Posted By Dan Greenfield on Mar 20, 2024 | 9 comments

AN ANNIVERSARY SALUTE: The erstwhile Teen Wonder first appeared in comics shops on March 20, 1984…

Secret Origins #50 (Aug. 1990), art by George Perez

By CHRIS FRANKLIN

I identified with Robin. Yes, unlike the throng of creators and fans who have said otherwise over the decades, as a kid, I did what Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson intended young Batman readers to do, and related to his junior partner.

Batman was the father-figure I couldn’t be, but I was a kid, and I could be Robin. So as much as I loved the Caped Crusader, I had a kinship with the Boy-to-Teen Wonder. When I started buying comics, Dick Grayson was off to college, and off on adventures of his own in the Dollar era of Detective Comics. He would pop into Batman stories during school breaks for special appearances that harkened to the other Bat-media I was digesting, like the ’60s TV series, Filmation’s New Adventures of Batman, and the Super Friends.

Me with my Batman and Robin from Russell’s Super Heroes Playing Cards, late 1970s.

Unlike the representation in those adaptations, throughout the ’70s and into the early ’80s, Robin was maturing. Out on his own, he was often written as questioning his methods, and his role as a hero. Guest-starring in Justice League of America #91-92 (Aug-Sept. 1971), he met his doppelganger from Earth-Two, who had joined the Justice Society of America, kept his appointed codename into adulthood, and at that point had adopted a hybrid costume that was more Batman than Robin. It was in that tale that the elder Grayson gave his younger counterpart an updated Robin costume (one he would later wear himself) “fashioned by a costume-maker I know, Neal Adams.”

Justice League of America #92 (Sept. 1971) by Mike Friedrich, Dick Dillin and Joe Giella

The real-life, Earth-Prime Adams, always with his finger on the pulse of what the younger readers wanted, knew that the aging Grayson was in need of an upgraded costume. Despite the powers that be returning Robin to his original togs by that story’s end, throngs of fans agreed that Robin had outgrown his shorty-shorts. For the remainder of the decade, the topic of a revised Robin costume weaved in and out of ’70s issues of Batman, Detective and Batman Family.

Issues of those titles often featured fan-submitted designs for new Robin costumes, one of which was designed by future-Batman artist Norm Breyfogle. In Detective Comics #481 (Dec. ’77/Jan. ’78), Dick used three fan-designed costumes during the course of an adventure by Bob Rozakis, Don Newton and Dan Adkins.

But by the next issue, he was back to the familiar red vest and green shorts. The subject of a new Robin costume was apparently closed, DC’s licensing department poo-pooing changing the image strewn on thousands of well-selling products, from action figures, to pajamas, to alarm clocks.

Detective Comics #481

Dick Grayson seemed to be like Peter Pan, another famous character clad in green pixie boots; he would never grow up. But then along came writer Marv Wolfman, artist George Perez, inker Romeo Tanghal, and editor Len Wein. In 1980, they launched The New Teen Titans, and as he had in previous iterations of that title, Robin was the designated leader. The series almost instantly became DC’s hottest book, one I had trouble finding on the stands.

Wolfman also penned the Batman title during the Titans’ launch, and had Dick drop out of Hudson University, much to the ire of his disapproving mentor. After a blow-up between the two in Wolfman’s multi-part The Lazarus Affair, Dick spent part of his time with the Titans, while also re-exploring his circus roots in solo tales in Batman.

These stories by Gerry Conway eventually led him to return to college (this time at Gotham University) and back home to Wayne Manor in Batman and Detective Comics. Under editors Dick Giordano and Wein, Conway chose a back-to-basics approach for his Batman run, reuniting the Dynamic Duo officially for the first time in over a decade, and bringing back new versions of some of Batman’s earliest foes, like The Monk and Dr. Death.

New Teen Titans #4 (Feb. 1981) by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, and Romeo Tanghal

But not everything was as it was. Dick began to question some of Bruce’s actions and beliefs, although not to the extremes later creators would take it. Over in Titans, Dick seemed increasingly weary of living under the shadow of his mentor. Wolfman and Perez portrayed Dick struggling with whether to emulate the increasingly darker and distant Batman, or ignore his obsessive methods. Robin’s erratic behavior often alienated his friends, and created friction in the Titans team. Things seemed to be coming to a head.

In an interview I conducted with him in Back Issue #48 (May 2011), Gerry Conway recalled being the first one to suggest a solution. Create a new Robin for the Bat-titles, and let Dick find his destiny under Wolfman and Perez’s watch. “There were two possible solutions, given that Teen Titans had become such an important title for DC, and given Dick Grayson’s prominent and integral role in that team.

“Solution One: Drop Robin from the Batman titles as a regularly appearing character. I didn’t want to do that at the time, because I felt, at the time that the relationship between Batman and his younger partner was crucial to the appeal and structure of the series. (I don’t feel that way now, but this was a different time, before the Frank Miller version of the Dark Knight took ascendency.) Solution Two: Introduce a new Robin. I went for Solution Two.”

Batman #358 (Apr. 1983) by Gerry Conway, Curt Swan and Rodin Rodriguez

When asked how the Titans’ creators felt about this plan, Conway recalled “I think Marv was probably delighted to have Dick Grayson as a full-time Titan.” This cross-title coordination was no doubt aided by Wein being the editor of NTT and the Bat-titles. And so, in Batman #357, Conway and artists Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala introduced Jason Todd, a young circus acrobat, whose parents befriended Dick Grayson, and subsequently ended up victims of rising Gotham crime boss Killer Croc.

In Detective Comics #526 (May 1983, but on sale in February), Jason donned a spiffy proto-Robin costume, and helped the Batman Family stop not only Killer Croc, but the entirety of Batman’s escaped Rogues Gallery. At issue’s end, after Dick initially offered, Bruce Wayne agreed to take the orphaned Jason in as his new ward.

Detective Comics #526 (May 1993) by Gerry Conway, Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala

Now, keep in mind, I was barely 8 years old when this epoch-making, anniversary issue — celebrating Batman’s 500th appearance in Detective — hit the stands. Yes, Batman had a new ward, whose origin was a near duplicate of Dick’s (something Conway did purposely, by the way). But I never thought in a million years Jason would become the new Robin. Maybe he’d keep that cool costume (it really was sharp) and take a new name. In fact, incoming Batman writer Doug Moench, who took over the Bat-titles following the anniversary issue, recalled in that same Back Issue, “The original idea was for Robin to go with the Teen Titans, whereupon Batman would adopt Jason Todd as his new partner with a new name like ‘Nightbird’ or some such.”

Moench said he disagreed with this approach, citing that “’Batman and Robin’ was such an institution, it should never be shattered, whereas a new character name like ‘Nightbird’ would fit more easily into the Teen Titans.” Moench developed Jason’s journey, with Batman constantly sidelining him every time he asked to go into action over the next several months.

Meanwhile, in NTT, Dick was outgrowing his costume and his role as Robin. Perez had always drawn a very mature Teen Wonder, but in NTT Annual #2, an associate of one of the gangsters Robin was confronting observed, “Gee, I thought he was a boy, but he’s a MAN.”

This storyline brought to the fore Dick’s inner turmoil over what kind of crimefighter he wanted to be when he was confronted with the returned-from-the-dead Titans ally, District Attorney Adrian Chase, in his new guise of ruthless anti-hero, the Vigilante.

New Teen Titans Annual #2 (1983) by George Perez, Marv Wolfman and Pablo Marcos

The rising tension between mentor and protégé exploded in the pages of the two-part crossover in NTT #37 and Batman and the Outsiders #5 (Dec. 1983). When Batman and his new team were forced to work with the more seasoned Titans, the Dark Knight put his ward back at the kids’ table, bossing around both teams. But by story’s end in BATO (written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by Bat-master Jim Aparo), Robin asserted himself, pointing out that he had far more experience leading a super-powered team than his mentor did.

Batman and the Outsiders #5 (Dec. 1983) by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo

Robin’s leadership helped save the day, and in the epilogue, Batman gladly admitted “I guess even the teacher can learn from his pupil…his former pupil.”Robin responded “Thanks Batman! But you know what they say… a pupil is only as good as his teacher. And I had the best there is.” The two old chums shook hands, and buried the hatchet.

Batman and the Outsiders #5 (Dec. 1983) by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo

When I read this issue, I thought “Finally, they can stop arguing now, and get back to being partners!” Little did I know, this was the last ride for the original Dynamic Duo. In that same month, Moench, Newton and Alcala had Batman saved from an encounter with the Joker by… Robin! But this clearly wasn’t the older Dick. This was Jason, dying his previously strawberry-blonde hair and making his way to a South American jungle to save his mentor. Batman was NOT happy about Jason stealing Dick’s identity. Again, I was too young and too dense to see the writing on the wall.

New Teen Titans #39 (Nov. 1983) cover by George Perez

All of that would change two months later in November of 1983, in the Feb. 1984 cover-dated issues of New Teen Titans and Batman. NTT #39 had a stark, white Perez-drawn cover, with the slumped-shouldered figures of Dick Grayson and Wally West walking away from the viewer, their Robin and Kid Flash costume pieces strung about, even hanging on the logo.

Inside, Dick dropped the bomb older readers had sought shelter from, that laid waste to me. In a meeting with the Titans, after Wally announced his resignation from the team and the end to his Kid Flash career, Dick told a startled group he was giving up being Robin.

As Dick took off his mask, his cape, his utility belt and his vest for the last time, old friends and new were shocked, and his girlfriend Starfire was in tears. And so was I. Dick assured them he wasn’t leaving the team, he was just leaving the role of Robin behind. “Until I decide what I’m becoming, I’m just plain Dick Grayson.”

In hindsight, it was a stroke of genius by co-plotters Wolfman and Perez to ease us into Dick’s new identity. Change was very rare in superhero comics, even for seasoned, mature readers, let alone kids like me!

New Teen Titans #39 (Nov. 1983) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

Released the same week, over in Batman #368, the cover was as celebratory as the Titans one was somber. The image by Ed Hannigan and Dick Giordano, depicted a new, much younger, and very jubilant Robin bounding over Gotham rooftops with a smiling Caped Crusader swinging behind him. A billboard announced “Introducing ROBIN The Boy Wonder! That’s right, we said BOY Wonder!”

Inside, the Moench/Newton/Alcala team had Bruce and Jason (back in his spiffy costume from ‘Tec #526) sitting in the Batcave, running through a number of possible, but horrible super hero codenames.

Enter from stage left Dick Grayson, with a package under his arm. Dick opens the box, stating “Bruce, as long as I can remember, I’ve been trying to be YOU – but I’m NOT you. I’m no longer even your partner – I’m the leader of the Titans now… and it’s time I became that – in name as well as fact.” He opens the box, turning to a shocked young hero, “I’ve come to pass on the mantle of Robin. Take it Jason, you’ve earned it.” As Jason runs off to put on his “profound gift” (as Bruce put it), the master puts his hand on his apprentice’s shoulder and says “Thank you, Dick. For all the years… for everything.”

Batman #368 (Nov. 1983) by Doug Moench, Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala

Dick takes in the sight of Jason in the red, green and gold, and shakes hands with Bruce. “And whom will you be now, Dick?” The former Teen Wonder responds, “I…really don’t know. Maybe I should try plain Dick Grayson for a while. … So long Robin. Be great.” He walks out of the Batcave, and the Batman titles, seemingly forever.

Handled with class and grace by the creative team, Moench related to me, “Although I would have preferred that Dick Grayson stay put, any writer would give his eyeteeth for the opportunity to handle such a rich scene.” The end of the Wayne/Grayson partnership has been represented many times since, but never with such understated maturity and warmth.

Batman #368 (Nov. 1983) by Doug Moench, Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala

But that’s my opinion now. Then… well even at barely 9, I could still tell how well done it was, but it got the old waterworks running again. They’d really done it. Dick Grayson was no longer Robin. And he was NOBODY. No superhero name. No costume. Just Dick Grayson! One of the rocks my very tiny worldview was built on was laid waste. True change had come to something I loved. And I wasn’t really OK with it!

I followed Jason’s new adventures as Robin, and Dick in the Titans as the title changed to Tales of the Teen Titans, to make way for a second Titans book, released only to the direct market (of which I had zero access to). Dick chose a bad time to get out of fighting togs, as the long brewing plotline involving the traitorous Terra was speeding toward a conclusion.

It was during the months leading up to the publication of The Judas Contract storyline that I picked up Krause Publications’ Comics Collector magazine, Issue #3, Spring 1984. This series, edited by comic historians Don and Maggie Thompson, was my first access to behind-the-scenes comic info and history. This particular issue spotlighted the Titans and their history, and along with some style guide art by Perez, provided the headline at the bottom of the cover: “After more than four decades: ROBIN BECOMES NIGHTWING.”

WHAT? Who was Nightwing?!?

Cover to Comics Collector #3 by George Perez

OK, I KNEW who Nightwing was. He was a hero in a back-up strip that used to run in Superman Family. I don’t think I was aware that at one time Superman had used that name and costume while he and Jimmy Olsen played the Batman and Robin of the Bottled City of Kandor, but I was aware of the replacement Nightwing. This was Superman’s look-alike cousin Van Zee.

I had to plunk down the magazine’s pricey $2.25 and find out just what was going on! Inside, running alongside an article on Titans history by Lou Mougin were several “color roughs” produced by George Perez, showing Dick Grayson in a brand-new, two-tone blue and yellow costume. The caption under a full-body figure read “Dick Grayson, dropping his Robin identity, will become Nightwing (seen in a color rough) in 1984.” He even had his own stylized logo! I’m not going to lie, on first sight…I loved this.

Nightwing color roughs from Comics Collector #3 by George Perez

It just seemed RIGHT. I loved the bat wing-like domino mask, the yellow feather motif harkening back to Robin’s cape, and the shades of blue calling back, of course, to Batman. The popped collar (not nearly as large as most artist later drew it) gave him a swashbuckling, circus acrobat feel. It really was the perfect costume for Dick to adopt… and I hadn’t even seen it in a story yet!

Now, I know, this costume has been, in my opinion, undeservedly maligned in the decades since, derogatorily called the “disco costume.” I don’t get it. It was an excellent transition from Robin. I showed this to my friends, and hereby declared, whenever we role-played super heroes, I was Nightwing. I was so stoked to see just how and when Dick would first don this awesome suit and fantastic codename (which many sources credit colorist Anthony Tollin with providing).

Tales of the Teen Titans #44 cover by George Perez

Sadly, I would miss that all-important debut. The Titans’ popularity made it a difficult find for me on the stands, so the only chapters of The Judas Contract I bought new from the rack were Parts 1 and 2. I missed Part 3 in Issue #44 (July ’84), where Dick adopted his new identity and explained how it was the sum of all his parts (including a name from the past of another mentor, Superman) and Titans Annual #3, where the team met Nightwing, and had their final showdown with the treacherous and mad Terra.

My first comic with Nightwing was actually several issues later, TOTTT #47 (Oct. ’84), where the team and guests Aqualad and Aquagirl finally took down H.I.V.E. Not the most memorable of Titans epics, but it still had plenty of Nightwing action, with Aqualad representing the readership (and me), by getting used to NOT calling him Robin!

Tales of the Teen Titans #44 by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, Dick Giordano and Mike DeCarlo

After that, I followed Nightwing when the newsstand would allow, and in my first trips to the comics shops in the bigger towns nearby, where I tracked down the missing NTT issues I needed, including #44 and Annual #3. As I slowly entered my teens myself, I felt like I was maturing and growing like these young characters I had read about. Witnessing my hero, Dick Grayson grow, change and become his own man inspired me to do the same. Choose an occupation, find someone to spend my life with, and get an education. Emerge from my parents’ shadow and take flight.

Tales of the Teen Titans #44 by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, Dick Giordano and Mike DeCarlo

Like Dick Grayson and his publication history as Nightwing, the path hasn’t always been a clear one, with many challenges, setbacks, and successes. He’s been a leader, a lover, a mourner, a big brother, a husband (kinda, it’s complicated), Batman (twice), police officer, near-sacrificial lamb to a mega crossover (twice), mentor, secret agent, and perhaps most importantly, a friend to fellow heroes.

But aside from flashbacks and alternate realities, never Robin again. He’s had many roles, much like myself and other readers who grew and evolved along with him. Had he stayed in permanent stasis as a Boy or Teen Wonder, that feeling of personal connection would have been lost. Even though I’ve bypassed Dick and his eternally 20-something age, I still identify with him, and admire the passionate, level-headed, and genuinely good person he’s usually portrayed as. He continues to inspire, 40 (or is that 84?) years on.

Meeting George Perez — who drew this wonderful headshot for me (1999)

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MORE

— Behind the Mask: MARV WOLFMAN on the Creation of NIGHTWING. Click here.

— The GEORGE PEREZ INTERVIEWS: The Master in His Own Words. Click here.

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Regular 13th Dimension contributor Chris Franklin is a graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and podcaster, who co-hosts and produces several shows on the Fire and Water Podcast Network, including JLUCast. Although he’s happy McFarlane Toys has released two Nightwing figures in their Super Powers revival line, he sure hopes they get around to the original costume look!