10 Best Robin Quotes in DC Comics, Ranked

Over the years, many characters have adopted this name Robin. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne – all (among others) have offered very different interpretations of what it means to be Robin and have all brought something different to the table.

All have their fair share of notable moments to make them anyone’s favorite Robin, but they also have their fair share of quotable lines that leave an impression on any DC fan. The concept of Robin has existed for more than 80 years, almost as long as Batman, and therefore has just as much meaning in the eyes of the readers, as one of the finest in the world. Here are Robin’s best quotes That helped loved audience to anyone brave enough to wear the R insignia.

10

“We are either partners in this war, or we are not”

thick gray Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze #1 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Scalera, Dave Stewart and Deron Bennett

Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze #1 serves as a flashback dating back to Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson’s earliest adventures as the dynamic duo. As he prepares and suits up for a battle with Mr. Freeze, Batman urges Robin to sit the one out to keep him out of harm’s way. In Batman’s eyes, this would be their most dangerous mission to date. Robin’s answer is simple: “We are either partners in this war, or we are not.”

There is an extra, bold emphasis on the word “partners” here. Robin is the original example of the perfect sidekick, however The word sidekick makes it easy to forget that Batman and Robin is a partnership, first and foremost. There may be hierarchical power balances at play and Batman will always play mentor, but on the field, they must trust each other as equals. Dick establishes this part of their dynamic very early on.

9

“He believed in me. That I could be as fast, strong, smart as the best of them. And I still can.”

Jason Todd, Batman: Urban Legends #5 by “Red Hood & Batman in ‘Cheer’ Part 5” by Chip Zdarsky, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Diogenes Neves, Marcus To, Adriano Lucas and Becca Carey

in Urban legends #5, The Red Hood harkens back to a time when he was still Robin – a double Robin unsure of his place in the Bat-family. When the Riddler springs one of his puzzles on Batman, trapping him in a glass tank filled with water, it’s up to Jason to save him before he drowns. Frantic and afraid that he is not good enough to save the one person who believed in him, he is able to configure Riddler’s trap, save Batman, and earning Bruce’s proud approval.

Not every reader will have fond memories of Jason’s run as Robin (which is why fans voted for his death), but Jason does, as cynical as he can be. This flashback offers a window into Jason’s psyche not only as Robin, but the psyche he still carries as an adult. He compares himself to people like Dick and fears himself as inferior, needing validation from his peers. The flashback also shows that when he has the encouragement or even motivation to help those he loves, Jason is capable of great things. And still is. Even like Robin, the only person holding Jason Todd back from his true potential is Jason Todd.

8

“I’m Robin… and I have places to be.”

Stephanie Brown, Teen Titans #13 by Geoff Johns, Tom Grummett, Larry Stucker, Jeromy Cox and Comicraft

Stephanie Brown’s brief time as Robin can often be forgotten by some, and outright disrespected by others. This was especially the case during her run, as some readers couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea of ​​a Girl Wonder. As such, it feels like the creative team in this issue are using Conner Kent as a vessel that represents Stephanie’s critics when he confronts her on what she really is, doubting that Robin could be a girl. After she tells him she’s Robin, his exact words are, “No, you’re a girl in Robin’s costume.”

Stephanie’s words are a message to all readers who doubt her validity as Robin, and insist that she is Robin whether anyone likes it or not.. The same applies to Superboy in this context, especially when his hustling of Robin ends with a stern Batman interrupting and co-signing Stephanie Brown as his Robin.

7

“We were the best, Richard, no matter what anyone thought.”

Damian Wayne, Batman Inc. #8 by Grant Morrison, Jason Masters, Nathan Fairbairn, Chris Burnham and Taylor Esposito

This issue is most famous for the sight of Damian Wayne dying in Batman’s arms on the final page, but one moment that cannot be overlooked is the final one between him and Dick Grayson. Previously, Dick Grayson took a break from being Nightwing to don the Batman cape while Bruce was Mia, who officially introduced Damian as his Robin. One distinction that Damian has from any other Robin is that his introduction to superheroism was not alongside Bruce Wayne, but with Dick Grayson..

As much as Damian was hard-edged and rough around the edges during that time in his life, he looks back fondly on that part of his life (as do many readers). In fact, he goes so far as to say that he and Dick were the best dynamic duo. Agree or disagree, it’s heartwarming to see how much being mentored by Dick has a lasting impression on the boy, contributing to them having DC’s best friendship.

6

“I was the best choice.”

ThickRobin: Year one #2 by Chuck Dixon, Scott Beaty, Javier Pulido, Robert Campanella, Sean Connott, and Lee Lowridge

Some critics downplayed Dick Grayson’s recruitment into the Bat-Family by suggesting he was only recruited because Batman was so lonely. It implies that anyone could have filled Dick’s shoes, and he was just in the right place at the right time. Two-Face makes a similar implication in Robin: Year oneAnd Dick is quick to correct him. Dick wasn’t Robin just because Bruce Wayne had him in it was because he was the best possible candidate to be Robin.

This is the same young boy who had the investigative savvy to find Batman’s secret identity before he even started his superhero career. Dick was skilled way before he became Robin and it’s the potential he showed early on that made him a prime candidate to become Robin.

5

“It was fun, Batman. At least we’ll go out in style.”

Jason, Batman: The Cult #3 by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson, Bill Wray and John Costanza

It’s a story that suggests Jason Todd’s time as Robin was completely unlikable, and he was poorly written enough to warrant all the hate from him in the infamous voiceover. Although he did have his detectors, it would be wrong to say that his time as Robin was completely unbearable. One of his finest moments came during this time Batman: The CultWhere he is practically the MVP of the comic.

When Batman is at his weakest, it is Jason as Robin who comes to his rescue. Alone, Jason finds and rescues Batman from cultists and basically holds his own while Bruce has an episode. He is absolutely impressive in this outing. Showing that devil may care attitude that would only increase when he becomes the Red Hood, Jason is red to go out swinging until his last breath. Even when all hope seems lost, Jason is ready to go down swinging.

4

“You lost the second I started trying”

Tim, Red Robin #14 by Fabian Nicieza, Marcus To, Ray McCarthy, Guy Major and Sal Cipriano

When Damian Wayne first made his DC debut, it didn’t take long for him to create a family feud in the Bat-Family, and just as quickly he picked a fight with Tim Drake. In their first encounter, a Damian obsessed with becoming the next Robin makes quick work of a Tim who is partly caught off guard, but also partly holding back on the newbie of the Bat-family.

All of that goes out the window when the two Bat brothers go toe to toe for a rematch once Damian has officially become Batman and Tim has ascended to Red Robin. He makes it clear verbally and physically that their first fight was a fluke and that when Tim puts in the effort, Damian is no match for the older Robin. It’s moments like this (and badass lines like this) as to why, for many, Tim Drake is the best Robin.

3

“I’ve traveled too far…to suffer more protests!”

damian, Robin: Son of Batman #6 by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, Tom Nguyen, John Kalish, and Tom Napolitano

The moment comes at a time when a young Damian is tasked by his mother, Talia al Ghul, to slaughter a horde of dragons in an effort to prove himself to the League of Assassins. His enraged words reflect how desperate he has become, how angry he has grown with his journey just so far to prove himself as a warrior, and as the panels would show later, the guilt he feels at having to commit hefty amounts of murder.

His breaking point comes when he meets his future pet sidekick, Goliath, a cute, cuddly creature. He cannot bring himself to kill the creature, breaks down in tears, and instead of killing him, sits in his place. generally, The series of emotions that Damian endures reminds readers that the Boy Wonder is just that: a boy. At the end of the day, he is a child forced to grow up too fast and put in situations that he is not ready for, no matter how hard he tries to act like more than just a child.

2

“Being Robin gives me magic”

Jason, Batman #385 by Doug Moench, Rick Hoberg, Chuck Patton, Alfredo Alcala, Afrienne Roy and John Costanza

As previously mentioned, at the heart of Jason Todd in any iteration of his life is his insecurity. How much he compares himself to other crime-fighters – like the previous Robin, Dick Grayson – picks up on his insecurities, because Robin strengthens him enough to bury his insecurities. When Batman has to deal with a dangerous calendar man, he urges Jason to stay out of it, but Jason insists he is more than capable of holding his own.

Why? Because being Robin makes him feel magical, like he can do anything. And as some of the previous examples have shown, he can pretty much do anything he puts his mind to once he puts on the mask. Wearing the Robin suit gives Jason an armor of protection, not literally, but the feeling of an armored knight who can feel strong at all times.

1

“Batman Needs a Robin”

Tim, Batman #442 by George Pérez, Marv Wolfman, Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo, Adrienne Roy and John Costanza

This is, by far, the most famous quote about Robin in DC history, and the most compelling argument for why every Batman needs a Robin. Tim Drake’s monologue makes a compelling argument, but the sentiment as he eases his way into the Bat-family for the first time is the most important part: Batman simply needs a Robin. This was an era where Bruce was still grieving Jason’s death, and thus was pushing people out of his life in favor of riding solo.

Tim’s argument is not only his way of arguing that Robin serves a place in Batman’s life to keep him in check, but the importance of Robin as a symbol. Just as a police officer is repeatedly replaced when one officer can’t do their job anymore, so must Robin. Robin is just as much of a necessary symbol of justice as Batman.