Red Robin #6 – Review

by Christopher Yost (writer), Marcus To (pencils), Ray McCarthy (inks), Guy Major (colors)

The Story: Council of Spiders, Part II: Yost keeps us jumping in space and time, showing us Red Robin’s operational leadership of the League of Assassins, more of the international past of Vitoria and the present of Vicki Vale in Gotham. Red Robin is playing a pretty dangerous game by discovering all he can of the League of Assassins for his later use, by searching for traitors in the League and by setting traps for the Council of Spiders. In the background is his search for Bruce Wayne.

What’s Good: Red Robin the series continues to feel like a summer blockbuster and this issue keeps up the pace and fills in the gaps in the story. The tension is palpable as the plot threads converge. I’m glad my faith in Yost paid off and he explained more of Vitoria in this issue. I also can’t stop watching Tim take on the League and the Council by himself. It’s a dizzying high-wire act, making this one of my favorite books in my pull stack.

The art, shading and color are all well done. The characters are all cleanly shown and well proportioned. The layouts keep up with Yost’s frenetic scene switching and all of the action sequences. To give you a feel of what the art team pulls off, they bring Yost’s story to life as it jumps from philandering wives, killer ninjas, international assassins, monsters, gunfire, and dizzying rescues to a final confrontation with the villain.

What’s Not So Good: Neither a toxic Brazilian babe nor spiders crawling over my eyeballs could get a complaint out of me this month. (Check out the book if you want to see those things)

Conclusion: Red Robin is pulling ahead of the competition and it is now the first thing I read. Tim has a mystery quest on his hands and has only his wits to save him from the danger besetting him on all sides. Check it out!

Grade: A-

-DS Arsenault

 

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #3 – Jeff Lemire’s haunting, bizarre apocalyptic tale continues to make a strong campaign for best new series of the year.

Most Anticipated: Batman and Robin #6 – The legit Batman book is finally here, and it’s too bad we’re only getting treated to one good Batman read a month. It’s the conclusion to “The Revenge of the Red Hood,” and I’m expecting Grant Morrison to deliver.

Other Top Picks: Unwritten #7, Deadpool #17, Strange #1, Sword #1, Red Robin #6, The  Walking Dead #67, Green Lantern Corps #42

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: The Marvelous Land of Oz #1 – While it doesn’t quite have the “Wow factor” that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz #1 had, the first chapter of The Marvelous Land of Oz is one heck of a success regardless.   I’d say more, but Joe’s review about the book is absolutely spot on, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already.

Most Anticipated: Sky Doll: Doll Factory #1 – The first Sky-Doll mini-series is one of my favorite minis of all time.  Its vibrant visuals and sharp social commentary left me dying for more.  Now, months later, more has finally arrived.  To say I have high hopes for Doll Factory would be quite the understatement.

Other Top Picks: Batman and Robin #6, Unwritten #7, Deadpool #17, Strange #1, Sword #1, Vengence of Moon Knight #3, X-Force #21, Tracker #1, The Walking Dead #67, and Witchblade #132

DS’ Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #2 – This was a week packed with good books, but Doctor Voodoo #2 took the title. Marvel sorcery, Daimon Hellstorm and magical conspiracies made for a fantastic followup to the first issue.

Most Anticipated: Strange #1 – Stephan Strange has always been one of the most powerful, compelling figures in the Marvel Universe. Now that he’s no longer Sorcerer Supreme, what does he do? I can’t wait to see! Close second/third: Batman and Robin #6 – Batman against the Red Hood and Batgirl #4 – new costume, new arc, surprise hit!

Other Top Picks: Daredevil #502, The Flash: Rebirth #5, Red Robin #6, Titans #19

Alex’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #3 – Jeff Lemire hits a home run in an issue that’s substantially better than last month’s.  The bond between man and boy is strengthened and the horror of the devastated, post-apocalyptic setting is put in the forefront.  Nonetheless, despite the intensity, Lemire’s trademark sparseness and minimalism is maintained.  A fantastic, dark, and emotionally significant book.Most Anticipated: Punisher MAX #1 – Jason Aaron is one of the best writers in comics today and, thus far, everything he’s touched has been gold.  This Wednesday, he tries to fill the shoes of Garth Ennis, bringing along Ennis’ old partner in crime, Steve Dillon.  If you’ve checked out the preview, Dillon’s work here looks like we’ve stepped into a time machine and jumped back to his work in the 90s, and that certainly conjures a great deal of nostalgia on my part.  I love Punisher MAX, I love Ennis, I love Aaron, I love Dillon.  Bring it on.

Other Picks: Hellboy: Wild Hunt #8, The Unwritten #7, Daredevil #502, Fables #90, Batman & Robin #6, DMZ #47, The  Walking Dead #67, Green Lantern Corps #42

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Marvelous Land of Oz #1 – Skottie Young and Eric Shanower continue their beautiful, fun adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s Oz series.  I read this comic book twice: once for the story, and once again to drool over the artwork.  This is a perfect comic for adults and children alike.

Most Anticipated: X-Force #21 – There’s really no contest as to what I’m most excited about this coming Wednesday.  X-Force is without a doubt the best X-Title on the stands, and with the Necrosha event in full swing, there’s no better time to be reading this series.

Other Top Picks: Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai HC, Batman and Robin #6, Booster Gold #26, Green Lantern Corps #42, REBELS #10, Red Robin #6, Fables #90, Unwritten #7, Angel #27, Walking Dead #67, Amazing Spider-Man #611, Daredevil #502, Cable #20, S.W.O.R.D. #1, Realm of Kings Imperial Guard #1, Strange #1, Dark X-Men #1, Punisher MAX #1, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly #5