Comic Book Reviews (Week August 11, 2021): Bisexual Tim Drake! Black’s Myth Issue 2 & More!

Welcome to my comic book review round-up for the week of August 11, 2021. Of course, I will be talking about DC Comics giving us a bisexual Tim Drake, Black’s Myth Issue 2, Hailstone Issue 4, and more!

Let’s get the bisexual Tim Drake drama out of the way, first. It finally happened. DC Comics has given us our first queer Robin in Tim Drake. The revelation about Tim’s sexuality came via Batman: Urban Legends issue 6 in part 3 of writer Meghan Fitzmartin’s story “Sum of Our Parts”. Certain readers thought something was up with Tim during the first chapter of “Sum of Our Parts” (Batman: Urban Legends issue 4) due to Tim acting a bit weird when meeting a friend named Bernard.

The current story has been focusing on Tim finding himself. So, certain readers hoped Tim finding himself would equate to him coming to terms with his sexuality. But said readers were also cautious. It wouldn’t be the first time a comic book story had queerbait-y subtext. However, turns out, these readers and DC Comics were on the same page. Tim Drake is indeed part of the LGBTQ+ community!

DC Comics has also published an entire article by Alex Jaffe trying to explain why such a creative decision was made for Tim.

Anyway, just like clockwork, some people took to Twitter to share their opinions about having a bisexual Tim Drake. There are people who are saying Tim Drake’s been ruined for them now. To those people… Hmmm. I guess, cry more?

Now, coming to the other people who actually have valid arguments, I can understand where they are coming from. Jaffe’s article talks about how there are queer headcanons involving Tim, Dick (Nightwing), Jason, and Damian. So, why was Tim selected as the first queer Robin in the BatFamily?

Compared to Dick, Jason, and Damian, Tim hasn’t had a big role to play in comic book stories for quite a while now. Similar to Iceman/Bobby coming out over in the X-Men books, Tim’s coming out also feels like DC’s attempt to make him relevant again.

It’s giving me very: “Can’t figure out what to do with a fictional character? Let’s have them be queer! At least, we will get some online buzz out of it!”

Heck! I just realized Tim and Bobby share the last name Drake and both of them were selected to come out as queer decades after their debuts. Ha!

Frankly, I’m a bit jaded due to how Bobby’s been treated. After coming out back in November 2015, Bobby hasn’t been given much to do. A number of fans aren’t happy with him being used in X-Men stories for cracking a couple of queer-centric jokes. They want Bobby to have a significant role in the bigger Marvel Comics Universe. And even years down the line, fans have received nothing worthwhile. The same is being feared for Tim. What will his role be in the DC Comics universe after we get a story of him coming out to the rest of the BatFamily?

In a sense, it’s as if DC Comics went for the easiest option. Compared to Dick, Jason, and Damian, Tim’s not the most popular. He can again be pushed to the sidelines only to be brought back for an annual Pride-centric issue. If DC Comics was really into making a big change, why not make Damian come out as queer? Why not Nightwing? Or was that too much of a risk? (It sure looks like it.)

So, while I’m okay with the world getting a bisexual Tim Drake (or however he wants to identify as down the line), I’m going to wait a while before applauding DC Comics for taking such a step. To me, opting for a bisexual Tim Drake comes across as the easiest way for DC Comics to queer up the group of male Robins and getting their queer-inclusive brownie points while also providing itself with a failsafe to keep Tim away from the main spotlight if and when necessary. As I have mentioned before, the creative teams were already having trouble figuring out what to do with him. And making him queer isn’t going to magically change that.

Having said all of that, I hope I’m wrong. Fingers crossed Tim’s fate isn’t similar to what Bobby’s still going through.

And now, back to our usual comic book round-up programming!

Runaways Issue 38

Runaways issue 38 by writer Rainbow Rowell was also the series’ 100 legacy issue. Rowell decided to open doors for a lot of narrative arcs to be explored in the future as the latest instalment also said goodbye (at least, for now). So, here’s hoping we get to see the Runaways soon! The current Runaways series has been one of the best comic books I have been keeping up with. And that’s saying something, because I was never a big fan of this particular superhero team. (I’m more of a Young Avengers fan.) Rowell made me care about every character. Will a new writer keep my interest or continue to develop the stuff Rowell left behind? I have no idea. But even then, these young characters deserve to come back for another adventure.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP! 

Mighty Morphin Issue 10

Ryan Parrott has been putting in the work to flesh out Lord Zedd as a character. Mighty Morphin issue 10 served as his origin story. Even though I knew where the plot was going, I couldn’t help but read each page with interest. Parrott impressively set things up for the twist at the end and the impact is sure to get the Power Rangers fandom talking. This issue’s full of action and deceit. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

The Silver Coin Issue 5

For those wondering about the origins of the cursed Silver Coin, we got the answer in issue 5 by writer Michael Walsh. Having the coin be cursed by a witch after a witch hunter decides to kill her isn’t the most original idea, but Walsh made it work. I felt bad for Rebekah. She was doing her best to help the townsfolk and yet they all turned on her once the witch hunter arrived. I understood her cursing the townsfolk and the witch hunter, but I do think she went overboard with her curse because the Silver Coin continues to wreak havoc through the ages.

The good news is that the overall reception has allowed this anthology series to continue. Yay!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Eve Issue 4

With things moving closer to the finale, writer Victor LaValle gave us a lot of information in Eve issue 4. I liked the explanation about why an older version of Eve exists. The fact the older Eve was trying to slow down going through puberty (because the virus only infected adults) so she could meet the younger Eve was quite emotional. I’m still giving a side-eye to Wexler, though. Like, I get where he’s coming from about humans getting chances they don’t deserve, but he went too far.

Eve is definitely a comic book young readers interested in sci-fi and the impact of climate change should consider picking up. 

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Mamo Issue 2

I’m still in awe of the incredible worldbuilding writer Sas Milledge portrayed in Mamo issue 2. The detail behind the magic system and folklore in Mamo made me want to visit such a fictional world. Seeing Orla and Jo trying to bring back balance to the small town of Haresden made for a wonderful adventure. The entire thing felt like a quest you would go on while playing an engrossing RPG video game. The fact I would have read an entire comic of Orla and Jo helping trolls rebuild a carin serves as a testament to Milledge’s storytelling skills and making you invested in what’s going on.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Bunny Mask Issue 3

From writer Paul Tobin, Bunny Mask issue 3 made Tyler aware that the Bee he’s been meeting up with might not be the original Bee he encountered all those years ago. This series does an awesome job of amping up the creepiness factor while also offering enough details (and gore) to keep you hooked. I liked seeing Sheriff Tate getting to reconnect with Tyler. I want them both to work together to figure out what’s happening and why they have been hearing a mysterious voice spilling secrets and urging them to take certain actions.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Secret of Chesbro House Issue 2

From Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Secret of Chesbro House issue 2 offered a satisfying conclusion to Hellboy’s adventure in a haunted mansion. We got to learn more about the evil stuff occurring at the estate and how Sarah’s involved. Even though certain characters did end up dying, of course, Hellboy’s able to handle the situation with his fists. This was a fun mini-story Hellboy fans will appreciate, as far as my opinion goes. I do think the character design of the demonic creature fighting Hellboy could have been better.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up. 

Black’s Myth Issue 2

I was provided with a free digital copy of Black’s Myth Issue 2 for review. The opinions are my own.

You need to start reading Black’s Myth if you’re into supernatural stories featuring a range of myths and interesting detective work. From writer Eric Palicki, we got more information about the fictional world our leads are living in. Apparently, nothing paranormal is off the table. We have werewolves, the Djinn, Greek and Norse mythology. Heck! Galatea showed up! Point me to the last time Galatea was involved in a recent piece of media! Palicki knows his stuff and I can’t wait to see what else he’s got planned. (Issue 2 hinted at our leads getting to meet another type of supernatural being. I won’t spoil it for you.)

Black’s Myth is definitely a book you should pick up if you’re into a werewolf and Djinn duo trying to run a P.I. business. I would love for Black’s Myth to get a live-action TV adaptation. I’ll even take an adult animated series.

This issue also had a short story called ‘His Royal Majesty’ by Dave Dellecese. It basically dragged online “critics” who think too highly of themselves and consider any piece of media not offering what they like a crime. It made me laugh even though I’m a critic myself. I think we all know there’s a difference between criticizing something in a fair manner and dragging a piece of content because you’re being petty or trying to be inflammatory online. 

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Hailstone Issue 4

I was provided with a free digital copy of Hailstone Issue 4 for review. The opinions are my own.

Hailstone issue 4, by writer Rafael Scavone ended up being another comic book instalment this week that gave a lot of answers. In the penultimate issue, Sheriff Denton finally got to know about what Captain Spencer’s been working on in secret. Spencer’s clearly lost his mind trying to play God. At this point, I would like him to die. Seeing him get killed by one of his creations would be a bonus.

I liked Spencer’s explanation behind his unnatural experiments involving humans, animals, and machines. Scavone and his creative team have done a good job of delivering a tense mystery in Hailstone. The reveal didn’t disappoint.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

–

Which comic books did you read this week? What are your thoughts about DC giving us a bisexual Tim Drake?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

Twitter

Help support independent journalism. Subscribe to our Patreon.

Copyright © The Geekiary