Batman: Beyond the White Knight may show a stale, dystopian Gotham, but all hope is not lost as many heroes emerge to challenge the dual government, including a brand new woman Robin. Blood was DC's first female Robin in a long time, and I hope they remember her moving forward.
In Batman: The White Knight Presents – Little Red Riding HoodA two-issue miniseries by Sean Murphy, Clayton McCormack, Simone Di Meo, George Kambadais, Dave Stewart and AndWorld Design, Jason Todd really got a workout after his run-in with the Joker. own Robin: A young girl named Blood who tries to stop crime alone with Red and a bike. Blood has finally earned his proper Robin costume and his place among Gotham's vigilantes, and I really wish DC hadn't parted ways with him so soon.
Set between Jason's time as Robin and Bruce's reappearance in his life, the series saw Jason struggling with commitments, going from job to job before drunkenly confronting Blood. Despite their rough start, Jason readily agrees to train her. He walked out of her life only after realizing that the instincts he had instilled in her were more dangerous than caution. Batman: Beyond the White Knight revealed how Gan found healthier ways to help his community Before Blood is properly suited to fight alongside Batman's allies in the series' climax.
Blood's Robin costume honors Mongolian heritage
Variant cover by Simone Di Meo
Although most of Robin's costumes are of his time, Blood's costume is a direct reference to his heritagefrom design to function. Blood tells Jason Batman: The White Knight Presents – Little Red Riding Hood #1 that both his belt and tunic belonged to his paternal grandfather. Aside from Damian Wayne's Robin outfits, Blood is one of the few Gotham heroes to incorporate his culture into his heroism, bringing a personal touch to a shattered legacy.
I think these cultural touches are a brilliant way to differentiate his character and add some variation to the Robin costume. Gan then modifies his bike and fork with improved axles and his grandfather's bow. bringing traditional weapons into high-end, high-tech combat.
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But the suit wasn't just about technology. from the beginning Blood was different from Gotham's old roster Because he really wants to protect the parts of the city that Batman neglects. This value is the basis of his character. Using traditional and cultural weaponry, Blood uses advanced technology to create conflict between him and the characters, further serving to separate Blood from the corrupt Gotham. As a new character he needed to be distinguished from other Robins strongly. All together, Blood's character is a bright light in a dark storyline, and I hope DC remembers him moving forward.
It's Time DC Invested in Non-Male Robins
Batman Has an Unmistakable Type
After the end of the New 52, DC settled the controversy over who would hold the titles of Robin and Batgirl. allow multiple characters to have names at the same time. While this cuts down on the legacy-focused storyline, it also prevents any new characters from being the focus. Blood is proof that new Robins — and Batgirls — can still be introduced without other characters (or fans) feeling discredited.
Other non-male Robins from the DC Multiverse include (but are not limited to) Stephanie Brown, Carrie Kelley, and most recently Maps Mizoguchi!
There are many ways to revive Robin's legacy without canceling someone else's sense of belonginglike bringing personal culture to suit. Blood did not ask for permission to bear the name Robin, nor was he afraid to speak his mind. He doesn't need it. Gan's storyline may be intertwined Batman: The White KnightJason Todd's, but his development when he joined Batman: Beyond the White Knight was entirely his own.
There are more Robin stories to tell from a different point of view than the Robins that came before.
Blood's decision to don the Robin logo and costume came without Batman in his life. This decision not only reflected in the existing characters around him – who already have a lot of DC knowledge – but also gave Gan a chance to make a real impact. Batman: Beyond the White Knightthe last battle of There are more Robin storiesfrom perspectives other than the Robins that came before.
Bloody Robin needs to return to the DC Multiverse
Variant cover by Simone Di Meo
I think DC could do a great job of telling more non-male Robin stories. Robin's War – a cross-over event from a number of creators that included Nightwing, Red Hood, Damian Wayne and more – proved that anyone can carry the icon, but DC has yet to succeed in making it happen. This is something that should change as DC moves forward. The character of Blood was a first of many for DC – especially in terms of different character designs – but it can't be overlooked that his new take on Robin's legacy revives an increasingly dated heroic legacy.
Robin's War
spanning eight different series, has been collected in a paperback edition available now from DC Comics.
Like a newly minted Robin and an old man with life experience, Blood's character will have a lot to offer in future storiesas well Batman: The White Knight universe that thinly sold the fourth volume and if DC reintroduces it in the main universe. Plus, there are very few non-male Robins. There are more citizens of Gotham who deserve a hero to represent them on the rooftops. Archery might not be Batman's style, but Blood has already proven that it doesn't take anything from Batman to be an archer. Robin.
Batman: The White Knight Presents: Little Red Riding Hood available now from DC Comics.