Red Robin #3: Strike 3! Okay, Maybe Not. Spoilers.

[WorstThingUS]

This series has left me underwhelmed and this was going to be its last shot for me. Comics are too expensive for me to give creators an extended grace period an longer. But it definitely picked up here for me. Tim's trauma with the Anti-Life Equation helps to explain his current darkened state, though it still contrasts with the "fight the good fight" Tim Drake from Battle for the Cowl. And speaking of which, big points for Tim acknowledging what an incredibly stupid idea it was to freaking release Jason Todd from prison. Granted it was probably an editorial decision to have Jason out for BFTC, but Fabian chose the dumbest, most uncharacteristic way to make that happen. Now, if we can undo the deaths of The General's brother and sister (much less Tim's stupid "grim & gritty" response) a lot of damage will have been repaired.

I also like that he's stuck with assassins which will help define the hero he still is in contrast. The way he kept taking them out while trying to protect the Wild Huntsman was classic Tim Drake. Let me put it this way: it's like something Chuck Dixon would have written. I can't give it higher praise than that.

[agentofthebat]

good issue....the only thing i didnt like was we didnt get to know what he found

[Jim Thompson]

I thought this was another strong issue plot-wise, but the art took a step down, I thought. It seemed sort of -- unfinished, almost.

[Xero]

It would be interesting if they went back to year one and had him learning more unique martial arts like Thai B-Boy Muay Thai, Capoeira, Silat, Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Systema.

[Chris S.]

I thought this was another strong issue plot-wise, but the art took a step down, I thought. It seemed sort of -- unfinished, almost.

Isn't the artist changing soon though?

Personally I didn't care for the first two issues. Having no back story they were hard to get into. This book somehow brought it all together and made it a little more accessible for some reason. I enjoyed it the most out of the 3 thus far.

Its kind of annoying though becasue my pull list has gotten out of control. I was going to drop Red Robin and Batman. Then I enjoy Red Robin this month and Mark Bagley is drawing Batman for a few issues.

[Jorriss]

I thought this issue was a step down from the previous two personally. I don't feel like, and this goes for most of the new comics really, in three months we've really gone anywhere significant.

[The Lucky One]

the only thing i didnt like was we didnt get to know what he found

I'm guessing it's some "proof" Bruce is alive that will ultimately turn out to be a red herring. It's way too early in this book's run for Tim to solve the mystery, and DC certainly isn't bringing Bruce back this quickly.

-D

[Spiffy]

It was kind of messily done, but I have to agree that a lot of those questions had to be answered. That much exposition NEVER really works all that well, but it could have also been far far worse.

[protege]

I dunno.... this book is showing me that Tim seems a bit off balance mentally-I'm not exactly sure where this thing with Ra's and the Assassin trio is going. also, when did the original Wild Huntsman die, and why is this one so-nekkid? (Not to mention pulling museum duty.)

[mofo]

whoa
i was so gonna drop this book
but then the Anti-Life thing just whalloped me in the head

good show ser

[jbwbubba]

I enjoyed this issue. Interesting to learn what happened to Tim during crisis, although I would have sworn I saw him in one of the watch towers and safe, but I'll buy it. I agree that this grim and dark Tim is hard to reconcile with the "rah rah" Tim of Battle for the Cowl, of course Jason also almost killed him there.

I even enjoyed the stuff with Wonder Girl, kinda felt bad for Tim as he repeated the dogpile his life had become. Would have liked to have seen more openness from Cassie regarding Batman being alive; heck Connor is back now so is Bart. Think she might take a moment to hear Tim out. Of course she calls Dick, and begs him to help Tim, which I suppose will create the confrontation between the New Bats and Red Robin in issue #4.

[Chris Yost]

You'll find out what Tim found in the German museum next issue, and why it put him on a plane to Iraq.

Thanks to everyone for picking up the issue! Next issue is big, I promise. And the Tim flashbacks are done as of next issue, too.

[Syrant]

I gotta say, I've been liking Tim in this role more then I thought I would. Can't wait to see what the evidence is...my mind keeps going back to the cave painting.

[Personamanx]

I cannot wait till I get this issue. Shame That I'll have to wait at least a week.

[Don Quixote]

The artist does know that the dude in the Red Robin suit and the kid in the graveyard are supposed to be the same person, right? There's almost a Bily Batson/Captain Marvel thing going on with Tim's appearance there.

I'm not a fan of grim and dark Tim, and the sooner he makes up with Dick, the better. I've always been a big fan of their brotherly dynamic, and I can certainly see Tim's pain at being replaced by that miniature sociopath, Damien. Still, this is better than I thought it would be. And Cassie was written as well in this issue as she has been anywhere for a long time.

[Optimus]

I liked the issue a lot. I like the idea that everybody thinks Tim has lost his mind, and the only person who believes in him is Ra's Al Ghul. I hope that teamup lasts for a little while, it's an interesting dynamic. The fact that it says 'too be concluded' makes me wonder if this partnership is ending so soon next issue? I hope not. It seems like Tim can get the league of Assasins to help him and he can impose his rules on them and they'll do it. (IE no killing) This was the first book I read today, and it was a big week for me.

[Psavell2]

The artist does know that the dude in the Red Robin suit and the kid in the graveyard are supposed to be the same person, right? There's almost a Bily Batson/Captain Marvel thing going on with Tim's appearance there.

I've just been going with the assumption that the suit's padded up with Kevlar, lots and lots of Kevlar. Works for me. From the looks of the previews for #6, the new artist is discarding this theory, or at least the need for it.

[nepenthes]

I'm still loving this title, no drop in quality at all for me. The interior monologue really works and I like the set-up with the Spiders and Tim having to work with Ra'sand the League. I hope we see Yost get work on more Batman books after Streets of Gotham

Looks like Tim has found something left behind by Bruce....

[Shrimpman]

I'm sort of confused by Tim's old Robin costume in the flashbacks, but nobody else mentioned it so maybe I'm just crazy....

[Jim Thompson]

You'll find out what Tim found in the German museum next issue, and why it put him on a plane to Iraq.

Thanks to everyone for picking up the issue! Next issue is big, I promise. And the Tim flashbacks are done as of next issue, too.Wouldn't have anything to do with Iraq being the cradle of western civilization, would it? Perhaps where Bruce would be back in time? :biggrin:

[Optimus]

One of my favorite moments in the issue was the look on Prudence's face in the last panel. She looks so pissed that she has to help Tim, and with the bandage on her nose. It was a nice touch.

[MrStytch]

I've really enjoyed this series so far. The flashbacks have worked to show that Tim is out on his own, willing to turn his back on his teammates and friends, all to find what happened to Bruce. There's a new edge to the character that wasn't there before BFTC and I find it intriguing. Yost is clearly setting up a lot of plot threads [Tim alienating himself from his friends and allies, Ra's real motivations for aiding Tim, Tim leading the League of Assassins] with lots of foreshadowing. And I agree, the line about the Anti-life equation was awesome. Kudos, Chris Yost, Kudos INDEED.

[Doug Seid]

This issue was a huge relief. After all the 'darker and grittier' Tim angst going on in the first two issues, seeing him keep a positive outlook on things in this issue, even cracking some jokes, was a great thing to see. And the line about robin needing a robin pretty much hit it on the nose.

And Tim found something! Proof! In your face, all you red-robin-won't-find-batman people! With batman gone, he IS the worlds greatest detective. :cool:

[RyleKayner]

In a week with Blackest Night, Adventure Comics and dozen other "must-reads" coming out, this is the book I looked forward to the most. That says something.

[Mister Blisterfists]

The sooner Tim's back in his Robin costume, and out of this Alex Ross Fashion Abortion, the better.

[Shrimpman]

The sooner Tim's back in his Robin costume, and out of this Alex Ross Fashion Abortion, the better.

Why did Tim's old Robin costume in the flashbacks have a cowl like the Red Robin costume instead of a domino mask anyways? Did anybody else think this was odd?

[Doug Seid]

Why did Tim's old Robin costume in the flashbacks have a cowl like the Red Robin costume instead of a domino mask anyways? Did anybody else think this was odd?

Yeah, I just assumed it was an art mistake. Unless Tim was secretly parading around in the red robin outfit during the last crises.

I really like Bachs artwork, but his work on this particular comic seems really rushed to me. : /

[Brack360]

Why did Tim's old Robin costume in the flashbacks have a cowl like the Red Robin costume instead of a domino mask anyways? Did anybody else think this was odd?

Tim briefly wore a Red Robin-like cowl with his Robin costume during the final "Search for a Hero" story arc in the previous Robin series.

[Doug Seid]

Tim briefly wore a Red Robin-like cowl with his Robin costume during the final "Search for a Hero" story arc in the previous Robin series.

Snap! Forgot about that. I just realized that in the book he is only wearing the cowl, not the full red robin get-up. That explains it.

[Shrimpman]

Tim briefly wore a Red Robin-like cowl with his Robin costume during the final "Search for a Hero" story arc in the previous Robin series.

Ahh thanks for clearing that up.

[Mister Blisterfists]

It's still an ugly costume. Even by Alex Ross standards.

now, I'm not Alex's biggest fan, but I'm not trying to dog on him in this thread either. It's just a horrible costume design.

[Fatguy]

It's still an ugly costume. Even by Alex Ross standards.

now, I'm not Alex's biggest fan, but I'm not trying to dog on him in this thread either. It's just a horrible costume design.

I dont get the problem. I love it, personally, I think its simple but sleek. And just overall cool.

[BrianT]

I would have liked a little more substance to the Wild Huntsman appearance.

[Protoman]

I'm really enjoying Red robin, probably because Tim Drake is like, my favorite DC character

[Captain Jim]

I'm enjoying this series quite a bit. The writing is good and the art is just okay, but the new artist looks very promising.

[joint venture]

It's still an ugly costume. Even by Alex Ross standards.

now, I'm not Alex's biggest fan, but I'm not trying to dog on him in this thread either. It's just a horrible costume design.

Ditto on it all. Overrated (Ross); design-wise it's a big NO.

Looks like any cosplay clothes combining Dr. Midnight, the Blackhawhs for the logo and well, it's an awful nod to Batman's costume as well. This is the only reason I am not buying it, the 'costume' is out of place eventhough the story has a goal and a nice prose sometimes.

[Fatguy]

I'm enjoying this series quite a bit. The writing is good and the art is just okay, but the new artist looks very promising.

I agree!

Honestly, this is the first time I've really enjoyed Tim Drake.

[Scott Taylor]

Really enjoyed the issue. It had quite a bit of exposition, which sometimes is dangerous for a story, but it worked for me here. The action sequences were awesome, mixing in that great sense of heroic responsibility with the ethical overlay of needing to be "better than the bad guys." Loved how this issue juxtaposed the Ra's al ghul thugs with Robin, and this unsteady (to say the least) teaming of Ra's with Tim.

Interesting stuff.

[Name Already Taken]

So when does Tim start trying to find Bruce? I'll pick this up again when he dials in his batmandetective finder.

[RunningWithJuanPablo]

Another solid issue, but I have a question. What does the anti-life equation stuff mean? I'm a complete noob about that and have no idea what it means with regards to Tim Drake. Can someone help me here? :biggrin:

[WorstThingUS]

It's still an ugly costume. Even by Alex Ross standards.

now, I'm not Alex's biggest fan, but I'm not trying to dog on him in this thread either. It's just a horrible costume design.

What, you don't like the Frito Bandito gunbelt look?

http://www.tomwaitslibrary.com/images/imagesextras/fritobandito.jpg

[Redrumbin]

Tim briefly wore a Red Robin-like cowl with his Robin costume during the final "Search for a Hero" story arc in the previous Robin series.

Let's admit that THIS costume was better looking than the current Red Robin one.

The story is okay. I like how the latest issue explains a lot.
I do think it's all going to look better as a whole once they change the artist.
Oh, Oh and,

Manapul's cover is EPIC!

annnddd I can't wait to see Tim face Dick.

[David Walton]

A solid read.

The subplot with the League of Assassins getting taken out one by one is intriguing. Who assassinates the assassins?

I'm also curious to see where Yost is going with the exposition. Since Tim clearly has knowledge of events he isn't yet privy to, how far in the future does Tim's exposition take us?

And I'd expect that Tim found a "clue" that Bruce has been living several lives across time. Nothing earth-shattering, just a confirmation that he's right--I'm guessing that's "The Grail" for Tim.

[TheEvilGeniuz]

wow i must be in the minority because i think the costume is super fresh and badass! but i am definitely loving the story so far, i think Tim is the only sane one in "Gotham" (u know what i mean) ;)

[Sizzle]

Can't wait to read this tomorrow or today when my comics come.

I am not a huge fan of the RR costume, and I did not like Tim's last costume. His Robin costume was great and there was no need to change it at OYL.

[Personamanx]

Read it few days ago. Solid read, but then again I've been enjoying it since the begining.

I cannot wait for the new Artist though.