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Batman & Robin
159 Points, 7 Lists, Highest Vote: #6 @Baudshaw
Source: Batman/DC Universe
Duo-Type: Dynamic
Batman is a superhero who battles crime and evil in Gotham City and across the globe. Having lost his parents to a shooting by a mugger at a young age, Bruce Wayne travelled the world to learn countless skills (fighting, science, detective) to be a great crime fighter, eventually returning to Gotham in his second identity as “the Batman”. Aided by his loyal butler Alfred, Batman fights criminals, terrorists and even monsters that plague his city and is dedicated to protecting the innocent. Though willing to use violence, Batman developed a code where he refused to kill, though he has threatened to descend into darkness on more than one occasion. And in his corner is…
Who is Robin? That all depends. The first, Dick Grayson, was part of a circus performing family whose act was sabotaged, leaving him the only survivor. The second was a scrappy street urchin who gained the crime fighter’s attention by literally trying to steal Batman’s wheels. The third was an inspiring young detective whose skills caught the original Robin’s eye and recommended he train with Batman. The forth was Stephanie Brown, an already established crimefighter named the Spoiler who began her career sabotaging her father’s criminal career. (DC also just keeps doing her dirty for some reason). And most recent is Damien Wayne, the genetically engineered 10-year-old son of Bruce Wayne raised by assassins.
After Dick Grayson’s parents died, Bruce Wayne took him on as his ward and eventually revealed to him his secret; he is Batman. The two began a long partnership of fighting crime together with Robin using his training and athleticism to fight crime. Eventually, the two would grow apart and Dick would reinvent himself as “Nightwing”. Batman would take on a series of proteges with different skills but all with the potential to be a crimefighter as great or greater than he. His most recent is his own son, who was raised by assassins and mostly wanted to be Robin because it seemed cool but despite his literal killer instinct eventually developed a strong sense of morality.
Many of the Robins have struggled with the controlling nature of Batman and despite their respect for him have often defied him, especially when Batman has made a bad call or has done something ethically questionable. It is not uncommon for in his darker hours for Batman to drive away his Robins but they all eventually return to help re-orient Batman’s goals and values. In most cases, Robin, whoever it is, also presents an optimistic counterpoint to Batman’s often dark and cynical worldview and in most cases, it is implied that as crime fighters, the Robins are more likely to be a more mentally healthy and balanced crimefighter than Batman is.
Robin is a character who, even for comics, requires an extra little suspension of disbelief as a man takes a child into his war on crime. Weirdly, it even inspired a LOT of imitators as it seemed mid-way through the Golden Age of comics, EVERY super-hero seemed to have a teen sidekick (before that, many of them had more “hapless comic relief” sidekicks). In theory, the idea is there’s a character for the young reader to relate to. The fact is, it really doesn’t work that way. But Robin weirdly does work. Not as a “point of view” character but rather as someone who reflects who Batman is, who he isn’t, and what he lost. I always feel that a good Batman story doesn’t just have the duo as Batman and Lesser Coloured Batman but to show the character’s vulnerability (both emotional and also seeing the young kid able to accomplish things he can’t) as well as this hurt man reaching out for a real friend who understands his pain.
Iconic Moment:
It’s tough. Lots of good stories with the two. Since he’s technically not Robin yet in Batman and Son, I’ll go with the wild Batman and Robin run from Grant Morrison, where Bruce Wayne is believed dead and Dick Grayson finally takes up the mantle of Batman. With Damien as the new Robin, the dynamic is a bit different but very fun; now it’s Robin who is perhaps a little bit too serious (and an absolute little shit) while Dick uses his performance background to play the role of Bruce, he finds himself being his own Batman. And eventually the two of them create a really great dynamic.
Oh, and for a more fun take, the slice of life comedy version of Batman is “Wayne Family Adventures”, featuring Bruce and some of the Batman family (including several Robins), hanging out and doing fun stuff.