Robin have been partners in the world of DC Comics for almost as long as Batman has existed. But every Robin has to leave the nest at some point, and it seems like Damian Wayne is finally ready to move on. Thankfully, it seems that Batman already has a perfect replacement lined up, and it's not who fans might expect.
Damian Wayne states that he doesn't want to be Robin anymore.
Right now, it's unclear if Damian is actually going to hang up his cape and take on a new role, but if he does, Batman might already have a perfect replacement ready, and who he should pick might just surprise some long-term fans.
Should Tim Drake Return as Batman's Main Robin?
Batman and Robin #18 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Javi Fernández, Miguel Mendonca, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Marcelo Maiolo, and Steve Wands
Hearing that Damian Wayne is leaving the role of Robin might cause a few people to think it's time for Tim Drake to once again step into the role. After all, for the past few years now, it's like he never left. For the past several years, both Damian and Tim have been occupying the same role as Robin, which is certainly weird and also the first time this has happened for any real length of time. There's no denying that Tim does a great job as Robin. He was one of the best in the role, but the question is if he should really return to it.
The Origin of Robin's Most Ridiculous Disguise of All Time Actually Perfectly Represents Tim Drake
It's not unusual for a superhero to make a fake identity to protect their real one, and DC just revealed the origin of Robin's most absurd identity.
Tim Drake was a fantastic Robin, and he's one of the only characters who actively sought out the role. Both Dick and Jason were offered the role by Batman, but Tim is the only one who sought Batman out in order to help him - which led to him taking on the role of Robin. Tim understands the importance of Robin to Batman more than most other characters, which is why he was able to fill the role so perfectly. He wasn't doing it for himself to work out his own issues, like Dick and Jason were; he was doing it to help Batman, because he knew that Batman needed a Robin.
Despite His Recent History, Tim Drake Moved Past Robin a Long Time Ago
Or At Least He Should Have
But every Robin eventually moves on to a new identity. It happened with Dick Grayson becoming Nightwing, and it happened with Jason Todd becoming Red Hood. It also happened with Tim Drake becoming Red Robin both before and after Flashpoint. While DC, for some reason, decided that Tim needed to revert back to the role of Robin, Tim had already long moved past it. He had become his own hero as Red Robin with his own team and proved he was ready to strike out on his own. He even had his own solo Red Robin comic that ran for twenty-six issues. That alone should demonstrate that Tim is past the Robin identity now.
Tim Drake is one of the best examples of a character who has been forced to devolve.
Tim Drake has had a longer run in the Robin role than most, and he's the only Robin to be forced back into the role after having moved past it. Imagine if Dick Grayson went off, became Nightwing for three years, and then was brought back to being Robin. Most fans would agree that it's an absurd scenario, but that's exactly what happened to Tim Drake. A lot of characters lost their depth and development during and after DC's New 52 continuity reboot, but Tim Drake is one of the best examples of a character who has been forced to devolve.
So, while most fans would assume that Tim Drake would be best to take over the role after Damian leaves, that's actually not true. If anything, Tim should leave, too. There is one other character who would be more than happy to take over the mantle, though. In fact, she's been dying to do it. Gotham Academy student Mia "Maps" Mizoguchi has been a massive Batman fan for her entire life, and the only thing that Maps has ever wanted was to become Robin. She wanted it so badly that she once snuck onto the GD rooftop at night and turned on the Bat-Signal just in hopes of meeting Batman.
Maps Mizoguchi Has Wanted to Be Robin for Years
Maybe It's Time She Finally Gets Her Chance
Mia has something that's important for every Robin to have, and that's pure joy. Every single Robin has enjoyed being Robin, and that's the most important part. The reason why Robin exists, narratively speaking, is to make sure that Batman doesn't wallow in the darkness of his mission. No one wants him to become lost and consumed by vengeance. That's why a joyful Robin is so important, and Maps is certainly excited about the job. While her idolization of Batman isn't exactly the best, it's not like other Robins didn't feel similar at the start, like Tim Drake himself.
Maps made her debut during the New 52 in Gotham Academy #1 by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, Dave McCaig, Geyser, and Steve Wands, which is available now from DC Comics.
While Maps hasn't been formally trained, neither were the majority of the Robins. The only ones who arrived at Wayne Manor pre-trained were Dick Grayson with his acrobatics and Damian Wayne with his League of Assassins training. But every Robin needs a specific element to bring to the table, and Mia certainly has that: she's is a massive fantasy nerd. While this fun fact may not seem important, it has actually helped her identify numerous supernatural threats, allowing her to stand out from the other Robins and giving her a unique way to help Batman.
DC Has Strongly Implied That Maps Mizoguchi Will Become Robin
She's Already Worn the Costume
Maps has already gotten to take on the role of Robin a few times. The first was during Batman: The Brave and the Bold #10 in a story by Karl Kerschl, where Maps helps Batman locate her missing classmate. This story results in Maps being given an official Robin outfit and even appearing in the Batcave. If that's not enough, in Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #1 by Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad, and Jen Bartel, when Diana is visiting the Batcave long after Batman has died, readers can spot Mia's very own Robin suit on display right next to Batman's iconic suit.
Robin Not Only Saved DC's Batman, The Sidekick Saved Superhero Comics
Robin did not just change Batman's life as a character, but he changed the comic book industry forever. In fact, he saved the superhero genre.
Characters mustn't stay static for too long. Damian has been Robin for almost twenty years. It's about time that the boy gets to move on to his own identity. Likewise, Tim Drake has been Robin for even longer and somehow lost his own identity and was relegated back to being Robin. But Maps doesn't appear as much in DC's comics anymore. Her own book, Gotham Academy, ended a long time ago. She only recently popped back up as an adult in Birds of Prey. It seems that now more than ever is the perfect time to bring Maps Mizoguchi back as Batman's new Robin.
Batman and Robin #18 is available now from DC Comics!
- Created By
- Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- First Appearance
- Detective Comics
- Alias
- Bruce Wayne
- Alliance
- Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
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.
- Race
- Human
- Franchise
- D.C.
- FIRST APP
- Detective Comics #27 (1939)
