ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU
1
The Origin of Dick Grayson
2
Detective Comics #38Batman #32Secret Origins 80-page Giant #8Batman #213Detective Comics #484Untold Legend of
Batman #2
Batman #339Secret Origins vol. 2 #13Batman:
Year Three
Secret Origins #50B:TAS--
“Robin’s Reckoning”
Batman ForeverRobin Annual #4Legends of the Dark Knight #100Batman:
Dark Victory
All-Star
Batman & Robin
The Batman--
“A Matter of Family”
Teen Titans Go #47Young Justice #6
(cartoon tie-in)
Nightwing #0
3
19401945/46196519691979198019811987198919901993199519951997200020052006200720112012
4
Bill FingerBill FingerBill FingerE. Nelson BridwellJack C. HarrisLen WeinGerry ConwayDan MishkinMarv WolfmanDennis O'NeilRandy RogelJoel SchumacherChuck DixonDennis O’NeilJeph LoebFrank MillerMichael JelenicJ. TorresFranco & Art BaltazarKyle Higgins
5
Bob Kane Dick SprangSheldon MoldoffRoss AndruKurt Schaffenberger and Frank ChiaramonteJim AparoIrv NovickErik LarsenPat BroderickGeorge PerezN/AN/AJason ArmstrongDave TaylorTim SaleJim LeeN/AMichael ChangChristopher JonesEddy Barrows
6
Type of StoryPresentFilling in the blanks in the 1940 storyFlashback after meeting a former circus memberPresentFlashback when Haly's comes to Hudson UniversityFlashback/musing Flashback/musingFlashback/Musing while telling storyPresent of Zucco coming up for
parole/flashback
RetrospectivePresent of Zucco’s
return/flashback
(Cartoon)
Present
(Movie)
PresentPresentPresentPresentPresent
(Cartoon)
Flashback/musing (from Batman's perspective)Flashback/musingFlashback/musing
7
Dick’s ageAge 10Age 10Age 12(Age 9)
8
KillerBoss ZuccoBoss Zucco and his mob"Racketeers"Boss ZuccoRacketeers“Boss” Zucco“Boss” Zucco“A man named
Zucco,”
Anthony Zucco
Zucco and another manBilly Marin/Tony ZuccoTwo-FaceBoss Zucco ordered it, Rutledge did itBoss ZuccoAnthony “Fats” ZuccoJocko-boy VanzettiTony Zucco and his brothers“A crime boss by the name of Zucco”Tony Zucco
9
Killer’s familyOrphanUncle hides himBatman says noBrothers
10
Manner of the Grayson’s deathBroken ropes-- AcidBroken ropesBroken ropes-- AcidBroken ropesBroken ropesBroken ropesBroken ropes-- AcidBroken ropesBroken ropes-- CutBroken ropesBroken ropes-- CutFall to their deaths trying to diffuse bomb after rigging is shotBroken ropes-- AcidBroken ropes-- AcidBroken ropes-- AcidShot in the headsFall to their deaths due to rigging being sabotagedBroken ropesFall to their deaths due to rigging being sabotagedBroken ropes-- Frayed
11
Other GraysonsA brother dies tooAn aunt and cousin die too, an uncle is paralyzed/in a coma
12
Show Graysons beforeQuick trapeze sceneBriefly shown laughing while watching Dick play with Sando the StrongmanOne image of trapeze practiceYes, trainingYes, trainingYes, training and
preparing for show
Yes, eating breakfast; John tells Dick to do his arithmeticYes, training(No, but extended death sequence as they try to help fight)(No, but Dick was “mad at them” before death)Yes, preparing for showYes, eating a meal
together, and fighting Zucco’s family
(No, but some background in the narration boxes.)Yes, Dick is grounded for getting in trouble and it's Mary’s birthday
13
Tim Drake cameoN/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)N/A (Pre-Tim)First appearance, takes picture with GraysonsYes, takes picture with Graysons“Timmy,” Bruce pays for ticket
14
Dick overhears threatsYes, before showYes, after showYes, after showYes, after showYes, after showYes, after showYes, before show, tries to warn
parents
Yes, before show; asks his parents what "protection money" is. Almost warns them before they enter big topYes, before show, tries to warn
parents
Yes, after show, tried to warn
parents about
rumors
Yes, before show, tries to warn
parents
Yes, after show,
returns for clues
Zucco confronts
Graysons before
Yes, before show
15
Bruce in audienceYes, with dateYesYes, with Dr. Chase Meridian as a dateYesYes, looks up at Dick when the rest of the audience look down at the bodiesYes, on a date with Vicki ValeYesPresumablyYes, with date
16
Playboy BrucieBruce has a
reputation and the nuns and court
worry about it
Yes, clumsy sponser of eventYes, largest doner and with a reputation, shmoozes at ballYes, dating model when Bruce meets DickYes, clumsy ”wacky zillionaire”YesVicki monologues about him a bit
17
Circus familyOnly HalyOnly HalyHaly and Sando the StrongmanOnly HalyOnly HalyOnly HalyOnly HalyOnly HalyYes, several others, plus Elinore the
elephant
Yes: Haly, Fattest Lady, animal trainer, roustabout, and fortune tellerYes, several others, plus Zitka the
elephant
Yes, several others, protest being taken, Haly like a GrandpaYes, several others, circus gives
Batman permission to take Dick for
medical care
(No, and Graysons in charge)There were others at the funeral of the Graysons but it's not clear whoYes, Haly like
Grandpa
Yes, others, parkour with Raymond
18
Who Dick met firstBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBatmanBruce WayneBruce WayneBatmanBatmanBruce WayneBatmanBatmanBruce WayneBruce Wayne
19
Foster systemSt. Jude’s
orphanage, cared for by kind nuns
Bruce offers him a place to stay during caseBruce offers him a place to stay to avoid some of thatCircus couldn’t keep him, sent to a boy’s home where he was beat up. Was “lost in a
system”
Dick stays
temporarily. Alfred says the child care system in gotham will cause greater ordeals in Dick’s
future
Bruce kidnaps Dick and keeps him in the BatcaveIt’s mentioned but he goes straight to Bruce's careWayne Care Center, cared for by social workers, but isolates himself looking for the killer
20
Legal status"Adopted"They go to court, can’t adopt because bachelor but “legal guardian”"He took me in ... adopted me in his identity of Bruce Wayne"They go to court, can’t adopt
because bachelor but “legal guardian”
“Bruce Wayne’s ward,” shown in court“Ward,” has to
justify it in court,
not adopted to honor John Grayson
“I take it this means Master Dick’s visit will now be indefinite?”Foster parent,
implied to be
temporary at first
“SLEEP TIGHT, MY WARD”Foster son“become part of his family”Under his care, “part time job at Wayne Manor”
21
Alfred’s opinionN/A (pre-Alfred)No AlfredAlfred is an
accomplice, but
dissaproves and thinks it wrong
Alfred is an
accomplice and
mediator
Comforts Dick, “One day Robin will fly again,” Bruce accuses him of encouraging him too much, makes suit for DickDoesn’t “like kids much,” drops tray when he sees Bruce has revealed his identity, but tutors and grows fond of him“Is this wise?”
Accomplice with
sympathy for Dick
Does not approve of climbling on
chandeliers, but
comforts Dick. Does not approve of him crime-fighting, but also
encourages him
Alfred stands up to Bruce to feed Dick a burger and fries so he doesn’t have to eat ratsChastises Bruce for not spending time, bonds with Dick,
worries
22
Bruce neglectsYes, until Alfred
chastizes him
To a degreeYes, “like a Christmas puppy”To a degreeYes, Bruce busy with other Batman thingsYes, leaves him alone in the caveYesTo a degree
23
Dick sneaks out to find killerHears Zucco might escape and goes out to find him on his own, same in presentThroughout movie, starting from when he arrives at Wayne manorSneaks out to find
killer when left on own, sees Haly killed, attacks killers
Confronts henchman right after, sneaks out and confronts Zucco at clubSneaks out to find
killer when left on own, overhears Haly threatened
Sneaks out to save BruceSneaks out to find
killer while at Wayne Care Center, runs into Batman and helps him fight
24
Dick is rescuedFalls in the river and almost drowns,
Batman saves him
Gets beaten up by gang expecting
Batman, also during
climax
Beaten up by the thugs who killed HalyBeaten up by the
henchman he
confronts
Yes, beaten up when he returns to circus and attacks thugsCops getting ready to beat and/or kill him
25
Dick rescues BruceYes, in presentYes, from being
buried
Yes, helps fight during climax, donning the costume for the first timeYes, sneaks out to help during climaxYes, goes out to help during climax,
donning the costume for the first time
26
Will you kill him?Dick asks Batman to kill Zucco for him, but when Bruce asks again, Dick says “no” which convinces Bruce to reveal his identityAlmost drops Zucco off a pier in present, but decides not toIt’s one of the main subplots that Bruce tries to convince him to not kill
Two-face and Dick
eventually saves him from falling to his death
When asked about it after says he didn’t want Zucco to die, which convinces Bruce to reveal his identity“Avenger or detective, what’s it going to be?”Wants to make Zucco pay. Could have let Zucco fall to death but saves him. When Bruce asks why he says he got what he deserved--"justice"Batman asks, Dick says that they want the “same thing”
27
Who named RobinBruce, Dick
approves
Bruce, Dick
approves
Bruce, Dick approvesDickDickBruceDickDick:”Robin Hood” Bruce:”Robin”DickDick
28
Why RobinBird & Robin HoodBird & Robin HoodBird & Robin Hood“Like in Robin Hood, not Robbin’ hoods.”Father’s nickname, saved brother and “flew in like a robin”Mother’s nickname-Born on the first day of springMother’s nickname- “always bobbin’ along”Robin HoodMother’s nickname- “you make me think of a litte robin”Mother’s nickname- bird
29
Who made suitBruce (References Bruce!Robin)Bruce (References Bruce!Robin)BruceBruce, based on
circus costume
Alfred, based off of circus costumeDickBruceDick, based on circus costumeDick, but told to loose the hood.Dick, based on circus costume Dick, pieced together from old batsuits
30
Told or discoveredTold, brought down to cave where Batman unmasksToldTold-- brought down to cave then Batman
unmasks
Told-- he was rescued and brought to the cave where Batman unmaskedDiscovered-- fell into the Batcave,
hijacked Batmobile
Told-- brought up to the manor after being rescuedTold-- Batman
unmasks then brought into cave
Told-- after being
rescued and brought to cave
Discovers-- finds
entrance to Batcave
Discovers-- through body language and research
31
Police involvementBatman says not to go to them because they are corrupt, and takes him awayBatman says not to go to the police yet because proof is needed; getting said proof will be Batman's jobBatman says not to go to them because they are corrupt, and takes him awayNo mention of the policeBatman says not to go to them because they are corrupt, and takes him awayBatman says not to go to them because they are corrupt, and takes him awayThey came, but
Batman beat them to the scene
Gordon talks to Dick, Bruce talks to Gordon who says he needs a place to keep him safe as a “material witness”Cop dropped him off at Wayne ManorShown but no real
interaction
Tells circus to call
police
Police take Dick, Vicki protests and follows, Batman says not to go to them because they are corrupt, and takes him awayDick calls police,
Batman intercepts
Shown but no real
interaction
Bruce talks to Gordon who says he needs a place to keep him safe as a “material witness”
32
Just like me!Yes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, as BatmanYes, Alfred tells him, then as BruceYes, as BatmanYes, as BruceBruce flashes back, then as Bruce in caveYes, as BruceBruce flashes back, then as Bruce in caveYes, Alfred tells him, visual parallelsBruce flashes back"I've seen in his head."In Dick’s narrationIn Dick’s narration
33
Help Dick move onYesYesYesYesNot addressed; end right after Graysons' deathsYes, “it will get better... for you.”YesYes, “Nothing I’ve found.”Yes, “...to this day I’ve yet to find my
parents’ killer.”
Yes, guilty that he has in fact
34
Candlelight oathYesYesYesYesYesYes, at ending(In the episode "Haunted")Yes
35
Training montageYes, acrobatics,
boxing, jiu jitsu
Yes, punching bag, jiu jitsu; after Zucco put away we see science and criminology trainingYes, Judo and crime detectionYes, acrobatics,
boxing, jiu jitsu
Yes, but only one image of generic fightingYes, boxing,
jiu jitsu, science
Yes, jiu jitsu,
boxing, acrobatics
Yes, jiu jitsu,
boxing, science,
criminology
Yes, running, weightlifting, martial arts, science, criminology, computersNo, story ends before this point(No, but there’s some bonding
fencing)
(In a deleted scene)Yes, martial arts, batarangs, acrobatics, weightlifting, speed, criminology and forensicsImplied, fighting
dummy
Yes, martial artsYes, martial arts,
science, batarangs
36
Learn acrobatics“As far as swinging ropes go, you could probably teach me a trick or two”“You could probably teach me a trick or two on the trapeze”Bruce's training "added to the aerial tricks I already knew"Bruce has seen the Graysons perform before, “I can see there’s a few moves you could teach me.”“I could learn a lot from these Graysons.”“I’ve had my eye on him for a while.”
37
Newsboy disguiseYes, undercoverYes, undercoverDick dons a cap when he leaves, but not
undercover
38
Window spyingYesYesYes, gets caughtCaught sneaking in the bushes outside the club
39
Gambling HouseYes, owned by
Zucco
Racketeers shown gamblingYes, owned by
Zucco
Yes, Zucco owns Nebula nightclub and gambling ringsDice in alley to get
information, poker in a safe house
Two-face and the Riddler rob the
Casino Excelsior Grand
Oxey’s clubThe Ox club, looked after by ZuccoIcepick club
40
Construction siteYes, attempted
sabotage
YesYesYesYes, attempted
sabotage in present
Yes
41
SlingshotYes, “like David”Yes, “like David”Yes
42
Bat-noteYesYesYes
43
ProstitutesDick saves a woman who buys him dinner and helps him find ZuccoYes*sighs*
44
Kill HenchmanYes, Zucco kills Blade, Robin takes a picture as evidenceYes, Zucco kills Blade, Robin takes a picture as
evidence
Yes, Zucco kills Blade, Robin takes a picture as
evidence
Yes, Zucco kills Blade, Robin takes picture as evidence, first solo missionSee below
45
Killer’s fateElectric chairElectric chairPrison presumablyElectric chairNot mentionedElectric chairCaught killerPrisonSent to prison, and shot and killed
leaving prison
Story ends before this addressedPrison presumablyFalls to death
reaching for coin
Killed by tigers. No really.Presumably a heart attack, “full of
disease”
Dies of a heart attack when attackedThrown in harbor and Bruce taunts himDick saves him from falling to his death, prison“brought to justice”
46
What now?Bruce asks if Dick will return to circus-
“I think Mother and Dad would like me to go on fighting crime-- and as for me... well...I love adventure!”
Bruce wants Dick to retire as Robin, but Dick begs Bruce for another chance to prove himself. Bruce agrees, gives Dick more training, and then tests him on another case."I've got the same reason for wanting to fight crime! Let me join you, Batman-- I could help! You'd have someone to share your fight!" Bruce asks if Dick will return to circus--“I think Mom and Dad would have wanted me to go on fighting crime!”"And from that day on the world knew of us both - the Dynamic Duo known as the Batman and Robin!"Leads into later Robin yearsLeads into later Robin yearsLeads into later Robin years and NightwingIn flashback, Dick
becomes Bruce’s ward. In present, Dick visits his
parents’ graves and talks to them
Makes oblique reference to Dick's crime-fighting future. Dick sees Batman and the "future opened up, then, like the parting of a curtain."In flashback, Zucco escapes. In
present, Zucco is arrested. “Come on
partner, it’s been a long night”
Running into light
together
“And so I found a new family and a circus that never leaves town”Dons costume for the first timeCandlelight oath,
“I am no longer alone”
N/A (Incomplete)Bruce Wayne not able to raise Dick properly, “But if not Bruce Wayne, what about the Batman.” Dick names himself Robin"We were a family act. I used to be closer to him than anyone else. But these days, it looks like he's in better hands..." Starfire/Robin kiss“...And Robin was born!” Leads into
other character’s
stories
“Robin would be
anything but
permanent. And that was fine.
After all.. things
always change.”
47
48
Other Notes:The original origin.This story gives a brief recap of the original origin and then shows how Dick proved himself. During the "test case," a thug threatens to shot Robin and Batman surrenders. The two are separated, and Robin has to use his training and his wits to locate and rescue Batman. According to Bruce, "Sure, you made a mistake, but you made up for it! You used your head - and that's what counts!"The main plot involves Dick trying to help an old friend from the circus and his son, and clear their names.This issue is largely an almost frame by frame copy of Detective Comics #38, but expands on some things such as the reasoning behind the name “Robin” and having Bruce and Dick go to court to get Dick established as Bruce’s legal ward.This story is focused on Robin's visit to Haly's Circus. Consequently, the origin story only takes up two pages.This issue in turn is largely a copy of
Batman #213 but is narrated by Dick who is musing about his life and it drops a few details.
This is a short
issue with only the bare bones but it
includes much more of John and Mary than I’d seen before and signs of Dick moving
towards becoming Nightwing are
evident.
This is one of the first post-Nightwing
origins, and so there is more
exploration of the differences
between Bruce and Dick and gets into that history.
This is probably one of the most influential versions of Robin’s origin. While still embracing elements, it takes a step away from the original story and expands on things such as giving Zucco himself more character and the legalities of Bruce becoming Dick’s legal guardian.
This tale is told in standard story form. Pictures are illustrations only. The story ends moments after the Graysons died. Although Dick has heard of the bat-man (in lower-case letters) and asks several circus people about him, Batman only appears in a couple of paragraphs right after the Graysons fall.This one takes most of its cues from Year Three, but it also has Dick taking more
initiative going out to find Zucco.
This version is
probably the most
different of all of them. Dick is older, Two-Face
responsible for the death of the
Graysons, even a sibling.
This version of the story takes some cues from Year Three but also has Dick going out to find justice on his own. Also like Year Three, it has Dick in an orphanage, but unlike the kind nuns of that story it is a violent and uncaring place.This has a lot of influence from early versions of the story, but also has Dick trying to fight Zucco and has Zucco die of a heart attack when Dick comes
after him.
This actually takes several cues from LOTDK #100, including Zucco’s death and some other small details. However it also brings back some smaller details from earlier versions such as Robin’s slingshot.This is another very different version, with Dick’s parents getting shot, and not by Zucco but “Jocko-boy Vanzetti.” It’s also one of the only versions to have any mention or appearances of the Justice League.Dick’s family
actually appears to be the ones running the circus in this version so Zucco threatens them directly. It also has a slightly different death with the rigging being
sabotaged rather than the ropes being damaged. Also, shows funeral.
The main plot of the story is the Titans trying to cheer Robin up on the anniversary of his parents' deaths.Only a few pages but it hits on the big points of the story. One of the biggest differences is that Dick has a larger family-- an aunt and a cousin-- and the uncle survives. The uncle is paralyzed/in a coma so is unable to care for Dick, but it’s still a difference.The aspect of Dick being a “material
witness” is similar to Robin’s Reckoning. However, instead of taking Dick in himself, Bruce sends him to the "Wayne Care Center”, and part of being Robin and going to Wayne manor is under the disguise of a part-time job a la Batman Beyond.
49
The whole subplot with Blade here is something that would dissapear in later versions of the
story.
Bruce makes Dick prove himself because Bruce thinks Dick might be afraid (to Bruce, it was anger that allowed Dick to vanquish Zucco). Dick begs for a test because "if I stop being Robin I'll never know whether I'm a coward or not!"Also interesting is the lack of a specific killer or a reference to Zucco, but rather going with general "racketeers."There’s also a
reference to Detective Comics #226, the story of Bruce donning the Robin costume when he was younger.
The ending reveals that Haly knows Dick is Robin, but this is shown in a thought bubble. Haly doesn't tell Robin/Dick that he knows his secret identity.There are also
elements to the
present day story which involve
Deadman, which are also explored in
Nightwing: Year One.
It also get more into Dick’s anger and is one of the few that has Dick sent to an orphanage before Bruce takes him in. It also has the first appearance of Tim Drake.John and Mary died on Halloween, a week after Dick's tenth birthday.It also takes some of the aspects such as the going out to find justice on own and Dick’s anger and takes it to more of an extreme.Also interesting, it has Zucco in a prominant role, but has the
actual killer be
someone else
This has the most iconic imagery when it comes to Robin’s origin. Tim Sale’s work is fantastic.The Batman in this version is...vaguely psychotic and
actually kidnaps Dick.
Zucco is also
depicted with siblings to play up the family themes.
Only appearance of Batman in the Teen Titans cartoon universe. Also, although we don't see his face, he is shown taking off his mask. Also, shows funeral.It also has the rigging being damaged like in “The Batman” version.Part of this story is just setting up the next arc of the
ongoing, involving a fight with Lady
Shiva.
50
dynamic-duo-deposit.tumblr.comthoughtsabout dickgrayson. tumblr.com
51