The Best Robins In Batman

Summary

• Tim Drake applies for the role of Robin to help Batman and becomes the most loyal and talented Robin in DC history.
• Dick Grayson, the first Robin, sets the standard and becomes Nightwing, distancing himself but remains the strongest Robin.
• Jason Todd, the tragic second Robin, rises as the Red Hood, seeking vengeance on Batman for his past failures.

DC Comics is home to some of the most magnificent comic book characters ever. Within the ranks of the DC universe are the likes of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, to name a few. For over seventy-five years, the caped heroes of DC Comics have lined colorful pages and gone on exciting adventures, picking up dozens of new heroes along the way.

In Batman’s wing of the comic book universe, he and a team of vigilantes serve Gotham City, dishing out hard justice to the criminal underbelly. Some members of this team serve as The Dark Knight’s sidekicks, known as Robin. There have been several Robins in the DC universe, some shining examples of what heroes should be and others who fall short. It takes commitment, bravery, and a strong will to be a Robin, and not all are always up to the task.

Updated February 12, 2025 by Ben Painter: Batman & Robin is perhaps the most iconic partnership in media history, parodied and copied throughout various forms of movies, TV shows, and comic books.

Robin is the loyal sidekick to Batman. The first one, Dick Grayson, was simply a drop in the ocean of all the different iterations of the Boy Wonder in the decades that the character has been on the page and screen. This update adds even more Robins to the list, including some even the most dedicated fans won’t have heard of.

28

Boyd The Robin Wonder

Just One Appearance And Little Is Known About Him

• First Appearance: Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #14 (April 1983)
• Universe: Earth-C-Minus
• Which Batman Worked Under: Batmouse
• Powers & Abilities: N/A
• Creators: E. Nelson Bridwell, Scott Shaw

In the wacky world of Earth-C-Minus, the characters of the DC universe are replaced with animals; Batman becomes Batmouse, Superman becomes Super-Squirrel, and Robin becomes Boyd, the Robin Wonder.

Not much is known about this version of the character, but in the universe of the Just’a Lotta Animals, he becomes an actual bird, using his regular counterpart’s namesake. His mortal enemy is the Porker, and Batmouse and his avian ward appear to have had many animal-themed battles with him over the years. Due to the underutilization of this character, there is no justification for ranking him any higher.

27

Robert Chang

A Single Issue Robin

• First Appearance: Batman: Digital Justice (April, 1990)
• Universe: Batman: Digital Justice
• Which Batman Worked Under: James Gordon II
• Powers & Abilities: Investigation, Neo-Surfing
• Creators: Pepe Morino Casaras

Batman: Digital Justice is a one-shot series set in the 21st century, which follows on from the mainline Batman continuity. The Batman of this universe is James Gordon II, who was inspired to become Batman after seeing his grandfather’s (James Gordon) newspaper clippings of The Dark Knight.

He was joined by Robert Chang, a former street punk who became an informant for the police, using his hoverboard to aid in his crime-fighting. Both Batman and Robin take on this universe’s Joker, which is a computer virus, created by the man himself to continue his reign of terror after he is gone. Chang has not appeared since this issue, so he can’t be awarded with a high ranking.

26

Lance Bruner

A Forgettable Robin Who Lasted One Issue

• First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold #83 (May 1969)
• Universe: Earth-One
• Which Batman Worked Under: Batman
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics, Aviation
• Creators: Bob Haney, Neal Adams

This one is for the most hardcore of fans, as Lance Bruner only appeared in comics in May 1969. After his father died, Bruce Wayne decided to adopt Bruner. (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?). However, despite his best efforts, Batman could not set the troubled Bruner on the right path.

Bruner made a deal with the international criminal Grantland Stark to monitor Batman and Robin in exchange for money as a revenge plot on Bruce. When the Dynamic Duo tried to apprehend this criminal, Robin was shot. Thus, Bruner donned a Robin outfit and saw the error of his ways. Upon trying to defeat the villain, Bruner was himself shot and died as a result of his injuries. His stint as the Boy Wonder was short-lived, and he was eventually erased from continuity during one of many DC continuity re-writes.

25

Rickart Graustark

The Robin Of Earth-37

• First Appearance: Thrillkiller #1 (January, 1997)
• Universe: Earth-37
• Which Batman Worked Under: Batgirl
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics
• Creators: Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson

This version of the character was born as Rickart Graustark, a former acrobat who left the circus and changed his name to Richard Grayson. Sound familiar? Instead of being the partner to Batman, Robin aids Batgirl in her protection of Gotham City.

He lasted just three issues of the Thrillkiller series, being killed by the Joker, an act which would inspire Bruce Wayne to take up the mantle of Batman. In this universe, he is a detective whose parents were killed by his servants, thus leading him to pursue a career in law enforcement.

24

Bruce Wayne

The Mainstream Batman’s Former Attire Before Being Written Out Of Continuity

• First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (May 1939)
• Universe: Earth-Two
• Which Batman Worked Under: N/A
• Powers & Abilities: Decelerated Aging, Peak Human Condition, Acrobatics, Acting, Archery, Aviation, Disguise, Driving, Genius Level Intellect, Escapology, Marksmanship, Indomitable Will, Martial Arts, Mimicry, Swimming, Swordsmanship, Fencing
• Creators: Bob Kane, Bill Finger

Yes, it is that one. One story back in 1955 explained that when Bruce Wayne was younger, he was actually Robin, even donning a similar costume to the one that his Robin, Dick Grayson, wore.

Much like Dick Grayson did with Bruce Wayne, a young Bruce followed in the footsteps of a police detective known as Harvey Harris, who trained him in the ways of sleuthing, setting Wayne on his course to be Batman. Of course, this has been written out of continuity now. Batman was never Robin in today’s iteration of the character.

23

Talon

Owlman’s Robin Who Proved Himself In Joining The Teen Titans

• First Appearance: Teen Titans Vol 3 #38 (September 2006)
• Universe: Earth-3
• Which Batman Worked Under: Owlman
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Gadgetry
• Creators: Geoff Johns, Carlos Ferreira

Talon is not the namesake character that is a member of the Court of Owls; rather, this Talon is the sidekick of Owlman. Owlman, also known as Thomas Wayne Jr, was Batman’s evil counterpart from Earth-3 who was a member of the twisted Crime Syndicate.

Owlman had his own companion to assist in his evil schemes. This wasn’t Robin, but Talon. Not much is known about the character, as he has only had a few appearances in comics. What fans do know is that he entered a relationship with Duela Dent, the daughter of the Jokester the hero version of the Joker in Earth 3. This led to Talon leaving as Owlman’s partner, and he even had a stint as a member of the Teen Titans in the mainline DC universe.

22

Robin John Blake

A Great Character But Being A Robin Is A Stretch

• First Appearance: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
• Universe: Nolanverse
• Which Batman Worked Under: Batman (Christian Bale)
• Powers & Abilities: Firearms, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Basic), Law, Investigation, Weapon Proficiency
• Creators: Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer, Jonathan Nolan

Christopher Nolan’s take on the Batman universe was a much more grounded and realistic interpretation, so it is no surprise that Batman did not use a child sidekick in his crime-fighting endeavors.

Robin was introduced in The Dark Knight Rises by Detective John Blake, who aided Batman throughout the movie. The Caped Crusader gifted Blake with his Batcave, seemingly handing over the mantle. At the end of the film, it is revealed that Blake’s first name is Robin, a nod to the famous sidekick. It is a shame that fans may never see Robin John Blake in action as this universe’s hero.

21

Clark Wayne

A Super Powered Robin Is An Awesome Concept, But An Underused Character

• First Appearance: Superman & Batman: Generations #3 (March 1999)
• Universe: Earth-3839
• Which Batman Worked Under: Batman (Bruce Wayne Jr.)
• Powers & Abilities: Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Flight, Invulnerability, Various vision powers, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Investigation
• Creator: John Byrne

This version of Robin is from Earth-3839, a world where heroes such as Batman and Superman were the heroes of the 40s. They were then replaced by younger versions in this sliding timeline set in the 90s.

Clark Wayne is the son of Superman, who was adopted by Bruce Wayne Jr. and raised as a Wayne. In a tale as old as time, Clark donned the Robin costume and fought crime alongside this universe’s Batman. Although Kryptonian, Clark did not have the powers of his father, which seemed like a wasted opportunity to have a superpowered boy wonder.

20

Robin

A Stan Lee Robin Deserves Some Love, But Strayed Far From The Source Material

• First Appearance: Just Imagine: Robin #1 (March, 2002)
• Universe: Just Imagine
• Which Batman Worked Under: None
• Powers & Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Agility, Transformation, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Basic), Gymnastics, Thievery
• Creators: Stan Lee, John Byrne

In the Early 2000s, Marvel Comics pioneer Stan Lee took his turn to reimagine some characters of the DC Comics in a series of one-shot specials known as Just Imagine. Robin was one of the characters to receive this treatment.

In this tale, Robin as he is solely known, was left at the doorstep of an orphanage and came under the control of a powerful man with mind control powers, Reverend Darrk. He takes a life of crime and, after an encounter with Batman, who tries to convince him he is being used, joins the Justice League. However, he was still working for Darrk all along and betrayed them, eventually becoming Hawkman. A very different retelling of the classic Robin story.

19

Robin Redblade

A Pirate Robin Deserves A Lot Of Plaudits

• First Appearance: Detective Comics Annual #7 (June 1994)
• Universe: Earth-494
• Which Batman Worked Under: Captain Leatherwing
• Powers & Abilities: Swordsmanship, Acrobatics
• Creators: Chuck Dixon, Enrique Alcatena

He was the Robin of Captain Leatherwing, captain of the Flying Fox. This tale in the 90s brought a 17th-century pirate, swashbuckling twist to the characters of the DC Universe. Batman becomes Captain Leatherwing, batting arms against the evil pirate the Laughing Man.

Robin Redblade appeared in just two issues of the Elseworlds story, but it is safe to say that a sword-wielding, pirate Robin is a cool concept and one that should be explored further. Other characters in this universe include Captain Felina (Catwoman), Admiral Cobblepot (the Penguin), and Alfredo (err…Alfred).

18

Stephanie Brown

A Great Hero In Her Own Right But Flawed As A Robin

• First Appearance: Detective Comics #647 (June 1992)
• Universe: New Earth, Prime-Earth
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics, Artistry, Computer Hacking, Escapology, Investigation, Martial Arts, Stealth, Tactical Analysis, Throwing
• Creators: Chuck Dixon, Tom Lyle

To say Stephanie Brown has a complicated DC Comics history is an understatement. She was a down-on-her-luck teen in Gotham City with a supervillain father, Cluemaster. Stephanie adopted her own vigilante persona as the Spoiler, which led her into a romantic situation with Tim Drake. Through a series of events, Batman would take Stephanie under his wing, and partner with her as the fourth Robin when Tim Drake was forced to retire.

Unfortunately, Stephanie’s time with the world’s greatest detective was short-lived, as she disobeyed a direct order and was fired. Stephanie’s issue with Batman went even further when she took it upon herself to enact one of Batman’s plans to wipe out crime in Gotham. This wound up getting her brutally injured and placing countless lives in danger.

17

Tom Wayne

A Robin From The Far Future Is An Amazing Concept

• First Appearance: Robin 3000 #1 (January 1993)
• Universe: Robin 3000
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne XX
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics, Engineering, Computer Hacking, Investigation, Martial Arts, Stealth, Tactical Analysis, Throwing
• Creators: Byron Preiss, Steve Ringgenberg, P. Craig Russell

Tom Wayne is not one of the most popular Robins, but he is the Robin of the future, residing in the thirty-first century as a partner to Bruce Wayne XX. During this time, the Wayne family has returned to its former glory and are brilliant scientists and philanthropists who have elevated Gotham back to its glory days.

Tom Wayne is a brilliant member of the Wayne family and excels at engineering and acrobatics. He and Batman take on an alien race called the Skulp who seek to dominate the world. In a dire fight, the current Batman lost his life. Tom lost his hand and now leads a rebel group against the sinister aliens.

16

Robin, The Toy Wonder

Robin As A Robot To Aid Batman Is A Perfect Execution

• First Appearance: Young Justice #1000000 (November 1998)
• Universe: DC One Million
• Which Batman Worked Under: Batman (DC One Million)
• Powers & Abilities: Robot-based powers
• Creators: Mike Carlin, Peter David

Set in the DC One Million universe, this Robin is the sidekick of Batman. In this world, in the 853rd century, the plant Pluto is a giant prison overseen by this version of Batman.

He created a robot, Robin, to aid him in taking care of the rogue criminals of Pluto, and that robot is programmed with the personality he had as a young boy. Just like Robin is to Batman in normal continuity, The Toy Wonder serves as a reminder for Batman to never stray from the path of justice. A robot, Robin, is an interesting concept, and one of the more outlandish versions of the red, yellow, and green sidekick.

15

Robin (The Lego Batman Movie)

A Really Fun Robin, Perhaps A Little Too Goofy To Deserve Top Billing

• First Appearance: The Lego Batman Movie (February 10, 2017)
• Universe: The LEGO Movie
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne (The LEGO Movie)
• Powers & Abilities: Seeming those of regular Robin, but with a brick-based twist
• Creators: Bill Finger, Bob Kane

This Robin was first seen on the big screen in 2017’s The Lego Batman Movie, voiced by Michael Cera. This Robin is actually Richard ‘Dick’ Grayson, but his appearance with green goggles and brown hair is very much inspired by Carrie Kelly.

The LEGO universe sets Batman as a dark and mysterious character. An enthusiastic Robin is very enthusiastic and the complete opposite of his adoptive father. This dynamic works very well, especially in the form of a fun, animated movie. The reasoning behind Robin’s bright-colored costume is also given a backstory here. It is a modified version of a ‘reggae batsuit’. This Robin may not be the most powerful, but it is certainly one of the best Robins in DC Comics history.

14

Red X

An Evil Version Of Robin

• First Appearance: Teen Titans Animated Series
• Universe: Prime Earth
• Which Batman Worked Under: N/A
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics, Deception, Gadgetry, Intimidation, Peak Human Condition, Stealth, Swordsmanship, Tactical Analysis, Weaponry
• Creators: Thomas Pugsley, Greg Klein

Red X isn’t really considered a Robin, but the character is closely related. The persona first appeared in the Teen Titans animated series, episode “Masks.” Dick Grayson dons this attire to behave more like a villain to get closer to Slade. Eventually, an unnamed assailant becomes the second Red X.

The character made its way into DC Comics, first appearing in Future State: Teen Titans #1 in 2021 as a possible future but then again in Teen Titans Academy 2021 Yearbook #1 in the same year. This unknown character claims that Dick Grayson stole everything for him and was hellbent on revenge, becoming an adversary for the Teen Titans. This story has yet to go anywhere, and the identity remains a mystery.

13

Jarro

This Robin Is An Offspring Of The Alien Conqueror, Starro

• First Appearance: Justice League Vol 4 #10 (December, 2018)
• Universe: Prime Earth
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne
• Powers & Abilities: Alien Physiology, Bio-Fission, Size Alteration, Flight, Regeneration, Telepathy, Mind Control, Psychic Link, Genius Level Intellect, Eidetic Memory
• Creators: Scott Snyder, Francis Manapul

One of the most unique Robins ever, Jarro is a genetic offspring of the alien supervillain Starro. Batman takes the creature (Starro in a jar, i.e., Jarro) back to the Batcave for further study.

Jarro grew attached to Bruce and looked to him as his father. Jarro even at one point donned the red and green attire of Robin, and dreams of becoming the greatest ever Robin. It is such a shame that fans don’t see much of Jarro, as he only features in three different lines of comics. A wasted opportunity.

12

The Robin King

An Evil Version Of Robin Will Always Have A High Placement

• First Appearance: Dark Nights: Death Metal #2 (September 2020)
• Universe: Dark Multiverse
• Which Batman Worked Under: The Batman Who Laughs
• Powers & Abilities: Deception, Genius Level Intellect, Gadgetry, Tactical Analysis, Science, Weaponry
• Creators: Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo

King Robin is the Robin to the Batman Who Laughs, a twisted version of Bruce Wayne who became the Joker in Earth-22. The K Robin King was the leader of his group of Robins who were infected versions of the character.

The backstory of this character is that he is also a version of Bruce Wayne who killed his parents and blamed it on the mugger. He took the Robin guise as he heard the bird chirping, and it reminded him of a ‘cheer,’ which is what he felt when he murdered his parents. The Robin King is certainly the evilest iteration of the character.

11

Damian Wayne

An Actual Son Of Batman Who Was Trained As An Assassin, His Arrogance Marks Him Down

• First Appearance: Batman #655 (September 2006)
• Universe: New Earth, Prime Earth
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne
• Powers & Abilities: Archery, Artistry, Aviation, Business Management, Cooking, Computer Hacking, Deception, Disguise, Driving, Escapology, Firearms, Genius Level Intellect, Indomitable Will, Intimidation, Investigation, Martial Arts, Medical Science, Music, Occultism, Peak Human Condition, Pedagogy, Stealth, Stick Fighting, Swordsmanship, Throwing
• Creators: Mike W. Barr, Grant Morrison, Andy Kubert

Damian Wayne is the son of billionaire Bruce Wayne and the demon Talia Al Ghul. For the first ten years of Damian’s life, his existence was kept a secret from Batman while he endured grueling training in the League of Assassins.

Once revealed, Damian joined his father and became his new Robin. Damian’s upbringing made him ruthless and cold, completely indifferent to killing. On more than one occasion, he and his father butted heads when Damian criticized his father for pulling his punches and not eliminating threats. Damian and Batman remained at odds with each other, with Damian going out on his own more than once and disobeying his father.

10

Carrie Kelly

A Perfect Version Of The Character, In Spirit, But Lacks The Know How Of Her Predecessors

• First Appearance: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
• Universe: Earth-31
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne (Earth-31)
• Powers & Abilities: Acrobatics, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Computer Operation, Driving, Marksmanship
• Creator: Frank Miller

​​​​​In Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, Carrie Kelly earns the role of Robin after saving an aged and battle-worn Batman’s life. Carrie did not fall into this role by chance. She was inspired by Batman’s return, made her own Robin costume, and began searching the rooftops for him to help in his mission.

Carrie was a dependable and clever young girl but was not much of a fighter and was not as skilled as some of The Dark Knight’s previous proteges. Eventually, Carrie Kelly let go of the Robin title but remained a loyal sidekick to Batman as Catgirl and later on as Batgirl.

9

Drake Winston

A Continuation Of The Batman ’89 Universe Gives Their Take On Robin

• First Appearance: Batman ’89 #1 (October 2021)
• Universe: Burtonverse
• Which Batman Worked Under: Bruce Wayne (Burtonverse)
• Powers & Abilities: Hand-to-hand combat (Advanced), Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Aptitude, Business Management
• Creators: Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones

The Batman 89 universe that resides in the DC multiverse is inspired by the 1989 Tim Burton movie Batman starring Michael Keaton. In this universe, Batman patrols Gotham dishing out harsh justice. Drake Winston was a low-level vigilante who spent his days repairing cars and his nights skulking in the dark, protecting his neighborhood.

He and Batman would meet after Drake saved Harvey Dent from a burning building. Impressed by The Dark Knight’s skills, Duke offers to be his partner, and the two now protect Gotham together as Batman and Robin.