I am a huge Robin fan. I like the character even more than Batman. But more than any individual under the domino mask, I like the Robin mantle the most. I just love the idea that the dark and brooding Batman has this young, colorful, capable protege sidekick helping him out.

So it’s big news that the current Robin, Damian Wayne has quit maybe? He says as much in the final pages of Teen Titans Annual #2 from last week.

Is this real? Is this permanent? We simply don’t know. I haven’t heard any news anywhere that DC announced Damian stepping away from the role. Perhaps this is just a temporary tantrum.

But if this is real, I’m pretty excited. I’ve never liked Damian in the role of Robin. Damian was always Damian first, Robin second. I’ll grant you that he’s was a great foil for Dick Grayson as Batman, but I don’t think we’ve ever had any real Bruce/Damian team-ups in a long time. Have Bruce and Damian ever really worked together as a classic Batman and Robin team? Has Damian appeared regularly in any of the main Batman comics in years?

Instead, Damian has been showing up in either Super Sons or the latest volume of Teen Titans. I haven’t been reading the comic, but apparently Damian has been getting more and more ruthless with his villains. He’s accused of killing Brother Blood and he tries to kill Deathstroke in this new annual issue. When Batman confronts him and offers redemption, Damian punches him and fights for his freedom.

And that’s where we leave off for now. I am 100% in favor of Damian moving on to a new identity and leaving the Robin mantle open for somebody new. Damian has been Robin since 2009, so it’s been more than a decade. I’m ready for the character to move on.

Hopefully this is for reals!

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