Don't interpret me badly - I like Damian Wayne as Robin. However in comparison with his predecessors, he retains the cloak longer than most, and at this second his character appears to be like stagnant. All Robin earlier than him had a transparent trajectory, evolving past paper and stepping into one thing greater. Damian deserves the identical alternative - and it's over the time DC has given him.
With Batman and Robin in odds and Damian considering a brand new course, it appears that evidently a attainable change within the cloak could be across the nook.
Damian Wayne technically made her first look when a child in Batman: Son of the Demon (1987) by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham, however his true introduction as a personality didn't even come Batman #655 (2006) by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert. Even so, he didn't formally occupy Robin's cloak till Batman and Robin #1 (2009), additionally by Morrison, alongside Frank Quately.
Meaning Damian has been Robin for about 16 years in actual time and roughly 4-5 years within the universe- A peculiar possession in comparison with most of its predecessors. So it's over time Batman begins searching for her subsequent boy or a surprise woman.
How lengthy has every battered robin Mantel?
Primary cowl of Baldemar Rivas to Robins #6 (2022)
Apart from the exception of unique Surprise boy, Dick Grayson, who held Robin's cloak for 44 years - first showing in Detective comics #38 (1940) and turning into formally evening Tales of Teenage Titans #44 (1984) - Wayne Damian has the biggest sequence of strong like Robin. Dick's 44 years previous as Robin in actual time interprets into spectacular 10 to 12 years within the universe. By comparability, Jason Todd, the second Robin, who the Joker tragically murdered, was solely Robin for five years in actual time and about 2 years within the universe. Jason's first look as Robin was in Batman #366 (1983), and the final in Batman #428 (1988) throughout the A dying within the household historical past.
Tim Drake is a particular case, as a result of his time, as a result of Robin is turned on and off over time. He at the moment shares the cloak with Damian in standard continuity. Nevertheless, his longest and most acknowledged interval, because the third boy Surprise lasted from his first look as Robin in Batman #442 (1989) till its substitute of Stephanie Brown in Robin #126 (2004). Stephanie's time as Robin was extremely transient - solely three editions, ending in Robin #128 (2004) -So, whereas Tim was Robin for about 15 years in actual time and 4-5 years within the universe, Stephanie's passage lasted solely weeks, each in actual time and within the universe.
Why Damian Wayne must be changed as Robin
Primary cowl of Baldemar Rivas to Robins #5 (2022)
Given the time every character spent below the cloak earlier than shifting to new identities or paths, it's clear that it's already nicely in time for Damian to do the identical. Apart from its comparatively very long time like Robin, There may be additionally the narrative argument that Damian's function as Batman's major Robin has grow to be repetitive. There are such a lot of tales that may be instructed with him on this capacity earlier than issues start to look out of date. Following from Robin opens new prospects, but additionally raises the vital query: who will take the next cloak?
Whereas DC's sliding time scale complicates Bruce's concern to have many companions in a really brief time, Robin is a vital character in DC narratives. Subsequently, it is smart that an alternative to Damian is important. This query of who would be the subsequent Robin additionally brings an thrilling and unexplored angle to Damian's character - as he'll cope with the substitute. As Robin's followers know, Dick, Jason and Tim weren't changed nicely, particularly the final two. Nevertheless, their reactions to get replaced had been the principle character arches that led to important development. Subsequently, it appears pure that Damian goes by means of this ceremony of passage, as it might not solely create a gorgeous story, but additionally led to substantial growth of character.
Followers could also be receiving a brand new Robin sooner than anticipated
Ariel Olivetti variant lid for Batman and Robin #18 (2025)
For many who comply with Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Javier Fernández and Miguel Mendonca's Batman and Robin Run, it's clear that there are issues in paradise for the dynamic double. Bruce and Damian are confused, particularly when Damian begins to doubt his function as Robin. Nevertheless, it's not solely his place as Robin that Damian is questioning - he's additionally starting to rethink vigilantism as an entire. Whereas he explores an curiosity within the medical area, identical to his late grandfather, Thomas Wayne, Damian is contemplating a distinct manner. With Batman and Robin In disagreement and Damian considering a brand new course, it appears that evidently a attainable change within the cloak could also be across the nook.