The following contains spoilers for Flashpoint Beyond #4, on sale now from DC.
DC's Flashpoint Beyond #4 sees an angry, hardened Dexter Dent officially become "Robin: The Boy of Terror," making him even more dangerous than Jason Todd.
Flashpoint Beyond #4 comes from writers Geoff Johns, Tim Sheridan and Jeremy Adams, artists Xermáncio and Mikel Janín, colorists Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Jordie Bellaire and letterer Rob Leigh. Following a tease at the end of Flashpoint Beyond #3, Robin: The Boy Terror debuts in the issue after Dexter Dent sneaks into Thomas Wayne's Batcave and steals some equipment. Earlier in the series, Thomas -- the Batman of the Flashpoint Universe -- took in Dexter after his father, Harvey Dent, was killed and his mother, Gilda, was sent to Arkham. Since then, Dexter has largely been looked after by Oswald Cobblepot/the Penguin, who has taught him how to fire a gun.
After transforming himself into the Boy Terror, Dexter runs away from Wayne Manor and breaks into Arkham Asylum in an attempt to see his mother. Assaulting several security guards once he's inside, Dexter uses skills taught to him by Oswald to pick several locks in the facility before eventually working his way to Gilda, who has become the Flashpoint Universe's version of Two-Face.
While Dexter is the first Robin that Thomas Wayne has taken on, many of Bruce Wayne's Robins have shown violent tendencies. Most notably, Jason Todd, Bruce's second Robin following Dick Grayson, became a menacing antihero known as Red Hood following the iconic "A Death in the Family" storyline from 1998. Jason has since retained his Red Hood persona; although, more recent entries in DC's continuity, such as the ongoing Task Force Z series, have seen him more aligned with heroism, though he still may be somewhat rough around the edges.
Flashpoint Beyond #4 ends with Dexter still in Arkham with Gilda, who reveals the secret identity of the Clockwork Killer to be Martha Wayne/the Flashpoint Universe's Joker. The story continues on Sept. 6 with Flashpoint Beyond #5. The synopsis for the issue reads, "The Clockwork Killer's identity is finally revealed as the dust settles after the showdown at Arkham Asylum. But as we learn the truth behind how the Clockwork Killer came to be, Thomas is faced with a reality-altering choice!"
Flashpoint Beyond #4 features cover art by Xermáncio and variant cover art by Jim Cheung, Jay David Ramos and Francis Manapul. The issue is on sale now from DC.
Source: DC