This month for the DC History Club, we join the DCU Community wide crossover celebrating 80 years Robin. Sidekicks have existed in literature since the Iliad . As long as there have been stories about heroes, sidekicks have followed them into danger. Sancho Panza rode with Don Quixote as he tilted against windmills; Dr. Watson marveled at Sherlock Holmes’ mind; and Cheetah the chimp screeched warnings of danger at Tarzan. Robin, as the first great superhero sidekick, did all this and more.
For eleven issues, Batman was a dark knight of vengeance. He carried his thirst for revenge to the ultimate penalty killing his enemies. Like Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson’s career began with the tragic murder of his parents. But unlike Batman, Robin the Boy Wonder would fight crime with a laugh and pun dressed in bright primary colors. He became the template for decades of teen superheroes who could more directly appeal to young readers, play off their older mentors, and actually age and grow as time went on. More importantly, he helped changed the fundamental nature of Batman. Their fight was for justice. Batman and Robin. Two characters that became a single idea.
You will find our normal research wiki directly below to add articles, interviews or videos from reliable sources. Special shoutout to our senior historian @TurokSonOfStone1950 for much of the deep dive research for building this entire month. And don’t forget to check out the Robin crossover activities happening all across the DCU Community.
Stay tuned for more coming this month :
- Polls: Week 2 adds will include polls on Golden Age Robin’s impact on Batman and comics in general
- Quiz: Week 3 will see a quiz as you can test how much you know about the history of Golden Age Robin.
Recommended Reading:
- Detective #38: Story 1(pg. 2) Robin’s debut
- Batman #1: Story 2 (pg. 4) Joker’s debut and story 4 (pg 29) Catwoman’s debut
- Batman #255: Crazy-Quilt Comes Back reprinted from Star-Spangled Comics #123 (December, 1951)
Deeper Dive Reading :
- Detective #444: Dick Grayson Detective reprinted from Star-Spangled Comics #111 (December, 1950)
- The Brave and the Bold #76: The Man Called 50-50! Reprinted from Star-Spangled Comics #128 (May, 1952)
- Batman #156: Robin Dies at Dawn
History Challenge:
- Real Robin Facts: Found something interesting about Golden Age Robin you want to share? Post your Real Robin Facts. See an example below.
- Robin, Dick Grayson History Timeline : Below you’ll find the beginning of a Dick Grayson ultimate history timeline wiki. If you have an event whether from the pages of the comics or the real world for Dick Grayson from his introduction in Detective to his kicking off the green pixie boots add it to the wiki.
Discussion Suggestions
- How do you think Robin changed Batman as a character? What do you think are Robin’s most important contributions to the Batman mythos and comics in general?
- Although Robin’s original costume of yellow cape, green and red tunic and shorts, and pixie boots would become something of punchline in later years, they were critical in immediately establishing the character. What are your thoughts on the costume?
- What do you think about other Golden Age sidekicks. This includes not only the kid sidekicks, but the bumbling sidekick as well. What purpose do you think they serve?