Jack Drake

Jack Drake
Tim Drake

Jack Drake is a fictional character from

Fictional character biography

Initial history and family

A well-respected businessman and

long enough to meet a young woman named Janet, who would later become his wife. The couple became a strong team in business, expanding their company far and wide.

As time passed, Janet gave birth to the Drake's first and only son, Timothy. Although the Drakes loved their son, business always seemed to take a higher priority; Tim was often left behind in a series of Gotham boarding schools while they traveled the world.

When Tim was still a young child, his parents took him to Haly's Circus. Worried that her son might be afraid, Janet was somewhat reluctant to attend, until Jack suggested that they have their picture taken with some performers. At that point, the headliners of the circus, the Flying Graysons, were passing by, and happily agreed to the photo. The youngest performer,

, held young Tim in his arms and dedicated his performance to the small boy.

Moments later, tragedy struck when the elder two members of the Flying Graysons were killed before the eyes of their son Dick, and an entire audience, including Bruce Wayne and the Drake Family. The Drakes immediately rushed their son out of the tent, but not before young Tim caught sight of Batman offering Dick Grayson comfort. The Drakes, feeling sorry for Dick, would later mail the boy a copy of the picture that they had taken after learning that he becomes Bruce Wayne's legal ward.

Poisoned

Tim had discovered the identities of Batman and Robin when he was nine years old, after seeing Robin perform a trick only Dick Grayson could perform, on TV.

As the Drakes continued their travels around the world, Tim continued to follow the lives and careers of Batman and Robin. As such Tim was aware of Dick Grayson becoming Nightwing and Jason Todd becoming the second Robin. When Jason Todd was later murdered, Tim grew concerned that Batman was slowly getting out of control due to the absence of Robin. And so Tim would later approach Dick and Bruce, in the hopes of becoming the new Robin.

The Drakes' marriage began to sour at this point. During a trip over Haiti, the couple was captured by a psychotic holy man called the Obeah Man. The couple was held hostage for money, until the Batman came to save them. While Batman had arrested the Obeah Man, however, Jack and Janet were poisoned when they drank some of his voodoo man's water. Janet died instantly, while Jack was left in a coma.

Batman brought Jack back to Gotham and cared for Tim. Some months after their return, Jack came out of his coma, but was left a

. This new handicap and the loss of his wife led Jack to desire to reconnect with Tim, who by now had become Robin. Tim's duties as the Boy Wonder and his close relationship with Bruce Wayne caused a greater rift with his father, although they did attempt to reconcile.

Second marriage

In time, Jack regained the use of his legs with the aid of physical therapist Dana Winters. Although Dana was considerably younger than Jack, the two immediately felt an attraction for one another and began dating. Dana's involvement in the Drakes' lives was a blessing, as she was able to curb Jack's anger at his son being so distant and help Tim feel more connected to his father. In time, the pair married.

Soon afterward, however, Jack's company went bankrupt, and the family lost their mansion home. Jack fell into a deep depression, during which he began thinking more and more about his late wife, Janet. Jack eventually recovered with the aid of what is believed to be a fabled Valkyrie who came to him, urging him to move on.

Upon learning that Tim had lied to him about trying out for the school's football team, Jack began searching his son's room, until at last he found Tim's secret storage closet of Robin gear. Furious and hurt, Jack confronted Bruce Wayne with a gun. Although Bruce took the gun away, the damage was done; Jack knew the secret identities of Batman, Robin and Nightwing.

Not wishing to cause his father any more pain, Tim agreed that in exchange for his father's silence, he would give up the Robin mantle. This solution was short lived, however; when a massive gang war erupted in Gotham, and spilled over into Tim's school, where one of his classmates was the target of a rival mob family. Tim felt he had no alternative and returned to his life as the Boy Wonder. Although Jack disapproved, he realized that his son was too important to Gotham as Robin, and reluctantly allowed the boy to continue with his duties.

Death and aftermath

Jack died during the

event, Bruce Wayne adopts Tim.

Blackest Night

During the

Deadman later revives the former Boy Wonders after they left.^[4]

The New 52

In 2011, The New 52 rebooted the DC universe. Tim's parents are alive, as they were both in the Witness Protection Program, and asked Batman to look after Tim. It's also revealed that Drake is not their real name.^[5]

DC Rebirth

In "DC Rebirth", the Drake family's history has again changed and is closer to the original.

Other versions

A version of Jack Drake made a cameo in

Oswald Cobblepot's lieutenants, but is killed by the Riddler

.

In other media

Jack Drake makes a non-speaking appearance in The New Batman Adventures episode "Sins of the Father". This version is Steven "Shifty" Drake, a small-time criminal and henchman of Two-Face who stole a weapon from him to stop it from being used, and was subsequently killed in the process of fleeing to Metropolis.

Jack Drake appears in Titans, portrayed by Ryan Allen.^[6] This version is African-American and the head of an Asian restaurant in Gotham City.

References

1. ISBN 9780345501066
   .
2. ^ Tomasi, Peter J. (w), Syaf, Ardian (p), Ruffino, Nei (col), Hill, John J. (let), Berganza, Eddie (ed). "Who Burns Who: Part One" Blackest Night: Batman, vol. 1, no. 1 (October 2009). New York, NY: DC Comics.
3. ^ Tomasi, Peter J. (w), Syaf, Ardian (p), Cifuentes, Vicente (i), Ruffino, Nei (col), Hill, John J. (let), Adam Schlagman, Eddie Berganza (ed). "Who Burns Who" Blackest Night: Batman, vol. 1, no. 2 (November 2009). New York, NY: DC Comics.
4. ^ Tomasi, Peter J. (w), Syaf, Ardian (p), Cifuentes, Vicente (i), Ruffino, Nei (col), Hill, John J. (let), Adam Schlagman, Eddie Berganza (ed). "Who Burns Who: Conclusion" Blackest Night: Batman, vol. 1, no. 3 (December 2009). New York, NY: DC Comics.
5. ^ Lobdell, Scott (w), Kirkham, Tyler (p), Batt, Norm Rapmund, Jon Sibal (i), Dalhouse, Andrew (col), Sienty, Dezi (let), Berganza, Eddie (ed). "Red Robin" Teen Titans, vol. 1, no. 0 (December 2009). New York, NY: DC Comics.
6. ^ Gelman, Samuel (20 July 2021). "Titans Introduces Tim Drake's Family in Season 3 Photo". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 21 July 2021.