NML Crossing, Episode 023 – Robin #54 (1998)
NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Three
Robin (vol.2) #54 (June, 1998)
“Repercussions”
Writer – Chuck Dixon
Pencils – Staz Johnson
Inks – Stan Woch
Colors – Adrienne Roy
Letters – Tim Harkins
Edits – Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95
Checking in with the Boy Wonder for a nice, quiet post-crossover issue, the likes of which we just don’t get anymore! Get nostalgic for the days before books were relaunched after every event, and we actually got to “take a breath” with our favorite heroes as they adjust to the next phase in their adventures.
NML Crossing on Youtube
This was a fun issue. It managed to advance the ongoing narrative from before Cataclysm while still firmly being a Cataclysm Aftershock story. This feels like a “Robin” issue and not just another part of a crossover.
Tim’s dad was like the “Aunt Harriet” of this era. He served no purpose other than to be an obstacle Tim had to operate around to be Robin. The need for Tim to have a living parent to distinguish him from the other two previous Robins, who were both orphans, just added an unnecessary complication to his character.
I agree Tim’s father is an obstacle in this Era. This is probably why they decide to kill him off eventually and have Tim become the first Robin that is adopted by Bruce Wayne as his actual son. This could also be part of the plan that Tim would be the next Batman.
Where Dick and Jason where only either Bruce’s ward or Bruce was their legal guardian. I know depending on what era is being read these details change each crisis event. Currently Bruce calls all the Robins his sons regardless of the past continuity.
Also agreed on Tim’s father being the obstacle of this era and why he was probably killed off.
While I like the first Robin adopted by Bruce Wayne angle element that added, I don’t like killing Tim’s dad. I like that he was a little different than other Robins in that (which would have made the possible future of Tim as Batman also different and interesting) and killing Tim’s dad just makes Tim another tragic hero/Robin who has a central tragedy. It might make his character more streamlined and archetypal, but I think part of the joy of legacy heroes is seeing new takes on that hero. I would’ve rather they evolved Tim’s dad as a character and his role in the series in a different way.
That is true if they hadn’t treated the dad as an obstacle Tim could have kept a more unique backstory then the common having their parents killed like the other Robin’s. But I agree they probably killed off his father to make it easier to write the character and stories at that time.