Jaws are dropping across the world as readers see the final page of Robin War #2.
The crossover’s big finale reunites nearly all the young men and women who have declared “I am Robin” and marks a shocking new status quo for a fan-favorite character.
Tom King deliver the final chapter of Robin War with a fast-moving two-front war on the streets of Gotham City and the Labyrinth of the Court of Owls.
What do the events of this week’s finale mean for the Batman family going into 2016 as Bruce Wayne starts to remember and eventually reclaim the famous Cape and Cowl? Will the real Batman return only to face an old friend turned deadly enemy?
Before we continue here’s a SPOILER ALERT!
If you have not read Robin War #2 stop reading now.
Seriously.
OK.
Here it comes.
When a teen member of the We Are Robin movement accidentally kills a police officer, the Gotham City Council declares war on anyone even sporting the iconic colors with the Robin Laws.
The attack on the teen vigilantes brought Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne back to Gotham.
The Robin Laws were secretly orchestrated by The Court of Owls and Lincoln March.
Damian accepted the Court’s offer to become an Owl to protect the others. As Damian defeated all challengers as an army of Talons looked on but it was breakout character Duke Thomas that shined and ultimately the We Are Robin kids showed the city they were heroes in a bloody showdown with Talons.
All along the Court wanted the one they’ve been after since their debut in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s first Batman arc.
The Gray Son.
Dick Grayson was the ultimate prize. The Court had the ultimate weapons. One regular Talon is deadly, an army of Talons is terrifying. Imagine the “Elite Talons” buried under Gotham waiting to be activated. This fail safe of berserkers able to kill thousands would burn and destroy what the Court lost.
In an chilling confrontation between March and Grayson it seemed like Dick was undeniably destined to play the role the Court wanted for him. Why else would a former Robin choose to be Nightwing, a bird that flew only at night?
After an apparent victory by Dick, Damian, Tim, Jason, Jim Gordon and the teens of We Are Robin, Duke Thomas declares, “we’re not Robin,” but is this the end of the movement?
Then the gut puncher, the heart breaker:
The Court of Owls of Gotham City are ready to welcome a new member to put on the infamous mask as the scene gets wider showing the Court of Owls are a global menace with members in major cities around the world.
With Owls across the planet watching, Dick Grayson is welcomed to the Parliament of Owls!
Here are big burning questions:
Is the We Are Robin movement and book still alive?
Will Duke’s split from the movement lead to his own series and how will the young boy who once save Bruce Wayne in Zero Year fit into Scott Snyder’s Batman book this year?
Dick Grayson faked his death to infiltrate Spyral? Is his undercover mission with Spyral over and what will his role in the Parliament mean for his solo series and will he truly become a villain? What happens when Bruce returns as Batman and learns Dick has become an Owl?
Finally the most mysterious and menacing Batman villain in decades (which is actually an entity instead of one bad guy) is actually more powerful than imagined. Is the Parliament of Owls a force who could take on The League of Assassins, Suicide Squad or Justice League? Could there be more tombs of Elite Talons buried under Earth’s major cities ready to strike? What the Parliament revelation mean about the secret history of the DC Universe?
This week’s shocker certainly explains the teaser for Grayson #18 in March by King and co-writer Tim Seeley:
“At last, the spy stands alone. Now an agent of multiple masters, Grayson must go rogue from them all, find the truth within the web of lies, and take down Spyral once and for all.”
Tom King and the entire Robin War crafted an epic thrill ride and gripped the entire DC Universe with exciting new story possibilities like the Talons of an Owl tightening on prey.
By Editor