R is for Robin.
As Batman's sidekick, Robin has a long and distinguished history. Okay, okay. Let's just call it a long history. There have been several different incarnations of Robin over the years. Dick Grayson's version is probably the most famous, Jason Todd's the most despised, and Tim Drake's the most analytical.
The sidekick trope is a frequent one in comics, though it seems that DC has had more sidekicks than Marvel. I say this anecdotally, of course, but when I think of DC sidekicks, Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Speedy come to mind. The only Marvel sidekick that immediately stands out is Bucky Barnes.
I think comic fans have a love-hate relationship with Robin. There are some good times (Burt Ward!), some bad times (Do you think Robin should die? Call the phone number!), and some tolerable ones (Tim Drake knows Batman's identity! Make HIM Robin!). Still, I think it's reassuring to know that the Dark Knight has someone watching his back, even if the kid can't legally drive.
Tomorrow: Does whatever a spider can. Yeah, this one's easy.
Previous Entries:
Q is for The Question
P is for The Punisher
O is for Origin Story
N is for Nite Owl
M is for Metropolis
L is for Lois Lane
K is for Kal-El
J is for J'onn J'onzz
I is for Iron Man
H is for the Human Bullet
G is for Green Lantern
F is for the Flash
E is for Events
D is for Dr. Fate
C is for Captain America
B is for Batman
A is for The Avengers
