History ComicBook / Robin

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' set on Earth-16. In this universe, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake are all known to be or have been Robin, while Stephanie Brown cameoed in one episode and later became Spoiler. The show has been praised for returning the relationship between Dick and Batman to its roots-- in other words, they get along. Dick becoming Nightwing here is not because he and Bruce can't see eye to eye, but simply because he's grown up. Jason Todd was revealed to have died in between seasons one and two, while Tim was a supporting character in season two. Another notable thing the show did was give all three Robins unique costumes easy to tell apart. This is the first [=TV=] series to acknowledge the existence of all of the first four Robins. Dick is voiced by Music/JesseMcCartney, while Tim is voiced by Cameron Bowen. Stephanie is voiced by Creator/MaeWhitman.

For Tim Drake's solo Robin title see ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}''. For Damian Wayne's see ''ComicBook/RobinSonOfBatman''.

In the ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' relaunch, Tim Drake's original backstory was restored including his time as Robin before becoming Red Robin and began dating Stephanie Brown a.k.a ''Spoiler'' until he apparently was killed in the line of duty. However, he returns and becomes a more active member of the Bat-Family. He then starred in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice2019'', where he was using the Robin moniker again, before changing his superhero identity to Drake, inspired by an EvilCounterpart from Earth-3, in issue 10 of the series. After it ended, he would return to using Robin and Red Robin, with the specific name employed alternating randomly. According to solicitations, Tim Drake will be [[AdaptationalSexuality retconned as a closeted-Bisexual]] in a coming storyline.

Steph is unique among the Robins in several ways, being the one with the shortest term, the only (canonical) female, the only one to begin as a co-star in another book series, the only blonde, and the only Robin to never be adopted into the Wayne family. All of these traits, along with her later FunPersonified characterisation and [[CreatorsPest the perceived]] [[StuffedIntoTheFridge editorial slights]] [[CharacterDerailment against her]], have made Stephanie something of [[EnsembleDarkhorse a "cult" Robin]]. On the other hand, some -- even if they enjoy her character -- consider her run as Robin too short and too obviously a publicity stunt to really count her for the role. Overall, Steph can count herself as one of the more controversial Robins, both in-universe and out.

In the ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' relaunch, Tim Drake's original backstory was restored including his time as Robin before becoming Red Robin and began dating Stephanie Brown a.k.a ''Spoiler'' before he apparently died in the line of duty. However, he returns and becomes a more active member of the Bat-Family. He then starred in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice2019'', where he was using the Robin moniker again, before changing his superhero identity to Drake, inspired by an EvilCounterpart from Earth-3, in issue 10 of the series. After it ended, he would return to using Robin and Red Robin, with the specific name employed alternating randomly. According to future solicitations, Tim Drake will be [[AdaptationalSexuality retconned as a closeted-Bisexual]] in a coming storyline.

In the ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' relaunch, Tim Drake's original backstory was restored including his time as Robin before becoming Red Robin and began dating Stephanie Brown a.k.a ''Spoiler'' before he apparently died in the line of duty. However, he returns and becomes a more active member of the Bat-Family. He then starred in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice2019'', where he was using the Robin moniker again, before changing his superhero identity to Drake, inspired by an EvilCounterpart from Earth-3, in issue 10 of the series. After it ended, he would return to using Robin and Red Robin, with the specific name employed alternating randomly.

As part of an AuthorsSavingThrow, in 2009 Stephanie was retconned to have faked her death and gone [[HesJustHiding into hiding]]. She then returned to Gotham and took the role of ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2009}}. Following the ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' storyline in 2011 and DC's relaunch, Stephanie's time as Batgirl was wrapped up with ''Batman: Leviathan Strikes'' and a two issue ComicBook/Convergence tie-in.\\\

In the ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' relaunch, Tim Drake's original backstory was restored including his time as Robin before becoming Red Robin and began dating Stephanie Brown a.k.a ''Spoiler'' before he apparently died in the line of duty. However, he returns and becomes a more active member of the Bat-Family. He then starred in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice2019'', where he was using the Robin moniker again, before changing his superhero identity to Drake, inspired by an EvilCounterpart from Earth-3, in issue 10 os the series. After it ended, he would return to using Robin and Red Robin, with the specific name employed alternating randomly.

Following the New 52, [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome Stephanie's status was unclear]], with numerous writers requesting and being denied even ''mentioning'' her. Eventually, Scott Snyder was allowed to use her in one of his ''Batman'' issues, which served as a preview of his ''Batman Eternal'' series, in which Steph plays a key role in the story. Still the daughter of Cluemaster, she accidentally stumbles in on a supervillain meeting, led by her father, which leads to him trying to kill her. She eventually takes the mantle of Spoiler, joins the Bat-family and starts a relationship with Tim. She next appeared as a main character in the initial arcs of ComicBook/DetectiveComicsRebirth. Her previous status as Batgirl and Robin is revealed to her during the finale of said series, and a later cameo in ComicBook/HeroesinCrisis implies that she has embraced this past and considers herself a Robin [[note]]Although the fact that the mini-series' writer, Creator/TomKing, is not known for following continuity and that she has only otherwise been acknowledged as a Robin in a one-shot deliberately written to only loosely follow continuity makes this an AmbiguousSituation[[/note]]. Following DC's [[ComicBook/DCInfiniteFrontier Infinite Frontier relaunch]], Stephanie is set up to once again be Batgirl - this time, as part of a team alongside Cassandra Caine and Barbara Gordon. She also briefly takes on the role of Robin to Damian Wayne's Batman in a tie-in to the AlternateContinuity ComicBook/DCeased.\\\

As part ofDC Rebirth, after Tim Drake's "death", Damian started his own team of Teen Titans. While he insisted that he was fit for the role like Dick and Tim before him, he found it difficult to lead the team. He often butted heads with teammates and had to learn to become an actual friend to the team, rather than just their field leader. Not too long after, Damian would meet Jonathan Samuel Kent, the son of Superman and Lois Lane. Despite their intense differences, the two formed a superhero team -- the ComicBook/SuperSons. Damian would come to consider Jon his best friend, even fighting with his fellow Titans in order to protect Jon.\\\

[[folder:Jason Todd - Robin II, Red Robin II, '''Red Hood II''', Jason Todd]]

As part ofDC Rebirth, after Tim Drake's "death", Damian started his own team of Teen Titans. While he insisted that he was fit for the role like Dick and Tim before him, he found it difficult to lead the team. He often butted heads with teammates and had to learn to become an actual friend to the team, rather than just their field leader. Not too long after, Damian would meet Jonathan Samuel Kent, the son of Superman and Lois Lane. Despite their intense differences, the two formed a superhero team -- the ComicBook/SuperSons. Damian would come to consider Jon his best friend, even fighting with his fellow Titans in order to protect Jon.\\\\

The 1987 story ''Batman: Son of the Demon'' concluded with the birth of a boy to Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul ([[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter daughter of Batman foe Ra's Al Ghul]]). The canonicity of the tale was questionable. In 2006, the existence of the son was confirmed. He was named Damian and had grown up to late childhood. Whether he is a result of mutual intercourse, a ChildByRape, or a DesignerBaby created from Batman's genes is left ambiguous and [[ArmedWithCanon many sources outright contradict each other.]] Damian was raised by his mother in the League of Assassins, and, according to recent comics, was put through an initiation ritual known as the "Year of Blood" that involved 365 days of desecration, robbery, and slaughter. After Bruce Wayne "died" and Tim Drake permanently retired as Robin in 2009, Dick Grayson and Damian served as the new Batman and Robin respectively. In the new 52, Damian served as Robin beside his father. Damian was killed in early 2013 while doing battle with The Heretic, an accelerated growth clone of himself. However, in due time, Damian was resurrected and returned to his role as Robin (gaining superpowers for a brief time). He briefly appeared in ''ComicBook/GothamAcademy'', going undercover as a student while figuring out the connection between the eponymous academy and [[BedlamHouse Arkham Asylum]]. He then went off to atone for his past independently in his own series ''ComicBook/RobinSonOfBatman''. It was in this series that the Year of Blood was established as part of his past.

After Tim Drake's "death", Damian started his own team of Teen Titans. While he insisted that he was fit for the role like Dick and Tim before him, he found it difficult to lead the team. He often butted heads with teammates and eventually began showing his darker side as he imprisoned villains without trial. Around this time, Dick would be shot in the head and become amnesiac, forgetting his time as a superhero and thus his bond with Damian. Damian would also witness the death of Alfred in Bane's attempts to break his father. Finally, after his actions in the Teen Titans came to light and his father demanded he return home, Damian quit his team and his partnership role with Batman. He returned to his mother, learning of the League of Lazarus Tournament, and began his own investigation into it, separate from the legacies he'd been a part of for so long.

In the ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' relaunch, Tim Drake's original backstory was restored including his time as Robin before becoming Red Robin and began dating Stephanie Brown a.k.a ''Spoiler'' before he apparently died in the line of duty. However, he returns and becomes a more active member of the Bat-Family. As of ''ComicBook/YoungJustice2019'' #10, he changed his superhero identity to Drake, inspired by an EvilCounterpart from Earth-3. In 2020, at the end of the comic's run, he returned to the Robin alias just as the current Robin; Damian Wayne, decided to step down from the role.

[[folder:Stephanie Brown - Robin IV, Spoiler, Batgirl III]]

[[folder:Robin I, '''Nightwing''', Dick Grayson]]

[[folder:Robin II, '''Red Hood''', Jason Todd]]

[[folder:Robin III, Red Robin, '''Drake''', Tim Drake]]

[[folder:Robin IV, '''Spoiler''', Stephanie Brown]]

[[folder:'''Robin V''', Damian Wayne]]

* Tim Drake's Robin was the the first to get his own ongoing with ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}'' and, after Dick took the name from him, continued to carry his own book with his new name ''Red Robin''.
* Stephanie Brown had her own title after earning the right to become the third Batgirl in ''ComicBook/Batgirl2009''.
* Following ''ComicBook/ForeverEvil'' Dick got a new series titled ''ComicBook/{{Grayson}}'', with the character as a SecretAgent of [[ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman Spyral]] alongside another famous FakingTheDead character: [[ComicBook/{{Huntress}} Helena Bertinelli]].

* '''WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedMovieUniverse:''' ''WesternAnimation/SonOfBatman'' | ''WesternAnimation/BatmanVsRobin'' | ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBadBlood'' | ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueVsTeenTitans'' (guest)| ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansTheJudasContract''.

* DistressedDude / BadassInDistress: Can't forget your roots now can we?
* DistressedDamsel: For Stephanie and Carrie.

In 2003, Tim Drake retired as Robin to pursue an ordinary life. Batman picked Tim's supporting character and LoveInterest Stephanie Brown, the daughter of the minor villain Cluemaster who had adopted the heroic identity of Spoiler, to become the new Robin. Stephanie's tenure as Robin was rife with controversy. She only appeared as Robin in seven issues over three different ongoings, and it was insinuated that her promotion was a failed BatmanGambit (by the TropeNamer himself no less) to anger Tim Drake into returning as Robin. Stephanie was fired from the role for disobeying Batman's orders (a move that ''saved his life'') and then was [[DroppedABridgeOnHim unceremoniously killed off]] in 2004 during a BatFamilyCrossover. It was later revealed through WordOfGod that Stephanie's role as Robin was never meant to be permanent and was only meant to make her death more dramatic and shocking. This has since been cited as a textbook case of StuffedIntoTheFridge, especially considering her ForgottenFallenFriend status among the Bat-family afterwards (unlike Jason Todd, she did not even receive a Batcave memorial). Her death also housed the even more controversial implication that Batman both [[SuperDickery failed to get her the medical attention needed to save her life]] and [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic did not give her the same training and information he gave other Robins]].///

As part of an AuthorsSavingThrow, in 2009 Stephanie was retconned to have faked her death and gone [[HesJustHiding into hiding]]. She then returned to Gotham and took the role of ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2009}}. Following the ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' storyline in 2011 and DC's relaunch, Stephanie's time as Batgirl was wrapped up with ''Batman: Leviathan Strikes'' and a ComicBook/Convergence tie-in.///

Following the New 52, [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome Stephanie's status was unclear]], with numerous writers requesting and being denied even ''mentioning'' her. Eventually, Scott Snyder was allowed to use her in one of his ''Batman'' issues, which served as a preview of his ''Batman Eternal'' series, in which Steph plays a key role in the story. Still the daughter of Cluemaster, she accidentally stumbles in on a supervillain meeting of sorts, led by her father, which leads to him trying to kill her. She eventually takes the mantle of Spoiler, joins the Bat-family and starts a relationship with Tim. She next appeared as a main character in the initial arcs of ComicBook/DetectiveComicsRebirth. Her previous status as Batgirl and Robin is revealed to her during the finale of said series, and a later cameo in ComicBook/HeroesinCrisis implies that she has embraced this past and considers herself a Robin [[note]]Although the fact that the mini-series' writer, Creator/TomKing, is not known for following continuity and that she has only otherwise been acknowledged as a Robin in a one-shot deliberately written to only loosely follow continuity makes this an AmbiguousSituation[[/note]]. Following DC's [[ComicBook/DCInfiniteFrontier Infinite Frontier relaunch]], Stephanie is set up to once again be Batgirl - this time, as part of a team alongside Cassandra Caine and Barbara Gordon. She also briefly takes on the role of Robin to Damian Wayne's Batman in a tie-in to the AlternateContinuity ComicBook/DCeased.\\\

Steph is unique among the Robins in several ways, being the one with the shortest term, the only (canonical) female, the only one to begin as a co-star in another book series, the only blonde, and the only Robin to never be adopted into the Wayne family. All of these traits, along with her later FunPersonified characterisation and [[CreatorsPest the perceived editorial slights]] against her, have made Stephanie something of [[EnsembleDarkhorse a "cult" Robin]]. On the other hand, some -- even if they enjoy her character -- consider her run as Robin too short and too obviously a publicity stunt to really count her for the role. Overall, Steph can count herself as one of the more controversial Robins, both in-universe and out.

The most famous Robin is the original, Dick Grayson, who held the identity from 1940 to 1984. Grayson, however, gave up the name to forge a new career as the hero ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}. Since then, the mantle has been passed several times, although [[LiveActionAdaptation other]] [[AnimatedAdaptation media]] usually use Dick Grayson in the role.

Dick Grayson had his own solo feature in ''Star-Spangled Comics'' from 1947 to 1952, and an additional feature billed as "Robin, the Teen Wonder" throughout most of the 1970s, usually as a backup in ''Batman'' or ''Detective Comics''. The latter stories typically featured Grayson as a college student at Hudson University. He has also been a staple member of the ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' since the group's inception in 1965, typically acting as [[TheLeader team leader]] and TheSmartGuy. It was in this series that the character really grew into his own, especially when the book was retooled as ''The New Teen Titans'' with the inclusion of four new [[KidHero teen heroes]] who were not conceived as sidekicks to adult heroes (although Beast Boy was a {{Transplant}} from [[ComicBook/DoomPatrol another series]]). It was in the pages of ''The New Teen Titans'' that Nightwing was originally born.

It's worth noting that Dick Grayson was Robin from 1940 to 1983-- 43 years, by far the longest tenure. Jason was Robin from 1983 to 1988 (5 years, with a reboot in the middle), Tim from 1989 to 2009 (20 years), Stephanie for one story arc, and Damian from 2009 to 2013 and from 2015 onwards (five years). The Golden Age Robin of Earth-2, who stuck to that identity long after he passed into adulthood and middle age, died alongside his partner the ComicBook/{{Huntress}} at the end of the ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'' event which rebooted the DC universe.

After Dick Grayson, a new character named Jason Todd was introduced as a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute (right down to origins as an orphaned circus acrobat). He acted nigh-indistinguishable in such stories as "ComicBook/ForTheManWhoHasEverything", where he's instrumental in saving the day and Franchise/{{Superman}}, Batman and Franchise/WonderWoman's lives. In the AlternateContinuity series ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' where an aged Batman comes out of retirement, he's long since died. When Batman decides to keep Carrie Kelley (see below) as Robin, Alfred objects because of [[NoodleIncident what happened to Jason]]. Batman says that Jason was a "good soldier", but the war continues.

After ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', Jason was {{Retcon}}ned to be a [[DarkerAndEdgier former teen delinquent]] to distinguish him from Dick Grayson. This version was [[ReplacementScrappy unpopular]] with those who had grown up with Dick Grayson (including his writers-- when editorial wanted suggestions for a character that could be killed in an [=AIDS=] storyline, Jim Starlin put his name in), so he was KilledOffForReal by the Joker in the infamous ''ComicBook/ADeathInTheFamily'' storyline in 1988. This death was significant in a number of ways: first, whether he would live or die was put to a readership vote (via a hotline number: 5,271 votes for him to live, 5,343 votes for him to die). Second, just like ''ComicBook/TheNightGwenStacyDied'', this was a tragic event which codified UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks. Third, this would top the Clown Prince of Crime's list of most heinous acts (following the shooting of ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} by only a couple of months) and cement his status as one of the most despicable villains in comics' history. (And as a bonus, [[AlasPoorScrappy some people thought his death was... a bit TOO mean.]])

For a time, the most famous thing about Jason Todd was that he (like his ComicBook/CaptainAmerica counterpart ComicBook/BuckyBarnes), had [[DeathIsCheap remained dead]]. For years, Batman kept a poignant memorial with his [[TragicKeepsake empty costume]] in the Batcave ([[MythologyGag directly lifted from]] ''The Dark Knight Returns''). Since then, however, he has come BackFromTheDead and has re-adopted several identities which were once used by other characters: the Red Hood (originally used by the Joker), Red Robin and Nightwing (both originally used by Dick Grayson). Since his return, Jason Todd has become even more of an AntiHero than ever and is even sometimes cast as a villain for both Batman and Nightwing, standing in opposition to their ThouShaltNotKill ideology.

He's gained a new fanbase since his resurrection, both for being the one who will do what Batman won't and for being a general bad boy.

In the ''ComicBook/New52'' reboot, he was [[AdaptationalHeroism restablished]] as a snarky and pragmatic AntiHero and an aloof ally of the Bat-Family and would often team up with Roy Harper a.k.a ''Red Arrow''.

Jason's also notable for his part in what is considered a monumental achievement of [=DC=] animation: ''WesternAnimation/BatmanUnderTheRedHood''. Written by Creator/JuddWinick, who originally pitched and wrote Jason's resurrection in the comics, he took the movie as an opportunity to revise and vastly improve on the original story, tightening up the plot and, most notably, changing the method of Jason's resurrection from a gimmicky tie-in to an event crossover to the Lazarus Pit, a well-established element of the Batman mythos. Even those who want their hotline money back would rather consider it canon.

The third Robin was Tim Drake, who broke the mold of the previous two in several ways; he was not an orphan (his father was still alive when he took the mantle); he was not as light-hearted or whimsical as either of his predecessors; being Robin was [[WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld only a part-time thing]] and he only saw it as a temporary necessity, planning to go back to his normal life after he put in his service. He was also the first Robin to maintain a long-lasting solo series (lasting from 1993 to 2009) and, after Dick Grayson, is the second-most famous person to hold the role. Tim was also a founding member of ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'', along with Superboy and Impulse, where he played a similar role that Dick Grayson had played within the Titans.

Tim's status quo was changed forever in 2004, after the death of his father, whereupon Batman adopted Tim as he had done with his predecessors. The tragedy continued with the seeming death of his girlfriend Stephanie Brown (on this very list as Robin IV), the death of his best friends [[ComicBook/{{Superboy}} Conner Kent]] and [[Franchise/TheFlash Bart Allen]], the institutionalization (and THEN death) of his stepmother, and ultimately the death of Franchise/{{Batman}} himself. Following this TraumaCongaLine, Tim was forcibly retired as Robin and became the third Red Robin.

Following the New 52 reboot, Tim still leads the Titans and was still Jason's successor as Batman's ward, but he never actually used the Robin name, having used the Red Robin name for his entire career. On top of that, his parents are still alive and he's no longer actually called "Tim Drake" either, as Batman gave him this name after his parents were placed into Witness Protection following Tim stealing a large sum of money from the Penguin.

In 2003, Tim Drake retired as Robin to pursue an ordinary life. Batman picked Tim's supporting character and LoveInterest Stephanie Brown, the daughter of the minor villain Cluemaster who had adopted the heroic identity of Spoiler, to become the new Robin. Stephanie's tenure as Robin was rife with controversy, including the insinuation that her promotion was a failed BatmanGambit (by the TropeNamer himself no less) to anger Tim Drake into returning as Robin. Stephanie was fired from the role for a relatively minor mistake (compared to the blunders previous Robins had done) and then [[DroppedABridgeOnHim unceremoniously killed off]] in 2004 during a BatFamilyCrossover, after only appearing as Robin in seven issues across three different ongoings. It was later revealed through WordOfGod that Stephanie's role as Robin was never meant to be permanent and was only meant to make her death more dramatic and shocking. This has later been cited as a textbook case of StuffedIntoTheFridge, especially since after her death, Stephanie was barely mentioned by the other Bat-family characters and she received no monument (as Jason Todd had upon his death). Stephanie was revealed to be [[HesJustHiding in hiding]] in 2009 and took the role of ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2009}}. When the DC universe was relaunched after the ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' storyline in 2011, early reports stated that she would return to the Spoiler identity, but for a while her only appearance was in ''Batman: Leviathan Strikes'', which is explicitly stated to take place in pre-Flashpoint continuity.

Following the New 52, [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome Stephanie's status was unclear]], with numerous writers requesting and being denied even ''mentioning'' her. Eventually, Scott Snyder was allowed to use her in one of his ''Batman'' issues, which served as a preview of his ''Batman Eternal'' series, in which Steph plays a key role in the story. Still the daughter of Cluemaster, she accidentally stumbles in on a supervillain meeting of sorts, led by her father, which leads to him trying to kill her. She eventually takes the mantle of Spoiler, joins the Bat-family and starts a relationship with Tim. She next appeared as a main character in the initial arcs of ComicBook/DetectiveComicsRebirth. Her previous status as Batgirl and Robin is revealed to her during the finale of said series, and a later cameo in ComicBook/HeroesinCrisis implies that she has embraced this past and considers herself a Robin [[note]]Although the fact that the mini-series' writer, Creator/TomKing, is not known for following continuity and that she has only otherwise been acknowledged as a Robin in a one-shot deliberately written to only loosely follow continuity makes this an AmbiguousSituation[[/note]]. Following DC's [[ComicBook/DCInfiniteFrontier Infinite Frontier relaunch]], Stephanie is set up to once again be Batgirl - this time, as part of a team alongside Cassandra Caine and Barbara Gordon. She also briefly takes on the role of Robin to Damian Wayne's Batman in a tie-in to the AlternateContinuity ComicBook/DCeased.

Steph is unique among the Robins in several ways, being the one with the shortest term, the only (canonical) female, the only one to begin as a co-star in another book series, the only blonde, and the only Robin to never be adopted into the Wayne family. All of these traits, along with her later FunPersonified characterisation and [[CreatorsPest the perceived editorial slights]] against her, have made Stephanie something of [[EnsembleDarkhorse a "cult" Robin]]. On the other hand, some consider her run as Robin too short and too obviously a publicity stunt to really count her for the role[[note]]Which also seems to be the logic behind DC's decision to remove her time as Robin from continuity in the New 52[[/note]].

In 2003, Tim Drake retired as Robin to pursue an ordinary life. Batman picked Tim's supporting character and LoveInterest Stephanie Brown, the daughter of the minor villain Cluemaster who had adopted the heroic identity of Spoiler, to become the new Robin. Stephanie's tenure as Robin was rife with controversy, including the insinuation that her promotion was a failed BatmanGambit (by the TropeNamer himself no less) to anger Tim Drake into returning as Robin. Stephanie was fired from the role for a relatively minor mistake (compared to the blunders previous Robins had done) and then [[DroppedABridgeOnHim unceremoniously killed off]] in 2004. It was later revealed through WordOfGod that Stephanie's role as Robin was never meant to be permanent and was only meant to make her death more dramatic and shocking. This has later been cited as a textbook case of StuffedIntoTheFridge, especially since after her death, Stephanie was barely mentioned by the other Bat-family characters and she received no monument (as Jason Todd had upon his death). Stephanie was revealed to be [[HesJustHiding in hiding]] in 2009 and took the role of ComicBook/{{Batgirl|2009}}. When the DC universe was relaunched after the ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' storyline in 2011, early reports stated that she would return to the Spoiler identity, but her only appearance so far has been in ''Batman: Leviathan Strikes'', which is explicitly stated to take place in pre-Flashpoint continuity.

Steph is unique among the Robins in several ways, being the one with the shortest term, the only (canonical) female, the only one to begin as a co-star in another book series, the only blonde, and the only Robin to never be adopted into the Wayne family.

Steph is unique among the Robins in several ways, being the one with the shortest term, the only (canonical) female, the only one to begin as a co-star in another book series, the only blonde, and the only Robin to never be adopted into the Wayne family. Following the New 52, [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome Stephanie's status was unclear]], with numerous writers requesting and being denied even ''mentioning'' her. Eventually, Scott Snyder was allowed to use her in one of his ''Batman'' issues, which served as a preview of his ''Batman Eternal'' series, in which Steph plays a key role in the story. Still the daughter of Cluemaster, she accidentally stumbles in on a supervillain meeting of sorts, led by her father, which leads to him trying to kill her. She eventually takes the mantle of Spoiler, joins the Bat-family and starts a relationship with Tim.

-> '''ComicBook/PostCrisis:''' ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' | ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2000'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2009'' | ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' | ''ComicBook/BatmanAndTheOutsiders'' | ''ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey'' | ''ComicBook/DetectiveComics'' | ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman | ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' | ''[[ComicBook/RobinSeries Robin]]'' | ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''multiple Issues''[[/labelnote]] | ''[[ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica All -Star Comics]]'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #58 - #59'', ''#66 - #70'', & ''#74'' [[/labelnote]] | ''[[ComicBook/{{Bloodlines}} Anima]]'' | ''ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Azrael}}'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #1'', ''#4'', & ''#14 - #15''[[/labelnote]] | ''[[ComicBook/{{Azrael}} Azrael: Agent of the Bat]]'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #56'', ''#60'', ''#88 - #91'', ''#93 - #94'', & ''#100'' [[/labelnote]] | ''ComicBook/{{Batwing}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}'' | ''[[ComicBook/DoomPatrol Beast Boy]]'' | ''ComicBook/BlueBeetle'' | ''ComicBook/BlackCanary'' | ''ComicBook/BoosterGold'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #1 - #2, #7, #11 - #12'', & ''#21 - #26'' [[/labelnote]]| ''ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #12 - #13, #31 - #32, #36, & #90''[[/labelnote]] | ''ComicBook/{{Checkmate}}'' | ''[[ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} Deathstroke the Terminator]]'' | ''ComicBook/TheFlash'' | ''ComicBook/GothamCitySirens'' | ''ComicBook/GreenArrow'' | ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' | ''ComicBook/HarleyQuinn'' | ''ComicBook/{{Impulse}}'' | ''ComicBook/InfinityInc'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]Issues #22 & #25 (1986) | ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' | ''[[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Karate Kid]]'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Karate Kid #14 - Diamondeth Is Forever'' & ''#5 - Bring Back My Future To Me!'' (1978)[[/labelnote]] | ''[[ComicBook/AnimalMan The Last Days of Animal Man]]'' [[superscript:''Issues #2 - #6'']] | ''ComicBook/{{Manhunter}}'' | ''ComicBook/MetalMen'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]Issues ''#20 - Birthday Cake for a Cannibal Robot'' & ''#21 - The Metal Men Vs. the Plastic Perils'' (1966)[[/labelnote]] | ''ComicBook/TheMultiversity'' | ''ComicBook/OmegaMen'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]Issues ''#34 - #35'' (1986)[[/labelnote]] | ''ComicBook/PowerGirl'' [[superscript:''(guest)'']] | ''Richard Dragon'' | ''ComicBook/SecretSix'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]Issues ''#8 - #9'', ''#36'', & ''Villains United #1 - And Empires In Their Purpose'' [[/labelnote]] | ''[[Comicbook/StarsAndSTRIPE Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.]]'' | ''Super-Team Family'' | ''ComicBook/{{Superboy}}'' [[superscript:''(guest)'']] | ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' [[superscript:''(guest)'']] | ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'' [[superscript:''(guest)'']] | ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'' | ''[[ComicBook/LoisLane Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]'' | ''[[ComicBook/JimmyOlsen Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen]]'' | ''Tempest'' | ''ComicBook/{{Vigilante}}'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #3'' & ''#20 - #21''[[/labelnote]] | ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #25'', ''#49'', ''#126'', ''#136'', ''#161'', ''#165 - #167'', ''#175'', ''#180'', ''#188'', ''#287'', & more[[/labelnote]] | ''World's Finest (2010)'' | ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'' | ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' [[labelnote:(guest)]]''Issues #1 - #4'', ''#8'', ''#10 - #11'', ''#30 - #31'', ''#33'', ''#41'', ''#47 - #48'', & ''#52''[[/labelnote]]\\

->'''ComicBook/PostCrisis:''' ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' | ''Red Hood: The Lost Days'' | ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman | ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' | ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' | ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' | ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' | ''[[ComicBook/TheAtom The All New Atom]]'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2009'' | ''[[ComicBook/DeadMan Deadman: Dead Again]]'' | ''ComicBook/GreenArrow'' | ''[[ComicBook/BatmanAndTheOutsiders Outsiders]]'' | ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo''\\

-> '''ComicBook/PostCrisis:''' ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}} [[ComicBook/{{Impulse}} Plus]]'' | ''Robin/Spoiler Special'' | ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'' | ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' | ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2000'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2009'' | ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' | ''ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey'' | ''Bruce Wayne: The Road Home'' | ''ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}''| ''ComicBook/DetectiveComics'' | ''Detention Comics'' | ''ComicBook/GothamCentral'' | ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman | ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' | ''The Psyba-Rats'' | ''ComicBook/{{Superboy}}/ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}: World's Finest Three'' | ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''ComicBook/{{Anarky}}'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''ComicBook/BlueBeetle'' | ''ComicBook/GothamCitySirens'' | ''ComicBook/{{Impulse}}'' | ''[[ComicBook/BatmanAndTheOutsiders The Outsiders]]'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''ComicBook/ResurrectionMan'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''[[ComicBook/SevenSoldiers Seven Soldiers of Victory]]'' | ''ComicBook/{{Shadowpact}}'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''ComicBook/StarsAndSTRIPE'' | ''ComicBook/{{Superboy}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'' | ''ComicBook/WonderGirl''| ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|1987}}'' Vol 2 [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|2006}}'' Vol 3 [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''World's Finest'' [[superscript:(guest)]] | ''World's Finest (2010)''

-> ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2000'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2009'' | ''Robin/Spoiler Special'' | ''Batman: Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma'' | ''ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey''| ''Bruce Wayne: The Road Home'' | ''ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}'' | ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman | ''ComicBook/{{Impulse}}'' | ''ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica'' | ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' | ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' | ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' | ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' | ''World's Finest (2010)''\\

-> ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' | ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman | ''ComicBook/GothamCitySirens'' | ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'' | ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}'' | ''ComicBook/Batgirl2009'' | ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' | ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' | ''World's Finest (2010)''

** Jason is brash, headstrong and prefers to rely on his street smarts and [[GeniusBruiser strenght]] to fight. He's also DarkerAndEdgier compared to Dick, which he kept even after resurrecting as Red Hood.
** Tim is the AudienceSurrogate that while not as talented as Dick and Jason, can match them with his wits and plans and earns his place as Robin.

In the ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' relaunch, Tim Drake's original backstory was restored including his time as Robin before becoming Red Robin and began dating Stephanie Brown a.k.a ''Spoiler'' before he apparently died in the line of duty. However, he returns and becomes a more active member of the Bat-Family. As of ''ComicBook/YoungJustice2019'' #10, he has changed his superhero identity to Drake, inspired by an EvilCounterpart from Earth-3.

Dick Grayson had his own solo feature in ''Star-Spangled Comics'' from 1947 to 1952, and an additional feature (billed as "Robin, the Teen Wonder" throughout most of the 1970s, usually as a backup in ''Batman'' or ''Detective Comics''. The latter stories typically featured Grayson as a college student at Hudson University. He has also been a staple member of the ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' since the group's inception in 1965, typically acting as [[TheLeader team leader]] and TheSmartGuy. It was in this series that the character really grew into his own, especially when the book was retooled as ''The New Teen Titans'' with the inclusion of four new [[KidHero teen heroes]] who were not conceived as sidekicks to adult heroes (although Beast Boy was a {{Transplant}} from [[ComicBook/DoomPatrol another series]]). It was in the pages of ''The New Teen Titans'' that Nightwing was originally born.