We all know who Batman is. Tall, dark, brooding, and…fatherly? Most everyday people do not realize that there are six different Robins that act like Bruce Wayne’s children. There are many different adoptive bat-children, including Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Jason Todd, and Stephanie Brown. As the story of Batman and his Robins continues, we will watch the evolution of the Robins and their bat-dad.
First off, Jason Todd, the second Robin, was a good Robin but got hurt many times, such as when he was kidnapped and killed by the Joker. In the games, Jason/Robin was thought to be killed when he was kidnapped by The Joker. The Joker sent a video to Batman of the Joker killing Jason. Jason was then tortured for a long time after that. Jason escaped and, thinking that Batman had abandoned him, became vengeful and tried to kill Batman. In the comics, Jason/Robin was kidnapped and beaten with a crowbar by the Joker. Then, as Batman is coming to save Jason, the building Jason is in explodes, killing him. It is seen that as the bomb that blew up the building ticks down, Jason is seen lying there accepting that Batman won’t save him. Jason was resurrected later in the storyline, but how could Batman continue putting his adoptive children in the way of danger?
In the comic series Injustice, Tim Drake, the 3rd and 5th Robin, was killed by sacrificing himself. He flew a drone into the sky, knowing it would kill him. Tim did this to save the Batcave and his friends and family from being destroyed. Shouldn’t Batman be sacrificing himself instead of the teenager?
Batman faked his death, leaving his children with no idea that he could still be alive. He made a vacuum of power in the children, trying to figure out who would take his place. He left them grieving then…poof!…he came back. Old Bruce-y faked his death to evade prosecution for financial crimes. That is not a healthy mindset for a child to go through. Losing a father figure can be an incredibly hard thing to go through, especially after already being an orphan. And shouldn’t Bruce know this? He lost his parents, then later lost Alfred to Bane. That’s just irresponsible to the feelings of his bat-kids.
On the contrary, Batman gave a home to multiple orphaned kids, such as Jason Todd and Dick Grayson. He helped Stephanie Brown, the fourth Robin, find who she is. Batman was supportive of the Robins, who transitioned into careers as different heroes, and still helps them.
Batman believed in his children and in making them better. He forgave his children and cared for them, and as of right now, in the comics, he still does. He has helped his bat-children with relationships, villains, and everyday schoolwork.
Overall, I think that Batman was a good father, but he should not have kept fighting crime as a father. He definitely should not have let his children fight crime. Old-Brucey was not a perfect father, but he did pretty well.
