Robin: A Hero Reborn

Robin (1991) #1-5

by Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant

Tim Drake, the young computer wizard who became the third Robin, undergoes intensive training and faces the Scarecrow and other villains in this collection that details Robins origin for the modern age of comics.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Batman, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Fiction, Comic Book

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1991

About the author

Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.

His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.

In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.

His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.

He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .

While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.

In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.

On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of early 90's issues, this coming-of-age introduction (not quite an origin story) / first adventure of the Tim Drake's Robin was excellent. He proves his mettle as a sidekick to Batman in the former, and then conducts (experiences?) a globe-trotting investigation in the latter. The Dark Knight has only cameo appearances, but the Boy Wonder admirably holds his own throughout the book.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exploration of the journey to become Robin that highlights the key strengths that make Tim stand out amongst his namesake peers. Whilst the narrative is rather cliché, it’s Tim’s arc that sells this story. Watching him grow both physically and mentally away from Batman really allows the writers to hone in on what makes the character so interesting. With two solid supporting names that represent different life lessons backing the titular hero up, this is a must for Tim and general Batfamily fans alike.

[Poto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Drake is the most adorable. What a cutie, hahaha. Now I feel like reading Red Robin (Yost) again and see how far he's come along from being this kid who was terrified to let Bruce down. (He was also terrified of Lady Shiva, too.)

[Jason Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update, 10/3/20:

Part of my Batman comic book reread project which I started after I reread this a couple of years ago. Continued from Gothic.

Between "Gothic" and this, we get a pretty cool Penguin story which introduces the Batman audience to Harold who is a minor character, but important later. There's also a Joker story which is fine and has one of my favorite covers of all time:



It's quite misleading since the Joker doesn't have a Tommy Gun, and no bats get injured in the story, but deceptive covers are typical in the comic book game. I used to draw this picture of the Joker all the time 30 years ago, or thereabouts, and coincidentally I came across one of them last night while looking for something for another completely unrelated book review on here.

After that was "Dark Knight, Dark City," a rather dark tale involving the Riddler prospecting in daemonology, followed by "Prey," an awesome story from the Legends line. I have just the first two comics of that one and had to get the last three on Comixology, a pretty cool site that let's you purchase and read comics online. The real ones were like six plus bucks a pop! These were just $1.99 each. Prey is often praised to the hilt, and now I understand why; it's great. Plus, Catwoman has a bit part in it, so yeah, I just did the big four all in a row!


"Penguin, Joker, Riddler... and Catwoman, too! The sum of the angles of that rectangle is too monstrous to contemplate!"

And some days you just can't rid of a bomb. Also, in one of those books was this ad:



Have Nickelodeon anywhere. It was a magazine. That's how we did apps back in the old days, you spoiled whipper-snappers.

Original review, 9/12/17:

Disclaimer:

There are many non-review elements in here relating to memories of this book. Feel free to muddle through it all to find review components interspersed throughout. I'm afraid I don't feel like marking them this time since they aren't in two clearly defined sections. Sorry.

Review/non-review:

I just had to pull this out of the comic book boxes after a wave of nostalgia hit me as I was looking through someone else's shelves on here and ran across a Batman/Superman section and saw Robin Vol. 1: Reborn which is a reprint of this that also includes the "Rite of Passage" story in which Tim Drake's mother is murdered and his father paralyzed. Luckily I have the original comics for that arc (Detective Comics 618-621), so I just read those too for the sake of completeness. And let me tell you, it was a treat to see the old advertisements for Nintendo games (original NES, thank you very much) including Double Dragon and Super Contra, the Atari 7800, muscle building scams, and... THIS!



And now I need to watch that movie again; it's a fave. (The novelization was great too.) Was 1990 really 27 years ago? Great googly-moogly.

The paperback collections don't include the advertisements, of course. Normally I'm just fine with no ads, but I enjoyed them today. I remember several for TurboGrafx 16, though they weren't in the "Rite of Passage" books. Does anyone else remember that mess and its ridiculous price tag?

I think the first time I read this was when my family went to check out a timeshare at Massanutten. The rents had no intention of getting one (none of us skied, nor did we have any inclination to pick up the hobby), and they managed to fight off the timeshare peeps after several hours. We went because it was just down the road from JMU which I was checking out as a potential school, and the timeshare thing just happened to be on a touring weekend. Free room FTW! Looking back I realize what a sacrifice this was for my parents. I probably owe them restitution considering that I decided to go somewhere else. I would rather have my gums scraped than endure a timeshare presentation. So while they were attending that, I stayed in the room and read this and probably fought with my sister. I hope I took another book, because this was hardly long enough to keep me entertained while the parental units were away. I definitely finished it there.

This particular book contains the "Identity Crisis" story (Batman 455-457) where Tim Drake solves the crime, saves Batman, and earns the right to put on the suit and Robin 1-5 which introduces us to the new Robin and his first adventure with lady Shiva and the King Snake. (This is a mini-series and shouldn't be confused with the monthly Robin title that came out a couple of years later.)

I collected comic books for about eight to ten years in the 90's. Four Superman titles, and four or five Batman ones plus occasional special side stories. The monthly Robin book was the one I looked forward to the most. That's not to say he's my favorite hero in the DC universe which is a toss up between Superman and Batman, but he's right behind them. I also think I had a bit of a crush on Tim Drake... Okay, okay, fine; there's no "think" or "bit of" about it. I was totally crushing on this kid when I was in high school. He was cool without trying to be cool, and he was pretty frickin' hot. The fact that he was about the same age I was when I started reading them probably had something to do with it as well, and I couldn't wait to see what he was getting into each month... and if he was going to wander through a couple of panels shirtless...


Get out of here, girlfriend, your story line was always annoying. He was also pantless a few times, and I remember I approved when I noticed he had switched from briefs to boxers.

The Robin stories were more fun to read than the Batman stories which got pretty gritty at times. I love reading both of them for different reasons, but as far as the fun factor goes Robin wins hands down. They weren't silly; they just added the perfect touch of levity to counter Batman's darkness. And of course Robin was in many of the Batman titles (although never in the Dark Knight books if I recall), but Batman made only brief cameos in the Robin titles from time to time, and Robin was able to have his own stories even if they continued from the other titles.

This book introduced me to all that was to follow, and I love it. I recognize that it's not the best story of all of them, and I noticed a couple of inconsistencies this time from one issue to the next (specifically the amount of time it would take for the Bubonic plague to do its thing. In one it was a few hours, in the next it was several days). But, it got everything started, and I've read this I don't know how many times, though this is probably the first time in 10 or more years.

This story also introduced me to Lady Shiva though she had been in previous stories. She's one of my favorite villains/antiheroes. Her part in this is nothing special compared to Batman's training after Bane busted him up, but like I said it's where I first encountered her. I also kind of like the King Snake (Sir Edmund Dorrance). In the end he's kind of a run of the mill villain, but he's still Robin's first baddie, and you always hold a special place in your heart for your first. Plus we later find out he's Bane's father in another story, and how awesome is that?

I guess if I were being objective I'd give this 3.5 stars, but where's the fun in objectivity? Fuck that shit, it's getting all the stars for being rockin' Robin.

Next checkpoint: Batman: Venom

[Nurul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of me wishes someone else had handled Robin's side-adventure, cavorting around the world with his pals Shiva and Clyde Rawlins, for three main reasons:

1) Chuck Dixon's writing is inconsistent (although still largely enjoyable)
2) His Tim is slightly different from Alan Grant's Tim, which was weird...
3) I disagree with Dixon's personal views (which is a sad bias, but yes)

Anyway, it was still pretty fun to read. I give that mini-series 3/5.

Batman #455, #456, #457 and #465 were pretty damn great though. I loved #465 in particular. Four for you, Alan Grant. You go, Alan Grant.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Chuck Dixon's Robin, it's too bad little of his long run on Robin has been collected. His run starts here (more or less). He understood Tim Drake more than any other writer, I think, and despite a few tragic turns here and there, kept the series fun. That's a good description: fun. Not only that, but he wrote the first 100 issues, that's almost 10 years on the same book. Not too shabby. And he came back later on, too. Just a great overlooked series. One of these days I'll have to read his Nightwing, too.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tim becomes Robin and goes off to train to be able to do the job. He runs into trouble and has to stop drug runners. This is a good story that introduces the aspects of Tim's Robin very well. He definitely thinks more than previous Robin's. In a sense, it is a coming of age story. A good read.

[Dony Grayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomo español que traduce Robin: A Hero Reborn y material extra.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin: A Hero Reborn is a trade paperback that collects three issues (Batman #455–457) of the 1940 Batman series and collects all five issues of the first Robin miniseries.

After being deemed worthy by Bruce Wayne as Batman to become the new Robin, Tim Drake sets off for France to study specialized fighting techniques under an ancient master. However, Robin's training is sidetracked when he finds himself working together with a maverick D.E.A. agent and a deadly female assassin in order to stop the modern day release of the Bubonic plague. Learning street fighting and martial arts from his new companions, Robin endures a baptism of fire as he discovers the danger of living a life based on anger and revenge.

Chuck Dixon (Robin #1–5) and Alan Grant (Batman #455–457) penned the trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well. It is divided into two parts: Grant penned a story during Tim Drake's training with the third issue being finally deemed worthy to become Robin. While Dixon story deals with Robin's first solo adventure to independently continue to train, while fighting crime. It is a story of self-discovery and a coming of age story rolled into one.

Tom Lyle (Robin #1–5) and Norm Breyfogle (Batman #455–457) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the pencilers complement with each other rather well, which makes a rather seamless artistic flow. While the penciling style is a tad dated – it is done rather well and brings a nostalgic aspect to the trade paperback.

All in all, Robin: A Hero Reborn is a wonderful trade paperback of the coming of age story of Tim Drake as Robin.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the Robins, Tim Drake is the one I've encountered the least. So when I came across this collection, I was excited to get a chance to read this coming-of-age tale of the third Boy Wonder trying to find his niche in the Robin legacy. The first story arc had as much emotion as action, and I really liked the theme of masks woven throughout the narrative: both for the heroes and for the villains. It was also a pretty solid mystery, even if it was pretty obvious who the main culprit was. But (no spoilers) he's one of the most interesting Batman baddies, so you're not going to hear any complaints from me. The second arc was also really good, with each chapter getting more complicated as this Rookie Robin realized he was involved in a case that very well may have been over his head. But he saw it through and succeeded--which proves that Tim Drake is not a Robin to be overlooked. In fact, I'm definitely going to go out of my way to find more stories with him at the center. I also liked the foils created between the three main characters: Rawlins, Lady Shiva, and Robin. Rawlins' motive was revenge; Lady Shiva's was ambition; and Robin's was the protection of innocent life. The final scene, where Robin asks Batman if anything they do is actually worth it, was a powerful one following the interactions among those three characters. It also paved the way for more character development with Tim: This may have been his coming-of-age story, but the road to the hero he will become has only just begun. If you're a fan of the Robin mantle, then this is easily a must-read.

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Drake goes through a couple rites of passage while becoming Robin. A mystery with masks and a surreal dreamscape which alternately menaces and aids Tim is the first challenge he faces. Tim uncovers a trap which has been set just for Batman, which forces him to face his darkest fears. The second challenge begins when a trip to Paris becomes a trip around the world with Robin uncovering a deadly plot, acquiring a couple of enemies of his own, and to training with deadly martial arts master with an agenda of her own. Both of these stories develop Tim Drake as Robin, his unique style and skill sets, as well as his character. The first story was done in the beautiful, eerie Gothic style of Norm Breyfogle, which I once fell in love with and still adore, playing with the theme of the power and menace of the mask. Some of the panels in this story are among my favorites in DC history. The second is a more bright colored, earthy, almost Bond-like adventure. The characters were well rounded and balanced in both stories, although I did frown at what one character said in the second, while smirking at the words of another. Overall, this is an excellent read, giving a strong sense of Tim Drake, developing an attachment to him as Robin, along with establishing itself as a strong, memorable story in the Batman archives. For all of these reasons, I give this four stars.

[James Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of issues detailing Tim Drake becoming Robin, through earning the title by helping Batman to stop a pattern of masked killers, and undergoing training on a globetrotting adventure. I preferred the first story, as Tim used his detective skills and took the first steps to becoming the next Boy Wonder, as the second story was uneven in places (prominent characters are randomly dropped in, or forgotten about, so easily). But I still loved the second story, as Tim got first-hand training experience, and proved himself a worthy successor to the iconic mantle. I hope to read more of Tim Drake in the coming future.

[Raül · Rating 3 out of 5]

El volum recopila tres històries, però que són consecutives i són considerats arcs argumentals clau en el camí de Tim Drake per a convertir-se en el tercer Robin, després de la tràgica mort de Jason Todd a mans del Joker. Totes comparteixen el mateix equip creatiu, Grant i Breyfogle.

Una historia violenta, amb una composició de vinyetes interessant, però un dibuix fluix. L’argument va millorant a mesura que passem d’una història a la següent. La darrera és, sens dubte, la millor de totes, amb un to esperançador, totalment diferent a les dos anteriors.

“La génesis de un heroe” 2,5*
“Crisis de identidad” 3*
"Debut"4*

[Jack Draper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good comic and a great read as a prelude to the grandiose knight fall story arc which includes a lot of Tim Drake's Robin. This collection of comics has a cool little story of Tim finally being worthy of putting on the suit by proving himself integral to Batman's Crusade by stopping Scarecrow's Christmas reign of terror over Gotham. The other half has Tim going across the world - From Paris to Kowloon- trying to stop a cool enemy named King Snake, an expert martial artist who is blind. Together with Lady Shiva and Clyde Rawlins they try to take him down. Both comics were a good read and serve as a good intro just before knightfall. This TPB shows why Tim is one of my favourite robins.

[Lucy Batson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of the first storyline in which Tim Drake first appeared as Robin, and his first mini-series/trial by fire in Paris. This stuff has aged very well (especially when compared to a lot of other mainstream comic books from this time), and does a great job of mixing Hong-Kong style action with all of the elements which have made Tim Drake such an enduring character.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuinely so good! The art is my favorite kind, the lettering is classic, and the story itself is filled with action and so much character depth. Tim Drake means literally everything to me so I'm happy I got to read his origins.

[Worm_on_the_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up to 4

When I picked this comic up, I didn't realise it was the origin of Tim Drake being Robin! It was fun, although a little outdated in its unconscious misogynism.
All round it was nice to read the actual comic instead of reading about Tim Drake origins online.

[Trey Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great start into Tim Drake’s adventures as Robin.

[Saphirablue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it.

I like how Tim has to find himself before he can become Robin and I like the costume!

But, him revealing his identity to people he doesn't know? o.O

[Doug Rusley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The well-worn edition I found in the $5 bin came out in 1990, shortly after the mini-series, back when trade paperbacks of the most popular books were a privilege and not a right. Between this, 'Death in the Family' and 'A Lonely Place of Dying,' it's clear that the DC brass wanted to make sure as many readers as possible had a chance to meet the new Robin, Tim Drake. Robin had been something of a punchline in the comics, but now there was a new teen hero with a new costume and a new story of his own, and writers Chuck Dixon and Alan Grant were gonna stick the landing.

'A Hero Reborn' collects eight issues and two story arcs, one from Batman #455-457, the other from Robin's five-issue solo mini-series (a first for any Robin character). Both are very good of course (the mini-series is the best one of all) but if you want to read Tim's initiation into the Bat-family, you're probably better off seeking out the longer 'Robin Vol. 1: Reborn.' That includes both stories plus a third (and arguably most important) case from Detective #618-621 that concerns the fate of Tim Drake's parents. And from there you can move right on to Vol. 2, 3, 4 and 5 where Chuck Dixon makes Robin into a young hero for the ages, arguably more popular with readers than he had ever been.

[Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

globetrotting Robin, great fun

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting up my Tim Drake Robin run here, and I thought it was a good read. I really enjoyed how they approached Tim's struggles with becoming Robin and the issues with Shiva were good.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of the start of the next character to take on the Robin mantle. Very nice art and an interesting plot. Recommended

[Mystique X]

Historias de Tim Drake y de JP Valley de esta colección desordenada.

[Teddy Plocharczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah this was definitely written in the ‘90s

[Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great artwork and strong storytelling especially by Chuck Dixon although the first 3 issues by Alan Grant is pretty good too.

[Henri Van Driessche]

and so it begins

[mait | coffee_mait · Rating 3 out of 5]

tim is such a precocious little scamp <3

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haaaave you met Tim? Tim Drake takes over the mantle of Robin in this story from the early nineties. I never read it originally and I think its done pretty well. The Batman portion of the book is a little more grounded and captivating than the intro into Robin's solo book. The villains and perils in that are kind of laughable. The art holds up pretty well and is totally reminiscent of the era. Overall, a decent introduction that lacked a little back story but holds up over time pretty well.

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Drake's first two tales as the third Robin. In the first one the Scarecrow attempts to poison Gotham with his fear gas on Christmas Eve, to have the city rip itself apart. Robin saves everyone's asses. In the second story, Drake goes to Paris to train with a mysterious martial artist and ends up trying to stop a plan to release the Black Death in Hong Kong.