It’s been a tough road for Tim. From his start, he was overshadowed by Dick Grayson, and Tim’s adventures as Robin are mostly forgettable. Whereas Dick graduated from sidekick status and was given the super-cool Nightwing moniker, poor Tim was saddled with the regrettable Red Robin (yum). Sure, he’s been featured in television series and video games, but he’s the afterthought of the Bat-Family.
From the outside, he may not appear to have a bright future, but the DCU could change that. Looking through his key issues, several moments shine with big-screen potential, and that could translate into profits.
BATMAN #436
If there’s even a chance that Tim could appear in the DCU, his first appearance will be the top collecting priority. Batman #436 begins his introduction into the comics, and he eventually became the third Robin following Jason Todd’s death.
Considering fans hated Jason’s Robin so much they voted to kill the character, Tim would have an uphill battle to win over comic readers. In time, the third Robin did earn his share of supporters.
YOUNG JUSTICE: THE SECRET #1
In most ways, Tim followed in Dick Grayson’s footsteps. Having been Robin for a few years, Tim was recruited by the Teen Titans. Eventually, he led his own team when Young Justice debuted in 1998.
James Gunn has said that his DCU will be inspired by some of DC’s most popular animated features, and Young Justice is a beloved modern classic. We could see a version of the team in live action, which would have huge implications for this issue.
NEW 52: FUTURE’S END #47
Skipping past the dreaded Red Robin moniker, Future’s End gave readers a look at Tim taking over as Batman. Since his detective skills are nearly on par with Bruce Wayne’s, it’s fitting to see Tim in the role.
Even better, he is rocking the awesome Batman Beyond suit, and there’s always gossip about a Batman Beyond series return or possible movie.
BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER
This would be the most unexpected and interesting way to utilize Tim. In the 2000 animated movie, he was a future Joker, and that would be a jaw-dropping twist.
In some ways, Tim’s transition into the Joker mirrors that of Jason’s rebirth as Red Hood. Whereas Jason actually died at Joker’s hands and was resurrected via the Lazarus Pit, Tim was abducted and brainwashed by the Clown Prince of Crime. As Batgirl explained to Terry McGinnis, Joker and Harley kidnapped a pre-teen Tim and warped him into basically a mini Joker. Some 40 years later, it’s revealed that Joker had somehow left his consciousness in Tim’s fractured mind, taking control at will.
The movie’s entire plot was condensed into a single issue, thereby giving you several first appearances here. Besides Tim Drake’s Joker debut, you also get the premiere of the Dee-Dee twins, who just so happen to be Harley Quinn’s grandchildren.
IT’S TIMMY TIME
With the right tooling, Tim Drake could finally step out of Dick Grayson’s shadow. Whether it’s as Robin or Red Robin, he’s generally seen as a lesser version of Nightwing. Making him the Joker or having him spearhead a version of Young Justice would help him shed that label and stand out from a crowded field of Batman sidekicks.
