WARNING! Spoilers Ahead for Batman and Robin: Year OneRobin’scostume is one of the most recognizable in DC Comics, with flashy colors that make it stick out against the dark backdrop of Gotham City. Now, the Boy Wonder’s classic look just got a huge upgrade that rewrites Batman lore in a big way. After 84 years, Robin’s costume has undergone a change that makes Dick Grayson tougher than ever as he prowls the streets with Batman.
Batman and Robin: Year One#1 – written by Mark Waid, with art by Chris Samnee – revisits the early days of the titular Dynamic Duo, chronicling the rocky start of a team-up that would eventually become a staple of the DC Universe.
Batman and Robin embark on their first mission, but things soon take a dire turn as Robin gets momentarily distracted. When a thief points his gun at Robin,Batman tells him to “remember the cape”, and Robin proceeds to shield himself from gunfire with his cape.
Robin Is Officially Bulletproof, As The Iconic Sidekick’s Classic Costume Gets A Lore-Changing Upgrade
Batman and Robin: Year One#1 – Written By Mark Waid; Art By Chris Samnee, Mat Lopes, & Clayton Cowles
Waid and Samnee’s fresh new take on Batman and Robingives Dick Grayson’s costume a much-needed update that saves his life in the nick of time. This change rewrites Batman lore by giving Robin newfound protection on the field that puts his resilience on par with the Dark Knight himself. Dick Grayson burst onto the scene as Robin for the first time inDetective Comics#38 – written by Bob Kane, with art by Bill Finger – first released in 1940, and his suit became instantly iconic.
The legendary sidekick’s Robin Hood-inspired red vest, green shorts, and yellow cape culminate in a combination that isn’t necessarily easy on the eyes, but it doesmake Robin’s costume unique, which is why it remains so memorable after so many years. Robin sticks out like a sore thumb in Gotham with his garish suit, especially when juxtaposed withBatman’s black and gray costume. As the Robin mantle has been passed down, each has worn their own variation of this suit, but the design philosophy of the original remains intact.
Robin’s New Costume Redesigns Him to Look More Like Batman
Despite DC refusing to change Robin’s design in the past, a recent comic sees him wearing a new costume that mimics Batman’s suit, with dark colors.
Now, decades later, Robin’s costume has been redefined in a big way with its latest update. Thanks to Bruce Wayne’s resources at Waynetech, he’s modified Robin’s cape to absorb kinetic energy; in other words,Robin is officially bulletproof. This upgrade is similar to thearmor in Batman’s suitthat protects him from attacks, an integral part of Bruce’s ability to act as thee Caped Crusader. Batman and Robin have the protection they need to survive Gotham’s criminal element. Not only does this change to Robin’s suit keep him safe, but it also debunks a widespread critique of Batman.
Robin’s New Costume Debunks A Major Batman Criticism
Batman’s Sidekicks Are More Protected Than They Look
One of the more common controversies surrounding Batman has to do with his choice of sidekicks. Batman’s Robins tend to be younger, with Dick Grayson being eleven years-old when he originates the Robin mantle. As such, there’s ample cause for concern aboutwhy Bruce would send a child like Robin into action, especially when he wears brightly-colored clothing that would undoubtedly draw enemy fire. Even in this story,Commissioner Gordon calls Batman outfor putting a child’s life at risk. This concern exists in-universe, as well as in the real world, rendering the flaw in Robin’s costume impossible to ignore.
Batman’s sidekick might look like he’s in immediate danger, but Robin is more protected than he appears on the surface, and his new upgrade proves it.
At long last, this design flaw for Robin has been remedied. While the costume is as colorful as ever, the bulletproof cape means Robin can’t be harmed by gunfire. Because of this, he’sno longer a walking target for criminals. Batman’s sidekick might look like he’s in immediate danger, but Robin is more protected than he appears on the surface, and his new upgrade proves it. It’s clear that Batman takes precautions to ensure Robin’s safety, therefore dispelling any claims that Bruce Wayne is endangering a childwith reckless abandon.
Robin’s New Costume Can’t Protect Him From Every Threat In Gotham
Robin Still Faces Danger On Missions With Batman
As helpful asRobin’s costume upgradewill be at keeping him safe on Gotham’s treacherous streets, not even the most state-of-the-art material can ward off every threat. This is demonstrated when Robin leaps right intoTwo-Face’s trap, and he and Batman end up landing on mines that will explode if they make the wrong move. Robin’s cape can stop bullets, but it won’t be of any use if he sets off a bomb. The upgrade Batman gave Robin doesn’t make him invincible, and that’s a lesson the Boy Wonder learns the hard way.
When Dick Grayson grows up to become Nightwing, he adds a similar bulletproof upgrade to his new costume, as seen inNightwing#88 – written by Tom Taylor, with art by Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas & AndWorld Design.
Robin getting an update to his suit makes sense for a modern take on his first year with Batman. It makes Bruce more sympathetic as he brings his ward to combat situations, while not alleviating all tension by granting Robin invulnerability. Moreover, it doesn’t interfere with the classic look pioneered by Dick Grayson. The colors are still as eye-catching as ever, butnow Robin’s timeless costume has the added bonus of a bulletproof cape.This retcon toRobin’sfirst costume makes his vigilantism easier to stomach as he takes on Batman’s rogues with one less threat to worry about.
Batman and Robin: Year One#1is available now from DC Comics.
Batman
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.
