As mentioned on my “About Me” page, I am basically 10 years behind in my reading. I do bring books I’m very interested in forward, but by and large I am presently reading books from August 2008 in September 2018. That means I am 3 years away from the launch of DC’s “New 52”! Good Lord!
Still, I press on. Today’s book is:
Robin / Spoiler Special #1, DC Comics, August 2008.
The first story, “Puddles”, was written by Chuck Dixon, drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, colored by Cris Peter, lettered by Sal Cipriano, and edited by Jeanine Schaffer.
Going back this far in time, Tim Drake is still Robin. I’ve always thought he was a decent Robin and overall character – much better than that why-didn’t-he-stay-dead? reprobate Jason Todd. He’s (obviously) joined by Stephanie Brown, aka Spoiler, another juvenile acrobat trained by Batman, who has recently reappeared in Gotham after a long absence. She is a perennial “fan favorite”, as they say, and often requested to return to today’s DC continuity. Though for the life of me, I can’t remember her back story at all! Based upon this story, however, I was not impressed enough to join their ranks.
This story basically has the two protagonists on the hunt for a missing
(c) DC Comics
little girl. They save her from the bad guys and all is well. Dixon’s story is coherent and professional, but doesn’t really distinguish itself. Albuquerque’s art is similarly competent but not spectacular. I was annoyed by his habit of delineating Robin’s teeth in long shots that make it look like he is a bucktoothed goon (see image)!
The second story, “Katavi”, was also written by Dixon, lettered by Cipriano, and edited by Schaffer, but with full color art by Victor Ibanez.
This is a Spoiler solo story. Apparently it precedes the first story, in that Stephanie is in Africa assisting Dr. Leslie Thompkins on a vaccination mission. For some reason I am unaware of, she is on a mission of personal redemption. She adopts the guise of Katavi, the local devil, to fight the ignorance of militant tribesmen resisting Dr. Thompkin’s efforts – thus saving the village. She then decides to embrace her Spoilerhood and return to Gotham.
Once again, this is all “okay, but not spectacular”.
Overall rating? 3 Stars (Good, but ultimately forgettable)
Comic Critique 