Poll: Does Batman really need Robin?

[Grand_Marquis]

But what if he was good enough that he can contend with crime and Batman on a level that impresses the bat. I dunno. Just thinking along that line...

That would definitely be a solid argument for how the two might end up partnering. I'm just thinking from the origin point here. The way the story has always been told tended to strike me as unlikely. Moreso for the Nolan version of Batman. But then, Nolan's universe doesn't disallow the existence of Robin. It just suggests that Robin would probably end up autonomous - even if he idolized Batman. At least for a long while. It's a relationship that has no chance of grow prior to Robin proving himself behind a mask.

 

[Zeromaeus]

But what if he was good enough that he can contend with crime and Batman on a level that impresses the bat. I dunno. Just thinking along that line...

That would definitely be a solid argument for how the two might end up partnering. I'm just thinking from the origin point here. The way the story has always been told tended to strike me as unlikely. Moreso for the Nolan version of Batman. But then, Nolan's universe doesn't disallow the existence of Robin. It just suggests that Robin would probably end up autonomous - even if he idolized Batman. At least for a long while. It's a relationship that has no chance of grow prior to Robin proving himself behind a mask.

The movies aren't exactly by the book. Why start now? Make it fit to the story being told, not the story that has been told.

 

[RelexCryo]

Movie Bob said something during his review of The Losers that made me cringe: he actually proposed that the current Batman movie series should have Robin. I don't think that Batman needs Robin. Robin makes him less dark and brooding. Robin makes Batman family friendly. Batman is crazy, determined, and kinda sadistic. Robin waters him down, makes him less awesome. Do you want Batman to have Robin? Would you still watch the current Batman movies if they introduced Robin? No flaming, no trolling, just polite debate. Go.

There is a site that catelogues several of the many, many double entendre's implying homosexuality between Batman and Robin, but I cannot in good conscience post a link to it, as several of the ads on the site give viruses and other problems these days.

Superdickery?

Yep, that is the one.

 

[Citrus]

Sometimes I lie awake at night wondering why anybody thought Robin was a good idea in the first place. He ruins every Batman story he's in for me.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

If Robin is done right, then hell yes!

Question to OP, have you ever read the comics much? Because he's certainly not there to make things family friendly.

Plus Dick became one of my favorite DC heroes, Nightwing. So if it led to eventual movie potential for Nightwing, then HELl to the YEAH!

I have a feeling you and I could become good friends (nice avatar, by the way)

if they were to continue in the direction they are going, they'd use Jason Todd Robin if they were to have a Robin...

but I still think they could pull off Dick Grayson (maybe skipping his short-short days and going right into Nightwing)

Thanks, figured you might like this avatar even more

This makes me want to see a Nightwing film!

 

[SextusMaximus]

I think Robin should be added, but he's turned Emo, so batman has to impale him with a screwdriver...

*BOOS*

...Maybe not then?

 

[MinishArcticFox]

I think Batman needs Robin because without Robin Batman is basically heading straight for psychosville. Yes, Robin does have a calming effect on him, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Also, in terms of narrative thread, the existence of a Robin allows for Batman to be a father, but a better father than his own (remember the speech Ra's Al Ghul gave him in the first movie about his father being weak and pathetic. Batman wouldn't be weak and pathetic with Robin around.)

Also, I think if you love a hero who is crazy and kinda sadistic, you might have a problem with the sort of people you're worshipping. It's like Rorsarch's fanbase. Alan Moore created him as the worst superhero ever, and was appalled when people said he might have the right idea. To idealise the traits which make the heroes closer to the enemies they fight is missing the point of the hero itself.

Robin does not make Batman family friendly either, if you want evidence of that just read 'Dark Victory' wherein Robin's inclusion actually serves to make the story darker, because now the ethics of Batman taking in a young boy are called in question, and Robin's backstory (or at least, Dick Grayson's backstory) is just as tragic and pointless as Batman's own. It's one of the reasons Dick Grayson was portrayed the way he was, because he needed that symmetry with his mentor.

Furthermore, Given that the first two movies have basically collected and reinterpreted Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween, if they wanted to remain true to this continuity, the next comic book is Batman: Dark Victory, and the introduction of Robin. Also from this movie's continuity, don't you think the choice of introducing a child character right after the love interest would have a great significance? My one love is dead, my parents are dead, basically, if Batman didn't latch on to any family figures, I would discount him as no longer being a hero worthy of my respect, rather than losing respect if he were to acquire a ward.

Besides, I think Tim Drake is the cooler Robin, but that would just be silly.

I agree with you Robin does make him more human but I think they have done a good job of making him look human without Robin (ie his affection for Rachael Alfred and Gordon). I personally don't like Robin just because of the early 2000's cartoons Robin left a bad taste in my mouth. But if they could pass it off as a master apprentice kind of thing (similar to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn in Phantom Menace) and Robin maybe eventually replaces Batman (since Alfred was telling him to ease up) and then maybe end the film in tradgedy.

Overall I agree with you if handled well he could add a lot to Batman but I'm not sure that it couldn't be done in other ways and I dislike Robin to begin with (with the exception of the Teen Titans Robin).

 

[ERadical]

IF there is a Robin then he should be played by Eminem..

 

[Blindswordmaster]

Does Ken need Barbie?

No, he and black Ken are perfectly happy humping each other all night long. .....I'm not the only one who realized that Ken is gay, right? Really? Wow......

 

[Seriin]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but if you look at the movies alone just as the movies, I think they'd have to add either a sidekick of one hell of a villain because Bale's Batman can't carry a movie on his own. He tried in Batman Begins but had to be heavily supported by Alfred and Lucius, they made it much more interesting. Villains were bad this time around, but it is forgivable, this one was about Batman's origins.

In Dark Knight, Alfred and Lucius were toned down but Gordon was given more screen time. Then you've got Dent/Two-Face who was a major part of the plot direction, and the Joker who was not only a fan fav but also was the overseer of the whole show. They killed Dent (real shitty job too), and Joker wont quite be the same with Ledger dead, so they'll need a new crop of villains to keep things entertaining. Regardless, with all this extra support just hammered down how boring Batman is on his own. And with Bruce Wayne getting more insane as the series goes on its about time they give him an anchor, they can't use Rachel anymore either.

All in all, a Robin will help, especially Dick Grayson. Bruce Wayne takes in Grayson as a chance to redo his own life vicariously. Dick's parents were both murdered, like Wayne's, and this creates a lot of frustration which if not properly guided will ultimately lead to making another villain for Batman to have to fight. This is also a good time to show the gangsters again, as Nolan seems to love them. They kill Grayson's parents and then we can move on to something other than cleaning up the town that the last two have been about.

What this does to the movie franchise is brings it back full circle to the beginning of Batman Begins, but also kind of makes it into the same movie. Except, that at the end of Dark Knight, Batman makes himself out to be the anti-hero so they could add Robin as a way to redeem Batman in the eyes of the population of Gotham. It also shows how Batman has matured over the years and still lets the primary theme of the trilogy be revenge. 1st time was Batman's, 2nd time was Dent's. 3rd one can be about Robin's struggle to get revenge while Batman is trying to keep Grayson sane unlike himself. Again, they have screwed a few things up by having Barbara Gordon shown as a little kid because she was Bat-Girl at the same time Grayson was Robin. Unless they have a new Barb Gordon show up who was at boarding school the last two movies or something.

Who knows really. Robin is a great character if done right, but hasn't been done right on screen and most people still have the 60's version in their head. Burton was able to change people's mind (general population, not comic book fans) about Batman but when Forever and Batman&Robin destroyed that series they did so without making Robin cool.


tl:dr - didn't miss much. Robin can work, movies need "something" cause Batman can't carry a movie.

 

[Queen Michael]

I think Robin would make a great addition to the movies. He's an interesting character, and Nolan's take on him would be really interesting to see.

Also, not to be rude, but you have one "Never!" option and one "NOOOOOO" option. They mean roughly the same thing; why not just have one? And how could "Tacos!" possibly add anything to the discussion?

 

[Caliostro]

Does a shoe need a shit on it's bottom? No, it does not.

 

[Darkwolf9]

I can't see any good way to write him in. How do you fit a character named "Robin" into the dark and gritty Batman's been going lately?

If you get the time, pick up all star Batman by Frank Miller and then tell me there is no room for Robin in a dark gritty Batman movie.

 

[Blindswordmaster]

I think Robin would make a great addition to the movies. He's an interesting character, and Nolan's take on him would be really interesting to see.

Also, not to be rude, but you have one "Never!" option and one "NOOOOOO" option. They mean roughly the same thing; why not just have one? And how could "Tacos!" possibly add anything to the discussion?

Nooooooo is in lamentation, while Never! is in anger.
I added Tacos because sometimes you just have to let the internet be the internet. Sometimes you try to stop the train, and sometimes you just grab a beer and watch the carnage.

 

[Blindswordmaster]

Does Ken need Barbie?

No, he and black Ken are perfectly happy humping each other all night long. .....I'm not the only one who realized that Ken is gay, right? Really? Wow......

He is whatever you need him to be

You motherfu...well, turnabout is fair play. Well played sir.

 

[kahlzun]

Robin helps keep Batman sane.

Surrounded on all sides by pathetic flunkies who suck up to his every demand, a sycophantic butler who spinelessly supports his crazy endeavors, and a massive company controlled by Morgan Freeman.. uh, I mean a guy who funds his insanity.

He needs someone around who has his feet on the ground, as anyone who has been a little crazy (depression, mania, panic,paranoia etc etc) without anyone around to 'ground' you back to normality can vouch for: craziness breeds without sane people around.

Cartoon and previous movie Robin were kinda wimpy and fail though.

I can't imagine what a dark and gritty Robin would be like, but then again I couldn't imagine a dark and gritty Joker or Two-Face, and they did that marvelously. I'm reserving judgement, but being hopeful.

 

[Jenkins]

we all know Robin is Batmans sexual release, looking at the earlier comics there is a bit too much homo-eroticism between those two...

 

[iLikeHippos]

Robin's a mere sidekick. Sidekicks can be spared when they have never been introduced.

 

[Blackvegie]

I think that Robin would provide a foil character. Someone who can contrast against Batman and make him even more dark and brooding than before. With this logic, the addition of Robin could provide another layer of depth or if mishandled, create a terrible third film.