Red Robin (comic book)

Red Robin is an American comic book ongoing series published by the comic book publishing company DC Comics that was written by Chris Yost, with art by Ramon Bachs, featuring Batman's former accomplice, Robin (Tim Drake). The debut of the series follows the events of Batman R.I.P., Final Crisis, and Battle for the Cowl in which the original Batman, Bruce Wayne, apparently died at the hands of DC Comics villain Darkseid. Of all the characters in the so-called "Bat-family", Drake (now using his legal name, Tim Wayne) is the only one who believes Bruce Wayne is still alive and leaves Gotham City to begin a global search for evidence supporting his theory and hope.

DC Comics Batman line editor Mike Marts revealed characters that appear in Red Robin by showing his "wall" of character thumbnails underneath the various Batman titles. Characters who appear in Red Robin other than Tim Drake include Gotham City reporter Vicki Vale and one of Bruce Wayne's longtime enemies, Ra's al Ghul.

In October 2010, Red Robin tied in indirectly to an Azrael comic by using Ra's al Ghul, who tested those involved with Bruce Wayne to become his ultimate warrior.

Red Robin artist Ramon Bachs left Red Robin to take on Azrael with Fabian Nicieza, in turn, he finished "The Grail" and gave Marcus his debut in DC to draw the next four-issue arc "Council of Spiders".

Despite the backstories of both comics relying heavily on the League of Assassins and both stories converging at times, the initial run of Batman: Reborn did not have an official tie-in between the two comics. The two eventually crossed-over in the overarching "Gotham Shall Be Judged" storyline when Red Robin would have faced Azrael's Angels of Death.

With Bruce Wayne's apparent death, Tim Drake takes on the costumed identity of Red Robin. He is convinced that Bruce Wayne is alive, and sets out to locate him.

Drake travels around the world, looking for clues as to Bruce Wayne's location. After rescuing a hostage, he retires to his hotel room, frustrated. A flashback is shown of Drake leaving Wayne Manor after losing the Robin mantle to Damian Wayne. Outside his window, Z, Owens, and Prudence watch and aim at him with a sniper rifle. The three assassins are in league with Ra's al Ghul, who gives the order to assassinate Drake.

The hotel room explodes from the shot, but Red Robin (Drake) appears and attacks the three. Drake demonstrates his new fighting style and deduces the identities of the assassins before they disappear. Soon after, Red Robin comes into contact with Ra's al Ghul, who is interested to learn what has happened to Bruce Wayne. Red Robin #3 begins when Drake attempts to steal what appears to be a fossilized Batarang while consulting with Ra's. Another flashback is shown, with Drake standing in front of Bruce Wayne's grave when Wonder Girl approaches to console him and persuade him to return home. Tim, however, deduces that Dick Grayson sent her to check on him and makes her leave him alone.