Robin #162 - DC

This issue wraps up the story about the Lords of the Avenues. Actually it's a story about illegal, experimental, drugs being pushed on to kids on the street. Pharmaceutical companies can't run controlled tests, because technically the drugs don't exist. So they have to run an uncontrolled experiment on the streets. This Lords of the Avenues gang, ended up being on of their lab-rats. This issue gives us the story of how they started, and how they were really just a family, but they learned that in order to stay safe, especially in Gotham, that they would have to defend their "turf". And they really started doing so, just to help keep their neighborhood clean. But as the gangs got tougher, they had to get tougher. And that's when they started looking for things that could give them the edge. Even if they were unknown drugs. Anyways, the last one, Shawn, dies trying to save the life of his girlfriend, Catalina. They're both misshapen monstrosities. But, they still have their love for each other. The Pharmaceutical company has sent a band of mercenaries to erase any evidence of their involvement. Including the kids in this gang. Which they do. Leaving Robin with no other way to prove that Strader was involved. But he gets a couple breaks. First when he confronts the head of Strader, it looks as if he may have no leverage, until Shiva, I think, shoots him in the head, long range, with a sniper rifle. And then they find out that the original drug dealer, that went as a go between, has come out of his coma and " . . he's naming names.". But that doesn't help Tim feel any better about the situation. But after a little "therapy" with Alfred, he does feel better. And he realizes that some things he just has to let go. I think that Adam Beechen and Freddie E Williams II are doing a good job with this book. They aren't getting a lot of recognition from their peers. But I think they're doing a good job. I hope that they're around long enough to convince them otherwise. Plus Robin, and Tim, are fantastic characters.