Robin III Honorable Mention: The New Titans #81 (December, 1991)

Tim’s new look as the third Robin is explained on the letter’s page.

I have this issue.

Written by Michael Eury, inside DC #7 reviews the history of Robin’s costume and how it got an upgrade upon the completion of Tim’s training.

Notes of Interest:

1) I’ve used “WTF?” appearances in the past (for Malcolm Reynolds and Puck) because they have certain appearances that don’t clearly fit within their chronologies. “Honorable Mentions” are when behind-the-scenes facts or details about a character are mentioned within the pages of a specific issue but outside the story within the issue, which is the case here.

2) Denny O’Neil, Jenette Kahn and Dick Giordano masterminded the endeavor.

3) O’Neil commissioned several artists for their interpretations for a new look…and got about fifteen different sketches back.

4) O’Neil, Kahn and Giordano picked the direction to go in (based on Neil Adams’ design), asked Director Tim Burton for his input, and finalized the look.

5) While this issue is Part 23 of the War of the Worlds, Tim doesn’t appear within the story.

WTF? Moment: Why did DC ask for Burton’s opinion? I thought studios took the idea or look of a comic character, made the changes necessary to transfer that look to film, then moved on to production. Here, DC waited to reveal Robin’s new look until after a film director had his say.

W…T…F…?

One could argue that it was because Burton was working on Batman Returns at the time, and was trying to add Robin to the script. Okay. But shouldn’t DC have gone to Burton and said, “Look - here’s what Robin’s going to look like in future issues. Now do what you can make it work on film.”? 

Robin III Part 5: The New Titans #61 (December, 1989)

Tim learns more about Bruce and Dick from Alfred.

I have this issue in the A Lonely Place of Dying Trade Paperback.

Tim tells Dick that Batman needs a Robin around so he can have someone to care about, and someone to care about him. Dick leaves, and Alfred is left to comfort the boy. They spend the afternoon talking about the complicated relationship between Bruce and Dick.

Later, Alfred informs Tim that Dick just activated his homing signal…and it was quickly cut off.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim shares Alfred’s concern for Bruce and Dick as well as the idea that Bruce does need someone around.

WTF? Moment: In addition to connecting Tim to Dick Grayson, Marv Wolfman and George Perez show a friendship developing between Alfred and Tim. It works. I know I’m dating myself, but it kind of reminds me of the middle seasons of M*A*S*H* where Col. Sherman Potter bonds with Radar. The old and young (or old and new, depending on your interpretation) are working together to understand and try to control the insanity around them, not just from the war but from the doctors and nurses of the camp whom they both care for.

Robin III Part 3: The New Titans #60 (November, 1989)

Tim meets up with Dick, and tries to convince him that Batman needs Robin.

I have this issue in the A Lonely Place of Dying Trade Paperback.

Tim catches up with Dick at Haly Circus and watches a show, but the lion tamer is mauled by one of his animals and the circus shuts down. Tim stays behind as the crowd disperses and helps solve the mystery behind the recent “accidents”. After the culprits are caught, Tim shows Dick proof of Bruce’s deterioration and asks for his help.

Notes of Interest:

1) We learn that the person following Bruce and Dick was Tim, who’s just a kid.

2) Tim shows some acrobatic prowess as he flips Dick over his shoulder.

3) His skills of deduction are also featured as he scans the crowd looking for Dick.

4) He confesses to Dick what he knows about Robin, Bruce…and Jason Todd.

WTF? Moment: In just three issues, we learn that Tim is a smart, resourceful kid who clearly cares about Batman and Robin. He knows of the current relationship between both men, and wants them to fix it. How freaking awesome is that?