Problem With Red Robin

[WorstThingUS]

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Well, that may be one version of the story (a very late version, I suspect). The earliest version I remember was that Bruce himself once wore a uniform like that when he was a boy.

Silver age fun!

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

But how unique is a red vest? So Dick should go crazy anytime he sees anyone in a red vest anywhere?

Red vest with a big "R" on it? Also using your name? Not so much.

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Evidently so.

Yeah. Okay, now explain how a moderator of a DC Comics board has not read Kingdom Come...

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by WorstThingUS

Red vest with a big "R" on it? Also using your name? Not so much.

Don't know about the original, but Jason's costume doesn't have an "R"--it has a robin's head. And that sure didn't come from the Flying Graysons. And Robin was Jason's name as much as Dick's (even though Dick had it first, Jason took it on with his blessing).

Yeah. Okay, now explain how a moderator of a DC Comics board has not read Kingdom Come...

It was published during one of the brief times in my life that I had stopped reading comics. And I never made the effort to seek it out after the fact. (But I'm reading JSA now, does that help make up for it?)

[WorstThingUS]

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Don't know about the original, but Jason's costume doesn't have an "R"--it has a robin's head. And that sure didn't come from the Flying Graysons. And Robin was Jason's name as much as Dick's (even though Dick had it first, Jason took it on with his blessing).

...and now belongs to Tim. And it was never Jason's the way it was Dick's. But this also prompts the question, what if they finally take Jason down? What do you do with him? He's legally dead and knows all their secrets. I don't think he'd talk, but can you risk it? Is he that bitter?

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

It was published during one of the brief times in my life that I had stopped reading comics. And I never made the effort to seek it out after the fact. (But I'm reading JSA now, does that help make up for it?)

But you can't fully appreciate the JSA story without it. Not to mention doing yourself the disservice of not reading one of better stories of the last couple of years. It ain't perfect, but it's a good read and flat out beautiful.

[David Walton]

I tend to think that a character's given reaction to any situation isn't as rigid as you're making it out to be, WorstThings, but I could certainly see some potential there if a writer wanted to explore it.

If Dick Grayson becomes Batman post-R.I.P. it might be interesting to explore whether he takes as much of a proprietary interest in the extended Bat-family as Bruce did. That has real potential--Dick becoming something he never thought he would, since he's typically taken a much softer approach. Would he still be big brother to Tim or would he start feeling a parental responsibility? Would he feel the need to protect Bruce's legacy by keeping Jason from using any mantle associated with the Batman?

[Lupek]

Originally Posted by Theophilus

If Dick Grayson becomes Batman post-R.I.P. it might be interesting to explore whether he takes as much of a proprietary interest in the extended Bat-family as Bruce did. That has real potential--Dick becoming something he never thought he would, since he's typically taken a much softer approach. Would he still be big brother to Tim or would he start feeling a parental responsibility? Would he feel the need to protect Bruce's legacy by keeping Jason from using any mantle associated with the Batman?

What you and WorstThing are describing sounds like a story I'd like to read.

My problem with Jason Todd being Red Robin isn't that Jason has killed. A redemption story might be good. It's just that I think Jason Todd has a lot more potential as the anti villain Red Hood. "Batman's biggest failure come back from the dead to rub his face in it" is an interesting premise to me. If Bruce has any emotions at all (and sometimes I doubt that he does) everytime he comes into contact with Jason it should be gut wrenching for him. The thing is, the potential just seemed to be wasted. I didn't follow the character to Green Arrow or in Countdown (from spoilers it doesn't sound like they have done anything good with him) but even in the Batman book Red Hoods story wasn't as satisfying as it could have been.

Personally I love the Red Robin name and look. I'd actually prefer it for Dick over Nightwing. But if Jason is going to be Red Robin, yeah, I wanna see a lot of conflict between Jason and Dick. And between Bruce and Jason too, whether Bruce is Batman or not.

Part of what I like about the character is, that it doesn't seem like anyone likes him, either in the stories or in fandom. And that appeals to the prick in me I guess.

I like Damien too. I think they are the two most interesting Bat Family members at the moment. But if it turns out to be what you're describing, maybe my interest in Dick Grayson will be amped up a bit.

[Libaax]

I feel the same as you WorstThingsUS.

I dislike everything about Jason. The fact he is taking The Robin name is too much too.


This is just another way of them showing they dont care about Dicks history and place in DCU.