I think my biggest issue w/ fanon always comes down to arguments over whether or not Tim should be independent from the batfamily and/or separate from Robin.
Little bit of a rant, but I’ve always been neutral on the mantle issue. If he does so happen to take on a new name in the future that isn’t Robin, I won’t be mad. I think it’s possible to facilitate a character arc in which that would feel correct. If he stays Robin? I wouldn’t be mad either, because it’s obvious to me that he thrives in the role of Robin and I see no reason to fix what’s not broken.
But I do get very pissy when it comes to talk of him separating from the batfam for a period of time because, well, he kinda did that! And it wasn’t good for him!
Tim has always been a character who benefited from belonging, he came from a lonely home and no matter how you feel about the Drake’s, Tim has said multiple times that he FELT neglected and lonely. And being part of the batfamily, 9 out of 10 times, has been a good thing. Hell, both he and Alfred have almost outright stated that Tim did better when he was part of a family.
(Granted, you should know the context of these is during the early moments of Jack waking up and Tim moving back in with his father after living with the Wayne’s for a bit. Not that I think this changes much but it’s better safe than sorry.)
And the entire Red Robin run has always seemed like proof to me that Tim struggles on his own. He takes on the Red Robin name as some weird form of self-punishment and takes off on a long-winded, dangerous, and nearly solo journey. He gets hurt and broods and goes through monumental amounts of trauma just during this run, he struggles both physically and emotionally from being separated from his family. (Which, btw, I will NEVER hate dick or anyone for how they acted during this time, everyone had their own perspectives and it’s important to understand each one. Not one single stance is correct.)
I mean, the whole reason he did it was because he was separated from Bruce.
Idk, I’m not an expert so go ahead and correct me if I’m wrong on some parts but it’s just always felt to me like he’s never really benefited from trying to go off on his own. He’s a character that’s rooted in the idea of belonging and finding a place in a group, he’s always been that way. And while storylines about independence and forging your own path can absolutely work, it’s just not a storyline that I think works with Tim Drake, all things considered.
