Titans season 3 confirms what many DC fans have long suspected – that Tim Drake is the best version of Robin. Among the many fresh faces in Titans season 3 is Jay Lycurgo’s Tim Drake and, as expected, his origin story is a remixed version of the comic books, cherry-picking some elements while dropping others. Drawing from the comics, Drake is a keen Batman enthusiast who figures out the Dynamic Duo’s secret identities and makes himself known following the death of Jason Todd. Departing from the source material, Tim’s family owns a noodle house that gets attacked thanks to the nefarious actions of one Jason Todd in Titans.

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The third full-time Robin to join Batman’s ranks in DC lore, Tim Drake is viewed by many as the greatest sidekick who ever donned those famous green tights. A morally upstanding, hard-working intellectual with natural talent and unending loyalty, even Bruce Wayne admitted Drake was his best Robin in Batman Secret Files: The Signal #1, with Dick Grayson echoing his mentor’s assessment in Nightwing #80. Jay Lycurgo’s Tim Drake has only just started his journey in Titans season 3, but through his early actions and altered origin story, it’s already clear that third time’s the charm when it comes to Robins.

Given Jason Todd’s recent track record of murder, drug manufacturing and other assorted villainy, Tim Drake beats his most recent predecessor simply by turning up. Drake’s moral compass is second to none in Titans – pursuing Scarecrow with no regard for his own safety and refusing to become bitter or vengeful after the noodle house attack. Already, Tim has shown more moral fortitude and a stronger sense of justice than Jason Todd, not to mention a much calmer, more rational demeanor. Based on how he deduces Batman’s identity, Tim is almost certainly beating Jason in the IQ stakes too.

It’s obviously a much closer race between Tim Drake and Dick Grayson, but the newcomer still edges Bruce’s original Robin for one key reason – his comparative lack of resources. Dick Grayson is an investigative wizard, second only to Batman in fighting Gotham City’s eternal crime problem. Titans has repeatedly demonstrated Dick’s ability to find clues, recreate crime scenes, trail enemies, and outwit opponents – but Grayson has also been blessed with the best possible superhero induction. First, he was trained in gymnastics and strength by the Flying Graysons, then he learned every skill Bruce Wayne had to offer, before finally receiving formal training when he became a detective. As well as enjoying the best crime-fighting education possible, Dick has a wealth of resources available to him – the full contents of Bruce’s Batcave, access to police computer systems, a hi-tech arsenal, and top-of-the-line superhero costumes.

With a delivery bike and a carton of noodles, Tim Drake has somehow managed to keep up with Dick Grayson’s every move since arriving on Wayne Manor’s doorstep. It was Drake who clocked Jason Todd outside his restaurant on the night of the attack, thereby giving Dick a much-needed breakthrough in the case. Tim then tracked Jason Todd down to Batman’s old tunnels, whereas Dick struggled to locate his successor until Jason himself agreed to a meeting. Unlike Dick Grayson, Tim had some rudimentary tutelage from his ex-police father… and that’s it. Without weapons, computers, money or mentors, Tim Drake has kept the pace in Titans season 3, and Dick Grayson seems understandably embarrassed by the youngster’s instinctive ability.

Just like the comics, it’s the physical aspect of being a superhero that Tim Drake still needs to hone. But as he cracks investigations and gives Titans‘ other Robins a run for their money, imagine what Tim could achieve with some martial arts training and a login to the Bat-computer.

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About The Author


Craig Elvy
(3660 Articles Published)

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Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig’s interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own.
Craig has previously been published on sites such as Den of Geek, and after many coffee-drenched hours hunched over a laptop, part-time evening work eventually turned into a full-time career covering everything from the zombie apocalypse to the Starship Enterprise via the TARDIS.

Since joining the Screen Rant fold, Craig has been involved in breaking news stories and mildly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as a features writer.
Jim Carrey is Craig’s top acting pick and favorite topics include superheroes, anime and the unrecognized genius of the High School Musical trilogy.

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