Critiques of Batman often suggest that he would be better served alone and that an adult-version is more effective than one with children as sidekicks. Unfortunately, such arguments miss the mark – Batman can’t control chance or random events but can use his understanding of criminal behaviour to combat crime more efficiently.

Robin is an integral and essential character in Batman lore, yet it is important to keep in mind that to become an effective sidekick it takes more than wearing the shiny costume and receiving recognition – you need something bigger that motivates you. Dick Grayson and Tim Drake understood this.

They weren’t afraid of taking on dangerous tasks or risking their lives for the greater good, as long as it meant helping others and fighting those causing harm; that was the foundation of their success.

Unfortunately, not all Robins understand this truth. When Batman had openings for sidekicks, he grabbed any young person he saw to fill them; Jason Todd and Stephanie Brown being prominent examples; it is no wonder why neither were huge successes because it became clear they weren’t in it for the right reasons: rather they saw it as an opportunity to gain fame rather than change themselves for good.