We first became aware of you on Instagram because of your massive collection of Robin comics. You have also gained quite a devoted following as well.
Q1: When did this hobby begin for you and why? Did you read many comics before starting this hobby?
I officially started myRobin Collectionin March 2020, around the same time the entire world seemed to go into lock-down. But it took me quite some time to get to even this point as a collector. In brief, I was always a big fan of ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ growing up in the 90’s (along with the X-men and Spider-man series, etc.) so that’s what really began my interest. That Kenner Batman toy-line at the time was everything. I still think they are awesome. Later, I lived in Edinburgh (Scotland) during the summer of 2003 and a friend of mine introduced me to the Forbidden Planet comic shop (Thank you Gerard!). From there I started getting into reading Batman graphic novels. I bought a lot! Then, I was lucky to get a 6-month internship near Boston MA in 2007 while at University and that was my first real exposure to American comic book stores – which are really something special in my opinion and provide a culture that isn’t quite the same anywhere else I’ve been. At that time, I bought a few slabs (graded comics), the first one being Spider-man #300 graded 9.2 (a joint purchase with my buddy Dave that I still have today). When I returned home to Cork (Ireland) I bought myself the two variants of Batman 638 (the Red Hood / Jason Todd reveal covers) and a signed copy of Batman #428 (Death of Jason Todd) by Jim Starlin. And honestly, I thought that was it. I’m done with comics. I now live in Sydney (Australia) and I was going through my old stuff towards the end of 2019, and I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to have a full set of the Batman ‘Death in the Family’ story arc. It’s just three more comics I thought. Nice full collection to put on my wall for display. But you know the story… ‘just three more comics’…. It quickly turned into the Robin collection you see on my Instagram page today (robin_comics).
Q2: What is it about Robin as a character or the mantle of Robin that caused you to develop such a niche collection?
I suppose a lot has to do with timing. When I bought those first slabs back in the day, Jason’s return as the Red Hood was so epic. The return of the dead Robin that nobody ever seemed to like. The ‘hate’ for Jason was real. I found it so interesting and then I began to learn about the history of all the different Robins. But I can already hear “Robin? Robin??? The sidekick with no superpowers, awful short shorts, and pixy boots; he’s not even Batman (not even close!). A subordinate to the big guy!” All true. But this is how I see it… Some of the most defining and revealing moments in the Batman comics are those surrounding Robin and we see and learn so much about Batman from Robin (any Robin). Dick Grayson learned that he didn’t want to end up like Bruce and from this contrast and rejection we see how demented Batman really is… Jason’s death haunted Batman for years in the comics, and again, revealed to us the notion that yeah, this guy ‘The Batman’ is nuts! Endangering young children in his own personal war. The campness of ‘Batman & Robin’ loses its hilarity and becomes far more surreal. In Frank Miller’s reimagining in the Dark Knight Returns, Batman drafts a new ‘solider’ into his war, Carrie Kelley. The contrast here of the old and battered warrior rescued by a young and petite girl-wonder is just fantastic. Then there’s Tim Drake, the 90’s Robin (proper leggings, finally!). At this point we see a Batman determined not to let the same thing happen to Tim as had happened Jason. Stephanie Brown didn’t get much of a chance as Robin, Batman just flat out fired her for not following orders – something he should have done with Jason. Finally, Damian Wayne (the actual son of Batman) presents a Robin that is far crueler and even more lost than Batman himself. His reflection in Damian and his struggle to teach his own offspring right from wrong brings out an entirely new side of the Dark Knight. At the end of the day, much of myRobin Collectionis really a niche Batman collection.
Q3: What is something about the character that is not very well-known (any iteration)?
Carrie Kelley is not the first female Robin. For that you’ll need to read Star-Spangled Comics #103 from 1950. In this issue we meet Mary Willis, a girl in Dick Grayson’s school who is infatuated with Robin and becomes Roberta the girl-wonder! Look it up.
Q4: What is your favorite version of the character and why?
Oh no! Don’t make me choose! It’s such a tough question to answer as they all bring something different to the table. As mentioned, Jason Todd is what brought me here and so that character will always have a special place for me. In terms of a favorite version of Robin, I would have to point to Grant Morrison’s 2008 ‘Batman & Robin’. Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin. Issue #1, that ‘Frank Quitely’ cover with the new Dynamic Duo… It’s just fantastic. In that series I got everything I could ask for! A new Robin and a Batman who was the original Robin. That’s a lot of Robin! Damian gets a lot of hate though. I think the boys over atcomixKings(on Instagram) have it right when they say Damian is that annoying little brat that we all were (or thought we were) at 12 years of age. It’s his sh*tty attitude and how it plays off the rest of the Bat Family that is hilarious at times. I’m sure he’ll either grow out of it or it’ll get worse, and he’ll kill everyone. Can’t wait to find out! Batman #666 gave us some nice insights into how things might turn out for this ‘Bold Boy Wonder’!
Q5: Favorites aside, who is the best Robin, and why?
Dick Grayson. He has the record for being Robin for the longest period (1940-1984). Dick Grayson as Robin is the very essence of a sidekick in the world of superheroes and comic books. While he has adopted the mantle of Batman from time to time, his own identity as Nightwing was a huge moment in comics, leaving Batman and becoming his own man, remaining ‘good’ and not becoming tormented like Jason (or later Damian). Yeah, Dick Grayson is the best Robin.
Q6: What does the role of Robin mean in relation to Batman. Why does Bruce so desperately need a Robin?
Well, Robin wasoriginally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson in April 1940 to attract younger readers. It worked! His introduction doubled the sales at the time. Young readers could imagine themselves as Robin, assisting Batman in his battle against crime! Obviously, the character and what it means in relation to Batman has changed an awful lot over the last 80 years. However, part of the reason I started my collection by focusing on modern comics (I decided to start from around 1980-present) is that since that point the character has continued to evolve quite a lot. Up until then it was just Dick Grayson, his ward, who never really grew up. Sure, he went to college and battled alongside the Teen Titans, but the character was stuck in limbo for several decades. I think in the 70’s readers were kind of done with the ‘Boy Wonder’ and Batman stories were almost better off without him. The 80’s changed all that and what Robin meant to Batman. As I mentioned earlier, all the different versions of Robin and their interactions with Batman help reveal more about the character of Batman to the reader. It’s been an interesting 40 or so years of Robin since then. I wonder though how will this change moving forward? We already saw the introduction of Duke Thomas as ‘The Signal’ instead of another Robin. Does Bruce still need a Robin? Has he, like the readers in the 70’s, outgrown Robin? Perhaps… perhaps not!
Q7: What is your weirdest Robin fact?
Dick Grayson is not only the first Robin but as Nightwing he also lays claim to – andDC fans know this – the best butt in comics history. Nicola Scott’s hilarious take onDetective #1000 (titled ‘temptation’) pokes fun at this. I’m not sure what it’s all about, where it came from, or who first decided to make it a thing. It’s weird, it’s funny, BUTT it’s true!
Q8: Detective Comics #1033 seemingly marked the end of an era for Damian Wayne as Robin. He has ripped the insignia off. He has left it with Batman and resolved to become something new. Is this the end of Robin? Who will be the next Boy Wonder, or is Damian evolving the character only to strengthen the legacy?
Robin and his future… it’s an interesting one. I mean, DC’s ‘Future State’ this year is going to reveal a lot in terms of where the character (Tim Drake) ends up down the line. But this isn’t the first time writers have thought about Robin in the far future. Not just Damian in Batman #666 but long before that too! For instance, I recently bought a CGC 9.8 copy of ‘Robin 3000’ issue 1 and 2 from 1992. It just arrived and I’m in love with the covers. This was a two-issue limited Elseworlds series featuring aRobinnamedTom Waynein the far future. It was created by Byron Preiss and P. Craig Russell as a graphic novel originally titledTom Swift 3000, which later was adapted as a Robin story. So, in terms of the ‘Next Robin’, who knows? We’ve seen so much development in the character these last few decades it’s hard to tell. Damian Wayne has a new costume (multiple costumes?) this year, so it looks like he will still be around in the present day. Will we ever see a long-term (canon) female Robin? Would the writers ever bring back Stephanie to the role? She got a raw deal and has a big fan following. Will we see someone new take on the role? Someone very different in terms of background, appearance, and attitude? Time will tell. In any case, I don’t think anyone in the future will be a Robin like Damian Wayne has been this last decade! I can’t wait to see who gets the job next. Rest assured, they will be included in my Robin Collection the moment it’s revealed. Interesting times ahead for Robin… all of them!
