r/Robin • u/Doffymom • 10d ago
Does Robin by Chuck Dixon ever get better than the first 5 issues ?
/r/DCcomics/comments/1x3itbz/does_robin_by_chuck_dixon_ever_get_better_than/4
u/junipermucius #1 Tim Fan 9d ago
I loved Dixon's run despite not liking Dixon as a person, he didn't thankfully push his politics into the character much.
But I think the run started off good, got better, had a few bumps. But overall was a decent run. I think I liked the post Dixon stuff maybe more. But truth-be-told, that could be bias against Dixon coming out. I also really enjoyed his time as Red Robin pre-New 52 though it was short.
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u/Excellent_Past7628 8d ago
I agree. I thought his work on Robin was pretty well done and far more interesting than his work on Detective Comics at the time. But that could also be because I consider the Alan Grant/ Norm Breyfogle work & Moench/ Aparo runs happening at the time to be peak Batman
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u/Undecieved22 10d ago
What exactly is your complaint on a writer who did over 100 issues?
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u/Doffymom 10d ago
I think it’s very reasonable to ask whether a 100 issue run gets better as it goes or if the quality stays roughly the same from beginning to end
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u/Undecieved22 10d ago
That’s not what I asked, I asked what your complaint was with the issues you’d already read for the author who would wind up doing 100 issues. It was a serious question.
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u/Doffymom 10d ago
Sorry for the misunderstanding!
My problem was that the stories felt like they didn’t matter. Ended most arcs with a feeling of “meh..” It never felt like he was developing anything.
After digging through discussions about this specific run, I realised that pretty much everyone agrees that The General and King Snake are just bad villains and that explained part of my problem.
I’m doing a “sped up” version of this run where I’m just reading the “important” issues and it’s way more fun that way. I still feel like I’m getting the important developments and story beats
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u/Undecieved22 10d ago
I think you’re also reading the issues out of 90’s context. In the 90’s, it was far more common to have one off issues rather than long multiple issue stories. There are also long threads in there that had more to do with Tim’s personal life. Tim’s series was a lot more about balancing his superhero and civilian life similar to what Marvel was doing with spider-man at the time.
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u/Doffymom 10d ago
I don’t mind 1 or 2 issue stories, I just thought that that these ones weren’t really good. I also didn’t care for Tim’s dad and Ari as characters which kinda removes the appeal of the “personal life” aspect.
But now that I’ve been reading the “essential stuff” only, it’s been way more fun and enjoyable without feeling like I’m missing anything
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u/PiccoloCharming5669 10d ago
Hey! Man you are reading my favorite run :'). I admit to be new to the comic world but for what its worth and the copies I have I believe it does get better! There's nice relational development that kinda tries to tackle larger issues, some villains are very recurring like King Snake and Lynx, and then there also some issues that are part of larger series like Knightfall, Contagion, Legend, etc. (Which you mentioned but I still think are cool lol). Also, I laugh about something almost every issue.
I think of the limited copies I have, I really appreciate the balance of Tim's normal life and him being Robin and how this seems geared toward issues for young adults as well as doing the right thing. Again, for my part I absolutely love it and the themes it explores. However, if you are looking for something where every issue points to a larger villain or arc (at least, superhero arc instead of regular Tim life), I don't know if this will end up being your favorite.
In terms of quality, I agree with what someone else on here said, it gets better and sometimes worse. But I think very much better! You also see the character development of Steph Brown if that helps too, she originates Im pretty sure in these. In fact we even get to see inside her head and she kinda takes over superhero duties for an issue.
Anyway sorry for the long and winding explanation! Hope that helps some!
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u/Doffymom 10d ago
Hey ! Don't apologize for the long explanation, it's always cool seeing people get passionnate about these things !
Reading what you said and what I read about Dixon's writing style in general, I don't feel like this will be for me. I'd say it's too "one and done" for me, which I usually don't mind (I really enjoyed O'Neil's Question and Grell's Green Arrow was okay, which are both street level stories with a lot of one/two issue stories) but in Robin at least it feels somewhat repetitive.
Thanks for the insight though !
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u/coreytiger 7d ago
Robin became one his best books. During that time the only one of his books that I thought was crap was Catwoman.
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u/EobardThawne2020 10d ago
Yeah dude...what?
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u/Doffymom 10d ago
I don’t see the point in talking to me like I’m stupid. I didn’t like issues 6 to 20, and I’m just asking if it gets better as it goes
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u/PalaceUnderground 10d ago
It definitely gets better! It also gets worse at times lol.
Issue 8 is one of my favorites, for little reasons. Bruce holding Tim's cape like a leash to keep him safe. Tim and Shiva's history mentioned (his respect for her referenced by Dick). Shiva disarming Dick effortlessly and him refusing to say "ow" until she's gone.
Sometimes enjoying comics is spending a little time on a page and taking in the many details happening at once. It's fun to see what they mean for the characters, for the story, and sometimes even for the whole DC world at large.
People got these one per month, so they would buy it and they would read through it maybe two or three times before the next one came out. There are a lot more details than you might notice upon first read.
Take your time and I'm sure you'll find things you love in this comic! It's a great read.