The Batman Newspaper Comic Strip (1990), Part 6: The Origin of Robin

[thehefner]

After the nonstop epic of the previous comic strips, we get a fresh start with the introduction of Dick Grayson in this continuity.

I have pretty much no commentary nor insights to offer here, as it's the one story in which I have the least interest, but I'm posting it here both for the sake of completeness and for the Dick fans. It's a standalone story with no references to the previous arcs, as will be the next part. After that, the grand finale with the Mad Hatter in Arkham.







Note: Scans taken from Comics Revue magazine, #56-59



































































I love how we get not one but two dryly snarky Alfred responses.

Comments

[halloweenjack]

This has been true of most of Infantino's work that you've posted, but Bruce is looking particularly Bruce Campbell in some of the strips here.

Speaking of Infantino (and apologies if this has already been addressed), is there a particular reason why he's billed as "Cinfa" in the strips, aside from it being an abbreviation of sorts for his name?

[thehefner]

I just assumed it was an abbreviation he used, but I'd never heard of it before these strips.

[shadowpsykie]

the batmobile stopped at his crotch.... AND he hid batman in the closet... heh also alfred and cyanide :D

[featheredserpent]

It takes a young boy in tight shorts and pixie boots to get Bruce out of the closet.

[shadowpsykie]

"That'll do Pig, that'll do"

[domino_blue]

after reading through this, I think this is one of the best version's of Robin origin story I've seen. I like how it has him actually save Batman.

[lbd_nytetrayn]

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[recognitions]

Love the homage to Miller with Martha's pearls. Not that Miller deserves it, but you know.

And as said above, nice to see Robin saving Batman for a change.

[icon_uk]

I'd seen bits of this one, but not all, so thank you. That was fun, in a disjointed newstrip way.

I like Dick saving Bruce, and Alfred being more involved with getting Dick to stay than he's normally shown as being.

[sleepymax]

These strips are really nice. Some of the most interesting scans I've ever seen on S_D. Really looking forward to seeing more of this stuff.

[psychopathicus_rex]

I like this version of Dick's origin. His connection with his parents is very well sketched out in just a few panels - that 'did you finish your math homework?' homework panel is nicely evocative of a family situation. Also, the fact that he winds up saving Batman instead of the other way round is a good explanation for just why Bruce took him on as a sidekick in the first place - the usual 'empathizing with his plight' thing is clearly still true here, but here the kid's actually proved himself in a do-or-die situation, so there's a practical reason as well. This may have influenced Tim's origin in the DCAU, from what I know of it - there are similarities.
Also, it's a nice touch that Dick's outfit was a gift from his parents. It still doesn't explain just WHY he's called Robin and all that, but it makes sense that he'd take on the name and the costume that his parents had suggested.

[jlroberson]

Since Bill wrote this: it might be pertinent to mention today's William Messner-Loebs' 62nd birthday.

Wishin' him a happy one!

[thehefner]

Shit! I'm gonna have to get on the penultimate post to announce that!