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Tweak says, "^______________________^"

queenursula (queenursula) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-08-12 23:20:00

Entry tags:

char: robin/red hood/jason todd, char: robin/red robin/tim drake, char: wonder girl/cassie sandsmark, publisher: dc comics, title: red robin

Red Robin #3

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	runespoor7 2009-08-13 11:27 am UTC (link)
	I... I'm liking this. A lot. I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm liking it so much I'm considering buying this issue. Why? Well, because Cassie is decently written, Yost is pulling a lot of stops to explain Tim's emotional state, there's a reference to Tim being the Robin who needs a Robin (Tim? That's why you were dating Steph, darling.)... I'm so conflicted. (Reply to this) (Thread)

tl;dr!

sistermagpie
2009-08-13 02:18 pm UTC (link)

I agree! Psychologically, I think Tim's making perfect sense here, tragic as it is.

Even if Bruce is alive in a sense, which we know he is, Yost is making it clear that Tim's thinking he's alive isn't about not trusting his death because of his past (though Dick even did say in one scene that given all the people who have returned from the dead Tim could very well be right about Bruce).

It's that he can't deal with death. This is what drove him to the edge of the Lazarus Pit once already. He deals with death by trying to fight it and make things "the way they were." That Bruce happens to be alive is almost irrelevent. This is just the way Tim deals with his death regardless.

And they seem to be setting him up to show (as they've established was always a danger for him) that he'll turn away from life (his family and friends) and make questionable choices (start listening to Ra's) for his obsession. Saying that the anti-life equation has a point while also rejecting his friends and family for caring about him? That's a guy not only scared to deal with the idea Bruce is actually dead but cutting himself off from other people because he's scared he'll lose them too.

And I don't know how intentional it is, but it's always painfully contrasted with what's going on in Batman where Dick and Alfred are able to take comfort in each other. Hence Alfred telling Dick that he didn't think he could bear doing this without Bruce but he's actually been able to find some joy in it because of Dick. And Dick saying the same thing back. They take comfort in knowing they share the same grief. This week's Batman even reminded us again that Dick's the Bat who isn't afraid of death so isn't obsessed with it.

Tim's now allowing himself to grieve, so he can't stand to be around them. It's not just that he thinks Damian's an insult to the uniform, it's that Damian represents a new order and moving forward. That's why he keeps associating finding Bruce with putting things back the way they were, as if he could go back to being Robin either way.

I just think it's actually surprisingly interestingly and real look at grieving, this whole loss of Batman, the way they're showing it effecting everyone as a family first and heroes second. And it also makes for a really cool contrast with the two sons coming of age. Dick, even in more pleasant continuities, was the son who struggled to establish himself as independent and had the problems that come with that. Tim's getting kicked out of the nest and fighting it.

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Re: tl;dr!

oddpuppets
2009-08-13 03:07 pm UTC (link)

You nailed it. Motto in one.

What I read here makes me want to pick up Red Robin VERY much. I'm highly impressed at how they've dealt with Tim. Tim's been steadily going down since, well, EVER. He's always bluffed it through but considering how fast things have snowballed for him (I mean, seriously, I can't think of any other DC character who has had this much shit happen to in so little time) this reads RIGHT. I know that the Tim we all know and love is the detective-y, slightly nerdtastic and well-meaning but social doofball teen of Dixon/YJ, but it's time he grows. In this case, pretty much in a shitty way, but I think it works. Yost is writing him as someone who is in serious denial and it works.

Also? Yost gets Tim's network. Cassie, a GOOD Cassie, being there and supportive. Her calling Dick immediately afterwards. This...THIS is where Tim needs to be now. And hopefully at the end of the arc he'll be moving gradually out of his emo-ness.

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	*loves on* runespoor7 2009-08-13 03:51 pm UTC (link)
	Yes. I like how you explain it, you make it sound so reasoned. I guess I'm only half sold because I'm not certain I trust the writers enough to be aware of what they're writing. Remind me, when do you start writing for DC, again? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: *loves on*

sistermagpie
2009-08-13 04:22 pm UTC (link)

Heh--so far it seems too carefully done to be an accident. But I always have hope! Don't let me down you guys!

Remind me, when do you start writing for DC, again?

In my dreams!:-)

But also, not soon if I keep making typos like this one:

Tim's now allowing himself to grieve...

That should be "Tim's NOT allowing himself to grieve." Despite the standing in cemetaries and talking to headstones.

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