Batman: Robin coming out as bisexual was 'missing piece' of story15456
 Forum Crier
|
OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
| No need to respond to this article. It's just FYI. I know it can be a volatile subject and I don't want anyone to get suspended or anything. All I wanted to say is I wish comic book writers would leave the historic characters alone and if they want to create new diverse characters, have at it. ___________________ 12 August 2021  The writer of the Batman comic book series has explained why the time was right for his crime-fighting buddy Robin to come out as bisexual. Robin first teamed up with the superhero in 1940, to help keep the streets of Gotham City safe. Now in the latest edition of Batman: Urban Legends, Robin, aka Tim Drake, has revealed his sexual identity. Writer Meghan Fitzmartin told BBC Radio 4's Today it felt like the "missing piece" of his narrative. "We were looking at what could we do with Tim and what stories do we want to tell with Tim," she said. "It's been a while since he's had his own story." "I went back and I read a bunch of the comics that I grew up with and just really spent some time with that character to figure out what what stories did I want to tell and there were these pieces that kept coming together that felt that they didn't have context without this final piece of having him realise his own sexuality, that this is part of who he is as a person and as a character. She added: "It felt like this was a missing piece in the understanding of this character, so it was sort of moving forward in that in that direction."  Down the years, the alter-ego of Robin has been adopted by different characters in the story, from Dick Grayson [see actor Burt Ward pictured below] to Damian Wayne, via Jason Todd and Tim Drake. At one stage, Drake's girlfriend Stephanie Brown donned the uniform and acted as Batman's trusted assistant but was sacked for not obeying his orders. In the latest issue of the anthology series, Drake, now back in the role, accepts a date from another boy.  (Left to right) US actors Burt Ward and Adam West played Batman and Robin on TV in the 1960s Fitzmartin says she spent "a lot of time and a lot of prayer" on making sure that the moment and manner in which he came out was just right. "[I was] wanting to make sure that it was right but ultimately it was depending on the character and letting Tim speak what he felt, and allowing the words that he had to be on the page. "I know that that's very a 'writer-ly' thing to say but it really did feel like I was handing over the reigns to Tim to say, 'Alright bud, whatever you want to say, go for it'."  For many people, Robin's coming out party or scene has been a long time coming, after all these years in print and on the big and small screen. US radio critic Glen Weldon from NPR wrote: "For decades, homophobes looking to land cheap jokes and queer fans aching to see themselves in the comics they love have shared an unlikely common goal - to shove Robin, Batman's trusty sidekick, out of the closet." The Batman writer hopes they "did it as respectfully as we could". She confirmed the character will continue to go on his own journey of personal discovery, while also focusing on his day job as a crime fighting caped crusader. Batman will be totally cool with his sidekick's revelation about his sexuality, Fitzmartin added, noting how their relationship has always been akin to that of a father and son. "I think Batman is incredibly open" she said. "He's going to be very receptive of a Robin. "Ultimately there is a lot of love that he has for Tim and that will shine through." clickable text |
||
| Post 1 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
Themaxx35 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by OGJackster  |
||
| Post 2 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user | |
| IBTL | ||
| Post 3 • IP flag post | ||
 Beaten by boat oars
|
Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I remember when Iceman made the switch after decades of just slaying it. #IBTL | ||
| Post 4 • IP flag post | ||
 past performance is no guarantee of future actions.
|
KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I don't know.... I thought it was really funny when they made the GA Green Lantern gay.....because his weakness is WOOD!!! In all seriousness though.....people aren't buying spandex comics for the love stories...there already exist many, many comics where that aspect of a character is relevant......for spandex though it's all about the interaction with the villain - no one cares too much about the personal life and sooner or later it will just be written out or done away with -this is all about lazy writers getting a bump in a few issues sales numbers. As far as 'historic' characters - this version is what the 4th Robin?? - I didn't even know Tim Drake was still Robin wasn't it Damian? I don't know...only 3 Robins for me - Dick (now nightwing), Jason (dead - I don't care they brought him back - he's dead to me!) and Carrie Kelly DKR....sure I read the whole intro of Tim but never really liked him and stopped reading Bat titles mostly by the time Damian or any others came around |
||
| Post 5 • IP flag post | ||
|
past performance is no guarantee of future actions.
|
KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Darkseid_of_town ditto!! |
||
| Post 6 • IP flag post | ||
|
past performance is no guarantee of future actions.
|
KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user | |
| DC needs another reboot or Crisis event - can kill off 2 or 3 superfluous Robins?? | ||
| Post 7 • IP flag post | ||
 Masculinity takes a holiday.
|
EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Wobin jus wookin for nub | ||
| Post 8 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
Drogio private msg quote post Address this user | |
| You guys (gals?) are so paranoid with this IBTL crap. No one has even said anything controversial or offensive yet. Lame. And I started reading Batman about the time Tim Drake came into the picture and I dont really consider him “historic”. It’s all good…do what you want DC. Don’t really care honestly. |
||
| Post 9 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
andy49 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| What does Burt Ward say about it? I'm pretty sure he has an opinion on it. |
||
| Post 10 • IP flag post | ||
|
Forum Crier
|
OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Drogio Tim Drake is one of the characters that has been Robin. He has been included in past events in the stories of Batman. By definition, he is part of the history of the Batman story. That's what I was referring to. |
||
| Post 11 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
CatCovers private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Somewhere, the ghost of Frederic Wertham is shouting "I told you so!" | ||
| Post 12 • IP flag post | ||
 Looking for love in all the wrong places.
|
robo private msg quote post Address this user | |
| In the context with all the DC/Marvel virtue signaling. It's called gay baiting. Think Weezer sang something like 'everyone's a little queer, can't you be a little straight?' Pretty sure everyone thought Robin was gay anyway - 'not that there's anything wrong with that.' - Seinfeld. So this is the Robin that Joker killed? HBO Titans anyone? I'm liking it. | ||
| Post 13 • IP flag post | ||
 I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
|
DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I'm surprised it's Tim Drake when Bruce Wayne always had a fondness for Dick. | ||
| Post 14 • IP flag post | ||
|
Forum Crier
|
OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by CatCovers If he was alive and writing on the subject today, I don't think comic books would be to blame for concerns about the effects of violent imagery on the development of children as so much as TV, movies, and the internet. |
||
| Post 15 • IP flag post | ||
 I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
|
GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Drogio I think the IBTL posts are a statement of the divisive/controversial subject matter coupled with the "trigger" factor of the audience. I must admit, when I saw this thread, my thoughts were, "odds are good this thread will get locked at some point". |
||
| Post 16 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
robertofredrico private msg quote post Address this user | |
The writers have dropped hints over the years. |
||
| Post 17 • IP flag post | ||
|
Forum Crier
|
OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by GAC As long as people remain mature, it should be fine. If they get too crude, they risk the chance of suspension. Their choice. I was a little reluctant to post this but, the subject matter is now part of the industry and a topic of discussion. |
||
| Post 18 • IP flag post | ||
|
I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
|
DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| It's an effort to shock, sell books, and/or be inclusive with an emphasis on selling books. Shades of the bat penis rears its head... again. | ||
| Post 19 • IP flag post | ||
|
I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this.
|
GAC private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by OGJackster Agreed 100%!! |
||
| Post 20 • IP flag post | ||
 Please continue to ignore anything I post.
|
southerncross private msg quote post Address this user | |
| New stories about characters I say go for it. Make existing characters new and different. Why DC years ago did Batman year one. I'm a long time Dr who fan, grew up watching Tom Baker. They have a female Doctor now. I was ok with that. I thought the female Master in Dr Who was done really well. A evil Marry Poppins and she acted creepy |
||
| Post 21 • IP flag post | ||
|
Forum Crier
|
OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by robertofredrico ...in context  |
||
| Post 22 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
dfoster43 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Whoa hold on, wait a minute, women write comic books?  |
||
| Post 23 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
BrashSmurf private msg quote post Address this user | |
| As a non human life form I am waiting for my representation in comics (Yes, I don't consider myself to be human. Haven't for over 10 years) I mean every thing else seems to be getting a world known character changed for them Honestly nothing DC or Marvel do will improve sales against the Manga industry. |
||
| Post 24 • IP flag post | ||
 PLOD
|
theCapraAegagrus private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I only care how well it's written or how overbearing it may be. I care about Drake's sexuality as much as I care about Wayne's. | ||
| Post 25 • IP flag post | ||
 Pictures? We don't need no stinking pictures.
|
brysb private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So after all of these years Tim Drake decides he is gay/bi? Ok, whatever. Notice they didn't make Damian Wayne gay, but instead went with Tim Drake who is a more disposable character and just 1 in a string of Robins. Maybe we will get a gay bashing/Joker story arc & it ends with Tim Drake getting beaten to death with a crow bar? Later he is resurrected in the Lazarus Pit just like Jason Todd, but instead of a Red Hood he will don a Disco Ball on his head. | ||
| Post 26 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
KYDU private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Lazy and easy writing. Create your own character not retroactively change a well established character, or at least go the route of say creating a Miles Morales. This is like self serving fan fiction.(Yes I can do better DC, just give me a 6 to 12 issue run). To be fair I haven’t read the storyline so not sure of the context and the writer may be amazing. |
||
| Post 27 • IP flag post | ||
|
I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
|
DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by dfoster43 Yes, and most of the stories sparkle like Twilight. |
||
| Post 28 • IP flag post | ||
 How do I know this? Because I've done it myself.
|
lawguy1977 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I'll dip my feet in the pool here for a couple minutes and then move on to dinner and a beer. 1. Read what you love. If you don't like it, don't read it. Great thing about this world -- especially in the world of comics, tv, movies, books, etc., there's so much damn content available now. 2. Personally, I don't equate this move the same as the Bat Dong. That was clearly for headlines and had absolutely nothing to do with the story. It was just a way to get the Black Label some press. 3. Totally agree that new characters can be a focus for diversity. We've seen that with probably the best example in the past 20 years -- Miles Morales, which someone referenced earlier. However, at the same time, there's a lot of joking about the million Robins that have been around, which is very fair. 50% of Gotham has been Robin at this point. So, if DC created a new bisexual character and said, "Here's our new Robin," I think a lot of folks would come out and say that's it lazy writing and just done solely to create a bisexual Robin for the sake of diversity and that this Robin is not a real "Robin." Regardless if DC had Tim Drake (or a different Robin) come out or they create a brand new bisexual Robin, people would criticize the move as a "ploy." And yes, you can easily say it is a ploy to get new readers or cater to political correctness, diversity, current social trends, or as a means to force indoctrination into children, whatever, feel free to stand on a milk crate and yell about it. Simple fact is that superhero comics have tackled social issues for decades -- racism, drug or alcohol addiction, etc. The world hated the X-Men. Tony was an alcoholic. Speedy was an addict. Peter Parker was an orphan. Big stuff for what is supposed to be kids books. But maybe some kid read that and could relate and feel a little bit better about his or her life. Or feel like someone out there understands them. Anyway, for me, the question really comes down to how this whole thing came about. Has anyone actually read the story where Tim Drake came out as bisexual? Was it forced or contrived? Or was it a natural progression of how the character was being written? I haven't read the story so I can't say. But for me, it all comes down to the writing. If it makes sense, then the writer did a good job. If it's a bulls*** ploy, then the readers are going to recognize that and it won't hold up. And maybe, just maybe, some kid out there is reading it and thinks, "Hey, if Robin is bisexual and can help kick ass with Batman, then maybe it's ok if I'm bi, too." Well, that's pretty empowering, I'd say. |
||
| Post 29 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
jesseaweiss private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by brysb People discover things about themselves in all stages of life. While it's becoming more common, it unusual for people to come out before they are at least out of HS (because of bullying) or into their 20's and more established. Personally I think it's more authentic to have someone change over time than to just drop a new character. |
||
| Post 30 • IP flag post | ||
This topic is archived. Start new topic?