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Why Robin Matters
Robin the Boy Wonder is the most maligned superhero in the world of comics. He gets no respect. His mentor, Batman, is one of the most beloved and iconic heroes in the entire world! But poor little Robin gets picked on and teased to no end. It’s a travesty. And it’s going to change.
I’m here to tell you folks that Robin is one of the best superheroes in comics and he doesn’t deserve all the hate. Forget the 1960s Batman TV show, push all of the gay jokes out of your mind, and let’s just pretend that 1997’s Batman and Robin never happened. Because if all you’re going to do is focus on the worst interpretations of the character then you’ll never see the whole picture.
And Robin is a deeper and far more interesting character than anyone gives him credit for. Until now. It’s time to give Robin all the credit.
Robin’s importance to the Batman mythos can be summed up in four key points that we’re going to explore in this article. The first idea is my own, the second I got from noted Batmanologist Chris Sims from Comics Alliance. The third idea comes from artist Tim Sale. The fourth is just kind of obvious.
1.) Robin represents approval of Batman’s costumed crimefighting. Characters like Commissioner Gordon and Alfred will only ever accept that Batman exists, but Robin is not only someone who approves of the life, but has flourished in it.
2.) Robin is a reflection of Batman, in that this is what happens to a child who loses his parents when there is a Batmanaround to help him.
3.) Robin is visually and psychologically the opposite of Batman, creating an inventive and appealing juxtaposition and balance between the two characters.
4.) Robin can change; Batman can’t.
Join me after the jump and we can get started!
Sweet Jeebus, Robin Might Be In Injustice: Gods Among Us After All!
Thank you to nationarticulation for the tip. We finally have the first hints that Robin will be a playable character in the upcoming DC superhero fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us!
It’s not an official announcement or screenshot, though, so we don’t know for sure. But here is the cover of the May issue of the Injustice tie-in comic book! I can’t believe I missed this!
I’m a blind fool
That’s Damian Wayne up there in a cool new Robin costume. It definitely looks like one of the upgraded, more badass Injustice costume designs. As far as I know, the tie-in comic is supposed to be canon. DC is definitely working with NetherRealm to get this whole shebang put together. So Robin definitely exists in the Injustice universe. But could he be in the actual game?
Here’s the synopsis of that issue:
Based on the upcoming DC fighting game from NetherRealm Studios, creators of Mortal Kombat! Batman has two allies: Damian and Dick Grayson. One is with him, while the other has joined Superman’s cause. The conflict between The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel is about to turn very personal. Plus: The Flash travels to Australia and ponders his own allegiances.
So it looks like, based on that cover, Damian is joining Superman’s side in the whole conflict. At least Nightwing is sticking with Batman. Plus this would add further fuel to the idea that a Batman vs. Robin fight would be the highlight of this game! Putting them on opposite sides of the conflict would lead into that exact kind of match up! Brilliant! I’m glad to hear that NetherRealm think like me.
Not convinced about Robin joining the game based on that comic book? What about the game’s Collector’s Edition? Personally, I wouldn’t be caught dead buying one of these things. All that money for just a bunch of promotional material? No thank you! But as you can see in this picture of the Collector’s Edition, the Robin logo appears in a book of stickers!
Seriously, stickers?
Anyway, this was another clue I missed months ago. But still! A Robin sticker would seem to indicate that Robin is in the game! Why else even include such a sticker?
Oh man, I’m definitely excited now. I will stay with this story all night if I have to!
Is Damian Wayne Going to Die?
Is DC Comics going to kill Robin in an upcoming issue of Batman Incorporated?
There’s no official word yet. This is all just speculation. But if you read the signs, read between some lines and maybe jump to a few conclusions, it looks to me like DC plans to kill a 10-year-old boy!
Though he is kind of a jerk
Damian Wayne is the son of Bruce Wayne and his enemy Talia al Ghul. He was created by superstar writer Grant Morrison and introduced in Batman #655 in 2006. Talia raised the boy in secret and trained him in the ways of the League of Shadows. But when Damian finally met his father for the first time, he switched sides and became the new Robin. You know, of Batman and Robin fame? Damian had a lot of rough edges, but he made for a compelling protagonist. Here’s a kid who was raised to be a killer, but he wants so badly to do good and make his father proud as Robin.
But is he now doomed?
I’ve never been particularly happy with Damian as Robin. He stole the mantle from the previous Robin, Tim Drake, who is one of my favorite comic book characters. But Damian has grown on me. He’s had a lot of good stories and he’s definitely been coming into his own lately as the Boy Wonder. Still, the evidence is pretty strong. Join me after the jump to see for yourself.
Henchman-4-Hire 