Robin (character)

Guide Note

Robin is the name and alter ego of several fictional heroes in the DC Universe. Robin is the teenage sidekick of Batman. The two have been referred to as The Dynamic Duo, though the name is not official. Robin has appeared in virtually all Batman comic book series and has had a few limited series depicting his solo adventures. The character has also appeared in several cartoon series, films, and television shows about Batman. After his tenure as the original Robin, Dick Grayson assumed the identity of Nightwing.

Fast Facts

1. Created by: Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson
2. First appearance: Detective Comics #38 (1940)
3. Robin I: Dick Grayson
4. Robin II: Jason Todd
5. Robin III: Tim Drake
6. Robin IV: Stephanie Brown
7. The original Robin was a founding member of the Teen Titans
8. In 1988, DC Comics held a telephone poll for fans to vote whether or not Jason Todd would die

Although he is generally a supporting character, few characters have caused the controversy that Robin has. It is very common to hear jokes about Batman and Robin concerning homosexuality, pederasty, and pedophilia, but some scholars have seriously engaged the question of whether the seemingly homosexual undertones are intentional. Another issue is his status as the first teenage sidekick in comic books. Though not a popular discussion among the public at large, comic book professionals have discussed for years the impact Robin made on the industry. To be sure, many sidekicks followed after the introduction of Robin: Green Arrow's Speedy, Captain America's Bucky, and Wonder Woman's Wonder Girl are just a few examples. Created with the intention of having a relatable character to the target audience (teens), some comic book professionals have argued that integrity and story elements have been sacrificed to drum up sales.