All five Robins in order of being Batman's sidekick

Back in 1940, DC Comics introduced Dick Grayson as the Boy Wonder, Robin.  He became Batman’s first sidekick and is widely known as the best sidekick ever.

Over the years, there have been five Robins. Some were beloved and others despised (more on that later). There are also ones from alternate realities (Carrie Kelley, Toy Wonder, and Bruce Wayne Jr.). However, only five count in DC Comics' main continuity. Here they are in order. 

Dick Grayson

First appearance: Detective Comics No. 38

Richard “Dick” Grayson’s origin of becoming Robin is well known. His parents were killed by Tony Zucco leading to Bruce Wayne adopting him. It's later revealed that Zucco was trying to kill Dick to hurt his parents in the circus (Nightwing No. 117). Eventually, Dick becomes Batman’s first and best sidekick.

After years of working together, a conflict over how things were done caused Dick to leave Batman’s side. This became the best move for Dick. He became Nightwing and is now the leader of the premiere superhero team in DC Comics.

Jason Todd

First appearance: Batman No. 357 (some people would say Batman No. 408)

Jason Todd’s first appearance is nothing like the one people recognize. Initially, he was an acrobat like Dick Grayson (this happens in Batman No. 357). The one most comic book readers acknowledge happens in Batman 408 when Jason Todd tries to steal the tires off the Batmobile leading to Bruce taking Jason in and training him to be Robin.

Comic book fans hated Jason as Robin. He was annoying and didn’t fit in with Batman. This leads to fans voting for Jason Todd’s death (Batman: Death in the Family).

Dying was the best thing for Jason. He returns, adopts the name Red Hood (Joker’s old alias), and becomes an antihero and popular comic book character. If he remained Robin, there's no way he'd turn into one of the Bat Family's best and deepest characters.

Tim Drake

First appearance: Batman No. 436

Tim Drake being in the audience the night Dick Grayson’s parents were killed heavily influenced who he became. If Tim wasn’t there he may not have been invested in learning who Batman and Robin were. What's impressive is how young he was when he discovered the secret identities of Batman and Nightwing.

When Dick refused to return, Tim was there to become Robin. Together, Batman avoided a darker path and Tim (now Robin) became another hero that Gotham needed. Who knows what would have happened to the Dark Knight if Tim wasn't around?

Stephanie Brown

First appearance: Detective Comics No. 647

Unlike Tim, Dick, and Jason, Stephanie Brown was a vigilante from her first appearance. As Spoiler, Stephanie helped Batman and Robin take down her father, Cluemaster. After Tim Drake retires, Stephanie Brown leaves her Spoiler identity behind and becomes the fourth Robin.

During Batman: War Games, Stephanie Brown's time as Robin ends. After being tortured by Black Mask, she makes her way to the hospital where she's pronounced dead. It’s revealed that Stephanie’s death was faked to protect her.

Stephanie eventually goes back to the name Spoiler but drops it again to become Batgirl with Cassandra Cain. She's still Batgirl and doing a great job with the title.

Damian Wayne

First appearance: Batman No. 655

Damian Wayne made his mysterious debut in the dark at the end of Batman No. 655. In the next issue, Talia al Ghul reveals that Damian was conceived the night she and Bruce had sex. In typical Damian Wayne fashion, his first interaction with his father was with a snarky response saying, “Father. I imagined you taller.”

As the story arc continues, Damian fights and almost kills Tim Drake. He felt the only way to become Robin was to defeat his competition. This works against Tim as Batman doesn’t accept him as Robin.

During Batman: Battle for the Cowl, Damian Wayne becomes Robin. Not Bruce’s sidekick. Dick Grayson is Batman. As Dick said during Robin No. 5 by Joshua Williamson, “Tim, Steph, Jason…we were all Robins to Bruce first. But you were my Robin.” It was an emotional moment at a time when Damian needed it. Even better, it was the first Robin to the most recent.

Who was your favorite Robin? What Batman-related topics would you like discussed? We want to hear from you. You can email us at entertainment@fansided.com.