All the fellow comic book geeks out there will know this one without batting and eye. This is a question I like to ask fellow geeks when they declare their adoration to Batman in our conversations. Some times even comic book geeks get this wrong, which is understandable. Heck, with all these new 52 stuff even I could be wrong. I am trying to figure it out myself now, having more time now in my hands after National Service and finally adjusting to Uni life.
I'm the kind of geek that likes to compare my knowledge with articles and see if I know more to make myself feel better. If you think you can beat me, feel free to supplement it in the comments!
ROBIN #1
Richard "Dick" Grayson
Yep, Dick Grayson's uniform features him in a nice scaly underwear. Poor, Dick. He was the comic relief of the silver-age Batman (that's the age of TADA- TADA- TADA- TADA - BATMANNNN) which was deemed to be too dark for readers at that time, with his pun-ny lingo and "Holy- " expressions. He became an orphan after his parents died in an "accident", and Bruce decided to adopt this boy. Before long, Dick discovers that all those times when Bruce went AWOL on him, he was busy being Batman and they became the Dynamic Duo. Dick called himself Robin because his mom always referred to him as her little robin.
As a teen, he struggled with working with Bruce and after disassociating himself from Batman, he led the Teen Titans like he always had. I like Dick the second-most because of the long list of girls associated with him (Starfire, Barbara Gordon, and many more). Most of us know him as Nightwing now. Take a look at all the different Nightwing costumes.
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| The journey to becoming Nightwing |
In the old continuum before the new 52, Bruce dies in Final Crisis, which left the entire Bat famiy (all the characters that falls under the Batman story) scrambling to replace him, because Gotham always need a Batman. Even though we would assume that Dick being the first robin will become Batman, there was a huge struggle been the first three robins. Of course at the end of the Dick Dick assumes the role with Damian Wayne (the "lovechild" of Bruce and Talia Al Ghul) as his robin.
His alter ego is a cop in Bludhaven.
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| New 52 Nightwing |
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| Red Robin, envisioned by one of the Comic's greats Alex Ross |
The latest developments on Dick in the new 52 continuum was his supposed induction into the Court of Owls as one of their foot soldiers (also known as Talons) when he was still a boy in Haly's Circus. Talons and the Court of Owls is the new villains added to Batman's illustrious list of Bat villains. HOW COOL IS THAT.
According to the new adjusted timeline of new 52, he is Nightwing again. Instead of the blue wing insignia, it is red.
According to the new adjusted timeline of new 52, he is Nightwing again. Instead of the blue wing insignia, it is red.
ROBIN #2
Jason Todd
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| This panel encapsulates Jason very well: Vengeful |
This Robin is the one you share a love/hate relationship with, throughout each continuum. Bruce spotted him when he manages to steal the wheels of a Batmobile, which he was impressed since the Batmobile was so secured with all that high-tech mambo jumbo. Todd is and important because his initial death is the most historic comic book death. Readers got to vote if Jason survives or not, and true enough they persecuted this guy. Joker kills him in his desperate search for his mother and his death is one regret that Bruce forever blames himself for.
Just like in every comic book death there is always a way to bring him back (Batman, came back, Captain America came back, Superman came back three times!) So he got resurrected by the Lazarus Pit (Ra's Al Ghul's magic bath) and due to the effects of the Pit amplifying the user's character (Kinda like Captain America's super soldier serum amplifying a person's character kinda deal) Jason Todd became more ruthless. In the Death in the Family, Jason took the mantle of the Bat in a more violent way and broke Bruce's number 1 rule: No guns.
Just before the new 52, he settled with the identity of Red hood after Dick won the mantle from him. In the new 52 he is leading a team with called the Outlaws.
You should know: The Red hood was one of two possible alias that the Joker adopted before dropping into toxic waste and becoming the beloved clown prince of crime.
ROBIN #3
Timothy Drake (and later, Wayne)
Bruce didn't want another Robin after Todd for his regrets were still haunting him. But he was really impressed that Tim was able to discover his identity. Tim has got to be the best Robin of all, even Ra's Al Ghul acknowledged him by calling him "Detective", an honour that was previously reserved for only Batman alone.
Drake did away with the green in the costume to mourn the Death of his best friend Superboy. In my opinion, this look is really nice, it gives Tim a distinct look apart from the other Robins.
From Young Justice to Teen Titans, like Dick he also possesses strong leadership qualities. And just like Dick, he is as plenty of romantic affiliations as well, notably Stephanie Brown, which you'll find out a little more about her in a moment.
Tim Drake's father was killed by Captain Boomerang. Which explains why he became Tim Wayne and one time CEO of Wayne Enterprises when Bruce was killed in Final Crisis.
When Bruce died, Tim's skeptism to his death led everyone around him to believe that he was obsessed and turning crazy. In his pursuit, he purged himself from the rest of the Bat family and took on the mantle of Red Robin, traditionally a symbol of rebellion to Batman's association. But all's well now that Bruce is back and while he is still Red Robin, he is part of the bat family again.
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| The new 52 Red Robin, along with Superboy and Wondergirl |
ROBIN #4
Stephanie Brown
She wasn't a very notable character. Which comes as no surprise when not many people know about her. She was known to be Time Drake's girlfriend. She was a vigilante called Spoiler trying to make amends because her father is the villain called Cluemaster.
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| Stephanie as the Spoiler |
She has an extremely volatile relationship with Tim, on and off both in a cape and their alter ego. When Tim falls into depression due to his dad's discovery that he is Robin, Stephanie stepped up for awhile as Batman. But her Robin career was short lived when she was killed by Black mask. But, being part of the bat family, she is revived through the Lazarus Pit (always the excuse used in Bat-related resurrections).
Then, she did a run being Batgirl. According to the new 52 timeline, there is no Stephanie Brown. I honestly have no interest to keep tabs with her anyway. Haha.
ROBIN #5
Damian Wayne
In Ra's al Ghul's pursuit in creating the greatest heir, he made Talia Al Ghul seduces Bruce, but not according to her father's wishes though, they are both attracted to each other. One Talia shows up with his kid, restless and full of himself to Bruce, and he accepts him and trains him to be a robin. it is no surprise that Damain thought he should be the next Batman when Bruce dies, to carry on his father's legacy. But Damain's definition of Justice was not what his father taught, but in accordance to the league of assassins. He carries on to be Robin when Dick becomes Batman and in the new 52.
ROBIN #6
Carrie Kelly
Carrie Kelly is the robin in the alternate reality Batman in Dark Knight Returns. Like some of the other robin, Batman encounters her in a fight and she gets inspired, forcing herself to becoming the new robin after Jason Todd's death. In the sequel Dark Knight rises again, she became Batgirl.
Just like many of the continuum being rewritten in the new 52, there has been speculations of Carrie Kelly becoming batman with her character appearing in the pages of Batman. I foresee These titles being rewritten again.
So there you have it, the 6 main robins. Alternate realities and shows, they are amalgamations of some of these robins or some confusing ones (apparently there is a Chinese robin called Robert Chang).
I think being a comic fan, especially since Batman is like one of the most recognisable characters one should know these. So try it yourself, ask that fake geek their favourite robin.
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