NOTICE! Spoilers for Batman and Robin: Year One #2
robin spent many years as from Batman trusted companion in DC lore, but even early in his training he clearly had the potential to be an independent superhero. Long before becoming NightwingDick Grayson’s first rescue mission as Robin revealed that he was always destined to start a solo career, as he has proven himself to be a hero on par with Batman.
In Batman and Robin: Year One #2 – Written by Mark Waid, with art by Chris Samnee – Batman and his young sidekick continue to butt heads when Dick repeatedly refuses to follow instructions. Then an arson attack in Gotham City spurs them into action and forces them to overcome their differences to save people from a burning building. When Batman believes everyone has been rescued, Robin runs back into the flames, much to Bruce’s horror.
It’s a harrowing story – but one from which newcomer Robin emerges, having unequivocally proven the caliber of his heroism.
Robin’s first rescue in DC’s new “Year One” story proves his heroism matches that of the Caped Crusader
Batman and Robin: Year One #2 – Written by Mark Waid; Art by Chris Samnee; Color by Giovanna Niro; Clayton Cowles lyrics
Fortunately, just a few panels after rushing into the building, Robin triumphantly returns from the fire with two more survivors in tow. This successful rescue of Robin shows he’s already a Batman-level heroand demonstrates how the circus kid that Bruce first took under his wing always had what it took to be his own hero as Nightwing. In this way, this Year One The story does what a prequel does best – it takes what fans know about the current version of the character and projects those attributes into his early adventures to form continuity.
Here, when Maroni’s men set fire to the streets of Gotham, despite Batman’s valiant efforts to rescue civilians, he fails to notice that two children are trapped in the rubble. Robin rushes back inside without a second thought so he can rescue them himself, ignoring Batman’s attempts to urge him otherwise. He finds the children and wraps them in his bulletproof cloak to protect them from being injured by the raging flames. Batman fears the worst when the building explodes from the heat, but then Dick surprises him by leaving with the children, displaying his usual smile and upbeat demeanor.
In “Year One”, Robin challenges Batman to save lives, hinting at his destiny as Nightwing
Dick Grayson becomes like Batman by going against his orders
As this story covers Robin’s origin as the Boy Wonder, the rescue shown here depicts the first lives Dick Grayson saves in DC history. His journey as a hero begins here, with him succeeding where Batman could not. Batman has doubts about Robin throughout this issue, such as when a social worker visits Wayne Manor to oversee Bruce’s adoption of Dick and the boy does a backflip in front of her. However, although he has difficulty taking things seriously, Robin behaves in a truly heroic manner when it matters. Dick follows Batman’s selfless example in his own unique way.
What makes Robin’s rescue here particularly notable is that he disobeys Batman to carry it out. Earlier, when Bruce is training Dick in the Batcave, the boy frustrates him by defying his instructions. Ultimately, this stubbornness makes the difference between life and death for fire victims. If Robin had stood by when Batman tried to stop him from saving the children, they would have died; his inability to follow orders makes him a true hero, as Dick’s independence is a fundamental aspect of his character and is what leads him to abandon the role of Robin.
‘Year One’ Reiterates That Dick Grayson Was Always Destined to Become Nightwing
Robin must leave Batman’s shadow to be his own hero
Robin going against Batman’s instructions alludes to his future as Nightwing. Node Super Spectacular 100-Page Robin’s 80th Birthdaywriter Marv Wolfman and artist Tom Grummett pen a story titled “A Little Nudge” that retells the end of Dick’s time as Robin. Fed up with Batman’s strict rules, Dick decides he needs to take a different path and transition from Wonder Boy to man. Dick refusing to follow Batman and instead forging a new path is pivotal to his evolution from Robin to Nightwingand him doing this from the beginning foreshadows his solo career.
By fighting alongside Batman as Robin, Dick Grayson is guided down the path of heroism until he is ready to eventually, inevitably, continue on that path alone as Nightwing.
The bravery and independent spirit he displays from his earliest days are proof that Robin was born to become Nightwing. Even early on, Robin makes his own calls and saves lives without Batman’s supervision. Of course, this doesn’t diminish the importance of Dick’s time with Batman. If he hadn’t been considered Batman’s sidekick, his grief over his parents’ deaths might have been expressed through darker means. Fighting alongside Batman as robinDick Grayson is guided on the path of heroism until he is ready to eventually, inevitably, continue on that path alone, as Nightwing.
Batman and Robin: Year One #2 is now available from DC Comics.