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{{Expand}}
  
 
{{Character
  
{{Character
−
| name = Robin
+
| name = Robin
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| image = RobinTNBA.jpg
 +
| TNBApic = Robin (TNBA).png
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| bgcolor = black
 +
| cpic-endtab = ROTJ
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| fgcolor = #FEB82B
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| cpic-end = Tim Drake.png
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| real name = Timothy Drake
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| real name = Timothy Drake<ref name="Sins">{{ep ref|tnba|102}}</ref>
−
| aka = The Boy Wonder
 +
| aka = Tim<br />The Boy Wonder<ref>{{ep ref|ss|201}}</ref><br />Joker Junior<ref name="ROTJ"/>
 
| species = Human
  
| species = Human
−
| hair = Black, White (in his 50s)
 +
| hair = Black<br />Gray (in his 50s)
 
| eyes = Black
  
| eyes = Black
−
| relatives = [[Steven Drake|Steven "Shifty" Drake]] (father, deceased), [[Bruce Wayne]] (guardian), [[Mrs. Drake]] (wife), Unnamed children
 +
| relatives = [[Steven Drake]] (father, deceased)<br />[[Batman|Bruce Wayne]] (guardian)<br />[[Mrs. Drake]] (wife)<br />Unnamed children
 
| base = [[Gotham City]]
  
| base = [[Gotham City]]
−
| affiliation = [[Batman]]
 +
| affiliation = [[Batman]]<br />[[Joker]] (bamboozlement)<br/>[[Titans]]<ref>{{ep ref|ss|301}}</ref>
 
| abilities = Well-trained martial artist<br />Some detective skills
  
| abilities = Well-trained martial artist<br />Some detective skills
 
| weaponry =
 
| weaponry =
−
| voiced by = [[Matthew Valencia]]<ref>{{tnba}}</ref><br /> [[Eli Marienthal]]<ref>''[[Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman]]''</ref><br /> [[Shane Sweet]]<ref>{{ss}}, "[[Future Shock]]"</ref><br /> [[Andrea Romano]] (Joker Junior)<ref name="ROTJ"/> <br /> [[Dean Stockwell]] (Middle-aged)<ref name="ROTJ"/>
 +
| voiced by = [[Matthew Valencia]]<ref>{{tnba}}</ref><ref name="ROTJ"/><br />[[Eli Marienthal]]<ref>{{ep ref|ss|201}}</ref><ref name="MOTB">{{ep ref|tnba|motb}}</ref><br /> [[Shane Sweet]]<ref>{{ep ref|ss|401}}</ref><br />[[Dean Stockwell]]<ref name="ROTJ"/><br />[[Andrea Romano]] (Joker Junior)<ref name="ROTJ"/>
 
}}
  
}}
 
{{Otheruses}}
  
{{Otheruses}}
 
{{quote|Hero time.|source=<ref name="ROTJ"/>}}
  
{{quote|Hero time.|source=<ref name="ROTJ"/>}}
  +
'''Timothy "Tim" Drake''' replaced [[Nightwing|Dick Grayson]] as '''Robin'''. Following his kidnapping and torture by the [[Joker]], however, he would retire from the role, eventually becoming a top-level communications engineer in adulthood.
−
The second '''Robin''', real name '''Tim Drake''', replaced [[Nightwing|Dick Grayson]].
  
   
 
== History ==
  
== History ==
 
=== Early life ===
  
=== Early life ===
−
Tim Drake was the son of [[Gotham City]] criminal [[Steven Drake|Steven "Shifty" Drake]], who was often a thug for the crime lord [[Two-Face]]. He had very little respect for his father, and often had to fend for himself. Around the age of 10, Tim began to idolize Gotham City hero [[Batman]] and placed newspaper clippings on his wall. After Batman left a [[batarang]] behind at a crime scene, Tim found it and began using it himself.
 +
Tim Drake was the son of criminal [[Steven Drake|Steven "Shifty" Drake]], a thug for the crime lord [[Two-Face]]. He had very little respect for his father, who was never around during his childhood, and often had to fend for himself. Around the age of 13, Drake began to idolize [[Gotham City]] hero [[Batman]] and placed newspaper clippings on his wall. After Batman left a [[batarang]] behind at a crime scene, Drake found it and began using it himself.
   
  +
=== Early adventures as Robin ===
⚫
When his father double crossed Two-Face, he left Tim a note and a key to a Gotham City airport locker. This key was discovered by Two-Face's henchmen when they briefly kidnapped young Tim. Two-Face flipped his coin, and decided to execute Tim, but Batman showed up and rescued him.
  
  ⚫
[[File:Tim finds suit.png|thumb|200px|Tim finds the old Robin suit.]]
  ⚫
When his father double crossed Two-Face, Drake was left a note and a key to a Gotham City airport locker. This key was discovered by Two-Face's henchmen when they briefly kidnapped the youth. Two-Face flipped his coin, and decided to execute Drake, but Batman had rescued the boy. Soon after, they discovered that Drake's father was killed outside of Gotham. With no place to go, Bruce Wayne adopted Drake and began to mentor him under his tutelage as the second Robin, the same time Dick Grayson rejoined the Bat-family as Nightwing.<ref name="Sins" />
   
  ⚫
Almost immediately, Drake began working in the field as Robin. One of his first acts was helping Batman thwart the [[Joker]]'s attempt to kill Gothamites with a sonic bomb during a New Year's Eve celebration.<ref>{{ep ref|tnba|101}}</ref>
−
Soon after, they discovered that Tim's father was killed outside of Gotham. With no place to go, Bruce Wayne adopted Tim and began to put him under his tutelage as the next Robin.<ref>{{tnba}}, "[[Sins of the Father]]"</ref>
  
   
  ⚫
When [[Mister Freeze|Mr. Freeze]] began targeted assorted people in order to destroy people's hope, and went after Wayne's family, Mr. Freeze at first considered freezing Drake, the surrogate son, but ultimately decided to go after [[Alfred Pennyworth]]. Drake was left behind to watch over Alfred while Batman and [[Batgirl]] went after Mr. Freeze.<ref>{{ep ref|tnba|103}}</ref>
−
=== Adventures As Robin ===
  
⚫
Almost immediately, Robin began working in the field. One of his first acts was helping Batman thwart the [[Joker]]'s attempt to kill Gothamites with his [[Joker venom|Joker Gas]] during a New Year's Eve celebration.<ref>Idem, "[[Holiday Knights]]"</ref>
  
   
  +
When the [[Scarecrow]] invented a gas that removed a person's fears, and Batman was turned into a man with a fearless attitude, Robin stopped Batman out of fear his mentor was no longer afraid to kill. As a result, Robin tied up Batman with his grappling hook. The Dark Knight pretended contrition and offered to let Robin lead if he let him go. Robin was nearly fooled, but saw through the façade just in time and left in the Batwing to find Scarecrow's hideout. When Batman nearly killed Scarecrow, Robin freed Batman with the antidote. With Batman back to normal, Robin was given Batman's praise for doing the right thing.<ref>{{ep ref|tnba|104}}</ref>
⚫
Later, when [[Mister Freeze]] began targeting assorted people in order to destroy people's hope, Freeze went after Bruce Wayne's family. Freeze at first considered to freeze Tim Drake the surrogate son, but ultimately decided to go after [[Alfred Pennyworth|Alfred]]. Tim was left behind to watch over Alfred when Batman and [[Batgirl]] went after [[Mr. Freeze]].<ref>Idem, "[[Cold Comfort]]"</ref>
  
   
−
During one night of working solo, Tim came to the aid of a young girl with amnesia, whom he named [[Annie]]. He developed a bit of a crush on the girl, who seemed to be living in constant fear of an unknown assailant. She later proved to be a lost creation of [[Clayface]], who had created her in order to scout out Gotham for his inevitable return. Unfortunately the girl had 'forgotten' her purpose and continued to run. When Clayface reabsorbed the girl, Tim took her 'murder' very hard and almost killed Clayface.<ref>Idem, "[[Growing Pains]]"</ref>
 +
During one night of working solo, Robin came to the aid of a [[Annie|young girl]] with amnesia, developing a bit of a crush on the girl, calling her "Annie". She later proved to be a lost creation of [[Clayface]] in order to scout out Gotham for a return. Unfortunately, the girl had "forgotten" her purpose and continued to run. When Clayface reabsorbed the girl, Robin took her "murder" very hard and almost killed Clayface if it wasn't for Batman stepping in at the nick of time.<ref>{{ep ref|tnba|108}}</ref>
   
  +
After fighting against pick-pockets and thieves, Robin who was getting overwhelmed is saved by [[Nightwing]]. He then asks him why he left the Robin mantle as they were the Dynamic Duo. After hearing about his predecessor's last days as Robin, Robin and Nightwing learn about a [[Connor|night watchman]] at [[Wayne Enterprises]]. The two protégés of Batman leave when the [[Bat-signal]] comes on in the night sky to join their mentor.<ref>{{ep ref|tnba|205}}</ref>
−
When Bruce Wayne went mysteriously missing, Tim was left to protect Gotham on his own, while [[Nightwing]] and [[Batgirl]] went to search for him, thinking that [[Ra's al Ghul]] had a hand in the disappearance. When [[Superman]] arrived, growing concerned himself, he and Robin teamed-up with Superman masquerading as the missing Batman, and Tim being his guide. Together the duo discovered that Bruce was actually under [[Brainiac]]'s mind controlling nanites. Together they managed to save Bruce and again destroy Brainiac.<ref>{{stas}}, "[[Knight Time]]"</ref>
  
   
  +
When Batman mysteriously went missing, Nightwing and Batgirl went to search for Wayne believing [[Ra's al Ghul]] had something to do with it while Robin was left to defend Gotham by himself. When [[Superman]] upon hearing of Batman's disappearance from [[Roxy Rocket]] arrived in Gotham, Robin teams up with the Man of Steel. With Robin as a guide, Superman was able to successfully masquerade as Batman for a time, and together, the duo discovered that Wayne was actually under [[Brainiac]]'s mind-controlling nanites. They managed to save Wayne with Brainiac's destruction with Robin eventually earning Superman's respect.<ref>{{ep ref|stas|302}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:16-year-old Robin.png|thumb|left|220px|Tim's later career as Robin.]]
  
−
At some point in his life as Robin, Tim Drake became a member of a superhero group known as the [[Titans]].<ref>{{ss}}, "[[Hard as Nails]]"</ref>
  
   
  +
=== Later career as Robin and killing Joker ===
−
Sometime after Dick Grayson left Gotham for good to establish himself in [[Bludhaven|another city]], Robin was patrolling alone one night. Upon hearing a scream of terror, Robin thought he was saving a lone woman from thugs but instead, fell into a trap set by the Joker and [[Harley Quinn]]. For three long weeks, at the old [[Arkham Asylum]], Tim was mercilessly tortured with electro-shock and chemical injections. The Joker also took the opportunity to implant a microchip at the base of Tim's skull that contained an encoded version of the Joker's DNA and memories. During the course of the torture, the Joker learned the precious secrets entrusted to Robin. Not content with just [[File:Jokered rotj.jpg|thumb|right|218px|Tim as "Joker Jr."]] destroying Tim's mind he sought to further humiliate Batman. To this end, the Joker transformed Tim into a crude version of himself. Tim's skin was bleached white, dying his hair green and twisting Tim's mouth into a grotesque Joker-like grin. Because of the torture and makeover he endured for the three weeks, he was also rendered unable to communicate in any way except with demented laughter. Re-naming him "Joker Junior" aka "J.J." the Joker claimed Drake as his and Harley's new son, and planned on using Drake to destroy Batman. During the battle that followed, the Joker gave Tim a gun and ordered him to kill Batman with it. Tim laughed uncontrollably and fought with the choice whether or not kill Batman. He finally killed the Joker instead, after which he completely broke down in the arms of Batgirl. After these events, Commissioner Gordon quickly covered up the incident and nothing was ever made public.
 
  +
[[File:16-year-old Robin.png|thumb|left|200px|Tim's later career as Robin.]]
  +
Robin along with Batman assisted fellow crime-fighter [[Static]] on a couple of occasions,<ref name="ss201">{{ep ref|ss|201}}</ref><ref name="ss401">{{ep ref|ss|401}}</ref> and in stopping [[Batwoman]]'s vengeful rampage, where during that time he briefly acquaints himself with one of the suspects [[Rocky Ballantine]] who worked briefly at Wayne Enterprises and helped Tim with a video game problem he had.<ref name="MOTB" />
   
  +
Robin also joined a team known as the [[Titans]].<ref name="SS 301">{{ep ref|ss|301}}</ref>
−
After the tramuas that he suffered, Tim was shatterred physically and psychologically. To help him recover, a close friend of the Wayne family, Dr. [[Leslie Thompkins]] spent a year treating Tim. But, to spite this, Tim would suffer horrible dreams for years. After what happened to Tim, Batman, feeling responsible for what happened, forbade Tim from donning the Robin costume ever again. Drake went out on his own as a hero and attempted several times to mend things with Batman only to fail.<ref name="ROTJ"/>
  
   
  +
Sometime after Nightwing left to establish himself in [[Blüdhaven|another city]], Robin was patrolling alone one night. Upon hearing a scream for help, Robin rushed to the aid of a lone woman being accosted by thugs when, in fact, he was falling into a trap set by the Joker and [[Harley Quinn]]. For the next three long weeks, in the ruins of the old abandoned [[Arkham Asylum]], Drake was mercilessly tortured with electro-shock and chemical injections. During the course of these torture sessions, Joker extracted the precious secrets entrusted to Robin, who tried to resist at first but ultimately succumbed. Not content with just destroying Drake's mind, the Clown Prince of Crime sought to further humiliate Batman. To this end, Joker transformed Drake into a crude, childlike version of himself: Drake's skin was bleached white, his hair dyed green, and his mouth was twisted into a grotesque, Joker-like grin. Because of the torture, disfigurement and brainwashing he endured for three weeks, he was also rendered unable to communicate in any way except with demented laughter.
⚫
=== Later Years ===
  
−
[[File:Tim Drake resentful reminisce.png|thumb|left|220px|Middle-aged Tim Drake with [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|the new Batman]].]]
 +
[[File:Jokered ROTJ.png|thumb|right|200px|Tim turned into "Joker Junior".]]
  +
Renamed "Joker Junior", often shortened to "J.J.", Joker claimed the boy as his and Harley's "new son" and planned on using Drake to destroy Batman. When Joker had managed to render Batman helpless, he gave Drake a gun to kill his adoptive father, although in a different version was the gun was fill with gas and to make him one of them. Drake began to laugh uncontrollably and fought with the order to Batman. Eventually Drake ultimately refused the Joker's orders and killed him, although specific details vary: One version claimed he was able to overcome Joker’s brainwashing long enough to avert his aim from Batman to Joker, who he then shot, killing him on the spot. Another version had him throwing off Joker's control enough to toss the gun aside and then shove an irate Joker, resulting in the Clown Prince of Crime being doused with water tanks from his earlier torture of Drake and getting him tangled in the wires meant for the electrical generator. Joker then, consumed with fury, tried to attack Drake, but ended up slipping on a puddle and activating the electrodes, resulting in him being electrocuted with his agonized screams being loud enough to catch the attention of Barbara Gordon from outside the asylum. In either case, after Joker's death, Drake once again broke into hysterical laughter, which slowly turned into tears of despair, he completely broke down in Batgirl's arms. After these events, Batman and Batgirl buried the Joker deep beneath Arkham, and [[James Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]] quickly covered up the incident and none of the details were ever made public. After the trauma that he had suffered, Drake was broken both physically and psychologically, to which [[Leslie Thompkins|Dr. Leslie Thompkins]] spent a year treating him and a year later, Drake had finally recovered. After what had happened, Batman forbade him from donning the Robin costume ever again before Drake left, choosing to make the right decision for himself. Drake tried being a hero and attempted several times to mend things with his former mentor only to fail. Despite his recovery, Drake would suffer horrible dreams of himself killing the Joker for years.<ref name="ROTJ" />
⚫
Later in his life, Tim completely gave up the life of a hero and became a top-level communications engineer, got married and had kids. He ended up apparently regretting ever being Robin and had less love for the Robin suit than the Joker. Despite his apparently hatred of his other life from his teenage years, he still had a relationship with Barbara Gordon. Tim however fell out of contact more or less with Bruce, and like his life as Robin, Tim seemed to resent his former mentor. It was later revealed however that much of his hatred for his life from Robin and Bruce, was caused by another source entirely.
  
   
  ⚫
=== Later years ===
⚫
As it turned out during the time that Tim had been under the Joker's care, the Clown had placed a [[Project Cadmus]] microchip with the Joker's DNA onto Tim's spinal column. As the years passed, the micro-chip activated, allowing the Joker's personality to emerge and take control of Tim. This explained Tim's increased hatred for the identity of Robin. The chip would also transform Tim physically into an exact replica of the Clown Prince of Crime. He went on a crime spree using Tim's communication engineering skills to take control of a satellite with a laser onboard. Ultimately, however, [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Terry McGinnis]], the new Batman, was able to destroy the chip, freeing Tim.
 
  +
[[File:Tim Drake resentful reminisce.png|thumb|left|200px|Middle-aged Tim Drake with the new [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Batman]].]]
  ⚫
Over the next several decades, Drake had completely left the hero lifestyle behind him, becoming a top-level communications engineer, a husband, and father of two. He apparently ended up regretting ever being Robin and had even less love for the suit than the Joker did. Despite his apparent hatred for his secret life during his teenage years, he still had a relationship with Barbara Gordon, who kept checking up on him and his family. On the other hand, Drake's relationship with Bruce was rocky at best, as he felt nothing but bitterness and scorn for his former mentor like his hatred for his time as Robin. It was later revealed, however, that much of his hatred for Bruce and his time as Robin was caused by another source entirely.
  +
[[File:Tim Drake transforms into Joker.png|thumb|Tim turns into the Joker.]]
  ⚫
Unbeknownst to him or anyone else, during the time he was held prisoner by Joker, a [[Project Cadmus|DNA microchip stolen from Cadmus]], with his tormentor's own memories and DNA was planted into Drake's spinal column. As the years passed, the microchip activated, allowing the Joker's personality to emerge and take control of Drake, explaining his increased hatred for the Robin identity and Batman. The chip would also physically transform Drake into an exact replica of the Clown Prince of Crime. Using the host's communication engineering skills to take control of a satellite with a powerful weaponized laser on board, Joker went on a crime spree. Ultimately, however, the new [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Batman]] (Terry McGinnis) was able to destroy the microchip, freeing Drake of the Joker forever.
   
−
Tim was taken to the hospital for his injuries, and was visited by Terry, Barbara, and Bruce Wayne. Barbara, now Commissioner of the [[Gotham Police Department]], covered up Tim's involvement with the Joker's crimes, as he was technically innocent. As Terry took his leave to let Bruce and Tim catch up, Tim told Terry that he was more than worthy of being Batman, and Terry said that it meant a lot coming from him.<ref name="ROTJ">''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''</ref>
 +
Having had all along been unaware of what had been seeded inside him, Drake was taken to the hospital for his injuries, and was visited by McGinnis, Barbara, and even Bruce. Barbara had managed to cover up Drake's involvement in the incident, as he was technically innocent. As McGinnis took his leave to let Bruce and Drake catch up and both of them reconcile, Drake gave Terry the respect of being Batman, and he said that it meant a lot coming from him.<ref name="ROTJ">{{ep ref|bb|rotj}}</ref>
   
 
== Background information ==
  
== Background information ==
  ⚫
*In the comics, Tim Drake was the third person to take the Robin identity while Jason Todd was the second holder of the title until he was killed by the Joker.
  +
*Tim Drake's character in the animated series is a composite character of both himself and Jason Todd. At the time of the series production, Tim Drake had been the current Robin in the comics, while Jason Todd was dead (he would be later resurrected as the Red Hood in 2005). Per [[Bruce Timm]] "we combined the best elements of Jason Todd and Timm Drake characters and mushed them together."<ref>"The Dark Knight Returns" by Rob Allstetter - Wizard Magazine #72 (August 1997)</ref> The similarities between the two were addressed years later when Jason Todd was introduced in [[Paul Dini]] and [[Alan Burnett]]'s ''[[DCAU Comics|Batman: the Adventures Continue]],'' a {{btas}} tie-in comic.<ref>"[https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/03/31/batman-the-adventures-continue-offers-a-return-to-the-animated-world Batman: The Adventures Continue Offers a Return to the Animated World]" by Albert Ching for DC Nation (March 31, 2020)</ref>
  ⚫
*Like Jason, the animated Tim was an orphan and a former thief living on the streets until he was taken in by Batman when his father disappeared after working for Two-Face. He also had a very rebellious streak that had a tendency to put him in trouble. Jason was also much more prone to be willing to endanger the lives of criminals if provoked and the animated Tim almost killed Clayface after his absorption of [[Annie]]. However, Tim did share a few qualities with his comic counterpart, in that he showed surprising knowledge and skill for detective work and was very adept at working with computers if need be. It is also worthy to note that, like Jason, the animated Tim's career as Robin was brought to a tragic and horrifying end by Joker.
   
  ⚫
== Appearances ==
⚫
In the comics, Tim Drake was the third person to take the identity of Robin. The, second, Jason Todd, was the previous holder of the title until he was killed by the Joker.
  
  +
{{Scroll box
−
The animated Tim Drake seems to mix together certain elements of both Jason and the comic-book Tim.
 
  +
|content=
−  
⚫
Like Jason, he was an orphan and a former thief living on the streets until he was taken in by Batman when his father disappeared after working for Two-Face. He also had a very rebellious streak that had a tendency to put him in trouble. Jason was also much more prone to be willing to endanger the lives of criminals if provoked and the animated Tim almost killed Clayface after his absorption of Annie. It is also worthy to note that, like Jason, the animated Tim's career as Robin was brought to a tragic and horrifying end by the Joker.
  
−  
−
However, the animated Tim did share a few qualities with his comic counterpart, in that he showed surprising knowledge and skill for detective work and was very adept at working with computers if need be. Like his comic version, the animated Tim also had somewhat of an early romantic interest in a person from the streets (Annie for the DCAU version, Lynx for the comic version).
  
−  
⚫
== Appearances and references ==
  
 
{{TNBA}}
  
{{TNBA}}
 
* "[[Holiday Knights]]"
  
* "[[Holiday Knights]]"
Line 74: Line 77:
 
* "[[Animal Act]]"
  
* "[[Animal Act]]"
 
* "[[Old Wounds]]"
  
* "[[Old Wounds]]"
  +
* "[[Legends of the Dark Knight]]" {{mo}}
 
* "[[Chemistry]]"
  
* "[[Chemistry]]"
 
* "[[Beware the Creeper]]"
  
* "[[Beware the Creeper]]"
 
{{STAS}}
  
{{STAS}}
 
* "[[Knight Time]]"
  
* "[[Knight Time]]"
  ⚫
==== Feature film ====
  ⚫
* ''[[Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman]]''
 
{{BB}}
  
{{BB}}
−
* "[[Lost Soul]]" {{Mo}}
 +
* "[[Lost Soul]]" {{mo}}
  +
* "[[Hidden Agenda]]" {{mo}}
  +
* "[[Babel]]" {{mo}}
  +
==== Feature film ====
  ⚫
* ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''
 
{{SS}}
  
{{SS}}
 
* "[[The Big Leagues]]"
  
* "[[The Big Leagues]]"
Line 88: Line 98:
 
* "[[Gotham in Pink]]" {{mo}}
  
* "[[Gotham in Pink]]" {{mo}}
 
{{JL}}
  
{{JL}}
−
* "[[Hereafter]]" {{cameo|at Superman's funeral}}
 +
* "[[The Savage Time|The Savage Time, Part I]]" {{cameo|in alternative timeline}}
−
* "[[The Savage Time]]" {{cameo}}
 +
* "[[Hereafter|Hereafter, Part I]]" {{cameo|at [[Superman]]'s funeral}}
 
{{JLU}}
  
{{JLU}}
 
* "[[Epilogue]]" {{mo}}
  
* "[[Epilogue]]" {{mo}}
  +
}}
⚫
=== Feature film ===
  
  +
⚫
* ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''
  
  +
== See also ==
⚫
* ''[[Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman]]''
  
  +
* [[List of people who know Batman's secret identity]]
  +
* [[List of people who know Batgirl's secret identity]]
   
 
== References ==
  
== References ==
  +
{{Scroll box|
−
{{reflist|2}}
 +
{{Reflist|2}}
  +
}}
   
 
== External links ==
  
== External links ==
−
* {{dcdp|Tim Drake (New Earth)|Robin}}
 +
* {{WP|Tim Drake}}
−  
 
[[Category:A to Z]]
  
[[Category:A to Z]]
 
[[Category:Future individuals|Drake, Tim]]
  
[[Category:Future individuals|Drake, Tim]]
 
[[Category:Individuals proficient in martial arts]]
  
[[Category:Individuals proficient in martial arts]]
  +
[[Category:Individuals proficient in hand-to-hand combat]]
  +
[[Category:Residents of Gotham City]]
 
[[Category:Superheroes]]
  
[[Category:Superheroes]]

Latest revision as of 02:47, 26 February 2024

 For other uses, see Robin (disambiguation).

"Hero time."[3]

Timothy "Tim" Drake replaced Dick Grayson as Robin. Following his kidnapping and torture by the Joker, however, he would retire from the role, eventually becoming a top-level communications engineer in adulthood.

History

Early life

Tim Drake was the son of criminal Steven "Shifty" Drake, a thug for the crime lord Two-Face. He had very little respect for his father, who was never around during his childhood, and often had to fend for himself. Around the age of 13, Drake began to idolize Gotham City hero Batman and placed newspaper clippings on his wall. After Batman left a batarang behind at a crime scene, Drake found it and began using it himself.

Early adventures as Robin

Tim finds suit

Tim finds the old Robin suit.

When his father double crossed Two-Face, Drake was left a note and a key to a Gotham City airport locker. This key was discovered by Two-Face's henchmen when they briefly kidnapped the youth. Two-Face flipped his coin, and decided to execute Drake, but Batman had rescued the boy. Soon after, they discovered that Drake's father was killed outside of Gotham. With no place to go, Bruce Wayne adopted Drake and began to mentor him under his tutelage as the second Robin, the same time Dick Grayson rejoined the Bat-family as Nightwing.[1]

Almost immediately, Drake began working in the field as Robin. One of his first acts was helping Batman thwart the Joker's attempt to kill Gothamites with a sonic bomb during a New Year's Eve celebration.[9]

When Mr. Freeze began targeted assorted people in order to destroy people's hope, and went after Wayne's family, Mr. Freeze at first considered freezing Drake, the surrogate son, but ultimately decided to go after Alfred Pennyworth. Drake was left behind to watch over Alfred while Batman and Batgirl went after Mr. Freeze.[10]

When the Scarecrow invented a gas that removed a person's fears, and Batman was turned into a man with a fearless attitude, Robin stopped Batman out of fear his mentor was no longer afraid to kill. As a result, Robin tied up Batman with his grappling hook. The Dark Knight pretended contrition and offered to let Robin lead if he let him go. Robin was nearly fooled, but saw through the façade just in time and left in the Batwing to find Scarecrow's hideout. When Batman nearly killed Scarecrow, Robin freed Batman with the antidote. With Batman back to normal, Robin was given Batman's praise for doing the right thing.[11]

During one night of working solo, Robin came to the aid of a young girl with amnesia, developing a bit of a crush on the girl, calling her "Annie". She later proved to be a lost creation of Clayface in order to scout out Gotham for a return. Unfortunately, the girl had "forgotten" her purpose and continued to run. When Clayface reabsorbed the girl, Robin took her "murder" very hard and almost killed Clayface if it wasn't for Batman stepping in at the nick of time.[12]

After fighting against pick-pockets and thieves, Robin who was getting overwhelmed is saved by Nightwing. He then asks him why he left the Robin mantle as they were the Dynamic Duo. After hearing about his predecessor's last days as Robin, Robin and Nightwing learn about a night watchman at Wayne Enterprises. The two protégés of Batman leave when the Bat-signal comes on in the night sky to join their mentor.[13]

When Batman mysteriously went missing, Nightwing and Batgirl went to search for Wayne believing Ra's al Ghul had something to do with it while Robin was left to defend Gotham by himself. When Superman upon hearing of Batman's disappearance from Roxy Rocket arrived in Gotham, Robin teams up with the Man of Steel. With Robin as a guide, Superman was able to successfully masquerade as Batman for a time, and together, the duo discovered that Wayne was actually under Brainiac's mind-controlling nanites. They managed to save Wayne with Brainiac's destruction with Robin eventually earning Superman's respect.[14]

Later career as Robin and killing Joker

16-year-old Robin

Tim's later career as Robin.

Robin along with Batman assisted fellow crime-fighter Static on a couple of occasions,[15][16] and in stopping Batwoman's vengeful rampage, where during that time he briefly acquaints himself with one of the suspects Rocky Ballantine who worked briefly at Wayne Enterprises and helped Tim with a video game problem he had.[7]

Robin also joined a team known as the Titans.[17]

Sometime after Nightwing left to establish himself in another city, Robin was patrolling alone one night. Upon hearing a scream for help, Robin rushed to the aid of a lone woman being accosted by thugs when, in fact, he was falling into a trap set by the Joker and Harley Quinn. For the next three long weeks, in the ruins of the old abandoned Arkham Asylum, Drake was mercilessly tortured with electro-shock and chemical injections. During the course of these torture sessions, Joker extracted the precious secrets entrusted to Robin, who tried to resist at first but ultimately succumbed. Not content with just destroying Drake's mind, the Clown Prince of Crime sought to further humiliate Batman. To this end, Joker transformed Drake into a crude, childlike version of himself: Drake's skin was bleached white, his hair dyed green, and his mouth was twisted into a grotesque, Joker-like grin. Because of the torture, disfigurement and brainwashing he endured for three weeks, he was also rendered unable to communicate in any way except with demented laughter.

Jokered ROTJ

Tim turned into "Joker Junior".

Renamed "Joker Junior", often shortened to "J.J.", Joker claimed the boy as his and Harley's "new son" and planned on using Drake to destroy Batman. When Joker had managed to render Batman helpless, he gave Drake a gun to kill his adoptive father, although in a different version was the gun was fill with gas and to make him one of them. Drake began to laugh uncontrollably and fought with the order to Batman. Eventually Drake ultimately refused the Joker's orders and killed him, although specific details vary: One version claimed he was able to overcome Joker’s brainwashing long enough to avert his aim from Batman to Joker, who he then shot, killing him on the spot. Another version had him throwing off Joker's control enough to toss the gun aside and then shove an irate Joker, resulting in the Clown Prince of Crime being doused with water tanks from his earlier torture of Drake and getting him tangled in the wires meant for the electrical generator. Joker then, consumed with fury, tried to attack Drake, but ended up slipping on a puddle and activating the electrodes, resulting in him being electrocuted with his agonized screams being loud enough to catch the attention of Barbara Gordon from outside the asylum. In either case, after Joker's death, Drake once again broke into hysterical laughter, which slowly turned into tears of despair, he completely broke down in Batgirl's arms. After these events, Batman and Batgirl buried the Joker deep beneath Arkham, and Commissioner Gordon quickly covered up the incident and none of the details were ever made public. After the trauma that he had suffered, Drake was broken both physically and psychologically, to which Dr. Leslie Thompkins spent a year treating him and a year later, Drake had finally recovered. After what had happened, Batman forbade him from donning the Robin costume ever again before Drake left, choosing to make the right decision for himself. Drake tried being a hero and attempted several times to mend things with his former mentor only to fail. Despite his recovery, Drake would suffer horrible dreams of himself killing the Joker for years.[3]

Later years

Tim Drake resentful reminisce

Middle-aged Tim Drake with the new Batman.

Over the next several decades, Drake had completely left the hero lifestyle behind him, becoming a top-level communications engineer, a husband, and father of two. He apparently ended up regretting ever being Robin and had even less love for the suit than the Joker did. Despite his apparent hatred for his secret life during his teenage years, he still had a relationship with Barbara Gordon, who kept checking up on him and his family. On the other hand, Drake's relationship with Bruce was rocky at best, as he felt nothing but bitterness and scorn for his former mentor like his hatred for his time as Robin. It was later revealed, however, that much of his hatred for Bruce and his time as Robin was caused by another source entirely.

Tim Drake transforms into Joker

Tim turns into the Joker.

Unbeknownst to him or anyone else, during the time he was held prisoner by Joker, a DNA microchip stolen from Cadmus, with his tormentor's own memories and DNA was planted into Drake's spinal column. As the years passed, the microchip activated, allowing the Joker's personality to emerge and take control of Drake, explaining his increased hatred for the Robin identity and Batman. The chip would also physically transform Drake into an exact replica of the Clown Prince of Crime. Using the host's communication engineering skills to take control of a satellite with a powerful weaponized laser on board, Joker went on a crime spree. Ultimately, however, the new Batman (Terry McGinnis) was able to destroy the microchip, freeing Drake of the Joker forever.

Having had all along been unaware of what had been seeded inside him, Drake was taken to the hospital for his injuries, and was visited by McGinnis, Barbara, and even Bruce. Barbara had managed to cover up Drake's involvement in the incident, as he was technically innocent. As McGinnis took his leave to let Bruce and Drake catch up and both of them reconcile, Drake gave Terry the respect of being Batman, and he said that it meant a lot coming from him.[3]

Background information

  • In the comics, Tim Drake was the third person to take the Robin identity while Jason Todd was the second holder of the title until he was killed by the Joker.
  • Tim Drake's character in the animated series is a composite character of both himself and Jason Todd. At the time of the series production, Tim Drake had been the current Robin in the comics, while Jason Todd was dead (he would be later resurrected as the Red Hood in 2005). Per Bruce Timm "we combined the best elements of Jason Todd and Timm Drake characters and mushed them together."[18] The similarities between the two were addressed years later when Jason Todd was introduced in Paul Dini and Alan Burnett's Batman: the Adventures Continue, a Batman: The Animated Series tie-in comic.[19]
  • Like Jason, the animated Tim was an orphan and a former thief living on the streets until he was taken in by Batman when his father disappeared after working for Two-Face. He also had a very rebellious streak that had a tendency to put him in trouble. Jason was also much more prone to be willing to endanger the lives of criminals if provoked and the animated Tim almost killed Clayface after his absorption of Annie. However, Tim did share a few qualities with his comic counterpart, in that he showed surprising knowledge and skill for detective work and was very adept at working with computers if need be. It is also worthy to note that, like Jason, the animated Tim's career as Robin was brought to a tragic and horrifying end by Joker.

Appearances

The New Batman Adventures

Superman: The Animated Series

Feature film

Batman Beyond

Feature film

Static Shock

Gotham Girls

Justice League

Justice League Unlimited

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fogel, Rich (writer) & Geda, Curt (director) (September 30, 1997). "Sins of the Father". The New Batman Adventures. Episode 2 (airdate). Episode 2 (production). Season 1. Kids WB!.
  2. ↑ Uhley, Len (writer) & Chlystek, Dave (director) (January 26, 2002). "The Big Leagues". Static Shock. Season 2. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 24 (production). Kids WB!.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Burnett, A., Dini, P., Timm, B., Murakami, G. (Producers), & Geda, C. (Director). (2000). Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. United States: Warner Bros. Animation.
  4. ↑ Dini, Paul (writer) & Uncredited director (January 25, 2003). "Hard as Nails". Static Shock. Season 3. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 27 (production). Kids WB!.
  5. ↑ The New Batman Adventures
  6. ↑ Uhley, Len (writer) & Chlystek, Dave (director) (January 26, 2002). "The Big Leagues". Static Shock. Season 2. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 24 (production). Kids WB!.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Melniker, B., Uslan, M., Schwartz, S., Burnett, A., Dean, M. M., Page, K., Geda, C. (Producers), & Geda, C. (Director). (2003). Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. United States: Warner Bros. Animation.
  8. ↑ Berkowitz, Stan (writer) & Chele, Vic Dal (director) (January 17, 2004). "Future Shock". Static Shock. Season 4. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 40 (production). Kids WB!.
  9. ↑ Dini, Paul (writer) & Riba, Dan (director) (September 13, 1997). "Holiday Knights". The New Batman Adventures. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 1 (production). Season 1. Kids WB!.
  10. ↑ Bader, Hilary J. (writer) & Riba, Dan (director) (October 12, 1997). "Cold Comfort". The New Batman Adventures. Episode 3 (airdate). Episode 3 (production). Season 1. Kids WB!.
  11. ↑ Berkowitz, Stan (writer) & Hachizaki, Kenji (director) (November 11, 1997). "Never Fear". The New Batman Adventures. Episode 4 (airdate). Episode 6 (production). Season 1. Kids WB!.
  12. ↑ Goodman, Robert (writer) & Dini, Paul & Goodman, Robert (story) & Tanaka, Atsuko (director) (February 28, 1998). "Growing Pains". The New Batman Adventures. Episode 8 (airdate). Episode 8 (production). Season 1. Kids WB!.
  13. ↑ Fogel, Rich (writer) & Geda, Curt (director) (October 3, 1998). "Old Wounds". The New Batman Adventures. Episode 5 (airdate). Episode 17 (production). Season 2. Kids WB!.
  14. ↑ Goodman, Robert (writer) & Geda, Curt (director) (October 10, 1998). "Knight Time". Superman: The Animated Series. Season 3. Episode 2 (airdate). Episode 43 (production). Kids WB!.
  15. ↑ Uhley, Len (writer) & Chlystek, Dave (director) (January 26, 2002). "The Big Leagues". Static Shock. Season 2. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 24 (production). Kids WB!.
  16. ↑ Berkowitz, Stan (writer) & Chele, Vic Dal (director) (January 17, 2004). "Future Shock". Static Shock. Season 4. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 40 (production). Kids WB!.
  17. ↑ Dini, Paul (writer) & Uncredited director (January 25, 2003). "Hard as Nails". Static Shock. Season 3. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 27 (production). Kids WB!.
  18. ↑ "The Dark Knight Returns" by Rob Allstetter - Wizard Magazine #72 (August 1997)
  19. ↑ "Batman: The Adventures Continue Offers a Return to the Animated World" by Albert Ching for DC Nation (March 31, 2020)

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