Comic Review: Red Robin #6

It's time for another Bat comic review, and big changes have come to this one... in the art department at least. As far as the series has gone since Batman Reborn began, Red Robin has made for excellent reading, especially for those who are fans of Tim Drake/ Tim Wayne. With Chris Yost still handling the story, the character's search continues with a new artist joining the foray, delivering solid pencils that make a strong statement to a listening audience. With a cover that symbolizes new opportunities to attract new readership and collectors, is the new ongoing adventures of Tim Wayne still a worthy pick up? Check on and find out.

Red Robin #6
Written By: Chris Yost
Illustrated By: Marcus To
Cover by: Marcus To and Ray McCarthy

To Tim Wayne, his new life as Red Robin has taken him further from the black and white crimefighting life he's always known in Gotham City. Determined to search for clues to his adoptive father's whereabouts, his journey has brought him to the doorstep of Ra's Al Ghul, and after making the proverbial "Deal With The Devil", Tim found the first clue that proves his search wasn't all for naught. Unfortunately, the League Of Assassins has been targeted by a new mysterious organization known as the Council Of Spiders, whose ultimate goal is to eliminate Ra's personal army completely. Caught in the middle and involved in a situation that's way over his head, Red Robin leads the League into battle, holding on to his mentor's one rule of not taking a life and hoping against hope that after all is said and done, his search doesn't end in vain.

First and foremost, I'm not going to lie - Writer Chris Yost still continues the impressive work of defining Tim Drake/ Tim Wayne for the new Batman: Reborn century. It's the character departure from Gotham City that has breathed new life into him and shaped the young adult into a solo hero of his own. Arguably, Tim's always been like that since he became the third Robin, but his new life as Red Robin distances the lad from his native element and teen life, turning him into a new "Nightwing" of sorts that doesn't live under the shadow of the Bat anymore. I consider this as a journey that not only sees the character come of age, but one that tests his resolve and moral convictions. This particular issue deals with the latter issue in particular, especially now that Red Robin has involved himself with the League Of Assassins, a group not hesitant to kill if necessary.

While the book has done a good job has distanced itself away from Batman and Robin, Yost does give a nod to Tim's involvement in Blackest Night: Batman in this issue, showing that the young crimefighter has been keeping ties with his extended family despite his search around the world. The book also continues to keep tabs on the other members of Gotham City, particularly the Fox Family and most recently in this issue, "Bruce Wayne" and Vicky Vale. The latter two will be an interesting pair to keep an eye on, as nobody except those within and close to the Bat Family know that "Bruce" is actually Hush in disguise. His dealings as Wayne are further explored in the sister Bat Title Streets Of Gotham, but it's not too much of a surprise that he showed up in Red Robin, especially when the title character is searching for the genuine article. As for the Fox Family, the youngest daughter Tam is obviously the new "damsel in distress" for this book, and her character hasn't been prepped up for any role beyond scared and confused since her introduction to this book. That's all well and fine, but I'm more interested in seeing how this Council Of Spiders fleshes out. They've proven to be a worthy threat for the League, and their past as a group still remains a mystery. The only clues the reader will get to their origins is a little side tale narrated by Tim concerning a beautiful and mysterious assassin known only as "The Wanderer". How that will connect to the present only writer Yost knows, and we can only find slowly as as each issue passes.

The highlight of this issue is definitely the art, and I can say that it's a good change having Marcus To assuming the penciling duties of this book. It's the kind of art style that one can appreciate at face value, and gives the serious tone the book deserves, especially character like Tim who's earned the respect and admiration of his fans. The cover To did along with McCarthy was surprising well done as well. It's a visual statement that shows that anyone curious to read and jump into Red Robin can do so with this issue, and it's perfect timing with a new artist on board.

With new art and all the action picking up at this point, Red Robin is turning into the Bat comic it deserves to be - solo, different, and pure Tim Wayne action. His search for Bruce Wayne is the drive behind his journey, but its also about the character's growth as an individual that keeps readers like me coming back to check on the inquisitive young detective. Like the past issues before it, settling on the international espionage agent like status quo may take some time getting used to, but it's all established perfectly well so far, and the consistency by the writer is admirable. Yost and To make a perfect team, and I hope the pace keeps up in future issues. Everything is looking bright so far, and I'm already looking forward to next month's adventure.

Score - 9/10