The art is terribly inconsistent, with Bachs demonstrating an inability to remember that Tim is a teenager within the pages of the comic (and that Damian Al Ghul-Wayne is probably 11 years old, on the outside). Andsomebody needs to figure out how those bandoliers work from some angle other than facing directly front (they just disappear in at least one panel when Tim is seen from behind).

But neither plotting nor character decisions make a lick of sense. Tim's epiphany that Bruce is alive comes across as nothing but the denial stage of the grieving process. Nor does the adoption of the Jason Todd Earth-Whatever Red Robin costume work, which had ALSO been used by some other villain in the Robin comic. Yost's set up of Dick just making Damian into Robin without Tim's input ignores about thirty years of portrayals of Dick Grayson. Not to mention Yost's mischaracterization of Damian as loud mouth boob instead of the vicious little animal in need of supervision (nobody but Morrison seems to show consistency with Damian, nor seem to get where he's coming from). The globe-hopping adventure bit is the tail wagging the dog, but the crimes Tim conveniently falls upon are almost ludicrous. Three dead in an armed robbery of... not named. But its a block from Tim's hotel!

Sure, the entire comic is editorially driven. It's almost impossible to imagine this series came about as a strong pitch from Yost, but that it came from Didio or Mike Marts' need to sell bat-comics. Regardless, Yost's handling is clumsy at best and inept at worst.

I'd love to want to read this series, but issue #1 will most likely be my last. Its, sadly, more of the same of Tim "I have no supporting cast" Drake going over and over in his head how rough he has it.

What a wasted opportunity for DC.

But, then again, this is a character they've named after a burger chain.

I shall go call my shrink now.

So, I didn't dislike the issue, but need to see if the next few issues maintain the excitement without becoming ridiculous....

Thanks for your critiques, Ryan & Tpull!