Summary
- As great of a Robin as Tim Drake has proved to be, he struggles with his superhero identity, as he continues to serve as Batman's sidekick long after his predecessors have grown out of the role and found their own identities as adult heroes.
- Fans have suggested new identities for Tim Drake before, but the Gray Ghost fan art idea by BattenKeegan is trult impressive, for the way the design gives Tim a connection to Batman's history, while allowing him to take the next step in his character journey.
- DC continues to put Tim Drake back in the Robin role, despite the character aging out of it – BattenKeegan's proposed Gray Ghost identity could be the new evolution Tim needs.
Tim Drake is a fantastic all the Robins – even Jason Todd – Tim has struggled with his identity the most. Often, DC really doesn't seem to know what to do with the young Tim Drake, which has led many fans to suggest new identities, and one talented fan artist just hit on a major idea that DC should definitely take note of.
X the Gray Ghost, Batman's childhood hero. The Gray Ghost was an old TV character that Bruce watched, and was part of the inspiration for Bruce to create the idea of Batman later in his life.
This new design gives Tim an awesome connection to Batman's history as well as a completely brand-new identity, which is something that Tim desperately needs these days. The expert character design even manages to keep Tim's iconic bo-staff.
DC Reveals Robin's Future Fate, and It's Not Good for Tim Drake
A peek into Robin’s future posits a few grim ideas for what lies ahead for Tim Drake. What becomes of the Boy Wonder in the Bat-Family’s darkest fate?
Tim Drake Finds His Heroic Identity As "The Gray Ghost"
Fan Art By BattenKeegan
Despite Tim growing out of the Robin identity decades ago, DC has continually put Tim back in the role.
Almost all the Robins have grown up and out of the role over time. Dick Grayson eventually became Nightwing, and for better or worse, Jason Todd became the Red Hood. Damian Wayne is still in his childhood era, and as such, continues to be Robin. Tim, on the other hand, continued to be Robin long after he actually grew out of the role. Once Tim had grown out of the role of Robin, he took on the mantle of Red Robin, became a team leader a few different times, and was his own man.
At one point, Nightwing even refused Tim as his Robin during Dick's time as Batman, specifically because he viewed Tim's Red Robin identity as too important to give up.
That said, despite Tim growing out of the Robin identity decades ago, DC has continually put Tim back in the role. While some writers have tried to get Tim out of it, such as the bizarre moment when Tim tried a new identity known simply as "Drake," which ultimately did not suit the character.
Tim Drake Is Ready For The Next Evolution Of His Character
BattenKeegan's idea of the Gray Ghost is a truly novel idea. It builds on something that already exists in lore and has a personal connection to Batman, which makes a perfect jumping off point for Tim Drake to take the identity on, so he can finally leave Robin behind.
DC has continually fumbled with Tim's identity, to the point he remains a Robin long after most characters have matriculated out of the role. Further, it seems as though he is never going to stop being Robin – despite Damian also currently operating as Robin, with both of them reporting directly to Batman. That is the main reason that this proposed Gray Ghost identity is perfect for a character that needs to take the next step toward being an independent hero. It is something new and fresh while still having ties to the old.
For whatever reason, DC seems intent on not allowing Tim Drake to return to his Red Robin identity. This has led plenty of fans to desperately try and come up with something, so this nearly full-grown man can stop being Robin. While plenty of fans have come up with some brilliant identities, BattenKeegan's idea of the Gray Ghost is a truly novel idea. It builds on something that already exists in lore and has a personal connection to Batman, which makes a perfect jumping off point for Tim Drake to take the identity on, so he can finally leave Robin behind.
Source: BattenKeegan
