We all have our own image of Batman, the singular idea of what the Caped Crusader is, does, and feels. For some, that idea looks like Frank Miller’s tank, a roided-out behemoth with hands the size of bobcats and a face you couldn’t saw through. Others see Batman as the nonsensical, fat-guy-in-a-little-coat Adam West, someone’s uncle who never quite grew up.
Then, there are those in the middle, like me, who see the Batman as a man bordering the edge of sanity, constantly questioning his own motives and always coming up with the same answer: the war is his to fight, and no one else’s.
Which is why Robin has no place in the Bat-universe.
Arising in the months following the Dark Knight’s emergence, Robin was the original marketing tie-in for children. Those behind Detective Comics understood that children, the industry’s bread and butter, may have a hard time identifying with, or even looking up to, a man whose demon-like demeanor could dispel even the faintest hope of humanity from his foes. Robin was the original gimmick — kids could identify with him, and would thus keep Batman in business.
Fortunately for later generations, the ploy worked, and the Batman comics have survived for nearly 70 years thanks, in part, to the role of Robin — all four (or five, if you're counting Miller’s works). The Boy Wonder's role can never be diminished in the Bat-universe. Simple as that. But it doesn’t mean that he belongs.
Ask yourself this: Why would Batman, so averse to allowing any woman into his life, not wanting to add the damsel-in-distress component, welcome a pre-teen under his wings? (Please, check your homoerotic jokes at the door). Why would this lonesome, brooding iso-path feel that it was his added duty to whisk away a mourning boy, thrust him into a palatial estate, and simply leave him to his own wits? Alfred can be entertaining, sure, but what would possess Bruce to think Dick Grayson would be happy in Wayne Manor, a self-described “mausoleum?”
Furthermore, the attire of Robin — green and yellow tights, a blindfold with eye-slits, and ballet shoes (?) — screams more than camp, more than flair, more than ridiculous. Batman, a creature from the night, can barely be allowed a golden chest-plate (redirecting opponents’ bullets to his armored chest). The costume makes the man, which is why Batman works so well once the sun sets. But if you saw a 13-year-old dancing on rooftops, four in the morning, bedecked in yellow and green tights? Sure, it may be a distraction, but in no way are you intimidated, in no way can Robin sleuth, and in no way is the costume effective.
Article comments
1 - William Hart
Good post, I agree that Robin is an unwanted and ill advised component in this day and age. It feels so much more exciting seeing Batman having to make hasty decisions on life threatening scenes with little to no backup. Robin is at best a link to children and at worst a cheap hokey gimmick. These new Batman's aren't taking place in Chuck E. Cheese so Robin is unnecessary.
2 - Josh
It depends on Warner Bros. approach to Batman 3. Whether or not they would want to continue the franchise is vital. Or at least one in a darker Nolan-based state of mind. If they do choose to go forward then they need to finish with a film called " The fall of Batman featuring the ultimate end of Bruce Wayne as Batman when he suffers permanent paralization from the waste down as a result of a backbreaker he receives from an evil muscle-bound Roid-freak character named Bane. The film should then focus on the transition of a new character as Batman who is an understudy to Wayne as Wayne was to Ros Al Guhl. Creating the opening for a new trilogy and a new title..."The Legend of Batman". How does that sound?
3 - Showren
I think that if you put in the robin of the yellow and green tights variety then yeah you're in trouble, but I think a robin more of the nightwing variety is more plausible. They updated batman from the Adam West version, then they could (if they wanted to) update Robin.
The reason from my understanding why Batman took in Robin was because Batman saw himself in Robin. Robin not only added in the place for a kid to relate to, but he showed a part of Batman that remembered his past and the loss of innocence that he once had, I think.
Now does Robin fit into the new series of films with Christian Bale? I'm not sure... the film makers would have their hands full if they wanted to keep Epic and good, but that's not to say its not do able.
I think Robin's character served his purpose with the dark knight and now has moved on with the titans. I just didn't think he was a terrible character, I write alot and I think about these things. How the characters fit together and affect the audience is important and I don't think it should be ignore.
4 - fernando
Robin is part of the batman universe but should not be used until the 7th or 8th film. I think a Robin is needed when batman gets older and wishes to pass on his legacy. As far as I am concerned Dick Grayson is the only Robin who later becomes Night Wing. The other Robin's make no sense and just suck. I don't want to see a big bulking super heroe parading the town with little kids. It's just sick. Comic writers need to fix this error...and improve the Batman legacy. only gayson makes sense.
5 - zack123
no one knows but me and my cozin cam but the third movie is called RETURN OF THE DARK NIGHT and its about batman get help he found a kid named DICK and BOOM robin and they fight ridler and pegwen ( I know I spell wrong on perpis )
6 - Andrew
The author of this article clearly didnt take much into consideration with the idea of Robin. Remember, Adam West as Batman? If Nolan can convert that guy into the Darker hero we see today, then he could do the same with Robin.
When people think of Robin, they think of a little kid with a red and yellow outfit.
They can change Robin and update him. For example, I think in the 3rd Batman film, if Robin is introduced, he should be around 20 years old and should of had a childhood full of pain and dispair. He can then be found by Bruce Wanye and then be used as an assistant such as Alfred and Morgan Freeman. Robin doesnt have to exist, in fact I dont want to hear the word Robin in the 3rd film. It can be about a kid whos a computer hacker who serves as Batmans eyes and ears in tight situations over a communication link. He can aid Batman without actually putting on a suit and fighting bad guys.
Then if Nolan does another film, it can convey Batman training Robin and passing on his legacy to him. The 4th film can be called "Rise of a hero" referring to Robin. Here Robin can learn all the martial arts from Bruce and become his ally in later films.
This is my idea of how Robin should be portrayed. He should be an older, more rebellious, hacker/computer geek as well as a bad ass dude. Its possible.