Comics: Robin III
It was 1990. The first comic book that I bought with my own money was the second issue of the first Robin mini series. I had just received this huge book on the history of Batman the year before and I was fascinated by the chapter on Robin. I don't really have any specific reason for it because the chapter wasn't totally complimentary. The talked about Dick Grayson, how he grew up and ditched the name and became his own super hero. I knew there was another Robin named Jason Todd. I read a couple of issues featuring Jason thanks to some packed collection of comics I bought at the Venture up the road. Even at 9 I thought Jason was a douche. You're hanging out with Batman! And you just beat up Two Face, what's with the petulant whining? But something about the character compelled me. At some point later on I was playing with some toys in the living room, my parents were watching Entertainment Tonight and they did a little story on how Robin was getting a new costume. I was floored. The next time I was with Mom at the grocery store I saw this:



I bought that and I was completely hooked. What was it with this kid?



At nine years old he deduced Batman was really Bruce Wayne. Just think about that for a minute.

He figured out who Batman was. At the age of nine.

Jim Gordon hasn't done that. The Joker hasn't done that. In fact, other than Superman using his x-ray vision, I don't think anyone has figured it out. Sure Batman has told some people, but finding out without his knowledge? Unheard of!

And instead of being the standard annoying kid in every piece of modern fiction he actually refused to wear a costume. He didn't think he was worthy of it. He was brought into the whole superheroing bit reluctantly. When Scarecrow has Batman over barrel Tim races to the rescue, and he won't wear the costume because he thinks he's not ready. He worries that he's going to let Batman down. Or that he'll somehow besmirch what Robin stood for.

And then there's this. A couple of years after becoming Robin, Tim joins the Teen Titans. Deathstroke has severely wounded their teammate Impulse. Wonder Girl and Superboy are pissed and ready for some payback. Starfire demands they stay behind to protect them. They're too inexperienced, there's about to be a fight and Tim says they'll stay. Starfire leaves and locks down the tower. Tim, calm as can be, climbs the stairs to his room, stoically taking the abuse and scorn of his friends and then:


Not pictured: Tim Drake's massive balls

He is a natural leader, he has taken any already famous persona and made it his own. Batman is sometimes called "The World's Greatest Detective", and even he has admitted that Tim is smarter than he is. He's humble, he's tough, and he's a pretty damn good character.