Kriss and Dpalm are back with another Character Corner episode. This time its Part 1 of a two part series on the Robins. We’ve covered most of the Robins already in previous episodes like Batman's Rogue Gallery, Tim Drake, all the Batgirl episodes and our three part Batman series. But we’ve never really dug deep into each of the Robins and gone into their differences and how they tell the larger story of Batman.

We’re starting with Dick Grayson and Jason Todd not just because chronologically they were the first two robins but also because they represent the larger issues we’ve seen with Batman & DC Comics when they get translated to movies and TV. Everyone knows Dick Grayson is the first Robin but the reality is, by the time most of us were reading comics and aware of Batman, Grayson was far removed from being Robin. Same could be said for Jason Todd. Jason was first introduced in 1983 and was killed off in 1988. The first two Robins came and went before most people today were even 10. And that’s where we see DC getting into trouble. The mantle of Robin is almost just as important and divisive as Batman. There isn't another sidekick character in which you have 4-5 drastically different character holding the title and all of them are just about important. Dick, Jason, Tim/Stephanie and Damien.

We’re gonna go through each Robin and talk not just about some of their key issues but really dive into how they’re different from each other, and the role they play in Bruce/Batman’s life. First up...the heir & the prodigal son: Richard & Jason.

Key Issues:

First Appearances 

Detective Comics #38 - First appearance of Dick Grayson/Robin

 

Tales of the Teen Titans #44 - First appearance of Dick Grayson as Nightwing

 

Batman #357 - First appearance of Jason Todd (Pre-Crisis)

 

Batman #366 - First appearance of Jason Todd as Robin (Pre-Crisis)

 

Early Years 

Batman Year 3 

Batman #436 - 439

 

Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet - Dick's final test from Batman

 

Robin Year 1 - Chuck Dixen and goes really well with his Batgirl Year One book

 

Dark Victory - Sequel to The Long Halloween and retells the origin of Dick Grayson

 

Enter Jason Todd 

Batman #408 - First appearance of Post-Crisis Jason Todd

 

Batman #410 - Post-Crisis Todd's first appearance as Robin

 

New Teen Titans vol 2 #20