I just read an article today over at The Escapist by their resident movie reviewer, Movie Bob (Chipman).
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/moviebob/7547-Three-Reasons-for-Robin
He is trying to push his idea that he feels it is time for Robin to be introduced into the Nolan version of Batman. It is a three-page article, so I won't quote it, but he may have actually changed my mind, if it is done correctly. He bases his thesis on three main reasons:
- He Belongs There
- He Makes Sense
- Dark is Dead
Back when he first mentioned it during his review for The Losers I immediately thought of Batman & Robin and shivered. Then I pictured the Adam West version, and shivered more, even though he fit that perfectly.
But reading Bob's commentary here made me look at it differently. The old show was campy all over, and that made it great and Robin fit. With Batman & Robin it was obvious the series was suffering from much more than Robin.
Now, I don't agree with Robin belonging in this version of Batman. This is the ultimately dark Batman with no personal ties of any kind. It just gets messy. But the other two do make sense to me.
He Makes Sense - After the end of TDK we have Batman as a fugitive. He cannot redeem himself on his own easily to continue to stand as the symbol of doing good in a corrupt city. But someone else can. To preserve that image of Harvey Dent is why Batman made that sacrifice. But Dent is dead or presumed dead. No more hero. Enter Robin. A new hero in the image of Batman, only with a clean slate. Heck, he could even be mistaken for Batman at first. In TDK we saw the Batman wannabes already.
Dark is Dead - I don't take this the same way Bob means it. Dark is dead for Bruce Wayne. It must be. Bruce Wayne, having to avoid his alter ego as much as possible, is publicly seen mourning the loss of his childhood friend, and possible love, as well as the loss of his new found public icon whom he publicly supported both financially and verbally. Wayne begins to take on a philanthropic role in order to set up his secret identity as the new symbol of hope, while playing Batman just enough to stop the escapees from Arkham in order to help Gordon. But he is constantly hindered by law enforcement despite the best efforts of Gordon. While playing philanthropist he is introduced to a young orphan who lost his parents, similar to how he did. At first it is just part of his role, but he sees too much of his own dark anger in this boy.
Now whether Robin first emerges as a wannabe hero to be discovered after Bruce takes in the young boy, or whether Bruce puts him through similar training to his own after realizing this boy has the same dark feelings as himself is really a matter of how the story plays out.
What do you guys think? Preferably after reading Movie Bob's article and not just my take on it, do you think that the Nolan Batman has room for a Robin, a proper Robin? The same Robin who became the hero Nightwing and now wears the cowl in the comics, or even one similar to what we have seen in the Batman Beyond relationship?
Basically, before you answer, if you are unfamiliar with the full Dick Grayson storyline I am asking you to forget everything you have ever seen in a non-comic format. I am asking you if there is room for the man that eventually becomes this:
Heck, they could even follow the Tim Drake story because I similarly don't have an issue with the guy that chooses, and proves he can do it to Batman, to become Robin and eventually now this:
