One Perfect moment - Dick gives up the pixie boots Pt 1

[icon_uk]

This is part one of a two part Perfect Moment. They're by different artists, different writers, but both represent pivotal moments

This was originally planned to be part of my "The Original origin of the Original non-Original Robin" series on the history of Mk1 Jason Todd, but since I haven't gotten around to posting one of those for a long, long time, I thought I'd short circuit the process for this.

This is from New Teen Titans 39


Bear in mind the power of this moment in context. In this day and age it's been done many, many times, some costumed identities are practically a fanchise now, but this was a first: A major DC character was ceasing to be the character they were uniquely identified with a costumed sidekick was graduating into.. well, we didn't quite know what yet... Not even on Earth-2 had anyone given up their identity like this...

In short, Dick Grayson was, after over 40 years in the role, giving up being Robin




Yeah Dick, flash those gams one more time for us all to enjoy...



Dick's comment that he's worn the csotume since he was eight is perhaps a little weird...

It's not often I agree with Terra, but on this next page, I fully endorse her comment....





It's worth noting that this phase of the story was more or less told completely in the New Teen Titans. That was where Dick spent most of his time, and was the role he was most identified with (and sold best).

Part two will deal with Dick telling the other important people in his life about his decision.

Comments

[dimwit90]

I've always wanted to see this! Its such an awe inspiring moment :)

[megami18]

I'll say! How can Dick doing a strip tease not be awe inspiring?

[frostedone]

Well said Vic, well said.

[icon_uk]

Amen! :)

[nezchan]

Yeah, wear long pants vacuum-sealed to that perfect ass!

[crabby_lioness]

It's a crying shame they don't make teams like Wolfman/Perez anymore.

[biznizzonpeyote]

Yuck, I had forgotten that Perez drew Raven with the face of a gaunt 40 year old woman here.

Awesome moment though, but it's too bad that none of them are gonna know that Little Miss "Take It Off!" is gonna stab them in the back. Or the fact that Jericho pretty much takes away Nightwing's thunder after the new identity reveal.

[icon_uk]

Yuck, I had forgotten that Perez drew Raven with the face of a gaunt 40 year old woman here.

That was deliberate though... part of her gradual "mutation" into her Trigon-influenced self.

The "Terra is a traitor" reveal is a Perfect Moment in and of itself I'd say.

And agreed that Dick's debut as Nightwing shouldn't have been overshadowed by another heroes debut, but Jericho was an interesting character in those days...

[irrelevant]

Hee, when I saw this post on my LJ feed, I was like: has to be icon_uk. XD

I loved the storyline this issue was part of, and of course I love what is a definitive moment in Dick's life: officially becoming his own man in the presence of his closest friends, his family. ♥

wtf bodysuit??! Nuuuu!

[benicio127]

I'm very sad the Robin scaley panties aren't panties at all.

...I need some kind of consolation now. ;__;

Re: wtf bodysuit??! Nuuuu!

[megami18]

Or scaly!

[ficticons]

I really like how Dick is doing his costume removal so carefully and deliberately. Although Vic tells him to "can the dramatics", I think it works here for him. Dick's going through the "dramatics" slowly precisely because the whole ceremony (which is what it feels like) is of the utmost significance to him - we can see that in the way he removes each piece of the costume* lovingly and in a particular order before putting them in front of everyone.

Also, the fact that Kory's the only one assisting in any way (he hands her the cape and she helps him take the tunic - which he's just said was the hardest thing to give up - off) I think reassures her (and us readers!) that she (and by extension the other Titans) are still important to him. He really does mean it when he says he's darn proud to be a Titan.

Fantastic moment and lovely lovely lovely art (well, Perez. :D). <3 Thanks for sharing it.

*except the undershirt and (from what we can see here) the pixie boots, despite the title of your post ;)

[star_of_airdrie]

Great points in your reply. I was always struck by this scene - the reverence to the costume, Kory's misunderstanding and then her assistance (and the only one too)... It summed up so much of who Dick was as Robin, as a Titan and as he was as Dick Grayson at that point.

And Icon, yes, definitely one perfect moment.

[requiem2adream]

Well he became Robin in a ceremony of sorts, it's fitting that he'd end it the same way.

[jarodrussell]

I guess Dick has a little Morgan in him.

[leorising]

LOL! I kept thinking, "Legs! Package! Legs!" *g*

[icon_uk]

Sorry, don't get the reference there.

[falseaesop]

I never thought of the sleeves being connected to his scaled undies.

That makes the whole ensamble less ridiculous to me actually.

[leorising]

It's like an acrobat's leotard. Not silly at all, considering that he was a Flying Grayson.

[saralakali]

Dick's comment that he's worn the costume since he was eight is perhaps a little weird...

I thought is underlined how monumental a decision this was for him. It's like moving out of a house that you've perhaps not built yourself, but certainly invested a lot of time, effort and money in improving and making a home. A house you've lived in for eleven years.

[jlbarnett]

still, if he wore that costume since he was eight wouldn't it be a little tight at this point?

[keeva]

"Robin will always be the back half of 'Batman and--'"

Huh, I always took Dick for the catcher, not the pitcher.

[megami18]

Batman's other best kept secret.

[leorising]

Ah gosh, I remember this. *sigh* Nice choice, this was a Dick Grayson Perfect Moment.

[psychopathicus_rex]

This reminds me of the DCAU 'Lost Years' mini, also chronicling DIck's transition from Robin to Nightwing. There's a great scene where he's in the Batcave in his civvies packing his things, and angrily hurls his discarded costume to the floor... then picks it up.
"I can't just leave you lying there like that", he says to it sadly, as he folds it carefully for the last time. "I never realized how bright your colors are."

[icon_uk]

I'd forgotten that scene and you're right, it's a lovely retrospective moment. Get thee to a scanner and post it (I shouldn't have all the Dick fun, if you see what I mean!)

[oberondreaming]

I had this issue, growing up. I think the cover, in and of itself, was almost a perfect moment. This is the same issue that Wally West gives up being Kid Flash (that's the announcement he's made just before these pages happen). The cover has the two of them (Wally and Dick) walking away from their costumes. It's a pretty moving image all by itself.

[jelly_ace]

I'm sorry, all I can see is package, legs, butt, package, legs, butt.

Which, come to think of it, basically makes up a perfect Dick Grayson moment.:)