Tim Drake (Robin)

Super Name: Tim Drake
Real Name: Timothy Jackson Drake
Publisher: DC Comics
Gender: Male
Character Type: Human
First Appearance: Batman #436 - Year Three Part 1: Different Roads
Appears in: 1933 issues
Birthday: July 19, 1997
Died: None


Original Origin:

Tim Drake is the son of Jack and Janet Drake. When he was a child, he visited the circus with his parents and managed to get a photo with the Graysons before the show. That night, Tim met Dick Grayson before the young acrobat's parents were assassinated.

Tim Drake had followed Batman and Robin's career ever since the murder of the Flying Graysons. One day, he saw the original Robin on television performing a move he had seen Dick Grayson perform at the circus; he quickly made the connection that Dick Grayson was Robin, and after learning that Dick Grayson was the ward of Bruce Wayne, he realized that Bruce Wayne was Batman.

After the death of Jason Todd, Batman grew more violent and reckless. Tim noticed that this wasn't in Batman’s true character, and he sought Dick's help. At this time, Dick was going by the code-name Nightwing. Tim tried to convince Dick to retake the mantle of Robin, saying it was the only way to keep Batman sane. Dick partially agreed to this, but said that he would only help Batman as Nightwing. Tim did not like Dick’s decision, maintaining that Batman needed a Robin. Eventually, he was able to get Alfred to assist in altering the Robin costume so that he could help Batman himself. Alfred and Dick gave Tim their approval as the new Robin, but only so he could keep Batman sane. However, Batman protested that he did not want a new partner, while noting Tim's potential. Eventually, Batman accepted Tim as Robin under one condition: Tim had to endure physical and mental training before he could become Robin so that he would not suffer the same fate as Jason Todd.

While Tim was training, his parents were kidnapped. Tim continued to focus on his work and foiled the plans of a hacker thief. Meanwhile, Batman went to rescue Tim’s parents. However, Batman arrived too late. They had been poisoned -- his mother killed, and his father in a coma. Batman worried the tragedy might cloud Tim's mind with thoughts of revenge, but he was reassured when Tim saved Batman and Vicki Vale from the Scarecrow. Afterwards, Batman allowed Tim to take on the mantle of the Boy Wonder, and gave him a modernized version of the costume.

Creation:

Tim Drake was created by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick. He made his debut as Tim Drake in Batman #436, but in a flash back as a child in the audience when Dick Grayson's parents died. His next appearance was in 1989's A Death in the Family. He become the third character to take up the Robin mantle in Batman #442.

After the events of Battle For The Cowl, Tim Drake became Red Robin in Red Robin #1.

Character Evolution:

As Robin, the Teen Wonder
Young Justice and the Teen Titans

Major Stories:

Knightfall
Legacy
No Man's Land
Officer Down
Batman: Family
The Return of Jason Todd
Infinite Crisis
Rebuilding the Teen Titans
The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul
Search for a Hero
Battle for the Cowl
Red Robin Begins - The Council of Spiders
Back in Gotham
Blackest Night
The Hit List
The Road Home: Red Robin
The Culling
Night of the Owls
Red Hood and the Outlaws
Batman and Robin
Death of the Family
War Games
Identity Crisis

Skills and Abilities:
Powers:

Agility
Attractive Male
Escape Artist
Gadgets
Insanely Rich
Intellect
Leadership
Marksmanship
Power Suit
Stamina
Stealth
Unarmed Combat
Weapon Master





Weaponry and Gadgets:

Weaponry:
Bo: a custom-made, retractable bo staff that serves as Tim's primary weapon. The bo has small holes drilled in either end to create a whistling effect when wielded, which disorients opponents and keeps them off guard. It can deploy a basic shield at the touch of a button, and contains a retractable blade at the top, effectively making it a spear when needed.
Batarang, throwing discs and 'R'-shurikens: offensive weapons that can be thrown as projectiles or boomerangs.
Bolas: cords with weighted ends designed to ensnare opponents when throwing in a gyrating motion. These bolas can emit an electric shock if needed.

Gadgets:

Grappling gun: a sidearm that fires a projectile with a metal-laced paracord attached to it. The projectile is meant to latch on to a surface so that the user can either swing, climb the rope or retract the rope very rapidly, pulling the user toward the hooked surface.
Cuffs: handcuffs and zip-cuffs used to contain criminals.
Tracking devices: miniature devices that connect to WayneTech satellites planted on people or objects to track their location.
Communications device: a small device designed to sit in the outer ear canal that maintains an open line of communication between Tim and other heroes in the field, Alfred, Oracle and Lonnie Machin.
First aid kits: used to administer to the wounded or to temporary heal injuries to his own body.
Gas mask and re-breather: devices used to aid breathing in hostile environments or underwater.

Plasma torch: a cutting torch used to 'slice' through metal.
Lock picking tools: a set of tools used to gain entry into otherwise inaccessible areas.
Micro-camera: a small camera primarily used to collect photographic evidence.
Micro-computer: a small fully-functional computer.
Cryptographic sequencer: a peripheral device used to aid in hacking and decoding cyphers.
Explosive pellets: miniature explosives that can be used offensively, but are primarily used to aid in escapes.
Smoke pellets: miniature explosives that create a smoke screen for the user and disorientate targets.
Flashbangs: small explosive devices that create a blinding flash and an ear-piercing bang; used to seriously disorientate and/or incapacitate opponents.
Plastic explosive: sticky explosives that are used to destroy structures.
Taser: a device used to deliver an intense electric shock to an opponent in emergency situations.