The Origin of Tim Drake | Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying

Buy this Batman collection, which includes A Lonely Place of Dying! amzn.to/33xTwin The Batman had become a man possessed. Intense, violent, brutal. But his desperate vengeance had made him careless, even sloppy, and he had been injured, frequently. His deep pain blinding his cool logical reasoning, the Batman slipped further into the denial of his tragic loss. Now Gotham City was being menaced by Two-Face, on of the Batman's most unpredictable and deadly foes, and a man driven by his own inner demons. Can Dick Grayson, the first Robin and the Batman's former partner and friend, aid his mentor in regaining his edge? And Tim Drake, the inquisitive 12 year old who has deduced the secret of the Batman and Robin what role will he play? A Lonely Place of dying is a five part story of despair and rebirth, culminating in the triumphant restoration of the Batman and Robin Team. Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #batman
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@Promin3nce]

Me: lets write some papers for my online meeting tomorrow Comicpop: how about back issues Me: how about yes

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

I was literally in a webex meeting at work, and when I saw a new Back Issues left that meeting. Time well spent.

[@8Bitnoobgamer]

I love when Ben and Tiffany crack up on the same jokes, at the same time. It's honestly beautiful the synergy of laughter on the couch

[@chisasa9509]

Especially Ben's riskque Sence of humor that Tiffany Browchecks every now and then. Lol

[@TheGreatDevlin]

They have natural sibling energy

[@kd7100]

@@chisasa9509 not just the riskque, but the barbeque as well

[@JoshMunroe]

Ben's knowledge of circus-themed murders halfway through the episode is both impressive and frightening. Number of graphic novels purchased since I started watching Back Issues: 67

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

"...and, for your money's worth, a halfway decent Two Face story." ...Did you just-?!

[@mitchellregan21]

5:26 *Ben:* Can I ask you a question? *Sal:* You just did. *Ben:* _Ohhhhhhhhh!_ This show is amazing.

[@TheCosmicFailure]

I feel like that was Sals teacher side coming out.

[@AVC-qd8lr]

Now the trilogy of back issues are here! That being, A death of the family, A lonely place of dying, and Robin reborn.

[@thetizic]

A five year arc! XD

[@comixproviderftw_02]

The Robin Trilogy

[@HollowGolem]

It's interesting how many people join the Batfamily DESPITE Bruce's objections. All three (kinda four if you count Helena Bertinelli as one) Batgirls, Tim Drake, Carrie Kelley, Jason when he comes back as Red Hood. Damien gets unceremoneously dropped on his doorstep. Yeah, Bruce has a big surrogate family, but by and large, it found him.

[@TheOverLook]

At this point, any time Batman meets a new kid, Alfred is already working on their new suit.

[@veronicarodriguez-nt4nl]

Chris Check don't forget Jarro

[@architeuthis3476]

Yet for some reason, Jean Paul Valley was one that Bruce welcomed with open arms. Ugh.

[@chisasa9509]

Honesty as long as Joker is alive, Bruce should Stress it apon Not only to His Company, but to other superheroes trying to recruit apprentices: NO KIDS.

[@yurifairy2969]

​@@architeuthis3476 at least jean paul was an adult lol

[@PowerPackers90]

I just notice the look Tiffany gives when Sal says "luckly Bruce picked little boys with jet black hair and the same body shape"

[@MrAl360]

14:27 Alfred: Master Wayne, are you kidding me right now? When you said you’d rather eat the sheets instead of my cooking, I didn’t think you literally do that!

[@alexlawrence6440]

Sal's love of Tim Drake justifies my love (granted my limited knowledge then) of him since I was a kid

[@nicholaskatsikas4904]

Lonely Place of Dying is a better story than a Death in the Family. Wolfman and Pérez create a really nice narrative on why the mantle of Robin is so important and should be a constant in the Batman mythos.

[@tanyaharmon6739]

@@Magnero That was a sentence.

[@kd7100]

@@Magnero that’s true, and sadly doesn’t seem to be taken into consideration

[@elderrusty541]

My copy of Death In The Family had A Lonely Place Of Dying included and it works well to end on a higher note instead of being a downer all the way through

[@FloorTankMain]

The reason I love Tim Drake as a character so much was kinda touched on by Sal. Ignoring editorial and meta stuff, Tim Drake had no Sad Backstory other than witnessing the Graysons’ deaths and having distant parents. He just saw that Batman was the hero Gotham needed and that Robin was integral for Batman to work. He’s like Superman in that he needed no tragic backstory to be a hero, he just saw that he could help. He loved Robin, sure, but he never planned to take Jason’s place or really wanted it. He took some karate classes and that was it. He wasn’t as strong as Jason and wasn’t acrobatic like Dick, he was maybe slightly more athletic than the average kid. He hunted Dick down to become Batman’s partner when he noticed that Batman was getting out of control and reckless. Both Gordon and Alfred recognizes that Batman was different. Alfred took it a step further by pointing out that Bruce would die if he kept up at the pace he was going. When Dick rejected his old position, Tim had no choice but to become Robin. After this story, Tim wasn’t even supposed to put the uniform back on until Bruce said he was ready. I was impressed with DC’s restraint by introducing a new Robin, but not having him be Robin until he had been trained enough. Not to mention that Bruce REALLY didn’t like Tim AT ALL for awhile. Their partnership really grew over time at its own pace until the father-son relationship they got in the late 2000’s. It felt earned. When Bruce offered to adopt Tim the second time after Tim had rejected him the first time a year or two prior was just *chef’s kiss* This is already too long, so I’ll stop. I just miss the Batfamily era of the late 80’s to the late oughts so much 😭

[@the_well-known_stranger2275]

Perfectly said.

[@shadowanderson2004]

I think it’s funny how everyone thinks Batman designed the Robin suit. Nope Grayson designed it to annoy Batman.

[@Grievousish]

I think my copy of A Death in the Family also had the batman issues of this story included at the end, which made the book into a slightly happier ending.

[@welch_inc6532]

Batman must come across as really heartless. The next issue he’s already replaced his dead kid

[@LPJZ456]

Best laugh I got was from Tiff asking "are you gonna put it on old man?" lmaooo had my dying

[@Benm701]

"Can I ask you a question?" "You just did."

[@iSUCKatTHlSgame]

"but I'm feeling generous, so I'll give you *one* more." "........really?" "yes. enjoy the rest of your day, bye now!"

[@flashtheshapeshafter]

8:50 Their reactions to " the Ravager" XD

[@joshbowman9481]

The only good thing about having my birthday end up on a Wednesday lol.

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

I remember when Tim Drake debuted. It was so strange to see a new Robin. I liked him, and felt like it was great new character. They really should have stopped after Tim. Dick was grown up, leaving Bruce alone. Jason was dead, showing Bruce the risk of his failure. Tim was a redemption and the realization he can try again.

[@makisdimakis333]

I think the reason they didn't stop with Tim Drake was that Grant Morrison's run was a hit and as a result of that they kept Damian as canon. Tim Drake is the definitive Robin for me, he has the best Robin stories. A Lonely Place of Dying is a very good example

[@infernaldisdain8051]

@Super JLK What else is there for him though? At least Tim was older when he stopped being Robin, Damian was still supposed to be young and not only would his father want to look out for him, if he's with Batman, what would he be besides? We need a Robin for Branding, but Tim is getting older in the narrative so unless they de-aged him (which would be a mistake) he would probably become a solo hero anyways.

[@gregsanders61]

@Super JLK R.I.P. Red Robin. It was the best he could have been without Robin.

[@FloorTankMain]

Infernal Disdain I agree, Damian becoming Robin was the only way for his character to not clutter the scene with ANOTHER masked Batfam character and what else would you do with a 10 year old Batman side character? I only wish that they had chosen a different way of doing it instead of completely disrespecting and sidelining Tim’s character and ruining his relationship with Dick. But then again, it fit Damian’s character with how much he hated Tim and was such a shitty person at the time. Tim was 17 when he was fired as Robin, so I think he could’ve gotten at least another year or two in-universe as Robin since Dick was fired at college-aged. I’m indecisive about the whole thing, but I guess that IS how stories work.

[@chisasa9509]

They should have FIRED Grant Morrison after saying Bruce had a kid with Talia. Not Selina. Did he even read comics as a kid?

[@spoonlolol2]

The amount of zoom in faces in this episode is glorious

[@chisasa9509]

I want them to Zoom into One of the Toys in the background, after they make a joke in the Toys representative character's expense. -Then play a 3-5 second sound bite of sad 🎹 🎶

[@rjcase9157]

That Tom king issue was terrifying

[@connorpalmer6454]

Oh my god, we saved Ben but got Ethan killed instead. R.I.P., you will be remembered Ethan

[@chisasa9509]

Lol the PoPulation has spoken. Kill the Scientists first.

[@thegrayghost4292]

I think it is a worthy story to be on a must read list. It’s has Tim’s origin, great Jim Aparo art, and heart warming bat family moments. It’s a little cheesy but I like that it balances out the darkness a death in the family.

[@ridge825]

I like how every back issues somehow has some weird creepy sexual innuendo that might scar comic book readers for life just by imagining them

[@kourtneyr.scruggs0988]

Me: Hey Siri, show me images of “buff clown”. Siri: Shows multiple images of Lord Belmont. Me: Hey Siri. Do you have a type? Siri: Mind Your Business.

[@Night221Shadow]

Also known as “Batman: Robin is canonically now not only replaceable, but actually expandable.” A year? Jason Todd was justified to go on a rampage.

[@jok86er]

But a year in comic books is a long time

[@crimsonking440]

@@jok86er Actually it's the exact opposite. That's why 40 years worth of comics is only like 3-4 years for them. So 12 real months is probably like... 2 weeks.

[@welch_inc6532]

crimsonking440 yeah, comic writers are about eight issues ahead. So this was probably an outcome of people being angry

[@mitchellregan21]

Tim Drake isn't my favourite Robin but I really respect his addition and contribution to the mythos. He was a perfect follow up to the tragedy of Jason Todd.

[@chisasa9509]

Right. Make up for Fan's being evil, voting for Jason to die.

[@maxerickson4080]

Every story dealing with Jason and Tim pre-Flashpoint was so fun.

[@alexnash4795]

Just wanted to show my appreciation for you guys. I wouldn't be surviving the lockdown here in the UK without all your videos. Even before the lockdown I would watch all your videos on repeat. Thank you for being in my life these last 5 years and here is to many more years of great content. Also Ben I hope you are staying safe out there. I remember Sal saying that you are an essential worker so my thoughts go out to you as well as Ethan, Tiffany and Sal the Man himself. I know it is a long shot ask but my fav episode of back issues is Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes and was wondering what the chances of a sequel was? Again thank you for everything you have done for the Comic Population

[@yepperdeedooda]

You guys are still so awesome. I remember the first time I heard about you guys was when you guys talked about that awesome series The Maxx.

[@eoneillmor]

This whole era of Jason Todd -> Tim Drake comics are some of favourite issues. Some great, goofy stories. The Diplomats Son, A Death in the Family, Year 3, A Lonely Place of Dying, Robin Reborn, Jokers Wild, Shadow Box, all classics

[@butchhartman1582]

5:58 me and tiff had the same reaction

[@sonofvicvega816]

Sal's hair is growing and I love it

[@chisasa9509]

I wish Sal would just grow the Full Beard. Keep it tight. But full beard. I hate "Shower Drain Gotties"

[@QueerComics1994]

This is totally just another Batman story, but as a Robin story it's one of the best

[@TevyaSmolka]

I love Tim drake robin he’s one of my all time favorite characters within dc comics and it really pisses me off that Tim drake robin doesn’t get the respect he deserves because he earned the mantle of robin damn it.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Twisted Tristan indeed and that’s what frustrates me even more because for a literal decade tim drake was robin and he earned the mantle of robin more then dick grayson more then Jason Todd, Tim drake is Robin he will always be my robin in my book.

[@ComicCrossing]

he suuuucks

[@welch_inc6532]

I think the problem is, Tim was robin during the 90s, shared the mantel in the first half of the 2000s and replaced in the second half by Damian. Most of his iconic stories don’t involve him being with Batman, so new fans don’t come across him. But he’s a teen again somehow and Robin since Damian decided to deal with his PTSD

[@TevyaSmolka]

Welch_inc yeah I still don’t understand the logic of deaging Tim drake robin to a teenager while Damian gets to grow up

[@welch_inc6532]

Tevya Smolka the worse part is I feel like Tim’s just being used as robin until the next reboot.

[@robertwild9447]

At 5:25 Seeing Ben's mind be completely blown by Sal's genius is the greatest thing I've seen all day 😂

[@collinschoenfelder677]

i like how this story is included in the death of robin trade paperback

[@priceyyeti4058]

Ben: Is he a sexual predator? Sal: No, he's just a jackass. Me: What's the difference?

[@bradwatkins7564]

Ben and Tiffany's same time reactions were hilarious.

[@chrisw2307]

If you wanna get real picky, when they retold Dick Grayson's origin in Batman Year 3 (several issues before this arc), they included Dick getting his picture taken with young Tim Drake, as a little foreshadowing for this arc. So not his VERY first appearance.

[@comicpop]

I'm heading to phony fake comic geek jail as we speak!

[@chrisw2307]

@@comicpop And as your credibility decreases, so does mine increase! Muahahaha! Seriously though, love the channel!

[@rolfe2000]

53:47 "It's called the trunk" Lmaooo

[@BurnedChiliMan]

Hey I love the stories you guys do keep up all the amazing work. I am constantly watching back issues! I seriously watch at least two episodes a day haha!

[@gamingidiots7495]

Love you guys thanks for the content!!!

[@chisasa9509]

I always loved Tim Drake (Robin) and Stephanie Brown (Huntress/Batgirl) It was the conscript in order for us as readers to get A future Batman and Batwoman relationship that wasn't uneasy like Bruce and Barbra.

[@d.r.dorsey8563]

YAAAAAAHHHH BACK ISSUES

[@davidesterley3163]

I have been eagerly anticipating but totally surprised, thanks everyone for your hard work

[@Bromanviper]

Ive never read this before watching. I did not expect the story to be this good.

[@plain3089]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, WOO new back issues!

[@plain3089]

Every episode the editing gets better and better!

[@joaquinjfernandez1528]

Yea this was a good story can you guys do the Chuck Dixon Nightwing run from the late 90s?

[@scottstofenberg7465]

I think we need more "Dick" on ComicPop, such has Agent Grayson. Any chance for a back issues on Die?

[@joshrowland7605]

Tim Drake is literally the Robin that all main stream Robins are modeled after. This was important.

[@davisproductions3377]

Can you do Batman: Dark Victory

[@nicholaskatsikas4904]

They really should do it but I think they haven’t because Sal doesn’t like that story all that much.

[@chisasa9509]

Or Superman. "Death of Superman" The Full "Doomsday" edition. Not the Follow-up Stories they did. "Superman's Funeral" or joking about the Mullet Phase after he woke up. Or How Batman didn't care Lol the actual fight scenes between Sup's and Doomsday were just FARTED over. Those were The MOST Important Part of DC comic's. It ment Clark could potentially Die. O.O

[@comicpop]

Episode's done. Couldn't care less about doing it again.

[@williamgazca6641]

I'm a total sucker for Jason Todd, but in my eyes Tim will always be the best Robin (yes..over Grayson too). To me he was the only one who stayed devoted to batman's teachings until he was legit ready.

[@welch_inc6532]

I wouldnt say until he was ready. Dick replaced him with Damian the first chance he got

[@spowden]

Tim is the most generic and boring of all the Robins Dick>>Jason>Damian>>>>>>>>>Tim

[@96smittyjr]

god i love tiffanys reaction at the second that sal says he was very quick to choose little boys lol

[@jayeremy4456]

SO HYPE FOR THIS EP, some classic Batman stuff is especially welcome

[@Sicod79]

Two Face had to flee the Dynamic Duo of Alfred and Robin, there were two of them.

[@Newarksfinest05]

First TPB I ever brought and my fav story. Thanks guys!!!

[@TommyBaysMusic]

Ive always liked this story alot, this episode and discussion were great!

[@williamcrouch7564]

I won't say I regret searching buff clown, but I'm also won't say you guys were wrong.

[@ziggy_425]

Definitely list worthy!!

[@michellelee9123]

I enjoy Tim. He’s an amazing robin and character. Just put on the shelf at the time 😭

[@batsight1663]

Will you ever do Batman and Robin (Dick and Damian)?

[@chisasa9509]

Eww

[@animetyrant12]

yall should do a back issues for supersons of tomorrow .It was one of the first comic arcs to get me into the genre

[@1337snake888]

They did

[@animetyrant12]

@@1337snake888 they just did first volume from what i saw. I was talking about a specific one

[@SeriousRereader]

This was a really good episode

[@roccoborghetti4693]

This was my first ever “main comic” I’ve ever read. Before that it was all the Animated Series tie-in’s. This is the story that introduced me to Tim Drake (before BTAS Season 4) and I’ve maintained that he is the last and only Robin after Jason Todd. Tim Drake is the best Robin ever. Hands down. Dick is good but better as Nightwing and Jason should stay in the grave.

[@PowerPackers90]

So i just relied that Two-Face is involved in 3 Robin origins. Dick Grayson: Batman Forever Jason: Post Crisis Tim: Here and the Animated Series He's responsible for Gotham's 2nd hero

[@Hamblinjordan97]

Favorite show on KZbin!

[@citizensupreme4705]

Yey, a new Back Issues episode!

[@8Bitnoobgamer]

48:44 "I see we're dropping the whole two motif" What are you talking about Tiffany, he's going to beat Robin to death with a 2 centimeter diameter piece of rebar!

[@panthor109thabest7]

And there would have been 2 Robin's dead

[@jrmalamah]

Bloodlines?! Silly fun violent just what people need in a lockdown. +Can't wait for the crews reaction to it. Great work as always.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Speaking of George Perez, just curious, but would you guys consider doing a Back Issues from Perez's post-Crisis Wonder Woman run, where he rebooted the series? It's just an idea, since Wonder Woman 1984 might release this year in August.

[@comicpop]

We've almost done it!

[@vigorlilover]

This is really a great story. It’s up there with my favorites.

[@keno4770]

One of the best episodes ever

[@ItsYaBoiPhoenix]

I’m kinda shocked that Sal didn’t know the real reason why Jericho uses sign language. He’s not hearing impaired, some mercenary slit his throat

[@FloorTankMain]

I haven’t watched it yet but OH no oh no please don’t tear one of my favorite stories apart 😭 I’m such a big Tim Drake fan lmao Sal, please don’t 😂 EDIT: Thank you, Sal

[@hapokas112]

Awesome.

[@bimproctor7019]

"Can I ask you a question?" "You just did" "... oooh."

[@vaggelisbaousis1756]

People voted for Ben to stay alive! Yaaay!

[@superluigiac]

Just long enough to finish before my meeting!!

[@kurtoogle4576]

I really like this story. I love Tim Drake, and his first series was really good. I hate the abuse that the character has taken in the new 52.

[@therealmanos]

List worthy!

[@flywheelshyster]

I mean it may not be list worthy but its still 'aight. I really like the long cowl and suit from this era for batman as well

[@thelittlehomie658]

49:06 Ah, he almost said the title of an awesome Batman book! He almost said the thing! *Queue Leo Dicaprio meme*.

[@comicsfan5316]

I hope you all (and all of Comic Pop nantion) are doing well. This has been a hard time but your videos are a welcome distraction from the cluster (bleep) going on in the real world.

[@SamDotGov]

Hey, you guys should do Bendis's Young Justice run, I've got a feeling that Sal would go on a tangent that would rival the Bendis Superman episode.

[@sodasalesman6822]

fun fact: one of the crimes Two-Face proposes when he is trying to think of a good 2-themed crime is blowing up the Twin Towers

[@JakeTylenol]

I think this is just another batman story, important enough so that it should be remembered, but not important enough to be iconic in my opinion

[@bertanosomething9246]

I love Tim Drake, my favorite Robin ever.

[@chisasa9509]

Richard was the only one Tough enough to beat Deathstroke tho. Fair and Square. Even Bruce couldn't do that. Dick was a tough S.O.B.

[@me1zin142]

@@chisasa9509 with the Titans

[@kaboose111]

My butler likes to party all the time! Party all the time!

[@galvatron3323]

Lying out back in the sun & back issues. Happy Wednesday everyone

[@misti-step]

watching this in 2022 and tim drake is back!!!! ❤️

[@architeuthis3476]

I'm typically not a fan of comics as a serialized medium, *but* _A Lonely Place of Dying_ is a great example of how _Batman/Detective Comics_ can work really well in serialized form. What I call "The Jason Todd Cycle" begins with _Another Kid in Crime Alley,_ goes through _The Ambassador's Son,_ and ends with _A Death in the Family._ Even though there is a break in between, _A Lonely Place of Dying_ picks-up at the the next logical point in Batman's life. This story also illustrates that, even though Bruce may have had other people in mind to take over as Batman after he's gone, he knows that Tim Drake will take over as the "World's Greatest Detective".

[@jeremyharrison2842]

Finally, A lonely place of Dying. I need to remember why Tim Drake is was my favorite Robin. Since he's your favorite Robin ... can we do Robin: Joker's Wild (I don't think you've done that) Young Justice: Sins of Youth and Teen Titans: The Future is now Just some ideas. There are many excellent Tim Drake stories that DC is in my opinion hellbent on forgetting about.

[@DavidTheron]

I'd really love these as a podcast

[@comicpop]

I know, and I'm sorry. We can't make it a podcast for the time being, but maybe some day!

[@DavidTheron]

@@comicpop All good! Thanks to you guys for the consistently great content :)

[@rileysmith589]

Its a very important story!

[@kennyryuken]

Tim Draaaaaake!

[@mttylerdurden9]

Hey! YOU GUYS SHOULD BE 6 FEET APART!😂🤣😂

[@michaelthethird702]

#EverybodyGetsADick LMFAO

[@megatron111184]

I bought my girlfriend that same coat from hot topic Tiff. Looks great on you😁😁

[@chisasa9509]

Red And Green baby

[@Sultan0fSpeed]

I hope you guys do Dark Victory