After 17 issues, Josh Williamson’s run on Robin has come to an end. It’s a run that feels important to the character as it ages him up a bit and reconciles his relationship with his family on some scale while also building out the al Ghul family backstory. In this latest issue, loose ends are tied up with Flatline and Lord Death Man, and Robin’s role on Lazarus Island comes to an end too.
Robin #17 opens with a nice montage recapping major events in the series leading to this issue. Roger Cruz draws a dreamlike full-page splash of moments, which is a nice way to show how much has happened. Smash cut to Robin, Hawk, and Flatline on Lord Death Man jetskis arriving at Lazarus Island. Robin has realized Lord Death Man tricked him into going after Flatline, but it was all a ruse as he’s now on the island partaking in a big smooch from Robin’s grandmother. Ew.
In a few ways, this issue is less about a conflict to overcome and more about saying goodbye to Lazarus Island and this story arc. Sure, Lord Death Man gets an upgrade and fights our heroes–which is expertly drawn by Cruz with inks by Norm Rapmund–but that’s only a short blip in the overall package. The last few pages are devoted to Robin hanging out with friends and having a good time. Essentially, Williamson has given Robin a good chunk of healthy teen years doing fun stuff.
Cool jetski, dude!
Credit: DC Comics
In regards to Robin’s grandmother, Williamson is certainly cooking something up. One could assume whatever she’s up to may bleed into Mark Waid’s Batman vs. Robin, or maybe it’s something to be used for another day. We do know events on the last page bleed into Batman vs. Robin, at least. Either way, the fact that I’m excited to see what his grandmother is up to–and how she’s the main al Ghul antagonist these days with Ras dead–shows how much this series has done to build up our expectations.
Colors by Luis Guerrero are particularly striking in the scene with Lord Death Man with green energy powers flying and some glowy red marks on surfaces. The use of light through trees is a nice touch in a battle with Lord Death Man, and in general, skies look angelic.
For better or worse, the issue doesn’t feel like a mad dash of ideas, as if the series was ended abruptly. For better, it has a more casual feel, and it’s not rushing through story elements that need more time. For worse, that casual approach is undoubtedly felt in a series like this one that’s usually filled with breakneck action.
It’s sad to see Robin end, but it’s nice to see it go out on its own terms. This final issue can give Damian a few precious moments with friends, set up a new threat from the al Ghul family, and doesn’t feel like a rush, either.
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