NRAMA: Do you feel though that he’s essentially the same character underneath the things that have happened to him, or is he significantly changed?

CD: Absolutely. The core of what makes all of us who we are never changes. Tim still lacks the 110% certainty about all of his actions that Batman or Nightwing have. He’s always going to be the guy who keeps on trying.

NRAMA: What would you consider the major story beats that have affected the who Tim Drake is today and why he does what he does over that time you were “away”?

CD: He’s been surrounded by death. His dad. Stephanie Brown. He’s coming out of a particularly dark period for the whole DCU.

NRAMA: How about in his relationship with Batman? Is it significantly different today than it was then, and if so, how?

CD: It’s closer. With the adoption of Tim by Bruce Wayne it’s even more parent/son than it was before. And, in a lot of ways, life is easier for Tim. No real secret identity worries in his private life as the heir to a mega-billionaire. He’s actually got it pretty sweet.

No way I’m not going to let that go on.