Do n’t get me wrong — I love Damian Wayne asRobin . But compare to his predecessors , he ’s held the blanket longer than most , and at this point in time , his character feels dead . Every Robin before him had a clear-cut trajectory , evolving beyond the role and stepping into something keen . Damian merit that same chance — and it ’s long past time DC gave it to him .
With Batman and Robin at betting odds and Damian contemplating a new direction , it seems a likely switching in the Mickey Mantle could be just around the turning point .
Damian Wayne technically made his first appearance as a babe inBatman : Son of the Demon(1987 ) by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham , but his lawful introduction as a fiber did n’t come untilBatman#655 ( 2006 ) by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert . Even then , he did n’t officially take up the Robin mantle untilBatman and Robin#1 ( 2009 ) , also by Morrison , alongside Frank Quitely .
That meansDamian has been Robin for about 16 years in real sentence and roughly 4–5 years in - universe — an unusually retentive term of office compared to most of his predecessor . Hence , it ’s well past the prison term Batman starts looking for his next son or Girl Wonder .
How Long Has Each Bat-Kid Held the Robin Mantel?
Main Cover by Baldemar Rivas forRobins#6 (2022)
Barring the exception of the original Boy Wonder , Dick Grayson , who held the Robin mantle for 44 years — first come along inDetective Comics#38 ( 1940 ) and formally becoming Nightwing inTales of the Teen Titans#44 ( 1984)—Damian Wayne has the long ongoing streak as Robin . Dick ’s 44 geezerhood as Robin in existent - clip translates to an impressive 10–12 years in - universe . In compare , Jason Todd , the 2nd Robin , who the Joker tragically slay , was only Robin for 5 year in real time and about 2 years in - universe . Jason ’s first appearance as Robin was inBatman#366 ( 1983 ) , and his last inBatman#428 ( 1988 ) during theA Death in the Familystoryline .
Tim Drake is a piece of a special case , as his clock time as Robin has been on and off over the years . Currently , he shares the mantle with Damian in mainstream persistence . However , his longest and most recognized stop as the third Boy Wonder last from his first appearance as Robin inBatman#442 ( 1989 ) through to his replacement by Stephanie Brown inRobin#126 ( 2004 ) . Stephanie ’s time as Robin was incredibly abbreviated — just three payoff , ending inRobin#128 ( 2004)—so while Tim was Robin for around 15 age in real - clip and 4 - 5 twelvemonth in - existence , Stephanie ’s stint lasted only weeks , both in actual - time and in - universe .
Dick Grayson may have been the original male child Wonder to fight along Batman ’s side , but he was by far the last to wear the Robin name and pyxie boots .
Why Damian Wayne Needs to Be Replaced as Robin
Main Cover by Baldemar Rivas forRobins#5 (2022)
Given the time each type drop under the mantelpiece before moving on to novel identities or paths , it ’s light that it ’s well preceding time for Damian to do the same . Beyond his comparatively foresighted time as Robin , there ’s also the narrative argument that Damian ’s role as Batman ’s main Robin has grown repetitious . There are only so many stories that can be told with him in this electrical capacity before things start to feel stale . Moving on from Robin give up new possibilities , but it also conjure the important question : who will take up the mantle next ?
While DC ’s slip timescale rarify the issue of Bruce having too many sidekicks in too short a fourth dimension , Robin is a polar fibre in DC ’s narration . Hence , it pee-pee sense that a replacement for Damian would be needed . This question of who will be the next Robin also brings an exciting and unexplored angle for Damian ’s grapheme — how he will deal being interchange . As Robin fan love , Dick , Jason , and Tim did n’t take being supercede well , peculiarly the latter two . However , their reactions to being replace were cardinal character arcs that led to significant development . Therefore , it feels only instinctive that Damian should go through this ritual of passage , as it would not only create a compelling plot line but also lead to substantial lineament development .
After 15 old age , Damian Wayne has not only chosen his heir but also redefine the Robin bequest in a way no one before him ever has .
Fans Could Be Getting a New Robin Sooner Than Expected
Cover B Ariel Olivetti Variant forBatman and Robin#18 (2025)
For those observe Phillip Kennedy Johnson , Javier Fernández , and Miguel Mendonca’sBatman and Robinrun , it ’s exculpated there ’s difficulty in paradise for the Dynamic Duo . Bruce and Damian have been clash , specially as Damian begins to doubt his part as Robin . However , it ’s not just his position as Robin that Damian is questioning — he ’s also start up to reconsider vigilantism as a whole . As he explore an pursuit in the aesculapian theatre , much like his former granddaddy , Thomas Wayne , Damian is moot a dissimilar path . WithBatmanandRobinat betting odds and Damian contemplating a new commission , it seems a potential shift in the mantelpiece could be just around the corner .
