that was Finnegan’s ability.

WTF? Moment #2: At one point, Tim almost tripped over a body that was on the floor in a puddle of what looked like blood at which point he said “Yow”…

…Yow? Really?

WTF? Moment #3: This entire issue story was one giant WTF?

Robin III Part 31: Detective Comics #636 (Late September, 1991)

Tim helps Bruce in one of the most ridiculous stories I’ve ever read.

I have this issue.

In the Batcave, Tim tries to convince Bruce to let him help solve what’s going on at Arkham. The discussion doesn’t last long, as the cave turns into a digitized world with dinosaurs, alien spaceships and demons. Tim’s familiar with the elements of the game, and shouts out how to defeat each creature. The battle ends with the appearance of a floating head that tells them that despite being crazy, it will be back to play a different game. Having shown that he knows much more about the games than Bruce does, Tim is allowed to accompany Bruce back to Arkham.

Tim watches as Bruce uses the Bat-computer to discover the identity of the floating head – Finnegan Fidel the Third, a videogame wizard who won all sorts of competitions until his grades started to drop and he was not allowed to play anymore. Fidel threw a fit, which resulted in the deaths of both his parents due to what was called “video hallucinations”.

Armed with the knowledge of what they’re getting into, the duo head back to Arkham.

Upon arrival, the “hallucinations” return…along with the floating head…and Tim shouts out maneuvers and commands as they work their way into and through the building. One of the creatures spits out poisonous gas, and the heroes get surrounded, when the floating head reappears offering them a way out: jumping down its throat.

They arrive in a room where they find Fidel bound to a table with wires connected to his head as a man in a doctor’s coat stands next to him. The man goes to a computer console, and Tim finds himself surrounded by wires as they connect themselves to his head.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim shows his concern for Bruce, fearing that returning to Arkham alone with no knowledge of how the games work could kill him.

2) He also has no problem telling Batman…who’s been fighting crime for a while now…what to do and how to do it, no matter how ridiculous it may seem.

3) We get confirmation that this story takes place after the Robin mini-series when Tim mentions that one of the games came out “…while I was in Europe”.

WTF? Moment: Where to start? I could go off for a day about this story, but I’m going to focus my attention on Tim…who saved Bruce’s bacon throughout the issue. Tim knew the games being used, which is surprising since practically every creature they encounter comes from a different level of a different game.

I guess he’s had a lot of time off since returning to Gotham…

Anyway, the whole issue is downright laughable. You’re telling me that Bruce trusts Tim enough to jump into the mouth of a disembodied head that just happens to drops them in the exact room their looking for?

In a way, I’m glad someone tried to bring the videogame craze into comics – since many a game has been made based on comics – but this story came out in 1991. Sorry Louise Simonson, but video games have been around since the 1970’s. This is the best you could come up with?

As for artist Jim Fern, he really needs to work on his backgrounds…because in this issue there are practically none. His interpretation of Tim isn’t bad, but he’s no Tom Lyle.

The best thing I can say about this issue, the whole story in fact, is that it was done better on “What is Reality?” – the 48^th episode of Batman: The Animated Series which aired November 24, 1992. Of course, in that show Robin was Dick Grayson instead of Tim, but we’ll let that slide…for now.

Robin III Part 30: Detective Comics #635 (Early September, 1991)

Tim makes a brief appearance but plays a big part in saving Bruce’s life.

I have this issue.

Tim is in the Batcave playing a videogame when Batman returns…wounded…and recognizes a creature on the screen as the beast that hurt him.

Notes of Interest:

1) To my knowledge, this is Tim’s first appearance in Detective Comics following the Robin mini-series.

WTF? Moment: Let me see if I got this – Tim’s returned from Paris and Hong Kong after stopping a major plague from being released and preventing a powerful drug lord from moving to Gotham, and has already made his first public appearance as Robin – only to be playing a videogame…in the Batcave…ON THE BAT-COMPUTER…instead of out on patrol?

BULL…F**KING…S#!T

There is absolutely no way Tim would waste time in the Cave like that. If he was there using the Computer, it’d be work-related.

I understand that the game is a major plot point, but here’s how the story should have gone:

Bruce gives Tim the night off, and he’s playing the game in his room. Alfred brings the boy his dinner and watches him play for a bit until Bruce returns. Alfred tends to the wound while Bruce describes what happened. Alfred recognizes the creature as one from Tim’s videogame…and the story continues.

This just tells me that writer Louise Simonson had no idea what to do with him.

WTF? Moment #2: I will say that I like how Bruce refers to Tim as Robin during the fight with the bug-robot.

Robin III Part 19: Detective Comics #621 (September, 1990)

We learn the fate of Tim’s parents.

I have this issue in the Robin: Tragedy & Triumph Trade Paperback.

Tim’s in a waiting room at a Gotham hospital and Bruce tells him the events of the past several hours; the Obeah Man was behind his parents’ kidnapping in Haiti, and had poisoned them both with jimson root. Bruce was able to get them to a local hospital and back into the States, but Tim’s mother was dead. His father survived but is paralyzed and unconscious.

Bearing the weight of the news, Tim visits his father while Bruce keeps watch from a distance.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim comes to understand the world that Batman exists in, full of violence and evil.

2) It isn’t said outright, but it’s implied that Tim now knows why Bruce became Batman – the death of his parents.

WTF? Moment: I understand the idea that Robin must endure tragedy. I get it. No one should just “suit up” and take on the mantle. Dick lost both parents. Jason was an orphan, and was killed after finding his birth mother. Now Tim’s parents pay the price. Having his father still alive is a nice change, and it does set him apart from Dick and Jason, but it’s the continual use of parental units as the source of that tragedy bothers me.

WTF? Moment #2: Norm Breyfogle’s visual transition from Batman the hero to Batman the “night-demon” was fantastic. Tim acknowledges the evil surrounding Batman, but doesn’t yet know how to deal with it.

Robin III Part 18: Detective Comics #620 (Late August, 1990)

Tim solves his first case, and gets some terrible news.

I have this issue in the Robin: Tragedy & Triumph Trade Paperback.

After some deep meditation, Tim’s back on the Moneyspider case. He discovers that the stolen money is going to peasants in third world countries – meaning Moneyspider has a conscience. Using his computer skills, Tim follows the trail to a phone number belonging to the Gotham Juvenile Correction Hall.

Tim visits the facility and convinces the Headmaster that one of his charges is responsible. It’s revealed that Moneyspider is actually Anarky - who makes a run for it, but Tim stops him.

Proud of himself for solving the case, Tim returns to the cave…only to fall into despair as a wounded Bruce comes down from the manor with Alfred close behind.

Notes of Interest:

1) This is Tim’s first encounter with Anarky.

2) Tim has learned some of Bruce’s meditation skills to focus his thoughts.

3) Apparently, Bruce also taught him some fighting techniques.

4) Tim knows that death is part of Batman’s world, but sees past it to the true motivation behind Bruce’s actions.

WTF? Moment: So…Anarky owns V for Vendetta…Nice!

WTF? Moment #2: Tim defeats his first super-villain, if Anarky can be considered one, by himself. Sure, he had Bruce’s cave, the Bat-computer, and all the skills learned thus far (you could argue that Batman helped with the initial tracking and the discovery of the culprit’s name), but Tim did the leg work and stopped the guy. Further proof of Tim’s awesomeness.

WTF? Moment #3: I must have missed the part where Tim read Bruce’s files about Batman’s foes. How else could he have known Anarky’s real name; the fact that Anarky was even in the GJCH; and that Anarky was the only one in the GJCH with the skills to do the job?

Robin III Part 17: Detective Comics #619 (Early August, 1990)

Tim learns of his parents’ situation.

I have this issue in the Robin: Tragedy & Triumph Trade Paperback.

It’s early the next morning and Tim’s still in his room when Batman comes in with some food. Tim tells him that he’ll continue looking for Moneyspider – the thief who’s recently been using computers to steal millions from peoples’ bank accounts.

Tim heads to the cave and works at it for a while, but when Alfred comes in, Tim snaps. Alfred takes it in stride, and Tim apologizes before getting some rest.

He wakes up later and heads back to the cave, where he discovers the video of his parents being held for ransom. Tim explodes, furious that Bruce didn’t tell him they were still alive, but calms down and listens to what Batman has learned – his parents are being held in Haiti.

Batman is called away, and Tim is left with Alfred in the cave looking at Jason’s costume…wondering if his ordeal is a necessary step before earning the name Robin.

Notes of Interest:

1) This issue takes place immediately after Detective Comics #618.

2) Tim knew that Bruce kept the cowl on when he brought breakfast to keep his feelings hidden from the boy.

3) Alfred means a lot to him, and Tim tells him so.

4) Tim is going through some intense emotions, but manages to stay focused.

WTF? Moment: That moment where Tim tells Alfred that he appreciates him is tremendously touching. And the feeling is mutual, because Alfred protects him from Batman’s return. I love the growing grandfather/grandson type relationship between these two. It’s wonderful.

WTF? Moment #2: Artist Norm Breyfogle did a great job showing Tim’s emotional turmoil. We all know what Bruce went through with his parents’ deaths, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen it. With Tim, we get a fresh perspective. The rage, the helplessness, the control and the determination are all redirected to this kid who has no idea what he’s getting into beyond “going out into the night and fight the bad guys with Batman”. Bruce has been through Hell. Dick has been through Hell. Jason died. And Tim thinks he can handle it? The truth is he can…but he has to endure a lot to get there.

Robin III Part 16: Detective Comics #618 (Late July, 1990)

How Tim spent his summer vacation...

I have this issue in the Robin: Tragedy & Triumph Trade Paperback.

Tim’s on school vacation and is spending it at Wayne Manor (where else?). A postcard arrives from his parents – forwarded by the school - saying they’re in the Caribbean for the next week or two.

Meanwhile, he and Bruce are tracking down a computer fraudster who’s stolen over ten million dollars from various bank accounts over the past few weeks. While Batman follows leads on the street, Tim’s been in the cave hacking into the bank’s system to track the next “withdrawal”. As they wait, Tim turns on the television for a Sherlock Holmes rerun when news breaks about the missing plane carrying Tim’s parents. In shock, Tim returns to his room, fearing that the plane went down.

Notes of Interest:

1) It’s clear that Tim’s looking forward to becoming Robin, saying that “one day [he’ll] be as good as Jason”.

2) Tim admits that hacking into the bank’s computer system is illegal, showing his moral compass is somewhat skewed – he’ll do a “bad” thing for a good reason.

3) Despite his feelings about his parents’ constant arguing, he loves them very much.

4) This is the first time Tim's parents - Jack and Janet - are mentioned by name.

WTF? Moment: “As good as Jason?” Really? Uh-uh. No way. Considering he’s already met Dick, and has a stronger connection with him than with Jason, wouldn’t Tim want to be more like the Robin Dick was?

WTF? Moment #2: Writer Alan Grant does a good job showing Tim’s commitment to becoming Robin. He learns his parents’ plane is missing, and fears they may be dead, but understands that he has to be strong, be patient, and be there when Batman needs him. Tim is willing to put his personal crisis aside, and do the job. Not bad for a thirteen year old.

WTF? Moment #3: I can see Tim’s school forwarding the mail to Wayne Manor, but that means that a) the school acknowledges that Bruce Wayne is caring for the boy over the summer, and b) Tim’s parents must have approved Tim’s being there; because every…single…time my dork-ette wants to do anything school-related, I have to sign like three pieces of paper.

WTF? Moment #4: Here’s a nit-pick: didn’t the Giant Penny break apart in Batman: Bride of the Demon? Yes…yes it did.

Robin III Part 14: Detective Comics #616 (Late June, 1990)

Tim’s left in the dark on this case, only this time it's for his own good.

I have this issue.

At Wayne Manor, Alfred relays a message to Tim from Batman to pack his things and leave Gotham. The boy asks why Bruce ordered this, but Alfred doesn’t know. All he was told was to take Tim out of the city and not to stop until it felt safe.

Notes of Interest:

1) We don’t know where Tim and Alfred go, or even which direction they take.

2) What Tim doesn't know is that Batman has deduced that Joker is still alive, and that is why Bruce wants Tim out of Gotham.

WTF? Moment: Tim’s reduced to four panels this issue, but those panels make clear the urgency of the situation and Bruce’s intention to keep Tim safe.

Robin III Part 11: Detective Comics #615 (Early June, 1990)

As Batman gets closer to stopping Penguin, Tim helps figure out how the birds are controlled.

I have this issue.

Tim is with Alfred at Wayne Manor when he sees Batman, swarmed by birds, approaching on foot. They race to the Batcave, but are ordered to go back into the house. Tim and Alfred do so, and the birds continue their attack until Penguin’s signal is canceled out.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim guesses correctly that ultra-sonics are what jammed the signal.

2) He also acts quickly when he sees Batman in trouble.

WTF? Moment: Tim should have shouted his idea of ultra-sonics to Batman from the top of the stairs; it would have given Bruce more time to act…and shown off more of Tim’s deductive skills.