Summary

With the recent proclamation from DC Comics that the publisher is launch a saucy macrocosm , there ’s a lot of speculation as to what readers can ask from theAbsolute Universe . As a tenacious - termBatmanfan , I believe the imprint present the publisher with an opportunity to protrude fresh withRobin .

Since thevery first appearance of Robinback in 1940’sDetective Comics#38 by Bob Kane , Bill Finger , and James Robinson , the hero has offer a youthful , energetic direct contrast to Batman . However , it ’s hard to refuse that , as the years have progressed , the Robin mantle has become a surprisingly unforgiving one , vitiate by decades of baggage . With each fresh face in the suit typically comes a darker backstory and a more tenuous kinship with the Dark Knight .

Now that the publishing company islaunching a brand - new Absolute Universe line , there ’s an opportunity to do something raw with the male child — or young lady — Wonderin the forthcomingAbsolute Batmantitle by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta . Sidekicks are n’t for everyone , and there ’s no denying that many of the beneficial comic book stories are in effect solo tales . For Batman , however , Robin has been present at some of the most crucial point in Dark Knight history and is essential in making his history work .

Poison Ivy and Other Gotham Villains

After Man - Bat ’s efforts to become a hero are unrewarded , he return back to life as a villain in a vulgar spark for many Gotham evildoer .

New Robins Are Always Measured Against the Last

Dick Grayson Debuted as the Original Robin inDetective Comics#38

Thehandling of various Robin charactershas been one of the more controversial vista of DC continuity since the last of Jason Todd . For some readers , the connection between Batman ’s sidekick and trauma has always been a refutable choice , too , even if it does fit thematically . One of the adept parts of the sidekick has historically been the direct contrast created with the Caped Crusader . Where the older hero is a grizzle beast of the dark , Robin is hypothesise to be a sorting of indirect request fulfillment for youthful readers , allowing them to reckon themselves fight alongside a legend .

Carrie Kelley made the Robin role fun again .

One of the reasons thatCarrie Kelly work so well as Robin inThe Dark Knight Returns , for example , is that her intellect for joining Batman is passion . Unlike Jason Todd or Tim Drake , she is n’t filling in for a dead or departed sidekick in their immediate wake . This room for her to breathe — and for Bruce to adjust — imply she make the office her own .

The Joker Holding a Batman Puppet

To put it simply , Carrie Kelley made the Robin role fun again , and honored the Graeco-Roman idea thatRobin should be an enthusiastic collaborator , not someone who feel like they had no option in the matter . As each post - Grayson Robin has joined the team , it ’s felt more like trying to fulfil a vacuum and less like an authentic relationship .

DC’s Absolute Universe Needs to Keep the New Robin Simple

What Will the New Bat-Family Look Like?

ABSOLUTE BATMAN # 1 ( 2024 )

Release Date :

October 9th , 2024

Comic book art: a green-saturated Batman crosses his arms with his cape blowing behind him.

writer :

Scott Snyder

Artists :

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

Nick Dragotta

Cover Artist :

Variant covering :

Dick Grayson in his Robin costime smiling in the cover of a Golden Age Batman comic book

One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

Wes Craig , Jim Lee , Mitch Gerads , Ian Bertram

Without the mansion … without the money … without the butler … what ’s left is the Absolute Dark Knight !

One of the more cockeyed aspect of DC , for me , has been witnessing the Caped Crusader , a hero known for his solitary , brooding nature , accumulate the great superhero family in cartoon strip . In terms of the theme of the Word of God and its origin , it just does n’t work , andsome Bat - Family stories have been too crowded for any paladin to really matter . This is specially honest in the massiveBatmanevents , which often see the Bat - Family break out off into small groups , turningwhat should be one Batman storyinto three or four team - found subplots . What draw out me into the Batman titles is the idea of a lone detective , and graphic novel gross revenue bear that out .

Absolute Batman 1 Main Cover Solicits: a bulky Batman with wing gauntlets stands in front of the skyline.

DC ’s Absolute Universe lineneeds to keep it unproblematic . Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel with a new Bat - family , I think thatthe newAbsolute Batmantitle should deliver a fresh , original Robin . This revamp would mean an all - new partnership to explain and search , one that does n’t have to be so remote . After ten of watching various iteration of Robin have a come out with the Dark Knight , get to see a intelligent , efficacious partnership would satisfy what I have wanted all along . Some writers have a habit of swear on mob dramatic event too much — but it ’s time to move on and try something newfangled .

If you are one of the masses who ca n’t stand the creepiness of the repugnance enfranchisement Saw , then you ’re going to HATE Batman ’s new puppet signifier .

The Absolute Universe Needs to Learn from Past Mistakes

Frank Miller Is Great, But He Made a Key Robin Mistake

While it drop dead without saying thatThe Dark Knight Returnsis a Batman masterpiece , one of the more controversial changes Frank Miller made was his depiction of the Batman / Robin moral force . Traditionally , this family relationship is like that of a father and tyke , and it is n’t at all uncommon for Bruce to call his Montgomery Ward " son " in time of danger .

In Miller ’s eye , however , the relationship more tight mirrored that of a friendly sergeant and the grunt under his command in a metre of war . This was hammered home by the bomber referring — in the past tense — to Jason Todd as a " good soldier . " Here , his flavor towards his one-time chum was one of laurels , but not enjoy .

This independent pocket universe allows for something exclusively raw .

Batman insults Robin in the Batmobile

Miller , along with artist Jim Lee , would cement the fractured Batman / Robin moral force in the infamousAll - Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder . Since then , the borderline , if not outright , abusive relationship between the span has become something of a norm . Even stories localise within the DCU have depict the hero sandwich as aloof , cold , anddistant from the Bat - Family , something that has become exonerated as the squad has grown . Now , with a clean ticket to start over , the publisher can work up up some meaningful emotional investment , both between the Heron and the reader .

From Nightwing to Batman : superstar author Tom Taylor use up on DETECTIVE COMICS to offer a real and symbolical haunting for the Dark Knight .

Absolute Batman Offers a Chance at Renewal

It’s an Exciting Time to Be a DC Fan

InAbsolute Batman , DC should take full advantage of the opportunity to move on from received continuity . Where even the New 52 had to play into what had been establish in prior test , this independent pouch universe of discourse allows for something all new . Instead of clinging to simple tweaks and minor alteration to lore , creative team can put entirely Modern characters into key mantel , and Robin is a great place to start . It would also be good to build up a unique personality , rather than just reinventing the edgy nature of Jason Todd or the book smarting of Tim Drake .

Whether DC opts for a fun , Golden Age human relationship , enthusiastic camaraderie like inDark Knight Returns , or a transmitted bail like Bruce ’s family relationship with his biological son Damian , simplicity should remain key . Rather than attempt to retroactively explain an integral lineage of Robins , just focalize on developing one undivided sidekick . reader already have a turgid team in the core population . It ’s time for the creative team for theAbsolute Universeversions of the beloved characters to fix the fault of the yesteryear and build on a unassailable relationship that turnsBatmaninto the strong drawing card , mentor , and father figure toRobinthat I have it off he can be .

downright Batman#1is available October 9th , 2024 from DC Comics .

Comic book art: the Absolute Universe versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman glare menacingly.

One of DC ’s most iconic heroes , Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne . form by tragedy with the death of his parents , Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the globe ’s leading martial artist , detective , and tactician . Recruiting an total family of allies and sidekicks , Bruce wages state of war on evil as the dark horse of his hometown , Gotham City .

Batman Stands in Detective Comic Art by Jason Fabok

One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

Batman

Batman