With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, it seems only fitting for Tim Drake to get into a little fight with his family. Or a couple of imposters at the very least. Tim Drake: Robin has been a mystery-focused series from the get-go, and this issue is no different. Meghan Fitzmartin and Riley Rossmo continue to craft a story that somehow manages to be a mystery and a romance at the same time. Who is the person causing problems in the Marina, and how will this story impact Tim’s relationship with Bernard? These questions may not be answered just yet, but Tim Drake: Robin #3 manages to keep the audience’s interest. It’s a story that’s refreshingly confusing, as the story precludes both Tim and the readers from solving this mystery just yet.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Tim Drake: Robin #3!
The story opens with Tim being attacked by four other Robins, each modeled after the others to don the mantle: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne. It’s a tale as old as time for DC to attempt to describe the various Robins as one-dimensional heroes to differentiate them from each other. However, Fitzmartin provides more depth than those before her. Through the preview, we see Tim identify the four Robins through his personal opinions on them all. It’s refreshing to see the characters described in more than one adjective. Rossmo also depicts each of them differently, somehow replicating their individual style from their respective era. Differentiating Dick and Jason as Robin can be a challenge for most artists, seeing as their costume is essentially the same; however, Rossmo differentiates them through distinct, small differences that make it obvious to separate the pair. It’s a small touch, but a welcome one.
Unfortunately, that’s where the differentiation success ends. Although Fitzmartin can identify each character’s positive attributes, there isn’t as much accuracy in describing their pitfalls. Even though it’s logical for Tim to be determining how to defeat these imposters, the attempts to compare the weaknesses to the actual heroes being mimicked fall short, and can leave an unsatisfying impression. It isn’t a major plot point by any means, but this characterization does miss the mark and can appear to be done to accentuate Tim’s strengths from those around him.
While a majority of the issue is Tim fighting the imposter Robins, it isn’t the entirety of it. In the final third of the issue, Robin receives some help from a friendly face. Much of the issue is Tim’s monologuing, whether it’s his observations, fears, or determination, and Tim is depicted well once again. Fitzmartin has written the character for quite a bit now, and it’s in this book where she seems to find Tim’s voice the best. Despite Tim being regarded as one of the most intelligent characters in the Bat-Family, he’s also very emotionally driven. Rossmo continues to prove to be the right artist for the series. This is something depicted well throughout the story as we get to see inside Tim’s head as he attempts to crack the case. Rossmo interweaves Tim’s emotions and thoughts through his expressive art style. This is furthered through his flair for depicting the horror elements of the story in grotesque detail. Moreover, Fitzmartin and Rossmo continue to be the dynamic duo of the marina by bringing life to an unexplored part of Gotham.
Tim Drake: Robin #3 is a self-contained story driven by enigmas that would even make the Riddler scratch his chin. Throughout the story, Fitzmartin and Rossmo continue to create one of the most underrated books in DC right now. Tim’s life couldn’t be more interesting, and readers can jump into this arc with little prior knowledge. This continues to be a captivating series worth reading for anyone curious about what the next step in Tim Drake’s life is.
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