Review: Batman Urban Legends #4

Lets get down to the real reason that makes this book significant. Apparently Tim Drake is now bi-sexual. That’s pretty deep. If you think about it making Tim Drake, one of the former Robins, apart of the LGBTQ community would instantly give DC the most high profile diverse teen character in comics. Just don’t expect this to be romance that will set the world on fire.

Story Thus Far:

The story is goes back before this issue to the introduction Bernard Dowd (Robin Vol 2 #121) who has always suspected Batman of kidnapping the members of the Bat Family as babies and then indoctrinating them into his world. But as far as we know he doesn’t suspect Tim Drake as being a Robin. Nor does he suspect Bruce Wayne of being Batman.

Fast forward to the current issue in which Bernard Dowd has now been introduced as “Tim Drake’s friend“. Tim Drake gives an awkward glance at Bernard and shares a more than brotherly embrace with. Casual conversation was had until the Chaos Monster arrives and kidnaps Bernard. End scene.

Dialogue:

To put it bluntly, one the page the conversation between Bernard and Drake fizzles instead of sizzles. It seemed more sultry when Tim was discussing it with Barbara. Some of the moments meant to endear the character as an compassionate support system for Tim, comes off as suspicious. Tim also had an interesting interaction with Oracle in which she implied that Tim was having and identity crisis.

Final Thoughts:

There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that normally this would be controversial coming out, because a whole generation of readers regard the Tim Drake as someone they grew up with. The good news is Tim is 16 and young enough to still be coming to terms with his sexuality so it might not matter. Furthermore this should be about the next generation. The next gen doesn’t care about the sexuality’s of the character as long as the story is is good.

I would compare the revelation to U.S Comics biggest competitor for the attention of the next generation, Manga. In manga there is a specific genre dedicated to boy love romances called Yaoi. The difference in those stories and what’s happening in Batman Urban Legends #4 is Slow burn romances . Slow burn is the concept of a romance that takes either the whole season or more to progress. Slow burn is not only featured in romance books but all over Asian entertainment.

SCORE: 2/5

Writer: Mehgan Fitzmartin
Artist: Belen Ortega
Colorist: Alejandro Sanchez
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: DC Comics