***Contains Spoilers***
Robin II: Joker’s Wild offers an engaging premise: Tim Drake, fresh off his training, faces Gotham’s greatest threat, the Joker, for the first time—alone. While Batman is away, Tim steps up to patrol Gotham solo, only to find himself caught in the middle of a classic Joker scheme. The story revolves around the Clown Prince of Crime orchestrating a chaotic cyber attack while Gotham’s newest Robin struggles to balance his inexperience with the immense weight of responsibility. The stakes are high, the chaos is palpable, and Tim learns firsthand what it means to face Gotham’s deadliest villain.
One thing that stood out was the cyber attack storyline. For a comic published in the early ’90s, the use of hacking and digital sabotage felt surprisingly modern. Watching the Joker manipulate Gotham’s technology added a fresh, almost prescient angle to his usual bag of tricks. Tim’s determination to outthink the Joker—not just physically but intellectually—was a highlight of the narrative. It truly showcased why he was chosen as Robin, leaning into his detective skills and technological savvy.
This was also Tim Drake’s first solo patrol, and the story does a good job of showing the contrast between his cautious, methodical approach and the chaos the Joker thrives on. There’s a real sense of growth for Tim, and his vulnerability is one of the more compelling aspects of the story. Facing the Joker without Batman at his side forces Tim to rise to the occasion, giving readers a glimpse of the Robin he’ll eventually become.
Lastly, the Joker himself is as chaotic and menacing as ever. His dark humor and unpredictable nature provide some classic Joker moments, reinforcing his status as one of Gotham’s most dangerous villains.
Despite its intriguing setup, the story feels repetitive and overly padded at times. While Tim’s inexperience is central to the narrative, his constant self-doubt and hesitation start to drag the pacing. It’s understandable for his first major solo outing, but it becomes frustrating when he spends more time second-guessing himself than acting decisively.
Additionally, the artwork and panel layouts are a mixed bag. While some panels capture the tension and action effectively, others feel cluttered, and the artwork doesn’t always do justice to the story’s darker tone. The Joker’s design in particular feels inconsistent, which can take away from his usual larger-than-life presence.
The ending also felt rushed and somewhat anticlimactic. After all the buildup, the resolution doesn’t pack the punch I was hoping for. It felt like the creative team played it safe, missing an opportunity to give Tim’s first real battle with the Joker the dramatic weight it deserved.
Robin II: Joker’s Wild is a decent read that offers some strong character moments for Tim Drake and a unique cybercrime twist on a classic Joker story. However, it’s weighed down by uneven pacing, inconsistent artwork, and an underwhelming conclusion. While I enjoyed seeing Tim face off against the Joker for the first time, it’s not a story I’m eager to revisit anytime soon. 2 stars liked it, but I don’t plan to read it again.
Feature Image Robin II: Joker’s Wild #4 cover art by Kevin Maguire
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