Robin #148 Review
Author: Adam Beechen
Artist: Karl Keschl
Cover: Ed McGuinness
Another week and another One Year Later title. I think it’s a safe bet to say that this has been my favorite One Year Later title so far. I have reread it countless of times. Beechen is a nice addition to the Bat team, he's got me intrigued and looking forward to seeing what happens next. Keschl is the perfect artist for this book, he has a nice blend of cartoon and realism all in a nice amalgamated package. In some ways I think he gives McGuinness a run for his money.
By the cover you can guess that Batgirl wants to kill Robin or at the very least give him a new breathing hole. That cover, along with Robin's new costume had me really curious. So what exactly happens? Well, Robin is blinded by his assassin and then attacked. After a little bit of a battle he finds Batgirl's body lying on the ground motionless. It would seem that Tim Drake (yep, it’s Tim alright) has beaten Cassie Cain. But as he removes the mask he notices that this chick was not killed by his R's and that it’s not Cassie, it’s actually Lynx (a character that appeared in the original Robin miniseries and whom I thought died at the hands of Batgirl?)
We got a mystery already on our hands after the first few pages, I'm excited!! Tim is now suspected of murder and is wanted by the Gotham police. The whole Bat family finds out about Tim killing Batgirl. There is a nice scene where Batman tells Robin that he could have never beaten Cassie. Therefore Batman already knew that Tim was innocent. The interesting take on this story is that when Oracle makes a broadcast it seems that Cassie was at the scene of the crime and for that matter stalking Tim. The issue ends with Robin going back to the police station to get clues from Lynx's body.
Now, I'm not sure where the whole Cassie story is going. If she is actually behind everything that is going on with Robin. I got the impression at the end of her last issue that she was not going to follow in anyone's footsteps. However she is the child of Lady Shiva and David Cain, so her becoming an assassin might not be that unbelievable. Maybe she is pissed that Bludhaven blew up while Robin was supposed to be in charge. It is really a fantastic ride from beginning to end and the art is really perfect for this story (I don't think I have stressed that enough). I can't wait for the next issue to find out more clues and to see what happens with Cassie. A
Great review. I might actually pick this up. I like the costume, the sutle changes. A Bat Family Mystery I am familure with, I can accept, the others, eh.
This issue sounds really good. Using Cassandra Cain is a nice touch, and the mystery of "Is Robin a murder" sounds interesting. Plus, I love that Ed McGuiness cover! Good job Omar.
I, for a second, thought that maybe they'd have Cassie be the new Catwoman, yeah the advert for the next issue of Catwoman ruined that for me. Is it just me or does everybody in the Bat family just seem to get along a WHOLE LOT better now. They are eerily polite to each other, and Batman seems actually NICER?
I could not of said it better myself. Your review was great! this is actually the first DC title i have picked up (finally won me over from marvel) and i was not disapointed.