Detective Comics #940 Review: Red-Roasted Robin
By Tim Adams
“Rise of the Batman” reaches its climatic conclusion in Detective Comics #940. As the dust settles, the dynamic of Batman’s new team is changed forever.
Detective Comics #940
Writer: James Tynion IV
Pencils: Eddy Barrows
Inks: Eber Ferreira
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Marilyn Patrizio
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Detective Comics is on a roll since it returned to its original numbering in “DC Rebirth.” The entire creative team of James Tynion IV, Eddy Barrows, Alvaro Martinez, Eber Ferreira, Brad Anderson, Adriano Lucas, and Marilyn Patrizio took the concept of a “Bat Bootcamp” and filled it with compelling young heroes looking to prove themselves, and an enemy that cuts close to home.
“Rise of the Batmen” is as much a Batwoman story as it is Batman. Batwoman’s father, Colonel Jacob Kane, created a military unit molded in Batman’s image. His goal was to protect the citizens of Gotham against an evil organization lurking in the shadows. Kane’s methods were in direct conflict with Batman. What makes things more complicated is the fact that Kane is Bruce Wayne’s uncle.
Credit: DC Comics
It’s no secret that one of Tynion’s favorite DC characters is Tim Drake, a.k.a. Red Robin. Tynion grew up with Drake as his Robin. Including Red Robin in his book was a no-brainer. Tynion developed a relationship between Red Robin and Spoiler, along with young Drake applying and being accepted to Ivy University. Life couldn’t be better for Red Robin—which makes what happens in Detective Comics #940 all the more crushing.
Send in the Drones!
Colonel Kane launches a drone strike against targets in Gotham City. Red Robin, being the genius that he is, hacks into Kane’s system and makes himself the lone target. Sacrificing himself to save hundreds. This is what heroes do.
Ulysses is Colonel Kane’s high-tech nerd—the equivalent of Red Robin on Team Batman. Even though Ulysses is smart, Red Robin is smarter.
Batwoman confronts her father as Batman rallies all available allies to Red Robin’s location. Readers can feel the anger and disappointment oozing off of Batwoman. Even with these feelings, Kane remained focused on the mission. He stays true to his military training.
Credit: DC Comics
Red-Roasted Robin
The meat of this issue revolves around Red Robin’s stand against an army of drones. Artists Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas excel at mixing watercolor techniques with standard pencils and inks. A horde of drones sparkle in the night like fireflies as Red Robin looks on.
Ultimately, Batman cannot save his former apprentice. I can’t recall seeing a more beautiful and painful splash page as the one Barrows, Ferreira, and Lucas creates for the death of Red Robin. Crimson death rays rain down from above onto Red Robin; his body melting away on impact. A blood-stained staff is all that remains of Red Robin.
Credit: DC Comics
What Could Have Been
The second half of the issue deals with the Bat Family reacting to Red Robin’s death. The hero hit the hardest is Spoiler. She shows Batman Tim’s Ivy University acceptance letter. Barrows, Ferreira, and Lucas display their acting chops in a four-panel page of Batman taking the letter, reading it, eyes in shock, and finally dropping the letter. All the potential of Tim Drake that won’t be realized is too much for Stephanie Brown and Batman, as they embrace one another for support.
DC Rebirth Ramifications at Play
Red Robin’s still alive! What we have here is the mysterious Mr. Oz deciding to take Red Robin off the field. Mr. Oz appeared in various “DC Rebirth” comics like DC Universe: Rebirth #1 and Superman titles. Somehow, Red Robin is reconnecting threads to the pre-New 52 universe. This makes Detective Comics a book fans will want to keep their eyes on in the months ahead.
Finally, the scenes involving Red Robin’s death were gut-wrenching. I really thought we lost Red Robin. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Death and resurrections in comics are nothing new. The way Red Robin’s situation played out shows DC Comics has a game plan. We, as fans, need to show patience and wait for it to play out.