The Robin Files

The Duo

When I'm out there, cape and mask on, I feel free. The weight of the world is lifted off my shoulders for a short while. Being a hero... well, it makes me happy. I just wish everyone would stop treating me as if I were some child that couldn't take anything seriously. It really grinds my gears when adults talk scornfully of how wrong a child protecting Gotham is.

Just a few weeks after I had officially made the Gotham vigilante part of a dynamic duo, the press began publishing article after article about what a terrible parent Batman must be to train his kid to fight and force him to help save the city. I never could get through reading one of those papers without ripping it up.

Here's a bit from reporter Sergius Hannigan:

"In a scandalous disregard for his own son's safety, the Batman dragged his son with him on the recent raid of Gotham's Ox Club, in order to terrorize Zucco, its longtime manager. Forcing his own flesh and blood to fight his battles for him, the Batman's son chased Zucco onto the roof of the club, before beating him to death with a baseball bat."

Oh, and my favorite part is when they call me 'brainwashed' and speculate that I'm the child of Catwoman. A criminal!

Meanwhile, the public was eating this story up. Not even considering for a second that I might not be the Caped Crusader's biological son. To Bruce's relief, no one connected my adoption to Robin's sudden and unannounced appearance.

Commissioner Gordon didn't appreciate me either. One night, arriving with Batman at the signal over the GPD building, he made this clear. Although he said he was trying to keep an open mind, he would watch me while Bruce told him the information we'd discovered.

I had Drury Walker (A.K.A Killer Moth) wriggling, trapped in my line, and Bruce was still speaking with Gordon. From my spot in the shadows, I saw both men turn to look at me, so I dragged Walker into the rooftop light. I watched Gordon's face drop into deeper disappointment, although his face tightens as he tries to hide it.

Gordon turns to Batman and tells him, "You and I, we're going to have a talk soon... about family."

Batman has told me before that these talks involved a lot of strained voices and looks, and lots of disagreeing shouts. You know I saved his life during my first couple months? I was totally feeling the aster... until he told me I'm too young to be risking my life like this.

I like being Robin. I need it. For the same reason Bruce just had to put on a mask, both figuratively and literally, I needed my own. It was helping me get through tough times, just as it did for him.

Gotham's kids look up to me. They see me, admire me for doing what's right, and their parents spoil it with their judgmental thoughts. I, opposed to the dark, mysterious, and oh-so terrifying Batman, represent faith in restoring the city, the joy and happiness of having someone to count on when you really need it.

But sometimes, it's weird going to school and hearing everyone talking about how great you are when you aren't yourself. And then you can't find a spot to sit at during lunch. Then you get tripped walking into class...

My point is, as a hero, you get a sort of confidence boost you never would have gotten somewhere different. You will certainly meet trouble, but that's how you know you are part of something more than yourself. Sure, that bully is kind of mean at school, but remember when you knocked out Mr. Freeze? Or bopped Joker right on the nose with a staff? Now you can say you're better than the bully. When he/she becomes a villain, you'll be there to stop him/her.

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-ImThatAlien2