DC SNEAK PEAK: WE ARE ROBIN

[alschroeder3]

Okay, admittedly I have been a little reactionary about some recent changes (especially concerning Superman's new direction), but there's a lot in the new DC I like--the frivolous titles, like the Bizarro, Batmite, Harley Quinn comics are a welcome respite from the grim and gritty...

But one strikes me as especially brilliant. A reinvention of the sidekick concept, with modern social media...or maybe a revival of the "kid gang" concept, from the Boy Commandos to the Newsboy Legion to the Little Wise Guys only with internet threads...or maybe the Baker Street Irregulars with cellphones.

I loved every preview page of...WE ARE ROBIN.

There are SO many potentialities for this. It's going to be a showcase for the Duke Thomas character introduced by Scott Snyder in BATMAN: ZERO YEAR. The ever-shifting membership of the group gives possibilities for the loss of Robins without losing the group, and can even lead to traitors. It certainly gives interesting group dynamics. It uses social media in a totally organic, unforced way, making the "Robin" concept virtually a crime-fighting Flashmob. It's a rational response to the (temporary) loss of the classic Batman, but I can imagine RoboBatman/Gordon horrified by this group, and trying--unsuccessfully--to discourage them.

I love the way they are all a variation of "Robin" or "Boy Wonder" in their screen names. I love the recurring "THE NEST" reminder of what they are...and what they aren't.

A brilliant way to reinvent the "sidekick" as their own group, drawing on individual strengths to be greater than they are. The social media aspect is integral to this, and may become quickly dated...but it seems a lot less "forced" than it is in other comics, even the new Batgirl.

Some will soon suffer tragedies. Some may die. But they're taking their city back. Yeah, this could go bad a thousand ways...but at its core it's a very hopeful concept. That justice is EVERYONE's concern...especially for the young.

That we can all be heroes...together.

Comments

[beyondthefringe]

I am intrigued.
This will be perfect if they go full circle and have a Robin who's a visual match for Jubilee in her classic "I'm not Robin" outfit. :)

Though as an American, I hear: "We. Are. Robin. Dun da dun da dun...." or else "Reeeeeed Robin. Yum!"

[captainbellman]

I'm gearing up for the inevitable Robin/Harley war.

[lieut_kettch]

Now that would be epic.

[captainbellman]

Probably at least one chapter would be called "Stop. Hammertime."

[shadur]

... Take my money and make this happen.

[locuatico]

This reminds me of the "Sons of Batman" back in "The Dark Knights returns" and how Batman decides to put them under his wing (pun intended) and train them to protect gotham for him.

[alschroeder3]

Yeah, it's very similar. Only using text messaging to bind them together, and more self-directed than directly controlled by Batman.

[baihu]

The punks in 'Dark Knight' were more than a little psychotic. Batman had to use physical intimidation and the actual discipline of training to get them into shape and not be just a mess of chaos.

Also I'm hoping that with these modern and savvy 'sidekicks', there should be a villain who is just as up to date as them.

[thosefew]

So, the Robins will here the guy approach on his motorcycle, but the russians won't?

[bewareofgeek]

It's not bad in concept, but the execution here feels a bit weak. Maybe it's simply that I'm too old to find "narration via Tweet" groundbreaking. ;)

[lucean]

I agree, this looks awesome and also really allows a great way to organically build diversity in the Bat-verse, which has really begun to need it over the past few years. It does also allow for really great ways to build new kinds of conflicts within Gotham. My only hope is that they don't go too cutesy, because these kids are essentially entering a war and I hope that they also carry with them the price that requires.

You know, looking at the current Bat-books, I cannot say enough positive things about both Snyder and the editor, as they both have a clear understanding of what drives the city for them and this has allowed to really add new layers and approaches there.

Given the current dynamics with Gordon as Batman and these kids as Robin, I am genuenly jazzed up about the central storyline they are going to be building for Gotham and what is the end game here.

[reveen]

Hopefully we don't get a lot "PUNK THIS IS MY CITY. WE DO THIS MY WAY. YOU CAN'T CUT THE MUSTARD" since we don't have Batman in this.

That's one nice thing

[chortles81]

About getting Bruce out of the picture.

[thatnickguy]

On the one hand, this is a great concept and I love the preview here.

On the other hand...it's DC, who I don't want to support anymore.

Oh well, maybe an Image comic will do a similar concept.

[korvar]

If you don't support them when they're doing something right, how will they know?

[mrstatham]

This. Admittedly, I swore off buying Batgirl out of spite when they put Barbara back in the costume, but that was justified for me when the book - IMO - turned out to be dreck; After buying a bunch of titles, I then slowly found my picks dwindling down to Batman and Wonder Woman. I didn't like a lot of what DC were doing.

But then they did Harley Quinn. They did Batgirl. Gotham Academy. They're now trying this and Black Canary and so on. I like it, but they totally need the support to know that these books are what people want, not more Rob Liefeld.

[alschroeder3]

Absolutely.

Look, BATMAN used to be a joke. That's the whole point of the extremely popular Sixties' TV show---that it was so corny it was camp.

Then a few creators decided to experiment with it. Make him more like the Shadow. Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams started a turn-around that was later picked up and elaborated on by Frank Miller and literally dozens of others.

Superman can be dreck,or it can rise to the heights of ALL-STAR SUPERMAN.

We have to encourage experimentation. We have to encourage the good ideas, both vocally, in print, and with wallets. Otherwise the dreck wins.

[thatnickguy]

Because honestly, it doesn't matter what they do. Between the comics and the movies, they've lost me as a fan. There's nothing of theirs I want to support, even if it looks like it has potential.

[jlbarnett]

some people might hope for a change in the people running the show

[yvonmukluk]

The role of Riko will be played by Gorillaz' Noodle, apparently.

(Yeah, I'm sure it's coincidence, but the resemblance to the latest Gorillaz teaser art with the googles is amusing.)

[philippos42]

Looks like Jubilee to me.

[big_daddy_d]

This looks fun. Reminded of the Jokerz (which I hope the Robins clash with) and that Batman gang from previous canon.

[philippos42]

Anyone else think the kid in the first scan was a green alien? Just me?

I don't know what to think. Is this cool? Can DC even do good work anymore?

[alschroeder3]

If we don't encourage the glimmers of creativity and original thinking, we'll never have good things.