Robin King #1 is a DC one-shot issue that focuses on the right-hand to The Darkest Knight: Robin King. Robin King is the one Groblin (evil Robin) that was chosen to be a leader amongst the many evil minions that were once Robins across the multiverse. The most intriguing aspect about this issue for me was, Robin King isn’t technically a Robin. *Spoilers Below*
Robin King is actually a Batman. Robin King is Bruce Wayne, but the darkest Bruce Wayne in a sense. His parents were also murdered…but he was the murderer on his Earth. Robin King is Bruce Wayne if he murdered his own parents and set out on a crusade to inspire children to “free” themselves.
He has shown no remorse or morality. Robin King is a literal killing machine. With all the resources of the Wayne fortune at his disposal, he eviscerates the heroes of Earth with the most well-equipped utility belt in Batman mythos. This evil version of Bruce Wayne uses the entire Gotham city strategically to take down all heroes that dare oppose him.
The art by Daniel Sampere and Riley Rossmo easily makes this my favorite book of the week. Writers Tony Patrick and Peter J. Tomasi give us Bruce Wayne as we have never seen him before: young and evil. Many readers and critics were turned off by the fact that Robin King technically isn’t a “Robin” but another Dark Knight of the multiverse. This makes the character even richer in my opinion.
Robin King isn’t a Batman that was corrupted by some tragedy or mishap like the other Dark Knights. He CHOSE to be evil. Murder is an art form to this version of Bruce. He wants to completely eliminate all the old heroes and make way for a new generation of “free” individuals like himself. Robin King #1 earns a 3/3 Trinity Rings for its amazing art, huge twist, and the unrivaled viciousness of the Robin King. Long live the king.
