is Batman better with or without a sidekick?
>>150794406Without. If any exist they're best used as a device to torture Batman, which is why any sidekick he has should be temporary
>>150794406Without
Robin's purpose was to serve as a relatable self-insert for kids and was vital in revitalizing Batman in his second year. He also serves as his Watson, which is convenient from a writing standpoint.
>>150794406Without. The Robins are fine as back up or as vigilantes in training but running around with Batman just doesn't work for me. Early career Batman when he's at his angriest and still fucking up is my favorite
Dick was the only good sidekick to Bruce. The rest not so much.
>>150794406Based on >>150795039They question's you need to ask areIs than a story that wants to attract kids to read it?andIs this mainly a detective story or a action story?
>>150794406Back in the day Batman would had been long canceled if Robin wasn't introduced and saved Batman from cancelation.
>>150794406With, batman really just isn't interesting enough to stand alone for awhile.
>>150794406I've liked batman books that are just him, but they're usually very self contained graphic novels and not part of a larger run. Your monthly batman book needs people for him to talk to, the batfamily fills that roll well.
>>150795204He needs someone to talk to other than Alfred
>>150794406Without Alfred too
>>150794406With - but only if writers are interested on making Batman also Bruce Wayne - and not the whole 'I am just Batman' thing.Personally I like them as his only connection to his humanity that gradually changes him from vengeful to someone who has to learn to be human to be a father/mentor and reclaim the humanity he lost. But I also do like my grimy broody Batman too.
>>150794406With. Though I'd prefer it to be explicit 'mentor training a student' relationships rather then the weirdness of taking in a 'ward'.
>>150794406With, he needs someone else around to keep him human.Also I just think Robin is fun.
>>150796139same. i like the idea that Robin or anyone else essentially becomes a proper new family for him.
Most of my favorite stories don't have a Robin in them, but he can be interesting if used with purpose (Lonely Place of Dying, Death in the Family, Prodigal Son) or just used sparingly. Robin is also fun in throwback camp stories but that's about it.Robin doesn't really work in modern DC because they've been obsessed with being edgy since the late 90's and Robin is lighthearted fare.
>>150794406>>150798478Robin should be a girl
>>150794406with desu
If they were actually used as a catalyst for character growth in Batman I could get on board with them much easier. Modern Batman being completely stuck as a character and essentially learning nothing from his past experiences and just being defined by his unchanging nature makes the Robins only exist to highlight that aspect of him, which is a real shame.
>>150794406Without. Mother best Batman stories and movies don’t even have Robin. And for good reason. Robin is dull.
>>150794406With. You have to think of Robin as his Watson. Like yeah, Alfred's fine, but he stays in the manor so he is not that interesting. Robin can actually follow Bruce around.And Jay should never have died.
Better without, but he's one of the few superheroes that still works well with one.
>>150795165On opposite day, Tim and Jason were much more interesting Robins.
>>150794406It's weird how DC loves to sell Batman as this edgy brooding loner....who also happens to have a large stable of teen and 20 something sidekicks for every adventure. and always a brightly colored boy adventurer hanging with him all the time.
The original concept was for a lone vigilante. That's what works best. Unfortunately the licensing department will come along every few years and whine about there being no Robin because the casuals think they're still a team.
>>150794406I liked how TAS handled it. He was mostly solo, but Dick would help out if he was on break from school.
>>150794406Depends on the story but most of the time without. It's like Punisher with Microchip, Micro works in the stories he's needed in but he wouldn't work in the Ennis stuff. I like how the Arkham games broached the subject by having three of the Robins exist in the world but none of them accompanying Batman.
>>150804152>That's what works best. Unfortunately the licensing department will come along every few years and whine about there being no Robin because the casuals think they're still a team.Because they do and have been asking to see them together for years after Nolan beget the age of ULTRA SERIOUS GRITTY Batman.
