Holy 75 Years! Robin – Today, Tomorrow and Beyond

We began Holy 75 Years! with a look at the first Robin so it’s time to look at the latest person to take on the mantle. Not so coincidentally, we also ended yesterday’s Holy 75 Years! with the promise of another of Bruce Wayne’s kids. That’s right, the Robin of today is a Wayne and it’s none other than…

 

 #1 Damian Wayne
(First appearance as Robin:  Batman and Robin #1 – 2009)

In the main continuity, Damian is the fifth Robin after Stephanie, or, third Robin after Jason, if you follow the New 52. (You know what, never mind.)

Damian’s mother is Talia al Ghul, who is the daughter of supervillain Ra’s al Ghul and is of Chinese and Arab descent. Raised by Talia and her father’s League of Assassins, Damian spent the first decade of his life with his existence completely unknown to his father, and trained to be an exceptional fighter.

Long story short: Talia reveals to Bruce about his son, leaves Damian with him, lots of drama between Tim and Damian, Evil Grandfather tries to take over Damian’s body (and fails), more drama involving Talia, Bruce is supposedly killed in an event called Final Crisis (he comes back later, of course), Dick becomes the new Batman, Damian becomes Dick’s Robin.

 

That’s…pre-New 52. Remember, DC loves its reboots and retcons.

Presently, Damian acts as Bruce’s Robin, has died and returned back to life (*internal groaning*), and will be getting his own ongoing title, Robin: Son of Batman, next month.

Damian as Robin has been in:

Three animated adaptations,

 

*This Damian differs from his comic counterpart, however, in which he is the son of Bruce and Selina Kyle instead, and has less of a violent and homicidal streak.

and two video games.

 

As we move on from the present Robin to the future…

 

 #2 Rodney
(First appearance as Robin:  Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty – 1997)

In the year 2500 of this Elseworlds story, humans live with intelligent apes. Rodney is the sidekick of Batwoman, who is Brenna Wayne, descendant of the original Batman.

 

 

 #3 Thomas “Tom” Wayne
(First appearance as Robin: Robin 3000 #1 – 1992)

In an Elseworlds story set in the 31^st century, Tom is a descendant of the original Batman, and Robin to his uncle, Bruce Wayne the 20^th. Together, they battle against a conquering alien race called the Skulps.

 

 #4 Robin the Toy Wonder
(First appearance as Robin: Young Justice #1000000 – 1998)

This Elseworlds Robin of the 853^rd century is a robot programmed with the personality of his Batman as a child. His purpose was to serve as a reminder to the Dark Knight not to go too far in his pursuit for justice.

 

 #5 Duke Thomas
(First appearance as Robin: Batman and Robin: Futures End #1 – 2014)

In the New 52, Duke first met Bruce Wayne when the Thomas family rescued the unconscious billionaire during a hurricane in Gotham City. Several years later, having figured out Batman’s identity, the Joker kidnapped Duke and his family in order to recreate the Waynes’ murders in front of him. Batman managed to rescue Duke, but Duke’s parents did not survive.

Duke took on the mantle of Robin as Batman’s protégé in Futures End, an alternate future timeline set five years after Damian Wayne’s death.

 

He is noted for being only the second black Robin to appear in comics, after the first who was also set in an alternate future timeline in Detective Comics #27.

DC still has plans for Duke, as he leads a whole new Robin movement consisting of not one, but many diverse youngsters wearing the R. (More Robins? Diverse cast? I’M SOLD.) Catch We Are…Robin that’s out next month.

 

Ending this compilation with some rather interesting versions of Robins, such as:

Tengu, a young warrior in 16^th century Japan who is raised by the Bat-Samurai. (Robin Annual #3 – 1994)

Robin Redblade, sidekick to the 17^th century pirate Captain Leatherwing. (Detective Comics Annual #7 – 1994)

An alternate Superboy who is Batman’s sidekick. (Superboy #61 – 1999)

A de-aged Bruce Wayne in the Sins of Youth storyline whereby Klarion the Witch Boy casts a spell that turns the adult heroes younger, while the teen heroes become older. (Sins of Youth: Batboy and Robin #1 – 2001)

Selina Kyle as Catbird (Yes, really. CATBIRD.) set in the Gothtopia storyline. Still has a thing going on with Batman. (Detective Comics #27 – 2014)

 

Thanks for joining us this week as we showcase Robin, Boy Wonders and Girl Wonders! Be sure to check out Robin, The Boy Wonder: A Celebration of 75 Years, which covers Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne, and Carrie Kelley.