DC Just Proved Which Robin Is the One True Boy Wonder – And Made the Right Choice

Warning: Spoilers for Batman (2016) #147 ahead!More than any other character in superhero history, DC’s Robin is synonymous with the idea of a sidekick – and while many different incarnations of the character have been pivotal to the Batman mythos, standing at the Caped Crusader’s side through thick and thin, one version of the character stands above the rest as the true, definitive Boy Wonder.

Batman #147 – written by Chip Zdarsky, with art by Jorge Jiménez – finds the Dark Knight run out of Gotham by his robotic doppelgänger, Failsafe, which is being controlled by Batman’s own ruthless “Zur-En-Arrh” personality. Hiding in an isolated cabin, Batman is alarmed when one of his perimeter alerts goes off – but instead of Failsafe, the intruder is a friend.

Tim Drake appears with provisions, ready to join Batman in the fight. After a heartwarming reunion, the two reaffirm their connection as “Batman and Robin.“

DC Confirms Third Robin Tim Drake Is The Best To Ever Hold The Title

Batman #147 – Written by Chip Zdarsky; Art by Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, & Clayton Cowles

Batman #147 places a lot of emphasis on Tim and Bruce’s relationship and how Tim has been as much a role model to Bruce as Bruce has been a mentor to Tim.A flashback to archery lessons reveals just how much Batman admires Tim’s dedication to hard work; likewise, out of all the Bat-Family, Tim is the only one to be able to reach through Batman’s guilt and isolationism. This was previously presented quite literally back in Batman #135, with Tim being the one to save Bruce from being lost in the Multiverse and pulling him back into the light.

Additionally, Tim is the only Robin to maintain his position as “Robin” even after his tenure as “young sidekick” has ended. When Dick became Nightwing, he found a new role with the Titans and Blüdhaven; Likewise, when Jason was reborn as the Red Hood, he took up with the Outlaws. By contrast, Tim has always stayed “Robin,” even going by “Red Robin” in his solo career. Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian are all critical members of Batman’s family and support network, but it is only Tim who has constantly defined himself by being Robin.

Tim Drake Is The Robin Batman Needs By His Side When He’s At His Lowest

Nobody Can Support Bruce Better

Dick, Damian, and Jason are all excellent superheroes and some of Batman’s staunchest allies – but Tim has proven to be Bruce’s light in the darkness, time and time again. Tellingly, while the rest of the Bat-Family waits for Bruce to contact them, Tim is the only one who proactively reaches out to help Batman in a concrete way, making it clear that he is the truest incarnation of the Boy Wonder in DC history. As Bruce’s emotional pillar and the only member of the Bat-Family to cling on to the title, Tim Drake proves that he is the definitiveRobin.