RED ROBIN’s “Hit List” arc continues in this month’s issue. Unlike last month’s emotional, character-driven tale, this one switches gears and moves the plot along quite nicely, further revealing the next steps of Tim’s plan.
The seeds were planted in the last issue that Vicki Vale was coming very close to uncovering the truth behind the secret identities of the Bat-Family. That concept becomes the main focus here -- the issue begins with Red Robin luring Vale out of her apartment so he can confirm his suspicions.
Since this is the sort of thing that Bruce Wayne dealt with constantly, Tim takes a page from his mentor’s book and plans to convince Vicki Vale that Tim Drake and Red Robin are not one and the same. However, there’s still the looming presence of Tim’s next “hit list” victim -- Scarab, the Egyptian assassin hired by crooked cops Cavallo and Wise in the previous issue.
This all culminates in an elaborate ruse, very similar to Mayor Garcia’s assassination attempt in THE DARK KNIGHT. Tim holds a press conference designed to reveal the identities of the two crooked cops in the GCPD. Before he can get their names out, Scarab shoots Tim in the chest, while Red Robin comes in and saves the day -- wait, what?
The trick here is that Tim had the shape-shifting Miss Martian (former Teen Titans member) take his place at the press conference while he took care of things as Red Robin. Yes, it’s a bit contrived and slightly annoying to have a more fantastical, “non-Bat-family” character factor into something like this, but it works okay enough and I’ve seen worse. Two-Face using teleporters in Judd Winick’s BATMAN arc from last year instantly comes to mind. Anyway…
With this single stunt, Tim manages to oust the crooked cops, apprehend Scarab, and debunk Vicki Vale’s suspicions. Tim also goes one step further in his attempt to throw off Vale, acting as if he must use leg braces and go to therapy because of his “injury.” I wonder how long he can keep that up?
Although it didn’t have the emotional resonance of last month’s issue, RED ROBIN is moving along at an admirable pace. Nicieza knows these characters backwards and forwards, while Marcus To’s artwork remains top-notch. I can’t wait to see what happens with next month’s return of a classic villain from Robin’s own rogue’s gallery.
GRADE: B
Ryan Hoss reviews RED ROBIN and other comics for BOF.
He runs and maintains his own portfolio website at RYANHOSS.COM, as well as SMBMOVIE.COM.
Email him at RYAN.HOSS@MAILCITY.COM.
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