RainEffect

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Why I love Timothy Drake Wayne

In case you aren't aware, there was an aggressive blog post made by a user on why he hates Tim Drake recently. Now, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but that user stated a number of points, claimed they were his opinion, but also claimed that they were true - thereby making them facts; which they were not. I'd like to take this opportunity to stand up for one of my favourite characters in the DC universe and not allow him to be slagged off so unfairly. 
 
This is my opinion. I will not force it upon you if you disagree with it, but if you make outlandish remarks that are completely contrary to canon truth, I will be vocal in my discussion. Secondly, the only facts here are the points that I back up with evidence in the form of scans or references. I'll try my hardest not to theorise or speculate, but use concrete evidence to support my statement. Thirdly, I won't slag off another character or swear at them - I'll do my best to make a persuasive, and above all else, mature post. 
 
Here's a little something to set this blog post up.
  

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First things first, the most appealing thing for me is the fact that, above all else, Tim respects Bruce. He respects Bruce as a person, Batman as an ideal and the legend that his adoptive father will leave behind. While each Robin that preceded him, and the one that followed, all had their issues with Bruce, Timothy never clashed with Bruce's ideals. Dick was disobedient, Jason was too clouded and Damien is too arrogant. Tim understood what the Bat symbol meant, what Bruce's dedication to that life meant and ultimately, he bonded the most with Bruce. Now, you might argue with me there, but there is a reason Bruce handed the company to Tim in his will - Bruce saw Tim as a possible Batman of teenage years. Tim models almost every aspect of Bruce, which is why Bruce bonded with him the most. That is why I love reading about him, because it portrays what a teenage Batman may have been like and younger readers (I am 21) can further connect with him.
 

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Now, what separates him from the rest of the Bat-Sons is his upbringing. Whilst Bruce saved Dick, Jason and Damian, Tim saved Bruce. Cassie (Wonder Girl) said it herself. "Remember when you told me how you became Robin? You said that Batman needed a Robin. What happens when a Robin needs a Robin?"  (Red Robin #3) This was in reference to Bruce's dark change after Jason Todd was beaten to death by the Joker. Bruce almost lost his sanity after that, even Talia worried for him after that incident (Red Hood: The Lost Days #1) and knew that it would eventually destroy him. Tim had already known about Bruce and Dick's identity a long while before that, having deduced it himself. He came to Bruce and offered his hand to help. Tim had a family, he had a life, and he acted out of his heart to help the Dark Knight. None of the other Bat-Sons did the same, they were all rescued by Bruce. Because Tim was free of emotional baggage, he was able to help Bruce reassemble his shattered sanity and self-respect after the failure of Jason and became the Dark Knight once more. I love that about Tim. He shows a maturity beyond his age, and a good heart that did not need to be awakened by tragedy. He had a normal life and a loving family, but he reached out to Bruce.
 
What about when Bruce 'died' and everyone but Drake believed him to be dead? Everyone, from his old Titan teammates to Dick himself tried to talk some 'sense' into him, but he would not listen. Do you want to know why? Because he was closest to Bruce. Even Alfred, Fox and Oracle all believed Bruce was dead, but not Tim. Tim was the closest to Bruce and that is why he knew. 
 
Now, there has been a bit of slagging off of Tim's physical ability. Allow me to rectify some points. Tim never lost to Damian. He wasn't trying in any of their fights except their most recent one. That isn't my opinion, that is fact. "I've always held back for Bruce and for Dick." (Red Robin #14) What happens when Tim does try? In that very issue, Damian tried to ambush Tim by cutting his rope in mid-air and then attacking him on the ground. The moment Tim started trying, he broke Damian's face in two places with two blows, before the fight was broken up by Dick (again Red Robin #14). His exact words were: "You lost the second I started trying." So there's a fact for you. 
 
Secondly, Tim doesn't have the physical blessings that Dick and Jason has, but he more than makes up for it with his instinctual intellect. He took on the entire Council of Spiders (assassins who were at war with the League), including the Wanderer who can instantly kill with skin-contact and managed to get out in one piece. 
 

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That's coming from Ra's al Ghul, a person who consistently has proven he can stalemate Bruce. Tim has also fought Dick to the point where he has had the advantage (Red Robin #4). He fought Dick when he refused to return to Gotham to receive psychological help for believing Bruce was still alive. He managed to up Dick and hold his staff to his throat, thereby forcing Dick to surrender. He has also managed to hold his own, albeit in a very losing battle, against Ra's al Ghul (Red Robin #12). But the most important part about Tim is that he acknowledges that he doesn't have a superior physique like Dick and Jason do - he fights with his intelligence. He admitted this very trait when he defeated Lady Shiva - that's right. He defeated the most deadly martial artist in the DC Universe.
  


 
Of course, that leads us to the final and most important point about Tim Wayne - his intelligence. Instead of just talking, I'll let my scans do it for me. However, I strongly suggest you read up a little bit on his Red Robin series. He has outsmarted The Council of Spiders, Ra's al Ghul (twice), Vicki Vale and Anarky. Dick has also completely admitted that Tim is far more intelligent than him. Not only that, but if you remember my earlier scan, Batman Inc. was Tim's idea. Bruce acknowledges this. 
 
Crippling the League of Assassins right under their noses

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Dick admitting Tim is smarter than him and a better Robin

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Tim completely outplaying Ra's al Ghul - for the second time
 


 
 
As I bring this to a close, I hope I eradicated any doubt of Tim's place in the Bat-Family. Red Robin is my favourite series in all of DC (that's above the Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul, which is my all-time favourite Batman story). Timothy Drake is such a joy to follow and I love reading his new adventures. As I depart, I'll leave you one final scan to show why I love Timothy Drake Wayne.
 

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This has been a blog by Lucas aka RainEffect. Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any feedback, or even want to request a topic for me to write a blog on, go for it.  
 

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