In honor of the upcoming release of the movie Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, it’s high time to take a step back and look at the history between these two unlikely heroes. Robin, the Boy Wonder, is almost as famous as his famous father, but his life has been much less eventful. However, now that Batman is retiring and looking for a replacement, the tables have turned, and it’s time for Robin to step up and become the man of the hour. In this article, we will discuss the fascinating and somewhat eventful history of Batman and Robin – from the very beginning to the present day. And to make the story come to life, we’ll be using interactive maps, graphics, and more! So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn about the fascinating life and times of Batman and Robin.
A Brief History Of Batman
Starting from humble beginnings in the late 40s, the idea of a masked vigilante terrorizing the streets of Gotham city was originally conceived of in Hollywood by William “Wild Bill” Hearst in conjunction with his brother, publishing mogul George “Wicked” Hearst. It was inspired by the masked vigilante known as The Pink Pianist, whom the brothers had encountered in their travels. In 1947, American film studio Warner Bros. heard about the character and gave the go-ahead to create a film about him. The Pink Pianist was played by an uncredited Guy Mitchell, and the film also starred a 17-year-old Dick Grayson. Following its premiere in theaters in September 1948, The Pink Pianist became an overnight sensation and was hailed as one of the greatest films of all time. The film also kick-started Dick Grayson’s acting career, which would later land him his famous role as Robin.
From Rags To Robinhood
When we think about Robin and Batman today, we usually imagine the latter in his classic black and white or colorful costume. However, in the early days, the Dynamic Duo were not so dashing. In fact, Batman was a virtual rags-to-riches story, and Robin was the exception rather than the rule. The early days of the Batman were filled with poverty and hunger. In 1940, the Graysons’ fortunes changed dramatically when they were visited by a young man named Thomas Wayne, who offered them a handout. Impressed by the brothers’ business acumen, Tom invited them to move to a newly developed section of Gotham City and opened up a small print shop – the first of its kind in the area. The business, called Wayne Enterprises, was later renamed as Wayne Inc., and eventually grew to encompass several businesses, including airplane manufacturing and construction, shipping, and insurance. With the help of his new business partners, the Dynamic Duo began to rebuild their lives and their fortunes. This newfound success allowed them to purchase a mansion – the ancestral home of Wayne Inc. The couple named their new home “Wayne Manor,” after the couple’s benefactors. Though it’s far from fitting, they also chose to name their firstborn son after the late President Thomas Edison, whose birthday was on December 14th.
Batman: The Dark Knight
Over the years, the Batman has taken on many different forms and gone on many different adventures. The character has appeared in various comic books, television shows, and movies, and continues to fascinate and inspire fans around the world. Many consider the Batman to be the gold standard for superheroes. The character has also been cited as an example of a celebrity persona that has shaped popular culture, due to his enduring appeal and the influence his stories have had on various media.
One of the most influential and iconic Batman stories was written and drawn by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. Titled “The Riddle of the Reaper,” it was the first of what would later become a trilogy, and introduced the idea of a genius-level intellect lurking beneath the intimidating exterior. The story was a huge success, and helped establish Kane and Finger as the masters of their craft. Though the trio would go on to create other memorable characters and stories, none would match the popularity of their take on the Dark Knight.
The Golden Age Of Comics
To mark the 75th anniversary of DC Comics, their parent company, in 2017 they released a special collection of classic stories – the first volume in a loose trilogy – titled The New Age of Comics. One of the highlights of this collection is The Killing Joke, written by Alan Moore and drawn by the legendary Kevin Maguire. The story is set in a world where Batman is now in his late 40s, and his former sidekick, Commissioner Gordon, is now in charge of the Gotham City police force. The Dark Knight, as he was known then, has been retired for several years, but is forced out of his retirement and into action when his protege and future replacement, James Gordon Jr., is framed for the murder of the famous criminal, “The Joker.” The story is both heartbreaking and brilliant, and is considered by many to be the benchmark for the modern-day graphic novel. The New Age of Comics is a beautiful book, and is essential reading for any fan of the Dark Knight.
Dick Grayson Becomes Robin
After the untimely death of his son Tim from polio in 1957, Thomas Wayne took it hard and became completely obsessed with protecting the peace and security of Gotham City. He began spending more and more time at Wayne Manor and less and less time working, and his mind was often turned to thoughts of revenge. It was then that Dick Grayson – the adult-contingent pseudonym of Wayne’s good friend and protege, Bruce – decided to don the Robin identity and seek out his own adventures. Though he took Tim’s place as Wayne’s sidekick – much to the dismay of his wife, Harriet – Robin’s first mission as “the new” Robin was to protect the families of those who had died in Wayne Manor’s explosion a few years back. Dick chose those families because they were the closest thing to “real” children that he could think of at the time.
It was a very personal loss for Dick, and he spent a long time brooding over the deaths and working through his grief. Finally feeling ready to fight back, he decided to don the Robin identity and prove to the world that he was indeed fit to take over for his late father. Following in his father’s footsteps, Robin began fighting crime and making his presence known to anyone who might want to cause Wayne harm. In many ways, he was similar to his famous counterpart in that he wore a mask, but he also worked in tandem with Batman. The two worked well together, and their bickering – both playful and adversarial – was something that made for good television. In a way, Dick Grayson’s Robin was more like a family friend than a professional colleague. The two worked well together, and their bickering – both playful and adversarial – was something that made for good television.
Dick Grayson’s Robinhood
Though the Dynamic Duo were initially reluctant to admit it, they eventually came to respect and appreciate Robin’s abilities, and even began to see him as a sort of “mini-me” or “satellite” partner. Still, it wasn’t until the early 1960s that the world began to acknowledge that there was more than one member of the Batman family. For many years, Batman had been the only one to receive the credit and the fame – until Dick Grayson’s Robinhood. By then, the Penguin was considered the “second most dangerous criminal in Gotham City,” and was often featured on The Batman television show alongside his more famous adversary, The Joker. The Penguin and The Joker have engaged in a war of words ever since, with the former often referring to himself in the third person as a way of garnering more respect.
One Of The Most Influential Heroes Of All Time
Since his creation, the Batman has continually evolved with the times. While many superheroes have gone on to become iconic figures in their own right, few have been as influential and as relevant as the Dark Knight. The character was created at a time when comics were considered “funny books” and were considered by some to be juvenile fare – something to read only when you have time to kill. Over the years, the industry has progressed and changed dramatically, and the Batman has always been there to lead the way. His stories and his characters continue to be relevant today, still holding up after 75 years and countless reprints and reinterpretations.