Wikipedia

Robin in other media

(Redirected from John Robin Blake)

In addition to DC Comics books, the superhero Robin also appears in other media, such as films, television and radio. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne are examples of the characters who use the name Robin.[1]

Adaptations of Robin in other media
Created byBob Kane
Jerry Robinson
Bill Finger
Original sourceComics published by DC Comics
First appearanceDetective Comics No. 38 (April 1940)
Films and television
Film(s)
List
Television
show(s)
List
Audio presentations
Radio show(s)The Adventures of Superman (1945)

Other than showing up in media associated with being Batman's sidekick, he also makes an appearance as the leader of the Teen Titans.

Television

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Live-action

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Batman (1966)

 
Burt Ward played Robin in the 1966–1968 Batman TV series as well as a 1966 film of the same name

In the 1960s Batman television series and its 1966 film, Robin (Dick Grayson) was played by Burt Ward. Ward reprises his role as Robin in Legends of the Superheroes, and the Dick Grayson of Earth-66 in "Crisis on Infinite Earths".[2]

Titans (2018–2023)

Three incarnations of Robin appear in the 2018 DC Universe series Titans. Brenton Thwaites portrays Dick Grayson, Curran Walters portrays Jason Todd, and Jay Lycurgo portrays Tim Drake, who is depicted as being of African American and Asian descent.[3] Carrie Kelley, Daxton Chill, Stephanie Brown and Duke Thomas make uncredited cameo appearances in the episode "Barbara Gordon" in a file on the Batcomputer for replacement Robins which Dick Grayson discovers after Jason's death.[4]

Gotham Knights

Navia Robinson plays Carrie Kelley in Gotham Knights.

Animation

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The Adventures of Batman

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Dick Grayson appears in The Adventures of Batman, voiced by Casey Kasem.

The New Scooby-Doo Movies

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Main article: The New Scooby-Doo Movies

Robin appeared, alongside Batman, in two episodes of The New Scooby-Doo Movies, again voiced by Kasem.

Super Friends

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Main article: Super Friends

Robin appears in Super Friends, voiced by Casey Kasem or Burt Ward. Both the live-action and animated versions wore the standard Robin costume, much like the film serial versions of the 1940s.

DC Animated Universe

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Main article: DC Animated Universe

The Dick Grayson incarnation of Robin made his first appearance during the first season of Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), voiced by Loren Lester. The second season was known as The Adventures of Batman and Robin. By the time the revamp series The New Batman Adventures (1997–99) takes place, Grayson has adopted the identity of Nightwing. He also appeared in the film Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998) and makes uncredited cameo appearances in Justice League (2001–04) and Justice League Unlimited (2004-06). He is also referenced in Batman Beyond (1999-2001) and its feature film Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000).

Tim Drake appears as the second incarnation in The New Batman Adventures (1997–99), though he is also partially based on Jason Todd. Versions of the Carrie Kelley (Anndi McAfee) and 1950s (Brianne Siddall) Robins, both in the original costume, also appear in the episode "Legends of the Dark Knight".

Tim Drake was voiced by Mathew Valencia in The New Batman Adventures and in a guest appearance in Superman: The Animated Series and by Eli Marienthal and Shane Sweet in guest appearances in Static Shock, with the former also reprising his role in Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. Dean Stockwell voiced an older Drake in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker while Valencia reprised the younger version. Drake also makes uncredited cameo appearances in Justice League (2002–04).

Teen Titans

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Main article: Teen Titans (TV series)

The Cartoon Network series Teen Titans features Robin as the eponymous team's leader, voiced by Scott Menville. His true identity is never revealed in the series, although he is implied to be Dick Grayson. Robin joins Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven and Starfire when Jump City is threatened by aliens in "Go!". Robin is generally respected by the others as the team's best leader, but on the inside he is driven by an unhealthy obsession to win, which sometimes alienates him from his teammates. Batman never appears in the series but is often referenced. Robin and Starfire show romantic interest throughout the series, but they only confess their feelings and share a kiss in Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo.

The Batman

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Main article: The Batman (TV series)

Dick Grayson appeared as Robin in The Batman, voiced by Evan Sabara. This version is 12 years old, and chose the codename "Robin" because that is what his mother had called him. As depicted in a possible future during the episode "Artifacts", Dick Grayson gives up the "Robin" name and costume to become Nightwing. Barbara and Batman still persist in calling him by his original codename. Batman did this more out of habit, and Barbara did it as a flirting sort of way to annoy Dick. The police department who discover the Batcave in the beginning of the episode call Robin as 'Red Robin', a reference to Kingdom Come, and they theorize that Bruce Wayne was Red Robin (with his father as Batman and his mother as Batwoman).

Krypto the Superdog

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Main article: Krypto the Superdog

A character inspired by Robin, named Robbie, appears in Krypto the Superdog, voiced by David Paul Grove. He is a robin bird who, after being saved by Ace the Bat-Hound, wants to be his sidekick, much to the dismay of Ace.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

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Main article: Batman: The Brave and the Bold

In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Dick Grayson, voiced by Crawford Wilson, is portrayed as Robin in Blüdhaven. After earning Batman's respect, he becomes Nightwing. He later becomes Batman in the alternate future of "The Knights of Tomorrow," with Damian Wayne as his Robin and eventually his successor.

Young Justice

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In Young Justice, Robin (Dick Grayson), voiced by Jesse McCartney, is a founding member of the team alongside Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Superboy. Though he initially assumes he will lead, he nominates Aqualad instead. Robin is the team's hacker and often displays immaturity. In Season 2, he becomes Nightwing and is succeeded by Tim Drake as Robin. By Season 3, Young Justice: Outsiders, Nightwing remains a key character, with minor roles for Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and cameos from Damian Wayne and Jason Todd as Red Hood.[5][6][7]

New Teen Titans

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The Teen Titans iteration of Robin returns in the New Teen Titans shorts, with Scott Menville reprising his role. One of the shorts included an appearance by the DC One Million version of Robin.

DC Super Friends

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The Dick Grayson incarnation of Robin appears in DC Super Friends (2015), voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch.

Teen Titans Go!

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The Teen Titans iteration of Robin returns in Teen Titans Go!, with Scott Menville reprising his role. This version is the self-appointed leader of the Teen Titans, and portrayed as hard-as-nails, hubristic, and slightly power-mad leader of the Teen Titans. He is also insecure about his lack of superpowers, which has, on multiple occasions, led to one of the other Titans committing mutiny and replacing Robin as leader. The episode "The Best Robin" also shows that he had a backup Robin squad which features Carrie Kelley, a darker Tim Drake, and the upbeat 60s version, who are all also voiced by Scott Menville. Additionally, the Teen Titans original series incarnation of the character appears in the episode "The Academy" via archival footage.[8]

DC Super Hero Girls

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Dick Grayson appears in DC Super Hero Girls, with Keith Ferguson voicing the character. His outfit was inspired by his portrayal, Burt Ward, from the 1966 TV series. He made his first appearance in "#FromBatToWorst" where the young Barbara Gordon wanted to team up with Batman. Robin shows up encountering Babs about having a sidekick as usual. In the episode "#GothamCon", Babs and Harleen went to Gotham City for a convention when Robin appears instead of Batman hosting the event. In the episode "#TweenTitans", he is one of the cast members of the reality television show created by Bruce Wayne, "Make It Wayne" and used to be having a birthday party along with fellow Titans in their tween versions, in which Jessica Cruz and Karen Beecher babysits them and caused chaos.

Harley Quinn

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Damian Wayne appears as Robin in HBO Max's adult animated series Harley Quinn, voiced by Jacob Tremblay.[9] He is portrayed as a spoiled, twelve-year-old brat who is not taken seriously by most individuals. In "Finding Mr. Right", in an effort to improve his reputation, he attempts to recruit Harley Quinn as his nemesis, but his attempt goes up in smoke. Batman later comforts Robin and assures him he can wait until he is ready for his own nemesis. In the season two premiere "New Gotham", Damian took up the mantle of Batman after he disappeared in the chaos caused by Joker's destruction of Gotham during the season one finale despite not being old enough to do so. Damian spends the next two seasons working with the Bat Family, as well as Harley herself, with Season 4 showcasing his first meeting with his mother, Talia, since birth.

In season three, Dick Grayson makes his debut as Nightwing, voiced by Harvey Guillén. In "There’s No Ivy in Team", Dick returns to Gotham after being away for years, reunites with Batman, and meets Batgirl and Damian, who currently holds the title of Robin. Nightwing eventually joins the Bat Family, becoming a respected member after initially struggling with teamwork. Nightwing appears at the end of "The Horse and the Sparrow", welcoming Harley to the Bat Family, although not without their share of bickering. In the fourth season episode, "Metamorphosis", Nightwing is killed off, with "Potato-Based Cloning Incident" revealing the culprit to be a somnambulist Harley. He is ultimately revived by Talia al Ghul via the Lazarus Pit, with the intention of pitting him against Harley.

Batwheels

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Duke Thomas as Robin appears in Batwheels, voiced by AJ Hudson.[10] Dick Grayson as Nightwing appears in season 2, voiced by Zachary Gordon.

Batman: Caped Crusader

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Dick Grayson voiced by Carter Rockwood, Jason Todd voiced by Henry Witcher, Carrie Kelley voiced by Juliet Donenfeld and Stephanie Brown voiced by Amari McCoy all appear in the episode “Nocturne”. They are all reimagined as orphans living in the same orphanage.

Film

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Live-action serials

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Batman

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In director Lambert Hillyer's 1943 film serial Batman, Robin was played by Douglas Croft. Croft was the only actor to portray Robin at the actual age of sixteen; subsequent live-action actors have either been in their early to mid to late 20s.[citation needed]

Batman and Robin

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Robin was played by 25-year-old Johnny Duncan in Columbia Pictures's Batman and Robin (1949), directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet.[citation needed]

Live-action feature films

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Burton-Schumacher series

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Early concepts
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In the early script written by Tom Mankiewicz for the unmade The Batman, which was later made as the 1989 installment, the Graysons are murdered by Joker, and Dick is adopted by Bruce Wayne. Grayson blames Batman for the death of his parents, discovering after the Batcave, later becoming Robin. Michael J. Fox and Eddie Murphy were considered for the role.[11][12][13] Robin did not appear in the Tim Burton films Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992). This was an unusual move as the two 1940s serials as well as the 1966 film and attendant TV show had presented the 'Dynamic Duo' as an inseparable pair, with the general public unaware that the comic-book incarnation of Batman often worked alone. The special edition version of the Batman (1989) DVD features an animated storyboard sequence of when Robin's parents are killed by the Joker. Jason Hillhouse provides the voice of Dick Grayson, while Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their respective roles (from the DC animated universe) as Batman and the Joker in the storyboard sequence. Although Kiefer Sutherland was considered,[14][15][16][17][18] Burton planned to cast Northern Irish actor Ricky Addison Reed as Robin,[19][20] but later felt it was unimportant to the story and cut Robin out altogether. In an earlier script of Batman Returns, he was portrayed as a technologically savvy street kid who would help Batman following his narrow escape when The Penguin tried to kill him. He would later play a crucial role in Batman's final confrontation with The Penguin. In that script, he was simply called Robin, has no known real name, and was to be played by Marlon Wayans.[21]

Comic series
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In 2021, DC released a comic series continuation of the Tim Burton films entitled Batman '89, which includes a new version of Robin based on Marlon Wayans, penned by Sam Hamm named Drake Winston.[22]

Batman Forever
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Chris O'Donnell as both Dick Grayson and Robin in 1995's Batman Forever.
Main article: Batman Forever

Wayans was considered for the role of Robin in Batman Forever, but the change in directors from Burton to Joel Schumacher would also mean a change in the choice of actor for the role of Robin.[23] Chris O'Donnell played the character of Dick Grayson in the film, alongside Val Kilmer in the role of Batman. Dick Grayson's parents and older brother were murdered by Two-Face during a hostage situation at the annual Gotham Circus after the family helps get rid of a bomb rigged to explode. Bruce Wayne takes him in as his ward out of guilt for being unable to save Dick's family. Dick soon finds out that Bruce is Batman and becomes a costumed hero in his late teens.

Batman and Robin
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Main article: Batman & Robin (film)

O'Donnell reprised the role in the 1997 film Batman & Robin, this time opposite George Clooney as Batman. Tension between Batman and Robin is present in the film due to Robin growing tired of playing second fiddle to Batman and desiring to break free from Batman's shadow, particularly after Robin's recklessness leads to him getting frozen by Mr. Freeze. These feelings are later amplified when Poison Ivy exposes Robin to her pheromone dust and causes him to fall in love with her, sowing seeds of doubt regarding Batman's faith in his ward. In the film's climax, Robin eventually sees through Ivy's schemes and makes amends with Batman, and throughout the film, it is hinted that he harbours romantic feelings towards Alfred's niece, Barbara Wilson, who later becomes Batgirl. His costume is a blue rubber suit with a red bird symbol on the chest. He also wears a silvery Arctic version of his Robin costume.

Cancelled Robin spin-off
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Chris O'Donnell revealed to Access Hollywood that a Robin spin-off was planned but got scrapped after Batman & Robin.[24]

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy

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Main article: The Dark Knight Rises

In a June 2005 interview, Christopher Nolan, the director of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, said that as long as he was directing the franchise, Robin would not be appearing. Since Christian Bale was portraying Batman as a young man at the time of "Year One", Dick Grayson is still a child at this point.[25]

However, in the film The Dark Knight Rises, Batman finds an ally in a young policeman who goes by the name of John Blake (portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an original identity created exclusively for the film. Blake is an orphan whose mother was killed in a car crash and whose father was murdered in a gambling-related dispute when Blake was still a child. He was raised in St. Swithin's, an orphanage sponsored by the Wayne Foundation. During his time there, he learned to hide his anger over his father's death and being orphaned. When Bruce Wayne visited the orphanage, Blake noticed similar qualities between himself and Bruce, and single-handedly deduced that Bruce was Batman. When he was old enough, he became a GCPD police officer, sharing Batman's desire to fight crime and help people, especially orphans.

After the discovery of Bane, Blake confronts Bruce and attempts to convince him to return as Batman, and then serves as a liaison between Batman and Gordon. When Bane publicly declares himself, Blake takes Commissioner Gordon into hiding and arrests Selina Kyle to question her about Bruce's disappearance. He also shows his repulsion towards Gordon and Batman covering up the crimes of Harvey Dent. Blake joins Gordon and the other police officers in a revolt against Bane's rule, but is caught and nearly executed. He is rescued by Batman, who tells him to evacuate the city. This attempt fails when external officers blow up the only bridge leading away from Gotham out of fear, Bane having threatened earlier to have the bomb detonated (by a random citizen, later revealed to be Talia al Ghul, masquerading as Miranda Tate) if anyone tried to leave Gotham.

After Batman apparently sacrifices himself to save the city, Blake quits the GCPD, disgusted that the mainland police were willing to let Gotham perish. He attends Bruce's funeral with Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox. He later attends the reading of Bruce's will, and is pleasantly surprised to discover that Wayne Manor will become a home for the city's at-risk orphans, named in honor of Thomas and Martha Wayne. When he gives the name "Blake, John" to a clerk holding a package that Bruce had left him, he is told there is nothing there for him. He hands over an ID and suggests they try his legal first name, which is revealed to be Robin. The clerk gives him GPS coordinates and spelunking gear, before she tells him that he should use the name "Robin" more often. At the end of the film, Blake follows the coordinates, and finds the Batcave. Among the characters to use the Robin identity, comparisons have been drawn between Robin John Blake and Richard John "Dick" Grayson in particular.[26] In Teen Titans Go!, Dick states that he considers Joseph Gordon-Levitt to be an appropriate choice to portray him.[27]

Gordon-Levitt has stated that the ending of The Dark Knight Rises is not a set up for a spin-off film, but is the true conclusion of Christopher Nolan's Batman series.[28]

DC Extended Universe

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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
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Main article: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice a vandalized Robin costume is seen in a memorial case. A behind-the-scenes video released for the DC Extended Universe stated it belonged to Jason Todd, and was labeled as such at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.[29] However, in July 2018, director Zack Snyder elaborated that the vandalized Robin costume in Batman v Superman was originally intended to belong to Dick Grayson, with the backstory being that the character was killed by the Joker before the events of the film,[30] but this was changed due to the studio beginning the development of a Nightwing film.[31] The director also stated that had he stayed with the franchise, Robin would "stay dead...till Carrie", hinting at plans in future sequels for Carrie Kelley to take up the Robin mantle.[32]

Suicide Squad
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Main article: Suicide Squad (2016 film)

In Suicide Squad, it is revealed Harley Quinn was an accomplice to Robin's murder. Director/writer David Ayer later clarified that he intended for Joker to be the sole person who killed Robin and that Harley was added as an accomplice through late rewrites by then President and CCO of DC Entertainment, and Executive Producer, Geoff Johns when the film was undergoing extensive reshoots.[33]

DC Universe

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Main article: DC Universe (franchise)

The Damian Wayne version of Robin will appear in the live action film The Brave and the Bold, set in the DC Universe (DCU) media franchise.

Animation

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Justice League: The New Frontier

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Main article: Justice League: The New Frontier

Robin (Dick Grayson) was featured in the DC direct-to-video film Justice League: New Frontier, voiced by Shane Haboucha. This version was adopted as a teenager (not a child, as in most interpretations. Batman did so because he realized that he was frightening those he was trying to protect.

Batman: Under the Red Hood

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Main article: Batman: Under the Red Hood

In the DC Universe Animated Original Movie Batman: Under the Red Hood, an adaptation of the bestselling Batman storyline "Under the Hood" from Batman #635–650 and Batman Annual No. 25, Neil Patrick Harris voices Dick Grayson/Nightwing while Jensen Ackles portrays Jason Todd/Red Hood. Vincent Martella and his younger brother Alexander Martella each provide the voice of the young Jason Todd in different ages as Robin in a flashback in the beginning of the film.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

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Carrie Kelly appears as Robin in the two-part animated film Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, voiced by Ariel Winter. Being a fan of Batman, Carrie took the mantle of Robin herself when the Mutant crime organization had been wreaking havoc on Gotham. Batman comes to see her as a suitable Robin, training her and using her to gather intel. She helps him with leading the former Mutant's group Sons of Batman into learning his less violent ways, when Gotham needed martial law enforced. When Batman is called out to a duel with Superman after refusing to go back into retirement, Carrie helps Bruce fake his death. She, along with Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) and Bruce train the Sons of Batman group to begin taking on his job.

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time

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Main article: JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time

Jack DeSena voices an unidentified Robin in the Target exclusive 2014 direct-to-video animated feature JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time.

DC Animated Movie Universe

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In 2013, Justice League: War was released, the second entry in the DC Animated Movie Universe. Damian Wayne and Dick Grayson appear in several of these films, Damian/Robin being voiced by Stuart Allan while Sean Maher voices Dick/Nightwing.

Son of Batman
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Son of Batman, an adaptation of Grant Morrison' Batman storyline "Batman and Son", was the first time Damian Wayne had appeared in a DC-related film.

Batman vs. Robin
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In Batman vs. Robin, Damian comes into contact with the Court of Owls, being tempted to leave Batman and join him. Throughout the film, Batman and Robin fight over Damian's rawness and his lack of discipline, leading to Damian almost joining the court before Talon (voiced by Jeremy Sisto), an assassin for the Court, is ordered to kill him when the leader discovers his secret identity. After Talon massacres the entire court, he and Robin clash in the Batcave before Talon commits suicide. Afterwards, Damian leaves for a monastery in the Himalayas.

Batman: Bad Blood
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Damian returns in Batman: Bad Blood, teaming up with Dick Grayson, who briefly assumes the Batman mantle to investigate his father's disappearance. The Heretic (voiced by Travis Willingham), makes his first film appearance, as an artificially-aged clone of Damian like in the comics. Heretic attempts to absorb Damian's mind into his so he will know what it feels like to be loved, but Talia al Ghul executes him for his treachery and punishment, much to Damian's horror.

Justice League vs. Teen Titans
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In Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Batman decides to have Robin join the Teen Titans to teach him about teamwork and has Nightwing drop him off at Titans Tower. Damian ends up warming up to the team after being initially hostile towards them, forming a particular friendship with Raven.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract
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In Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, Robin is still a member of the Teen Titans. Suspicious of new team member Terra, he begins tracking her movements. Through this action, he learns that Deathstroke survived their last encounter in Son of Batman and that he still seeks revenge against him. Robin tries to fight him off, but is subdued and captured by Terra, who is working with Deathstroke. Later, he and most of the other Teen Titans are hooked up into a machine so that Brother Blood, leader of a cult called H.I.V.E., can absorb all their powers. Nightwing eventually intervenes and saves them; he and Robin subsequently battle Deathstroke while the rest of the Titans battle Brother Blood. Terra intervenes in the fight and kills Deathstroke after he had betrayed her. Following Brother Blood's defeat and Terra's death, Damian is given a dog by Raven, whom he names Titus.

The Death of Superman

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Damian makes a cameo at the end of The Death of Superman, comforting his father after Superman dies defeating Doomsday.

Batman: Hush

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Damian cameos appearance in Batman: Hush. After learning that his father is dating reformed thief Catwoman, he voices concern to Bruce and warns him to cover his drink.

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War
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In Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, Robin is one of the few Teen Titans to survive Darkseid's conquest of Earth following the defeat of the Justice League. Blaming Superman's faulty strategy for the deaths of his friends, Damian reforms the League of Assassins, with Lady Shiva as his second-in-command. Two years later, Raven, Constantine, Etrigan, and a depowered Superman seek out Damian for his help in defeating Darkseid. Damian reluctantly joins them, revealing that he attempted to revive Nightwing with the Lazarus Pits, but the process left Dick insane, forcing Damian to keep him locked up. Damian privately admits to Raven that he had developed feelings for her.

When the heroes travel to Apokolips, Damian, as Robin, is forced to fight Batman, now brainwashed and serving as Darkseid's second-in-command. When Batman emerges victorious, Darkseid commands him to kill his son. However, the sight of his defeated son reminds Batman of the night his parents died, allowing him to break free of Darkseid's control. Darkseid attempts to kill Batman with his Omega Beams for his defiance, but Robin dies when he takes the blast for his father. With the aid of Zatanna's spirit, Raven revives Damian and heals his injuries.

In the aftermath of the battle, the surviving heroes return to Earth, where Damian gives Dick to a partially cyberized Starfire. Constantine encourages Flash to run back in time and create another Flashpoint. Just before the timeline is reset, Damian and Raven share their first and only kiss.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

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Ward reprised his role as Dick Grayson/Robin in the animated film Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and its sequel Batman vs. Two-Face.[34]

The Lego Batman Movie

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Michael Cera voices Dick Grayson in The Lego Movie spin-off The Lego Batman Movie. This version was adopted by Batman as a teenager and his Robin outfit is actually a modified Reggae outfit for Batman with the pants taken off. Additionally, he is not stated to have a circus background, and has large, green glasses similar to Carrie Kelley. During the climax, he briefly dons a Batman armor labeled "Nightwing" when attempting to save Barbara and Alfred.[35]

Batman Ninja

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Dick Grayson as Nightwing, Jason Todd as Red Hood, Tim Drake as Red Robin, and Damian Wayne as Robin appear in Batman Ninja, with Dick voiced by Adam Croasdell, Jason and Damian by Yuri Lowenthal, and Tim by Will Friedle. This was the first time all four mainstream Robins have appeared together outside of the comics.

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies

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The Teen Titans Go! iteration of Robin appears in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, with Scott Menville reprising his role and Jacob Jeffries providing his singing voice for the song "My Superhero Movie".

Gotham by Gaslight

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The 2018 animated film Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, taking place in Gotham City in the 19th century, features three orphan boys, Dickie, Jason and Timmy (voiced by Lincoln Melcher, Grey DeLisle, and Tara Strong, respectively), whose last names are never given. After Batman cripples their gang leader (who refers to them as his "Cock Robins", from the old nursery rhyme), they are recruited by Alfred for odd jobs and eventually adopted by Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. This is a departure from the original graphic novel Gotham by Gaslight, in which no version of Robin appears.

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

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Damian Wayne appears in Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, voiced by Ben Giroux.

Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans

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The Teen Titans Go! and original Teen Titans animated series versions of Robin appear in Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, with both voiced by Scott Menville. In addition, several alternate versions of the character appear throughout the film, which include his counterparts from Tiny Titans, the New Teen Titans comic, and the DC Animated Movie Universe.

Injustice

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Both Dick Grayson / Nightwing and Damian Wayne / Robin appears in Injustice, with Dick voiced by Derek Phillips and Damian by Zach Callison. As in the video game and its prequel comics, Robin joins Superman's side after accidentally killing Nightwing during the riot in Arkham Asylum. Nightwing's death in Arkham is also slightly different in that the escrima stick that hit him only disoriented him in the comics and he died from falling on a rock, while in the film, he dies from the stick hitting him in the temple and is killed on the spot. Also, Damian later revolts against Superman and the Regime, and reconciles with the deceased Nightwing and rejoins his father at the film's end. Also, as in the Year 3 of the comics, Nightwing becomes Deadman (dubbed Deadwing) after an encounter with Rama Kushna, but he does not replace Boston Brand.

Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse

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The Teen Titans Go! and the 1970s Challenge of the Superfriends animated series counterpart versions of Robin appear in the 2022 crossover film Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse, with both voiced by Scott Menville. In addition, the 1970s counterpart also appears at the end of the film.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths

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The Dick Grayson incarnation of Robin appears in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One, voiced by Zach Callison.[36]

Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League

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Damian Wayne / Robin appears in Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, voiced by Yuki Kaji in Japanese.[37]

Dynamic Duo (2028)

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In October 2024, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation greenlit the theatrical animated film Dynamic Duo, to be focused on the origin story of the Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, as orphans and the "Dynamic Duo". The film is being directed by Arthur Mintz, written by Matthew Aldrich, and co-produced alongside Matt Reeves's 6th & Idaho. Mintz's animation studio Swaybox provides the film's digital puppetry "Momo animation" technology, which combines computer animation with practical stop motion and live-action performances.[38][39] Dynamic Duo is the first animated film produced by DC Studios and the first new project to move forward at that studio following the announcement of its initial DC Universe (DCU) slate.[40][41] Mintz described the film as a "modest character-piece" while comparing the film's action sequences to those of The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). Dynamic Duo is scheduled to be released in early-to-mid-2028.[41]

Video games

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Lego Batman

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Main article: Lego Batman

Robin (Tim Drake) is a playable character in Lego Batman: The Videogame as well as both of its sequels, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes and Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. Charlie Schlatter voices Robin in the third title. The Robin from the Lego Batman series appears in Lego Dimensions, voiced by Scott Menville. He is kidnapped early in the game's narrative, forcing Batman to find and rescue him. The game also features the Lego Batman Movie version of Robin as a playable character, with bonus story chapters adapting his role in the events of the film; using this Robin in the Teen Titans Go! world transforms him into the version of the character from that series, reprised by Scott Menville.

Robin (Damian Wayne) is a playable character in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes and Lego DC Super-Villains.

Nightwing (Dick Grayson) Is a playable character in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes via the Hero Pack DLC.

Batman: Arkham

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Main article: Batman: Arkham

In Batman: Arkham City, Tim Drake as Robin, voiced by Troy Baker, appears briefly during the story and is fully playable during the Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC. Both Robin and Dick Grayson as Nightwing are playable in the game's challenge maps.[42] Dick Grayson appears as Robin in Batman: Arkham Origins' multiplayer mode, voiced by Josh Keaton, with the ability to unlock Tim Drake's costume from Arkham City.[43] In Batman: Arkham Knight, Tim Drake returns as Robin (voiced by Matthew Mercer)[44] and Dick Grayson returns as Nightwing (voiced by Scott Porter), while Jason Todd (voiced by Troy Baker) makes his debut as a new persona called the Arkham Knight, eventually transitioning into Red Hood. In the follow-up game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, set five years after Arkham Knight, the Suicide Squad find Tim Drake's mask in Batman's Metropolis hideout, resting in a puddle of blood, implying Tim might have been killed by a mind-controlled Batman.

In Batman: Arkham Shadow, set between the events of Arkham Origins and its multiplayer mode, Dick Grayson (voiced by Josh Keaton) makes a minor appearance as a masked follower of the Rat King who is briefly interrogated by Batman.[45] Later in-game dialogue reveals that Dick was a troubled youth who turned to crime alongside his friend Shrike after Dr. Leslie Thompkins' Youth Crisis Center ran out of funding. After the events of the game, Dick returns to the center and Thompkins advises Bruce Wayne, who took an interest in the boy, to visit him.

Injustice

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Dick Grayson as Nightwing appears in Injustice: Gods Among Us, voiced by Troy Baker. Damian Wayne, voiced by Neal McDonough, appears as a villainous version of Nightwing in the same game. Damian in his Robin and Nightwing personas later appeared as a playable character in the game's sequel, Injustice 2, voiced by Scott Porter.[46] Jason Todd as the Red Hood, voiced by Cameron Bowen, appears as a playable character in the game via downloadable content.

Other games

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The Teen Titans animated series version of Robin is a playable character in both the Game Boy Advance game and the console game adaptations; Scott Menville reprises his role from the TV series. Robin also appears as a playable character in video game adaptations of The Adventures of Batman and Robin and the films Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. The Tim Drake version of Robin, Dick Grayson as Nightwing, and Jason Todd as Red Hood are three of the four main playable characters in the 2022 video game, Gotham Knights.

The Scout in Team Fortress 2 has a set that resembles Dick Grayson's 1960s look.[47]

Toys

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Lego produced a Lego Batman line of licensed sets in 2006, and a second Lego Super Heroes line in 2012. The 7783-The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion set features the Tim Drake version of Robin in his classic costume with a mini speedboat, as well as the 2012 version 6860-The Batcave which features Tim Drake's Robin in his red and black costume. 7785-Arkham Asylum includes Nightwing and his motorcycle as well. Set 6857-The Dynamic Duo Funhouse Escape also features the newer red and black Robin figure. Lego has also released a Robin minifigure (also Tim Drake), based on his appearance from Batman: Arkham City.[citation needed] In 2014, the Damian Wayne incarnation was released in a new set.

Minifigures of Dick Grayson as both Robin and Nightwing have been released in various Super Heroes sets. His variations as Robin include appearances based on The New 52, Teen Titans, the 1966 Batman TV series and The Lego Batman Movie. His variations as Nightwing include appearances based on The New 52, DC Rebirth and The Lego Batman Movie.

Minifigures of Jason Todd, as both Robin and Red Hood, both in their New 52 variations, have also been released.

Radio

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During radio broadcasts of The Adventures of Superman radio drama Batman and Robin were paired with Superman over the years from September 15, 1945, to 1949. The pairing was pure novelty. The Batman and Robin appearances provided time off for Bud Collyer, the voice of Superman on radio. These episodes called for Superman to be occupied elsewhere and the crime fighting would be handled by Batman and Robin. On that series the voice of Robin was played by Ronald Liss.

Music video

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Eminem portrays Robin in his song "Without Me"; in the video, Robin and Blade (played by Dr. Dre) have to save a teenager from danger. Eminem portrays a number of other characters in this song.

References

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  4. ^ "Titans" Barbara Gordon (TV Episode 2021) - IMDb, retrieved March 22, 2022
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  10. ^ "Cartoonito Sets Voice Cast for 'Batwheels' and 'Naked Mole Rat' Rock Opera, Greenlights 'Tom and Jerry' Series as Preschool Block Launches". September 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "Vintage Magazine Article: "Cinefantastique" November 1989 (Volume 20 Number 1 & 2)".
  12. ^ "30 Things You Didn't Know About Tim Burton's Batman". May 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "'Batman': La historia de cómo Robin acabó en Urgencias en la serie original". February 16, 2017.
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  21. ^ Rabin, Nathan. "Marlon Wayans". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
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  24. ^ "Chris O'Donnell On Why His 'Robin' Spin-Off Never Happened". Access Hollywood. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
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  26. ^ Burke, Liam (2013). Batman. Intellect Books. p. 5.
  27. ^ 2018. Teen Titans Go!. Episode: "Kabooms."
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  30. ^ Ridgely, Charlie (July 30, 2018). "'Batman v Superman' Director Zack Snyder Confirms Identity of Robin in the Film". Comicbook.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
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  32. ^ Weiss, Josh (July 31, 2018). "Justice League director Zack Snyder seemingly reveals his unused plans for Robin in the DCEU". SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  33. ^ "So it turns out The Joker actually DID kill Robin before Suicide Squad". Ben Lee. August 11, 2016.
  34. ^ Slead, Evan (August 17, 2016). "Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar return for animated Batman movie". Entertainment Weekly.
  35. ^ Kit, Borys (July 16, 2015). "Michael Cera to Voice Robin in 'Lego Batman' (Exclusive)publisher=The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter.
  36. ^ Harvey, James (December 5, 2023). ""Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One" Release Date". The World's Finest. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
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  38. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 1, 2024). "The Robins' Origin Story Dynamic Duo In The Works With DC Studios, WBPA & 6th & Idaho; Movie To Be Made With Puppetry Animation". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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  45. ^ "Projection Room Rat". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 3, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  46. ^ "Injustice 2's newest trailer pits Robin v. Batman". Polygon. January 17, 2017.
  47. ^ "Sixties Sidekick on Team Fortress 2 Wiki".
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