One of the first announcements from the new Co-CEO of DC Studios James Gunn revealed that a new adaptation of Batman would appear in the DCU’s The Brave and the Bold movie. He teased the upcoming film would adapt Grant Morrison’s iconic run on the series that introduced the character of Damian Wayne into Batman’s life.
Damian Wayne took over the role of Robin and joined Batman as DC’s modern Dynamic Duo. However, Damian wasn’t the first hero to join Batman in his fight against crime over the years. Heroes like Dick Grayson and Tim Drake each put their own mark on the role while taking part in some of Batman’s most memorable adventures and comic events.
Dick Grayson Swore An Oath As Robin
Detective Comics #38 (April 1940)
After Bruce Wayne witnessed the murder of Dick Grayson’s parents, he adopted the grieving circus acrobat as his ward. Grayson took it upon himself to solve the mystery of his parent’s death, leading to an encounter with Batman who was also looking into the crime.
Batman decided to reveal his identity and begin training Dick Grayson so he could better seek out justice for his parent’s murder. After completing his training, Dick Grayson swore an oath with Batman as his new partner Robin.
Batman Fired Dick Grayson As Robin
Batman #408 (June 1987)
Dick Grayson spent years fighting alongside Batman as the Dynamic Duo. He proved himself against some of Batman’s greatest villains. Grayson faced one of his greatest tests when he fought one of Batman's most iconic villains. Robin saved Batman from Harvey Dent, but it cost the life of another victim.
However, Dick Grayson moved on and grew from Boy Wonder to Teen Wonder. He left the Batcave to attend college and spent most of his time leading the Teen Titans. Batman originally fired Dick Grayson as his sidekick after The Joker shot the distracted Robin during a fight. That was later modified by Nightwing: Year One and occurred after Grayson was late for a case.
Jason Todd Boosted The Batmobile’s Tires
Batman #408 (June 1987)
Batman didn’t plan on replacing Dick Grayson as Robin. However, he ran into a young street thief named Jason Todd shortly after firing Grayson. Jason Todd successfully stole the tires from the Batmobile despite Batman’s enhanced security measures.
Batman saw promise in the young thief after he helped Batman take down a crooked school leader. He decided to train Jason Todd to take over as his new partner. After six months of training, Jason Todd proved his skills in a gauntlet and took the oath as Robin.
Batman Arrived Too Late To Save Robin
Batman #427 (December 1988)
Jason Todd’s time as Robin wasn’t as smooth or as well received as Dick Grayson's tenure. He had a bad attitude and he meted out brutal justice against Batman’s wishes. The Dark Knight sidelined Todd as Robin after he severely and needlessly injured a criminal.
However, Todd’s drive to find his biological mother sent him across the world as Robin. He found his mother, who was working with The Joker at the time. Batman tracked down his wayward partner, but he was too late to stop Joker from killing Todd.
Tim Drake Started Training As Robin
Batman #442 (December 1989)
After the brutal death of Jason Todd, Batman vowed to never endanger anyone else in his mission. He retreated even further into his dark persona. A young fan named Tim Drake started to notice this dark turn after following Batman and Robin’s exploits in the news.
Drake deduced Robin’s secret identity and contacted Dick Grayson in his new Nightwing costumed identity to reunite the Dynamic Duo. When Two-Face captured the heroes, Drake donned a Robin costume to save them, and Batman agreed to train the young detective.
Stephanie Brown Took Over As Robin
Robin #126 (July 2004)
Tim Drake operated as Robin both alongside Batman and in his own solo adventures for years. However, when his father discovered his secret identity, Tim Drake had to quit as Batman’s sidekick. His ex Stephanie Brown/Spoiler decided to audition for the role.
Brown created her own costume and snuck into the Batcave. Batman agreed to train her, hoping it would lure Tim Drake back to the role. Stephanie’s time as Spoiler earned her the opportunity, and she and joined Batman as the first official female Robin.
Batman Fired Her For Disobeying Orders
Robin #128 (September 2004)
Stephanie Brown's evolution from Spoiler to Robin took months of training before Batman and Alfred gave her an official Robin costume. She proved herself a capable partner to Batman when she stopped Victor Zsasz from killing the Dark Knight in one of her first missions as Robin.
When an armored assassin named Scarab arrived in Gotham City, Batman suited up and ordered Robin to stay out of danger. However, when Scarab got the drop on Batman, she disobeyed the order to save his life. He fired her as Robin and also forbid her from operating in Gotham City as Spoiler. This act would have tragic consequences for Stephanie Brown.
Tim Drake Returned As Robin
Detective Comics #798 (November 2004)
Spoiler attempted to win back Batman’s favor by enacting one of his secret plans. She hoped to both unite the criminal underworld and take control of it to earn the role of Robin back. Unfortunately, she didn’t know that the plan involved one of Batman’s greatest secret weapons, Matches Malone.
A gang war broke out without Batman’s involvement as Matches Malone. After Tim Drake’s close friend died in the chaos, he rejoined Batman as Robin. However, their partnership suffered after the apparent death of Spoiler at Black Mask's hands during the gang war.
Damian Wayne Officially Became Robin
Batman: Battle for the Cowl #3 (July 2009)
Tim Drake continued to operate on his own and beside Batman for years, though everything changed after the appearance of Damian Wayne. The son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul grew up under the wing of Ra’s al Ghul and trained as an assassin.
When Bruce Wayne appeared to die in the Final Crisis event, his first partner Dick Grayson took over the mantle as the new Dark Knight. He decided to officially train Bruce’s son Damian as the new Robin while Tim Drake took on the role of Red Robin.
Bruce And Damian Became The Dynamic Duo
Batman and Robin #1 (November 2011)
After Bruce Wayne returned from seeming death, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne continued as Batman and Robin for a time in Gotham City. Batman pursued larger goals outside of Gotham City, though Bruce and Damian soon began working together when Grayson returned to his role as Nightwing in the New 52.
The father and son Dynamic Duo had an entirely different relationship than any previous pairing. Batman’s love for his new partner drove him to impossible measures after the tragic death of Damian Wayne. Thankfully, Bruce Wayne was able to resurrect his son and they continued working together as Batman and Robin.