Dick Grayson? Jason Todd? Tim Drake? Stephanie Brown? Damian Wayne? Which Robin is this again? Wait, It’s not the ’50s-looking Dick Grayson or the dead Jason Todd, definitely not a girl, and Damian Wayne was just born. This must Tim Drake. It’s so tough keeping track of Batman’s cannon fodder.
It’s been years since I read DC Comics (they really need to come out with a DC Unlimited so I can catch up), resulting in me doing a little research about which Robin this was. “Tim Drake,” says my googling and wiki-ing. Now, doing this research made me feel old (again) as I was reminded that Tim Drake’s introduction was in 1998 in the comics, but I remember the character more from The New Adventures of Batman. Research also informs me that Tim Drake is older and took the mantle of Red Robin and currently wears a suit similar to the red and green Robin costume he is known for (the one with green pants legs).
If memory serves, I liked the Tim Drake version of Robin. He was more detective and less ass-kicker. Pulling this figure out for review really makes me want to go back and read every appearance since his first appearance to catch up. The Robin in this review is from DC Universe Classics Series 3 and features a younger teenage buck. Robin is sporting costume number 2 (I think), a departure from the red vest and green shirt and shorts/pants look associated with Robin. It’s a look that takes him closer to Red Robin (the costume that transitioned from Kingdom Come).
This teen buck is great. It is much smaller than the Nightwing or Batman buck in every aspect, perfect for the age this character is trying to depict. It is a bit on the muscular side, but that is to be expected from a line of super hero action figures. And the placement of Robin on a teen buck with Nightwing on an adult buck is pure genius, there is the passing of the buck between the two, but also the contrast of Dick Grayson being an adult and Tim Drake being the new kid on the team.
The articulation on this figure matches all the other Mattel DC figures to date. Four Horsemen Studios did a superb job incorporating all the staple articulation into the smaller buck. Other than what’s already been mentioned regarding the need for improved ankle rockers, it’s got great articulation.
Robin’s only accessories are his staff and the Grundy Collect and Connect part. The staff had a good mix of soft and hard plastic, keeping the plastic warp out of it while giving it enough bend to allow for rough play. And, yes, I re-wrote that three times and it still reads horribly.
Tim Drake is a must-have for your collection. But I don’t recommend this one, there is a 2-pack version of him in his iconic Robin digs, and I would recommend that version. Same sculpt, but different colors. If you are determined to get this version, the aftermarket will not be kind to you:
eBay
Amazon.com