my life was forever changed the day i found out that pre-crisis, jason was actually the one who went out in dick’s old robin costume trying to impress bruce, and bruce’s response was to specifically say, look i love you and i care about you and this isn’t me saying you’re not good enough in general, but that mantle belongs to dick and you shouldn’t be taking it without his permission
like i can’t deny that the post-crisis version is more interesting but did you really have to go about systematically undoing everything to that extent
I think it’s important to note that the first costume Jason used wasn’t even a true Robin costume:
Detective Comics #526
the first time he’s shown wearing the actual Robin costume is in Batman #366:
yes the very first time Jason is shown on panel as Robin is when he’s beating up the Joker. I call that Poetic Cinema *chef’s kiss*
later in the same issue is when Bruce gets mad at Jason for using Dick’s identity without permission:
Bruce to Jason: “But at the very first opportunity, you will remove that costume. You had no right to wear it in the first place. Becoming my new partner is one thing… stealing someone else’s very identity is another – and one that I won’t allow.”
they talk about it and have a real sweet moment together in Detective Comics #533:
Bruce: “I was pretty rough on you, Jay, and I want to apologize. Try to understand, Jay… someday I hope you’ll come to look upon me as your father, and by then I hope I’ll be able to speak to you with more patience and wisdom than I’ve demonstrated so far. But right now… well, it’s just that Dick Grayson and I have been through wars together. We’ve saved each other’s lives dozens of times. It took Dick long hard years to become what he is… and when you showed up with no warning… wearing his costume…”
Jason: “I know, Bruce, but it still stung… and it confused me so much that I don’t know who I should be.”
Bruce: “Be yourself, Jay. Sometimes… it’s the most heroic thing anyone can do.
Then in the New Teen Titans #37, Jason asks to be Robin to which Dick refuses:
Jason: “Can I become the new Robin?”
Dick: “Jason, I didn’t say I was giving up being Robin. I’ve been playing that role since I was eight.”
(I think it’s important to note that Dick is 19 here and Jason is 12.)
In Batman #367, Jason goes back to using that first costume he tried on and doesn’t go by Robin. Bruce does call him that later in the issue out of reflex though. For a few issues in Batman and Detective Comics, they brainstorm names such as Bluejay, Cardinal, Wonder Boy, Eagle, Domino, etc. but none of them stick.
Dick didn’t officially stop being Robin until the New Teen Titans #39. A lot of people think he quit being Robin because he thought Bruce replaced him with Jason and that he had a lot of resentment towards Jason but that’s not it at all. Dick quit Robin largely because he was growing up and didn’t want to be the same hero he was as a kid and didn’t want to always be in Batman’s shadow. and he actually seemed okay with the idea of Jason taking over as Robin.
Dick: “I’m not the same kid. I’ve changed. But as long as I wear this same costume that I’ve worn since I was eight… I keep playing a role I’d long ago outgrown. What I am now is a person with responsibilities. Not a happy-go-luck kid partner.”
Dick: “Costume, you and I have gone through a lot together. Sure hope your new wearer doesn’t abuse you as much as I did.”
He gives the costume to Jason in Batman #368. Dick is the one to make Jason Robin, not Bruce.
Dick: “Bruce, as long as I can remember, I’ve been trying to be you – but I’m not you. I’m no longer even your partner – I’m the leader of the Titans now… and it’s time I became that – in name as well as fact. And since it’d be a shame to let such a spiffy costume molder in mothballs… I’ve come to pass on the mantle of Robin. Take is Jason – you’ve earned it… It’s all right, Bruce. I appreciate your protectiveness, but he’s not “stealing my identity” – I’m giving him permission.“
I love this version so much. I much prefer it when Dick quits being Robin of his own free will and gives his permission for Jason to use the name and costume, as opposed to Bruce firing Dick and letting Jason be Robin without consulting Dick like what happens in the reboot.
it will always be my personal canon that Dick decides for himself not to be Robin anymore rather than Bruce forcing him to stop and them having a huge falling out. and it will always be my personal canon that Dick willingly gives the mantle of Robin to Jason.
I just like the pre-crisis version of how Jason became Robin so much better than post-crisis.
Oh damn, I thought the brainstorming names and then Dick showing up to say “how about Robin?” was in the first post-crisis iteration (too). Phooey if wasn’t.
#I remember a side by side on scans-daily of 3 post-crisis Jason origins and I THOUGHT#that the first one had dick offering him Robin#but I could easily have mixed it up with the pre-crisis handoff -via tuesdayisfordancing
I think the flashback issue in the late 90s shows him officially giving Jason a costume, but it’s shown as happening after he’s BEEN Robin for a bit, and they’ve had a successful team-up. Not sure the point of giving it at that point, other than symbolic.
