Robin and Batman #1 offers a glimpse into Dick Grayson’s past and provides a clue as to why he has a special connection with Damian Wayne.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Robin & Batman #1, on sale now from DC Comics.
In the DC Universe, it took quite a while for Damian Wayne to warm up to his father as a paternal figure and mentor. They did not mesh well as Batman and Robin due largely to Damian’s rebellious nature and upbringing until Bruce Wayne’s death in Final Crisis and his subsequent return. Surprisingly, it was Dick Grayson who had developed a better bond with Damian in his time taking on the role of Batman, and he became the mentor Bruce’s son could never seem to find in his father. Robin & Batman #1 (by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen and Steve Wands) may provide a reason as to why the dynamic between Dick and Damian is so powerful, and why they made a much better Dynamic Duo than Bruce Wayne and his biological son.
The issue is an exploration of the first Robin’s early days and confirms that he was very much like Damian when he was younger. Dick throws the same temper tantrums, comes off like a brat and saunters off into battle unprepared, in a nod to the angst Damian regularly displayed in his own early days as Robin.
Dick comes across very much like Damian when he attempts to stop a robbery alone wearing nothing but a dark training outfit. When he gets in over his head he is saved by Batman, who chides him in much the same way he has chastised Damian over the years. This leads to Dick creating his own costume, only to be nearly killed fighting Killer Croc, showing that he had the same immaturity that long characterized Bruce’s son.
Dick Grayson’s attitude and demeanor in the past provides an explanation as to why he better understands Damian in the present. His past with Bruce taught him that barking orders was not as effective as showing patience, compassion, and empathy, which he understood from experience was most needed in the life of a child.
This issue gives insight into Dick’s past and redefines the notion of him being the perfect Robin, while also offering an explanation for his restless behavior. This, in turn, allowed him to have a strong connection with Damian, who experienced the same feelings and reacted to them in much the same manner.
Thankfully, Dick healed and honed his experiences as he undertook the mantles of both Robin and Nightwing, channeling his tumultuous past to aid the future generation. His original relationship with Batman was formative for the young hero, helping him to evolve into not only a mentor for Damian in the future, but also a leader and teacher to the heroes in the Titans, helping to make the next generation of heroes better than they ever would have been alone.
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