Robin 80th Anniversary

     
                                                     

      Can you believe that Robin has been around for eighy years? Doesn't feel like it but it's true. To most of us Robin's always been kind of a joke, a character that no one really cares about and can you blame us? Look at the guys costume! How can anyone get behind someone in really short shorts and only exists as Batman's sidekick. Over the years that's changed and with Nightwing we're able to tolerate Robin's role in the DC universe a little bit more. He's been through some stuff but do we really need this book? Is Robin that important to warrant a 100 page book? Well, sure, why not? It can't be any worse than Wonder Woman #750 can it? That was a dissappointing book, but I'm not reviewing that one. What we have here is the anniversary of the Boy Wonder and we've had five Robins which is kind of sad when you think about it.
                                               
       I was never a big Robin fan until I got my hands on a few issues of the solo series for a dollar so I can't go into the history of the character or even tell you what my favorite moments are from his books. I only recently got into Nightwing so I can't tell you any of those either. When I started reading Nightwing it was after he was shot at the end of a Detective comic so i had to follow the story just to see how it all played it. Until then I'd never had much interest in Nightwing either and it's a part of Batman. The issues I do have managed to win me over and every time I hit my local comic shop I'm looking out for back issues of Robin and Nightwing. We're only here to celebrate the character and not complain about his odd choice for a costume and we can't even say he's a worthless superhero because we all know that award goes to Aquaman.

       Robin's anniversary issue is chock full of stories that explore who the character is and the art and talent involved in this book is impressive. Even if you aren't a fan, there's something here you'll actually like. Robin was always a forgettable character because he was so closely associated with Batman but this issue shows us just how interesting the character can be in the hands of decent writers. The only story that doesn't click is the one that features a girl who is just starting out her tenure as the Girl Wonder. As a short it doesn't really flow or go anywhere and it's easily the worst story here. The rest contains enough action to make you want to go back and read some old issues of the series. Unlike Wonder Woman #750 it doesn't feel rushed. Wonder Woman deserved better and thankfully Robin doesn't suffer the same fate. This really is a celebration of a character who is a vital part of the DCU and it's a decent book for newer fans to get a sense of who this character is and why so many people like him. It's a book you check out not expecting much but by the end you end up liking him. You even get some Nightwing and a Red Hood story which I guess is cool because I have never read a Red Hood story until now. You should definately pick this one up and then go back to your comic book shop and grab some older issues of Robin.