Story: Far from the Tree (23 pages)
Writer(s): Devin Grayson
Pencils: Roger Robinson
Inks: John Floyd
Characters:
Bruce Wayne / Batman, Tim Drake / Robin III, Pamela Isley / Poison Ivy
Minor Characters / Guest Appearances:
Jack Drake (Tim's father), Dana Drake (Tim's stepmother)
Synopsis:
Poison Ivy escapes from Arkham by killing a gullible guard. Tim is home during spring break, and composes an e-mail to Batman, explaining how Batman's files [see Gotham Knights #?? ] prompted him to wonder whether he is the right person to be Robin. The Drakes and Bruce are at the "Gotham Rainforest Fund Raiser" when Poison Ivy crashes the event, accusing the attendants of being hypocrites who in truth (through their businesses and lifestyle) were responsible for the very environmental destruction they pretend to care about. She takes hostages, tying the women up in vines and bringing the men under her control. Bruce leaves shortly before Poison Ivy's arrival, but Tim is on the phone with his parents and notices the emergency. While alerting Batman he accidentally sends the e-mail. He joins Batman as Robin on the scene. Batman fights the mind-controlled hostages and Ivy, but won't negotiate with her. When Poison Ivy flees, he sends Robin after her to get the anti-toxin. Robin threatens to burn plants if she won't give him the anti-toxin, he's also willing to listen to her. Though Poison Ivy is wrapping Robin in wines, hindering his movement, they negotiate. Both have three demands; Robin's are the anti-toxin, release of the vines, and Ivy returning to Arkham, Poison Ivy's voiding the contracts abetting tropical deforestation, land protection, and killing the "traitors." They settle both for "two out of three" and Robin manages to get the anti-toxin from her, but as she's about to leave Batman stops her from behind with a baterang. Robin fears that Batman thinks him not to be mature enough to handle his family in danger and had sent him out of the room for that reason, but Batman says that his approach to get the anti-toxin from Ivy wasn't working, and that's why he sent Robin after her. Robin is reassured, and also manages to delete the e-mail later in the Batcave.
Continuity References:
- Robin sees Batman's files, which cause him to write the e-mail, in Gotham Knights #?? [p. 4]
- The wedding of Tim's father and stepmother takes place in Robin 80-Page Giant #1 (?). [p. 5]
Bruce Wayne Character Details:
- Bruce hasn't seen Jack Drake since before Jack's wedding, he congratulates him on his "recent nuptial bliss" [p. 5]
- Bruce plays golf with Jack Drake. [p. 6]
Tim Drake Character Details:
- In his e-mail Tim reveals his thoughts and uncertainties about his role as Robin and his relationship with Batman (written before Batman expresses his confidence in Robin). [p. 23]
- Tim thinks Batman needs a Robin to do the job the right way, but he is not certain whether he is the right person to be Robin, whether he meets Batman's expectations. He feels he isn't like Batman, "not even like Dick or Barbara or Batgirl or Jean Paul." He doesn't want to do this forever.
- Tim is not always sure it's good for him.
- Recently his relationship to his father has improved, he's closer to him than in a long time.
- He refers to Dana Drake as new mom.
- Tim worries that all of this makes him become less like Batman.
Trivia:
- The name of the Drakes' housekeeper is Mrs. MacIlvenne. [p. 4]
- If Poison Ivy's mind control victims are immobalized too soon the toxin can cause permanent brain damage. [p. 10]
- The e-mail addresses of Batman and Robin are displayed like this [p. 23]:
Cave@Batshield/confidential [address diverted]/Oracle.net (Batman)
Redbird@Batshield/confidential [address diverted]/Oracle.net (Robin)