Detective Comics Vol 1 796

"...And Red All Over"

Detective Comics #796
July 7, 2004
Written by	Andersen Gabrych
Cover by	Tim Sale
Pencilled by	Pete Woods
Inked by	Nathan Massengill
Colored by	Jason Wright
Lettering by	Clem Robins
Edited by	Michael Wright, Bob Schreck
Previous Issue	Solo #10
Next Issue	Teen Titans #13

Steph: "Quick introduction. I'm Robin. And you're screwed."

The new Dynamic Duo takes to the streets in their creepiest adventure yet! Batman and the new Robin face off against the man who may be the sickest psychopath in the DCU: Mr. Zsasz! Can they stop him from slicing and dicing the citizenry of fair Gotham? And in the backup, Part 2 of "Polished Stone" written by Andersen Gabrych with art by newcomer Brad Walker & Troy Nixey! To gain credibility with his people, Orpheus must take down the only man with more power on the streets: Batman!

Summary of Stephness: Batman and Robin break up a mugging, with Batman narrating in his head. He comments about Steph's love of banter and uppercuts, and his preference for silence and nerve strikes. Steph enthuses about Batman's skill, and gives the lady back her purse while he takes a call from Oracle. Barbara expresses doubt about Batman's motives in giving Steph the Robin gig, but Batman ignores her. She gives him the location of a murder, and he tells Robin it's time to go.

As they swing across the city to the train station, Robin expresses her love of the Batmobile again (referencing Robin #127), and her joy at Batman training her in murder investigation. Batman observes her reaction to the blood, then analyzes the scene, deducing the murderer's height and weight based on his shoe size and stride. He also finds some blood that doesn't match, analyzing it with his handy bat-blood-analysis-gadget (which Steph notices and wants one as well), and confirming his supicions: Mr. Zsasz is the culprit.

Batman wants to send Robin home, as Zsasz is too dangerous, but Robin appeals, saying she needs training if she is going to get better. Batman agrees to one more stop, but gives her an aluminium/fiberglass weave armor suit for the occasion.

In his creepy washed out vision, Zsasz sees Robin's bright colors like a moth drawn to flame.

Steph hears the murderer, and tracks the sound into the train tunnel, finding his next victim. Batman notices approvingly that she wants to scream, but controls herself, then turns it into anger, then useful action - noticing that the victim was just killed, as the blood is wet. Batman orders her home, and she reluctantly agrees she's not ready - but as she heads home, Zsasz strikes, snatching her from just a few yards away, leading to Batman's deep concern for his Robin

Zsasz takes Steph to a creepy room in the train complex, covered in burning candles, but her armor protects her from his knife long enough for her to bite his hand and get free. Zsasz slaps her against the wall, causing her to briefly black out. Batman arrives, grabbing Zsasz's hand as he goes in for the kill, and they battle brutally. Zsasz gets the upper hand, and Batman's thoughts as the murderer throttles him turn to concern for Stephanie - who has recovered enough to yank Zsasz's broken nose backwards, cartwheel away and grab his knife, distracting him long enough for Batman to nerve strike him as he did the mugger at the beginning of the issue. Robin checks Batman's shoulder, which was dislocated, and he tells her they need to talk.

On a rooftop, Batman tells Robin that she broke the rule - resorting to deadly force. She protests that she saved his life, but Batman remains firm: if they are to be partners, she cannot use deadly force. Ever. She asks if he's firing her, and he leaps off the building, saying no, he's teaching her.

Behind the Scenes: A decent issue, though frustrating that Steph apparently hasn't learned from her early days with Robin about killing evildoers (Robin #35). Willingham picks up on this inconsistently injected thread during War Games during her final fight with Black Mask.

Comics legend Tim Sale provided an energetic cover with Steph as Robin.

Other Formats/Collected In:
Digital Comic Book
Batman: War Drums
Batman: War Games Vol. 1TPB

Robin: 80 Years of the Boy Wonder