Heroes and Villains Comics and Games in Warner Robins, Georgia.

Robin has always been one of my favorite characters. I remember watching the old Super Friends with my cousin when I was little; we’d always try to guess which hero was going to save the day. He’d always pick Superman or Batman and I remember picking…Robin. My cousin looked at me, “Why do you like Robin so much?”

Looking back I guess Robin’s youth was his greatest appeal. It was easy to relate to a kid with no superpowers (it’s kinda’ hard to relate to the last surviving member of an alien planet).
ROBIN #26

However, years later and several personas later, Robin (Tim Drake) still holds my interest. It’s not his youth that draws me to the character but his resolve. I am confident that the people at DC secretly hate Tim Drake. It seems at every turn this character is getting dumped on (I mean really, can Batman really find a way to brood while this kid is around without feeling guilty). Robin is a character that has experienced tremendous loss and yet, he perseveres.

Once again, we find Robin an orphan. It’s fitting isn’t it? In 1989 DC thought they’d try something different and give Batman a sidekick who had to conceal his identity from his family. He’d carry on as the loving son by day, and fight the good fight at night. The character was very different from Dick Grayson or Jason Todd…he still had his innocence. However, it became apparent early on that his innocence would be short lived.

“EVERYTHING’S BEEN TAKEN FROM ME, BRUCE. WHAT’S LEFT FOR ME TO BE AFRAID OF?” – Robin (Detective Comics #820)

Even carrying all that loss, the character still embodies the very essence of strength. In the Titans, he’s a leader, their pillar. In the Batman titles he’s the bright contrast to the dark. When paired with Nightwing, he represents hope for the future. In his own title, he portrays the most human of characters in all the DCU.

As I get older, I find myself becoming more and more familiar with loss. It’s inevitable. Unfortunately, we’ll all share the pain of losing a loved one. It’s hard to move on. It’s even harder to have others rely on you during that time for strength.

When I look at Robin, I’m reminded of that old question offered some twenty years ago, “Why do you like Robin so much?” I guess my answer is: he inspires me because he’s got the one power we’d all like to have in those times of loss - perseverance.

per·se·ver·ance (n) to persist in a state, enterprise, or
undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement (also see Tim Drake)

“I HAVE MY SHARE OF PROBLEMS, BUT THEY’RE NOTHING I CAN’T HANDLE” - Robin (Teen Titans #34)

“We just want to make sure we remember there’s a kid behind that mask, and that just because he puts the mask on, that doesn’t mean he becomes a different person entirely. What does it mean to be a teenager who risks his life nightly against frequently homicidal maniacs? How do those experiences affect him when he’s not in costume? In what ways is he the same as any other teenager you might see at your local mall? There’s a lot left to explore in the character, and hopefully the more you come to understand who Tim Drake is, the more you’ll care about what happens to him.”
- Adam Beechen (Writer – Robin)
Check out the full interview at:
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000923413.cfm

“[Adam Beechen] gives Robin and the rest of the cast a great voice without making him sound too adult or too childlike. The twists just don’t stop coming from issue to issue, and the action is well balanced with the drama.
- Robert Taylor w/ Wizard
Check out “10 Reasons Why Robin Rocks” at:
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/001130959.cfm

“Overall, Robin is definitely on solid ground here. This title has a very good creative team, and it appears that it'll only going to get better. I like the direction this title is headed. The OYL leap definitely helped this title. Robin is finally starting to get his own identity and out of the shadow of Batman, while still retaining that connection.”
- Kevin T. Brown w/ Silver Bullet Comics
Check out the full review at:
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/reviews/114590239710000.htm

“I’m glad Adam Beechen writes like he’s been on this book since issue #1. The way Tim was written honestly reminds me of the classic Chuck Dixon run. He already understands what kind of character Robin is and what the fans want to see…Beechen is already proving to be a fan favorite with this first issue alone. He is giving the Boy Wonder action, suspense, adventure, and even a little humor all in the first issue alone.”
- Phillip Hayes w/ Paperback Reader
Check out the full review at:
http://www.paperbackreader.com/review.php?ReviewID=1279

“[Robin] is a great series for everyone; between the strong storytelling and engaging action it’s easy to get hooked on Robin. The new creative team works well together and I hope this series gets all the recognition it deserves. I recommend this series because it has been rewarding so far and it looks to continue in the standard it has set for itself.”
- Paul King w/ ComicBloc
Check out the full review at:
http://www.comicbloc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194&Itemid=57