Justice League Adventures #33 (Or Robin shows off his mad detective skills)

[randyripoff]

Some love for the DCAU Robin--in this case, Tim. This particular story is called Disappearing Act, written by Matthew K. Manning and pencilled by Tim Levins

So here's the premise: Batman's disappeared after following up a lead on a robbery--a robbery committed by none other than J'onn J'onnz. Tim's gone to the satellite to try to get help from the Leaguers on watch--Superman, Flash and Hawkgirl. After Superman keeps Flash and Hawkgirl from beating the tar out of Tim for the unexpected invasion, they go on another call--apparently another Justice Leaguer is committing robbery:





So "John" gets away, and the League (plus Robin) go to investigate the latest breakout at the penitentiary. Of course, Robin already knows who the primary suspect is--Clayface.




Gotta love how cavalier the warden is about the breakout. Also, I just love the way Tim is hiding in the shadows in the second panel. So, Tim goes to check out Clayface's old cell







This time, Clayface is masquerading as Wonder Woman, but gives up that disguise pretty quickly. Meanwhile, Robin is trying to figure out the missing pieces of the puzzle using the book he found in Clayface's cell.




I love the way he nonchalantly dodges the attack in the third panel.


Anyway, also on the list of escapees is one particular felon who just might happen to have an interest in the book and the artifacts that Clayface has been stealing--Felix Faust







Oops, I think that's not gonna feel good in the morning, Felix.





Gotta love Robin making the spooky exit at the end.

What I really dig about this story is that it's great seeing A) Robin actually using detective skills, and B) the way the League mistrusts him initially, then later supports him wholeheartedly as he's gained their trust.

Comments

[roxrox]

The Clayface panels made me giggle...alot.

[randyripoff]

What's really interesting is how much difficulty the League has fighting him. One wonders how Batman manages to defeat him on his own all the time.

[endless_aegis]

DCAU Batman tends to be embarrassingly more competent than the rest of the League.

Then again, in the Secret Society episode, Clayface owned everyone--including Batman--except J'onn, so.

[grazzt]

Also, I think it's implied that Grodd gave Clayface an upgrade in the Secret Society episode, in exchange for Clayface's loyalty. Given how he was able to fight with Martian Manhunter and even Superman for a bit, that wouldn't be surprising.

[randyripoff]

I'm not so sure it's so much of an upgrade as it is that the Justice League really aren't fighting with their heads in this instance. They're trying to take Clayface out with brute force, rather than thinking "here's a guy with shape-changing powers who can essentially turn himself intangible and thus render himself impossible to hit. how do I get around that?" Batman--having faced Clayface more than once--knows that he needs to use a more cerebral attack.

[supergirl]

DCAU continues to give me warm feelings of joy and glee.

[superfangirl1]

DCAU tim was a great fun character,I get depress with what happens to him later in the animated universe. :(

[roxrox]

I know... if only DCAU Tim would rub off a little on DCU Tim...

[rhythmbandit]

Yeah, that was some messed up stuff. I like to think that happened in a different universe.

[icon_uk]

I love Tim's casual hop up in the air to avoid the Clayface loogie, not even turning around for it. And a great ending! :)

[icon_uk]

Also, Tim doing his "Bat-lurking in the shadows" bit in the Warden's office scene!

[randyripoff]

Yeah, two great moments no question.

[cmdr_zoom]

Something that's not covered here - as in, I doubt it's in the full story either; there's just no room, with the whole League and all - is that Tim has a very personal grudge against Clayface.

[randyripoff]

Yup, that's not even in the comic. What I left out is pretty straightforward hero vs. villain stuff.

[endless_aegis]

Oh man, I forgot...

"What should we charge him with?"

"Murder."

[sistermagpie]

I want to squish Tim in this story, being all adorable and smart and Bat-like lurking in the shadows. That book is some real olde time Bat detective type stuff.

[randyripoff]

It's a shame how rarely we get to see Batman, Robin, Nightwing et al actually use their detective skills in any story. After all, they are supposed to be the world's greatest detectives, but mostly these days we see them putting out fires and getting in huge fights.

[sistermagpie]

Yes--or beating people up to get the to "talk." WTF is up with that?

[lady-mondegreen.insanejournal.com]

Motto to all. Batman's "super power" (the ability that sets him apart from your average Joe and justified him as a super hero) used to be the power of deduction and understanding of the criminal mind. Now, it's just "put on a cape and beat the crap out of anything that moves." He still saves the day, just not in a super way. And that's no fun.

Some people think kids will ruin stories.... BUT...

[silverzeo]

I like it how the kids can out perform the grownups in almost every way. Like how Bart out witted the Riddler

Re: Some people think kids will ruin stories.... BUT...

[pyrotwilight]

Well...it's less he out witted and more like he pissed the hell out of.

Bart confusing him for the Question may be the best scene in comicdom though.

Max: He reaaaally has no idea who the Riddler is, does he?

[thokstar]

Is it just me, or is DCAU Faust a bit of a wooby at times?

[retro_nouveau]

Never heard of Slabside Island Penitentiary before today. Meh, it should be Stryker's Island, and Clayface should be at Arkham.

I guess Tim did his homework so well that he had something ready so that Faust's spell had no effect? Love Wally's deference to Tim when he accepts the list from the warden and gives it to Tim. Go, Tim.

The feathers fluttering in the air after Clayface bulldozes Hawkwoman and Wally's exaggerated slapstick skid, while Tim dodges only by hearing the approaching SHOOM, were most amusing. Not to mention that, out of context, Clayface looks hilarious wearing only the Wonder panties. XD

[lamashtar]

I really hate when they have the Bats doing magic. I mean, it makes no sense that they wouldn't keep doing it, you know?

[randyripoff]

It's an argument that's been put forth before--if magic really does exist, shouldn't Batman know all about it and be a master of it? Of course, this is the DCAU, so the rules are a bit different, but I don't disagree with you.

[psychopathicus_rex]

So who was Bats undercover as, then?
Also, I like how Clayface can take little bits of himself and use them for various purposes. I know that he's done it before, separating into multiple different people and the like, but this is the first time I've seen him use himself as a source of handy material to be used for such things as hiding holes in walls and firing globs at superheroes.

[bradhanon]

It's like I always say... Tim Drake is scary. If at any point you are not afraid of Tim Drake, it only means you do not fully understand the situation. If you think you've put one over on Tim Drake or otherwise gotten ahead of him, it is a signal that you will get your ass kicked within the next few seconds.