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Off THEIR Minds: Should Batman be Allowed to Have Another Robin?

Chances are it's going to happen but should it be allowed?

Batman and Robin. The Dynamic Duo. The Caped Crusaders. You can easily have Batman without Robin. The two just go together so well.

We've seen after Jason Todd [originally] died that Batman needed a Robin. Having a Robin is what keeps him in check. Over the years we've seen the notion of Robin grow into something bigger. The role of Robin wasn't just to be a comedic sidekick but was now seen as a partner for Batman.

With the recent events and the dangers the role has caused in the past, the question is, should Batman be allowed to haver a Robin? We could debate this but we decided to ask creators this question at Emerald City Comicon. Check out what Joshua Hale Fialkov, Kyle Higgins, Brian Buccellato, James Robinson, Peter Nguyen, James Tynion IV, Matt Fraction, Josh Williamson, Jim McCann and Sam Humphries think about this topic.

Batman should have a Robin but are the risks too great? Is it a matter of child endangerment? Does Batman have the right to encourage kids to take on a dangerous role?

121 Comments

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Cyborg6971

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Edited By Cyborg6971

No, if social services has there say in it. Maybe Bats should post the position up online, take applications, and do interviews. Brooding would be a prerequisite.

Maybe Harper Row will take up the mantel.

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daredevil21134

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Edited By daredevil21134

@Cyborg6971 said:

No, if social services has there say in it.

lol

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Trodorne

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Edited By Trodorne

Where is the police in this matter?

Parents lock your kids, cause the Batman will take your child and make them his sidekick. Child Endangerment anyone?

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Dark_Vengeance_

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Edited By Dark_Vengeance_

Should he? No.

Will he? I hope not.

Should Damian stay dead? Yes, I don't want another pointless death.

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ectoborge

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Edited By ectoborge

Joker should be the new Robin

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evilvegeta74

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Edited By evilvegeta74

No, Damian is not replaceble.Personally I don't wanna see anyone as a Robin other than Damian. I wonder if this will be addressed by the Justice League, do they know? How should they treat Batman?

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Rumble Man

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Edited By Rumble Man

Batpedo wants ur kiddies

lock up the doors

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ccraft

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Edited By ccraft

I don't think he should have another robin, let him be solo for awhile. I wouldn't care if he got a partner.

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Lonestar9

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Edited By Lonestar9

Yes, absolutely. I would prefer an older Robin, minimum 16+, but other than that, he needs someone who can back him up, trust, etc. Jason died, but if he's alive again, how does that count? I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Damian return someday, but I doubt it'll be anytime soon. So I'm curious to see how this all plays out.

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Mighty Thorion

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Edited By Mighty Thorion

"Should he be allowed" LOL - Who is going to stop him?

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X9

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Edited By X9

I believe (and I'm holding on that hope) that Damian will come back and will be Robin again.

However, in the meanwhile, a few issues after his death, I wouldn't object to see Batman with a new sidekick. It could even be a female one, as he's traumatized with boys.

Even though if I were Bruce I'd think twice before bringing someone to that life again...

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judasnixon

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Edited By judasnixon

What kind of an A-Hole takes a child out to fight serial killers pass curfew? 

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KnightRise

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Edited By KnightRise

@Trodorne said:

Where is the police in this matter?

Parents lock your kids, cause the Batman will take your child and make them his sidekick. Child Endangerment anyone?

Best. Kidnapping. EVER!!!

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shackle

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Edited By shackle

We're going to continually rehash this for the next 2 or 3 months, aren't we?

The answer is the same as it was the last time this was brought up--no. Bruce Wayne cannot justify continuing to put his charges in mortal danger; his track record hasn't exactly been too impressive. In truth, Bruce Wayne, at the very least, is guilty of child endangerment, probably outright child abuse. Bruce Wayne SHOULD be charged with manslaughter and locked up. But he will throw another sidekick into the meat grinder anyway, because the comic reading masses want a Robin, no matter how dumb and indefensible that decision is.

And this will be the same answer the next time it's asked in another week or less.

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TheCheeseStabber

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Edited By TheCheeseStabber

Whens Alfred gonna become Robin...

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BlueLantern1995

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Edited By BlueLantern1995

Should he? No

Will he? Maybe though he probably won't.

Should Damian come back? Heck Yes but not immediately and first as a villain(have Red Hood be very important in the title...would be interesting)

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The Average Bear

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Edited By The Average Bear

I think we need to see a solo Batman for a while. But I think it would be cool if Nightwing or a new character made regular appearances with him

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the_tree

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Edited By the_tree

He shouldn't, but he will.

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HoodlumNoHavoc

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Edited By HoodlumNoHavoc

Fraction creeping on Sam just made my day! lol

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kid Apollo

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Edited By kid Apollo

Harper Row better not become the next Robin or im gona slap someone sooooo hard

although she does kinda fit the m.o.- black hair, troubled past, has one skill thats more pronounced then most others

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Mutant God

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Edited By Mutant God

What if the next Robin is not human, what if Batman built a robotic child to be the next Robin

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The Cyan Lantern

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Edited By The Cyan Lantern

Good ol' Fraction

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xblah_blahx

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Edited By xblah_blahx

I just never could by into the caped crusader having a kid for a sidekick. Lets get the original duo back together. Batman and Nightwing!

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TDK_1997

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Edited By TDK_1997

Right now no but in the future I want another Robin.It may even be one of the old ones.

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Mucklefluga

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Edited By Mucklefluga

Matt behind was Sam was so scary ahaaaaaa ;D

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I_Stay_Puft

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Edited By I_Stay_Puft

HE probably shouldn't, he's 2/5 now in terms of Robin survivability.

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leokearon

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Edited By leokearon

@TheCheeseStabber said:

Whens Alfred gonna become Robin...

Why would he be Robin when he's The Eagle!

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Nightwing4

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Edited By Nightwing4

2 Robin deaths in over 70 years of comics. "They die a lot." "They're dropping like flies."

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darkwingdan

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Edited By darkwingdan

@Nightwing4: I agree. Although the two have occurred in the last 25 year years. That's still pretty good. Sure, in the video Tony makes the point "2 in 5 years," but the comic book world is not the real world. There are leaps in logic and crazy stuff happening all the time. There's an entire universe where "mutants" face persecution, while other superpowered beings are not. We had Superboy-Prime punch reality to resurrect Jason Todd (sidebar: I love the reality punch because it is the type of crazy, insane stuff we only get in comics). Maybe in our world, it wouldn't make sense for Batman to get another Robin, but not in the world of comics.

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darkwingdan

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Edited By darkwingdan

@TDK_1997: maybe get Tim back?

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Grey56

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Edited By Grey56

Look, sir - are you simply trying to be provocative? I'm trying to ascertain what your goal is - to answer whether there is legal maneuver to enlist a minor for crime fighting acting outside any law enforcement agency or if there is metaphysical conceit to justify a fictional character recruiting another fictional character for Quixotic crusades.

I'm assuming broadly that you are asking about the latter. However, you are using the word 'should' which carries some implicit moral weight. Any litany of things can be written into comics without the sticky legalities that encumber us day to day - to include the enlistment of children for extra-legal martial enforcement.

The better question is; Is Batman right to have Robin fight alongside him. Is it right for Bruce to knowingly take in someone, regardless as to circumstance - and expose them to the horrors which face people seeking to protect civil society from serial killers and worse? Do the legalities of socio-norms matter when one is compelled by a calling for Kantian justice - those are some questions.

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EdBlank

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Edited By EdBlank

One does not simply "allow" the GD Batman to do things..

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TDK_1997

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Edited By TDK_1997

@darkwingdan: Yep.Or we can get Stephanie Brown as his sidekick.

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bsavelli

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Edited By bsavelli

I agree with James Tynion IV when he says that Robin is an important part of the Batman mythos, but I don't know if Batman should have another person to wear the mantle, and that's for the simple reason that Damian was not just his Robin, he was his son. To just choose someone else to take his place wouldn't be easy to him. Now, I'm not the greatest fan of characters' resurrections on comic books, but yeah, maybe it would be a good idea to bring him back.

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Trevel8182

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Edited By Trevel8182

@Nightwing4: Does no one remember Stephanie brown

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Mezmero

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Edited By Mezmero

He should be allowed another Robin but not a kid. Instead he should hire an actual robin to be a Robin. The bird could have telepathy to communicate and maybe ice powers for good measure. If Batman can prove that he's responsible enough to take care of a little telepathic ice bird then he can try training kids again. It doesn't have to be a real bird, maybe a mechanical bird automaton that is networked to the batcomputer. I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Titus or Alfred the cat as Robins.

I think he just shouldn't be allowed to have anymore clones as Robins or clones period. Damian got killed because he was artificial, not meant to be. If Bruce wants a kid he'll do it the old fashioned way and not the creepy love potion number 9 way. Jason's death was an accident if you consider underestimatng the Joker an accident. Love this video! Want more soon!

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wessaari

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Edited By wessaari

@Trevel8182 said:

@Nightwing4: Does no one remember Stephanie brown

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this, and

Jim Mccan totally gave a Spoiler shoutout!!!!!

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DocFishstick

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Edited By DocFishstick

Yes i think he should have a Robin. I say they should give the job to Helena Wayne. She was Robin on Earth 2 and she was Batman's daughter. So we have a Robin with Wayne's blood in her. I would love to see this.

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zanevittorio

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Edited By zanevittorio

No way! I don't even like the idea of him having a kid to be honest.

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moondogy42

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Edited By moondogy42

Robin serves as a buffer,instead of bats dying robin acts as his scapegoat

win freaking win

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millennium

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Edited By millennium

yes batman should have a robin and im hoping for a female one come on stephanie brown or harper row

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TheCheeseStabber

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Edited By TheCheeseStabber

@leokearon: Think with that Power he should've been able to fight off Joker in Death of The Family

>.>

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Zeeguy91

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Edited By Zeeguy91

I have to say that Josh Fialkov and Matt Fraction's responses were my favorites. Matt is especially hilarious. Anyway, I don't think Batman should have a new Robin right now and probably not for a few years. Maybe when issue #56 of Batman rolls around (i.e. three years from now), they could have another Robin come in and fill Damian's shoes. I think Harper Row would actually make a great Robin. In fact, I think that is what Snyder is building her up to be.

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hyperman

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Edited By hyperman

Of course he should, it's like Superman and Lois lane, sherlock holmes and dr watson, Cleopatra and marc Anthony, Adam and Eve, Bonnie and Clyde and so forth, It's iconic!!! And I want so badly Dick Grayson to be back as Robin!

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Darkmount1

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Edited By Darkmount1
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AskaniSon295

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Edited By AskaniSon295

he should make a Robot Robin.

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thenexusrebound

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Edited By thenexusrebound

I love the idea that they keep saying Robins die all the time. Only two have died and one has come back as a mega badass. I agree with Fraction though, that is why I hope Harper becomes the new Robin or maybe she takes up the title Red Bird who knows!

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StMichalofWilson

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Edited By StMichalofWilson

@The_Tree said:

He shouldn't, but he will.

This

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LifePool

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Edited By LifePool

I like this robot idea a few people have circulated around.

Never really thought of it: it would serve the purpose of a Robin (providing Batman with support) without putting anymore children in danger.