Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: The Wrong Town: Part 3
Written by: Jon Lewis
Penciled by: Pete Woods
Inked by: Andrew Pepoy
Colored by: Noelle Giddings
Lettered by: Willie Schubert
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
Back in the early 90’s when DC released three insanely popular ROBIN mini series I doubt many people thought an ongoing series could last, especially for 114 issues and counting. The book has been one of the best written in the DC line for most of that time. This success was largely due to the superb work of Chuck Dixon. The life of Tim Drake was often more important than his alter ego, and it held a slightly lighter tone than the other books under the Bat-Umbrella.
It’s hard to believe, but Chuck Dixon has been gone for over a year, and Jon Lewis has been writing ROBIN for fourteen issues now (counting issue 100 which was co-written with Dixon). Lewis has made some major changes on the book, especially going with a darker tone that has incorporated a lot of supernatural and horror elements. While the direction was a bit hard for me to get used to, the book is now one of my favorites each month. Lewis’ dialogue has improved greatly from his early issues, as have the stories, which are no longer as plodding.
The current arc surrounds Robin’s efforts in the small town of Wrestling, yes that’s the name, to protect a twin boy and girl. When they are together the two cannot be harmed by anything. The religious crazies in the small Pennsylvania town actually sell tickets to “Wrestling Night in Wrestlingâ€, where they re-enact scenes from the bible. That leads to the main attraction when folks in attendance are allowed to try to kill the boy.
As last issue closed, Bikers kidnapped the male twin, leaving Robin battered and unable to follow. The mysterious Stephen aids Robin; know as the “Wildman of the Mountains†he is not what he seems. Stephen heals Robin’s injuries with a touch then leads him through twenty miles of mountains in mere moments. What follows is a memorable but insanely disturbing confrontation between Robin and the bikers. The effect of which is felt back in Wrestling, where we learn what can happen when the twins are separated.
Woods and Pepoy have been together on ROBIN for a long time, and it shows. Robin is drawn perfectly, he doesn’t look like a little kid but he’s not a man either. They really hit the fine line on the look of the character. The craziness that ensues is well rendered this issue as well. The eerie setting and strange characters, including what’s actually beneath the surface of the twins, are memorable and more than a little unsettling.
To say this is the weirdest storyline in some time is an understatement. The sheer depravity of each issue has been a joy to read. This is the type of story that deserves to be collected into a trade paperback so more people can enjoy it. For any horror fans out there, I’d recommend picking up issues 112, 113, and 114 of ROBIN, as well as the conclusion next month.
