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Post by rberman on May 22, 2020 14:22:16 GMT -5
What's your favorite Robin story? Something golden age? Death in the Family? The Grayson series? The misadventures of Damien Wayne? Throw Nightwing, Earth-2 Robin, and other adult versions in if you want. One that sticks out to me is "The Astounding Separated Man" ( The Brave and the Bold #60, 1965, by Haney and Premiani), a super-groovy Teen Titans story that includes all the era's tropes including teen political power, CB radio, mo-peds, surfing, a jealous girlfriend, and more into a freaky story about a villain who can not only grow giant but can also send his body parts to autonomously attack different parts of Midville. All the Titans are given a page or two to shine, but Robin leads the way.  |
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Post by MDG on May 22, 2020 14:30:55 GMT -5
I'd enjoy this story more if the "villain" didn't look like a giant golem made out of raw ground beef.
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Post by rberman on May 22, 2020 14:54:37 GMT -5
I'd enjoy this story more if the "villain" didn't look like a giant golem made out of raw ground beef. I'm surprised they got away with a naked villain in 1965! His clothes magically reappeared when he reverted to normal size.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 15:47:05 GMT -5
There are many Robin stories I haven't read, but one storyline I did complete was
A Death in the Family, Batman #426-429 (1988-89)
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on May 22, 2020 15:48:39 GMT -5
The secondary story in this issue is really great and inspiring. It deals a lot with Tim and Ariana's relationship. Particularly their sexual relationship. It's tasteful, thought provoking and a really good message for any reader at that age that Tim is and how to tackle moving into that aspect of a romantic relationship. It's one I also like to advertise any chance I get.  |
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Post by tarkintino on May 22, 2020 17:26:13 GMT -5
What's your favorite Robin story? Something golden age? Death in the Family? The Grayson series? The misadventures of Damien Wayne? Throw Nightwing, Earth-2 Robin, and other adult versions in if you want. One that sticks out to me is "The Astounding Separated Man" ( The Brave and the Bold #60, 1965, by Haney and Premiani), a super-groovy Teen Titans story that includes all the era's tropes including teen political power, CB radio, mo-peds, surfing, a jealous girlfriend, and more into a freaky story about a villain who can not only grow giant but can also send his body parts to autonomously attack different parts of Midville. All the Titans are given a page or two to shine, but Robin leads the way. Not really one story, but I thought the handling of the character's solo stories in early 70s Detective Comics (when Grayson was at college) were solid, as they continued his maturing process that was happening in Batman, finally breaking away from the Golden Age sidekick archetype which was still defining the character at least up to 1967. Robin's solo stories had him deal with campus unrest, murder and questioning whether he should continue on as Robin. From Kane's beautiful, energetic pencils to engaging scripts by writers such as Robbins and Friedrich, that period was a great time to be a Robin/Grayson fan. |
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Post by Prince Hal on May 22, 2020 17:46:20 GMT -5
The run of Robin stories in Star Spangled Comics (before it was turned into another Batman strip toward the end of the run) is charming. It's fun to see high school-aged Dick Grayson/ Robin out on his own in a variety of different kinds of stories. Some are Robin vs. gangsters; some Robin vs. C-list villains; others are kid-oriented human interest stories. Yes, they're innocent, but they are never less than enjoyable, as Robin gets in scrapes, frequently has to pull off an escape or two, and is often involved with actual other teenagers.   Of course, I have to play the "Robin Dies at Dawn" card here, too, which everybody here has heard more than enough about.  And "Prisoners of Three Worlds," which shows Robin and Batgirl kissing. What a moment!  |
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Post by Cei-U! on May 22, 2020 19:59:46 GMT -5
As I've stated before, I despise kid sidekicks in general and Robin in particular regardless of who's behind the mask. That said, if I *have* to pick a "greatest" story for the character, I'll choose The Brave and the Bold #182, "Interlude on Earth-Two" by Alan Brennert and Jim Aparo. Brennert's depiction of the E2 Robin's resentment towards the E1 Batman rooted in his unresolved feelings about the death of his Bruce Wayne was incisive and completely believable. It was also a major influence on my own portrayal of Dick Grayson in "Lash House."
Cei-U!
I only steal from the best!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 20:58:26 GMT -5
 Nightwing #25. Written by Chuck Dixon. Art by Scott McDaniel & Karl Story. Nightwing recreates a training exercise he used to do with Batman (when he was Robin)... with the current Robin (Tim). Great interaction between Dick & Tim showcasing why they both were awesome Robins. |
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 21:39:18 GMT -5
 Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet Robin is going to be a very good soldier. A very good soldier. — Batman Such a great story about the very early adventures of Dick in his Robin costume. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on May 23, 2020 7:18:37 GMT -5
As far as I'm concerned, this is the only correct answer to this question:  New Teen Titans #39. It's the definitive Robin story, or at least the definitive first Robin story. A few honorable mentions: - Batman #156: Robin Dies at Dawn for the first Robin story that really seemed to have substance/depth to it. - Both Nocturna story arcs during Doug Moench's tenure on Batman. Some of the best relationship building between Batman and Robin ever depicted. - The Barr/Davis run on 'Tec. Really emphasized the importance of the bond between them. - Batman #428: Death in the Family part 3. The rest was crap, but man was that entry powerful. - Justice League of America #55: the Earth 2 Robin has taken over the role of Batman - Morrison's Batman and Robin (pretty much the full run). Priceless banter between a Robin and a Robin. - Brave and the Bold #54: A really solid and powerful story designed to prove Robin's worth, and inadvertently launching DC's second most famous super team in the process. - Teen Titans #14 Silver Age Robin copes with alienation and depression. WOW! |
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Post by chadwilliam on May 23, 2020 9:51:37 GMT -5
I believe the intention for creating Robin was to give Batman someone to talk to - a Dr. Watson to his Holmes. Now, as Batman himself proved, a superhero Holmes works beautifully, but I've never been convinced that we really needed a superhero Dr. Watson. With Robin's purpose being to make Batman look good, a number of stories which spring to mind (ie. Batman #246's "How Many Ways Can a Robin Die?" which was my first thought or even "Robin Dies at Dawn!" which seems to be loved by a lot of readers) simply have him playing the role of the macguffin and don't real feel like a "Great Robin Story" so much as a "Great Story Which Happens to Use Robin as a Lynchpin".
However...
Batman #32's "Rackety-Rax-Racket!" is a Great Robin Story in which the boy wonder is forced to carry out all sorts of crazy, embarrassing acts when The Joker kidnaps Batman. Shine shoes, buy a doll with all the pennies he's saved up in his piggy bank, hawk winter coats in summer - The Joker's got him doing it all. Of course, he's not allowed to tell anyone why he's doing these things and has to quietly stew as he's being laughed at gawked at, but when he discovers that some of the orders The Joker has him carrying have been designed to humiliate and unwittingly serve as an accomplice to his crimes, he unleashes himself on the clown. A really good Joker tale in which, for once, it's Robin who makes it great.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on May 23, 2020 10:16:48 GMT -5
Batman #32's " Rackety-Rax-Racket!" is a Great Robin Story in which the boy wonder is forced to carry out all sorts of crazy, embarrassing acts when The Joker kidnaps Batman. Shine shoes, buy a doll with all the pennies he's saved up in his piggy bank, hawk winter coats in summer - The Joker's got him doing it all. Of course, he's not allowed to tell anyone why he's doing these things and has to quietly stew as he's being laughed at gawked at, but when he discovers that some of the orders The Joker has him carrying have been designed to humiliate and unwittingly serve as an accomplice to his crimes, he unleashes himself on the clown. A really good Joker tale in which, for once, it's Robin who makes it great. I really need to read this! |
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Post by Hoosier X on May 23, 2020 10:20:57 GMT -5
Batman #32's " Rackety-Rax-Racket!" is a Great Robin Story in which the boy wonder is forced to carry out all sorts of crazy, embarrassing acts when The Joker kidnaps Batman. Shine shoes, buy a doll with all the pennies he's saved up in his piggy bank, hawk winter coats in summer - The Joker's got him doing it all. Of course, he's not allowed to tell anyone why he's doing these things and has to quietly stew as he's being laughed at gawked at, but when he discovers that some of the orders The Joker has him carrying have been designed to humiliate and unwittingly serve as an accomplice to his crimes, he unleashes himself on the clown. A really good Joker tale in which, for once, it's Robin who makes it great. Rackety-Rax Racket is a classic! That bit where’s counting out the pennies on the counter and playing with the dolls is hilarious! “I just love dolls! (Ulp!)” Batman #257 is one of my favorite issues of Batman for its great collection of reprints! |
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Post by chadwilliam on May 23, 2020 12:08:13 GMT -5
I know it's perhaps a big coincidence, but my second choice for "Greatest Robin Story" would probably also be from that Batman #32 issue I mentioned above (perhaps they were just on a roll with that issue).
"Dick Grayson, Boy Wonder".
Unusually for a story of this vintage, the tale is actually a flashback to what happened immediately following the events in Detective Comics #38 where Batman and Dick Grayson are introduced and take down "Boss" Zucco. We get a recap of the death of the Graysons, "Let me through! They're not...?", "I'm afraid so, son!", Dick overhearing Zucco's "Too bad about that accident" spiel, "They murdered Mom and Dad! I'm going to the police!", Batman entering the scene - "No, boy... not yet!", a beautiful moody Dick Sprang penciled Batman with his hand on the young boy's shoulder intoning "We need proof!", the training, and Robin swooping down on Zucco (on a street corner and not a construction site as in the original).
Following that, Bruce Wayne tells young Grayson that he can go back to the circus, Dick objects saying he wants to continue being Robin, Wayne points out that he did well, but only because he was angry, and the two agree to see how well the boy acquits himself on their next case before deciding his future. Robin meets Gordon, they go up against a gangster with a lisp, Robin is injured, but gets out of the hospital, saves Batman's life, and is offered the spot at the Dark Knight's side.
Weird seeing a flashback to Robin's origin when I don't think we saw a flashback to Batman's after Detective Comics #33 (well, the Batman #1 reprint aside) by this point and like I said, the art is by Dick Sprang and the story is written by Bill Finger. Really, if you wanted to construct a chronology of Dick Grayson's history, you'd have to place this one right after Detective Comics#38.
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