Storyline: Search for a Hero: (Part 1) The Concrete Cauldron
Date: August 20, 2008
Price: $2.99
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Freddie Williams II

Synopsis: Facing some of the toughest criminals and monsters known to man is nothing compared to dealing with your on again/off again, back-from-the-dead girlfriend’s enraged deadbeat dad! A not-so-happy reunion puts Robin between Spoiler and Cluemaster and this time, he’s not so easy to get rid of.

Opinion: It’s the attack of the Robins! Yes, there are THREE in this comic—and the issue is just as crazy as it sounds. Before I move on and just so you know, we were supposed to see Cluemaster (Stephanie Brown’s father) as the villain in this, but because Chuck Dixon got kicked out we get none other than …

Jason Todd (aka Robin II).

Wait, what?

Oh, yeah. The Robin that fans voted to give the axe back in the ‘80s, I believe? You didn’t know they brought him back? Well, don’t feel bad. I only recently learned this myself, and I’m going to have to track down the storyline in which he returns because I’m still scratching my head on why the hell they would do that—not to mention turn him into a villain. Anywho … you can read more about that craziness here, but for now, let’s talk about the craziness that is this issue of ROBIN.

This issue is written by Fabian Nicieza—the guy who wrote the previous two issues of ROBIN that were the “Batman RIP” tie-ins. If you read those reviews/issues, Part One was totally nuts and Part Two was brilliant. This issue is somewhere in the middle. It feels rushed and it’s kind of messy because of it, but the story is pretty intriguing mainly because of Stephanie Brown, aka Spoiler. And the plot might be crazy like I said, but it’s no where near the Grant Morrison definition of crazy, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Anyway, there’s a lot going on in this issue, so let’s start at the beginning.

With Batman off being … ahem … weird … the gangs of Gotham are itching to take advantage of the opportunity—which they think means moving up the criminal ladder (err, or is it … down?). They’re expanding their territories, which means chaos and clashing among the Gotham Underground affiliations. The very first page shows Jason Todd declaring control over the gang the Blackgaters; while Robin (Tim Drake) swings through the Gotham City skyline, someone watches quietly from the shadows (COUGH see front cover COUGH).

Robin overhears some members of the Sprang Soldiers gang talking about someone (cough) taking over the gangs of Gotham, and they mention another individual, too.

“… Heard he hit like three gangs already,” one member (Ketchum) offers. “… and he even made a deal with that new lynx chick …”

Hmm, “lynx chick?” By the end of the issue there are a couple female possibilities—but one stands out in particular. You’ll just have to read it to find out, though. ;D

Robin questions Ketchum, who describes the person taking over—and Tim recognizes that it’s Jason Todd.

Next we see an awkward scene with Tim and Stephanie at Gotham High School … which doesn’t even look like it belongs in Gotham. Err, this is the gritty, dirty city we all know and hate, right? Could have fooled me. Anyway, their relationship is strained and at a stand-still—but there’s less anger between the two of them (well, mostly it was Robin doing the shouting last time) and more feelings of betrayal and hurt.

Back on the convincingly-Gotham streets of Gotham (heh), three gangs have clashed (the Blackgaters, Spang Soldiers, and a third (Gotham Knights gang?))—but it seems that Jason Todd has a different and rather suspicious agenda.

We also see Rory Regan (Ragman) warn the GCPD and Harper keeping in touch with Robin in a rather amusing moment that provides some comic relief.

(And you know, I like this art by Freddie Williams II, but I’m not big on the way he draws the Penguin.)

Tim gets in a fight with the Penguin’s goons, and after he fights off the muscle and questions Penguin (because they had a deal: Robin gave him money in exchange for word on Batman) as to why, the Penguin says that Robin stole back the money he gave him. But Tim didn’t do it—someone else did. And it’s revealed who at the end …

Finally, near the end of the issue, Tim Drake (Robin III) and Jason Todd (Robin II) face off, and things escalate after discussion goes down the metaphorical sewers. It’s kind of cool seeing these two fight—and Tim’s narration really points out their differences. But after things get out of hand, the silent watcher interferes—blowing his cover before taking off. And of course, you can tell from the cover that this guy is (highlight the space below to find out) …

The Red Robin. But a new one—not Jason Todd. Who is the third Robin here? And why isn’t Nightwing (Robin I) joining in the fun? Haha, just kidding. There’s plenty Robins to around here … yeesh. ;D

The very last page ends with an intriguing and effective cliffhanger. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I will say that the second part of that cliffhanger is a return of an old character … click here to find out who it is (especially if you’ve read the issue and still don’t know).

This wasn’t a bad issue at all. It did feel a little rushed because so much happened so quickly, but in retrospect, I guess I’d rather have a jam-packed issue than have a story be dragged out over a couple issues when it doesn’t have to be. Still, it was a little sloppy because it was so fast-paced—but hey, it kept my attention and it was fun. I’m looking forward to the next issue!

See you next month!