When did DC first start depicting Dick Grayson growing up/getting older?

[Buried Alien]

For years and years after Robin was introduced in DETECTIVE COMICS # 40 in 1940, the character was perpetually depicted at the same age. Naturally, that changed over time, and by 1969, Dick Grayson was shown to be college age. He was around nineteen or twenty when he stopped operating as Robin and became Nightwing, and has been in his twenties ever since.

But when did DC specifically begin depicting Dick as growing older? In 1969, did he just suddenly start to be depicted as eighteen/nineteen years old when he left Wayne Manor for Hudson University, or had he been gradually depicted as growing older throughout the 1960s?

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Mat001]

Dick started to age, I think, during the 60's television series. Burt Ward was playing Dick Grayson as 15 or 16, without his license yet. So I think they might've bumped him up around that time. But it was noticeable by the time the series ended in 1968 and over the next few months going into 1969, Dick was continuing to age as the books were gearing up for the big changes. "One Bullet Too Many" in Batman #217 was when Dick finished high school and moved out.

[Brack360]

On the 60s television series, Dick Grayson was originally too young to drive, but it was shown during the third season that he had gotten his driver's license and could now drive the batmobile. I'm not sure if he was also aging in the comics then.

[Buried Alien]

Originally Posted by Brack360

On the 60s television series, Dick Grayson was originally too young to drive, but it was shown during the third season that he had gotten his driver's license and could now drive the batmobile. I'm not sure if he was also aging in the comics then.

I wonder if he had one driver's license as Dick Grayson, and another one as Robin.

It would really suck to have to pass the driving test TWICE.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[nepenthes]

ha ha I love how batman makes him wait until he has a license

[Lester C.]

I think when he started going to college. After that he almost started aging in real time until he became Nightwing in his twenties.

[Mat001]

Originally Posted by nepenthes

ha ha I love how batman makes him wait until he has a license

He did the same thing with Tim Drake. When he got his special license at age 14, he was allowed to drive the Redbird which had been created for him.

[Verdammt]

Originally Posted by Mat001

He did the same thing with Tim Drake. When he got his special license at age 14, he was allowed to drive the Redbird which had been created for him.

I can just see that conversation now:

TIM: C'Mon Bruce, let me drive the Batmobile. I am your sidekick afterall.

BRUCE: If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, I'll let you endanger your life by fighting lunatics who want to kill us and letting you jump off of buildings with me, but you can't drive until you get your license. Now peddle yourself down to the corner and get me a bottle of Jack and some condoms....Brucie's got a hot date tonight!

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by Buried Alien

For years and years after Robin was introduced in DETECTIVE COMICS # 40 in 1940, the character was perpetually depicted at the same age. Naturally, that changed over time, and by 1969, Dick Grayson was shown to be college age. He was around nineteen or twenty when he stopped operating as Robin and became Nightwing, and has been in his twenties ever since.

But when did DC specifically begin depicting Dick as growing older? In 1969, did he just suddenly start to be depicted as eighteen/nineteen years old when he left Wayne Manor for Hudson University, or had he been gradually depicted as growing older throughout the 1960s?

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

The college thing in 1969 was the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the thread title. But as I read your post in its entirety, and reflect on the other comments, I think he may have begun appearing older when the "New Look" was introduced in 1964 and Carmine Infantino became the defining artist.