So I’ll start by saying this is much better than the previous issue…that being said, I still can’t say it’s all that good. The more I look into it the more issues I find with it. This is without a doubt the worst characterization Tim has ever had, since the New 52 altered his origin. Take this quote for instance:
“There are only a few places I belong. With Bernard. On the boat. And solving mysteries”

None of that makes any damn sense! He belongs with the Batfamily, because it’s his family! He has so many people to turn to in the Batfamily, or Young Justice, or the superhero community in general. If he’s Robin, then belongs with Batman, because that’s what Robin is supposed to be; if you want him away from Batman then Tim can’t be Robin. Everytime they mention how much Tim wants to be with Bernard it feels so forced. Why a boat? (Seriously that makes zero sense). If they want to have Tim be away from the family, then why didn’t they follow what Rebirth set up and have Tim go off to college? That makes way more sense for Tim. Solving Mysteries is the only thing that fits, but there is so much more to Tim than being a detective or being in a romance.

Bernard looks more like a girl than Darcy does. I won’t gripe too much in Rossmo, I’m just not a fan of his style. I think Belen Ortega should be the artist instead. And Fitzmartin needs to be removed, because her writing is what is holding this book back.

I’m really sick of all the thought bubbles just cramming up the screen. Fitzmartin just feels the need to explain every little thought and detail instead of letting the reader figure it out for themselves. She has to learn to SHOW DON’T TELL! Honestly, we don’t need an entire explanation of what book this is referring to, just have him notice that book in the library and it sparks an epiphany moment. There is no cohesion to the story it’s just random events happening, it has no natural narrative flow.

Then there’s this whole “Scooby-Doo” vibe. I get what the creators are trying to do, quirky teen solving mysteries, but I don’t think this is a good fit for Tim, in fact it’s character regression not progression, mostly because we’ve seen it done before:

Loved one who doesn’t know his other life, which he feels guilt about having to lie (Ariana, Stephanie, Zoanne, Young Justice, his Dad!)

Working with a single police officer/detective (Shotgun Smith, Sgt. Harper, Jason Bard)

Cops chasing after Tim after being framed (beginning of Beecham run)

Lady sidekick/partner (Stephanie, Bluebird, Pru)

Solving crimes (does it all the time)

The only thing new this series brings is the gay factor, and that’s the least interesting aspect of this series so far. Bernard is just so kind and understanding of being stood up by Tim over and over again. The girls Tim dated let him have it 10x’s over by this point. When are they gonna give him a goddamn personality?!

I could go on and on, but I feel it’s moot at this point. I really miss the Tim Drake I know and love, the person isn’t acting like Tim at all. If this were a brand new character I would just think it’s a poorly written mediocre story, but it’s a character with so much history, and seeming him act so OOC is frustrating to say the least. DC really needs to take a hard look at their writers and editors, if they want this book to succeed, they need a major creative shake-up.