Why Would Batman Keep Having Kids as His Sidekicks and Putting Them in Danger?

In the earlyGolden Age of Comics, Batman's sidekicks, particularly Robin, served a strategic purpose: to appeal to young readership and balance the serious tone of the hero. This article explores the historical context and the ongoing debate surrounding Batman's choice to have kid sidekicks, including their advantages and the reasons many kids and adult fans found them problematic.

The Historical Context of Sidekicks

To understand the necessity of Robin and other sidekicks, one must look back at the era of comic books. In the 1940s, when Batman first appeared, there was a distinct effort to attract younger readers. Comic books were a significant source of entertainment for children, and having a youthful companion like Robin helped Batman connect with this demographic.

Bob Kane, co-creator of Batman, recalls, 'Batman needed his "Watson" to talk to,' according to a quote from The Steranko History of Comics. This realization led to the introduction of Robin, a young sidekick meant to provide Batman with a conversational partner and a relatable character for young readers to identify with.

Rich Critical Reception and Sales Boost

The introduction of Robin had a remarkable impact on the sales and critical reception of Batman's comics. According to Batman: The Complete History, by Les Daniels, Robin's debut resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback, doubling the sales of Batman titles in the April 1940 edition of Detective Comics. This surge in popularity demonstrates the effectiveness of having a kid sidekick in appealing to the younger audience.

The Critique of Child Heroes

Despite the financial and critical success, many readers, including Jules Feiffer, expressed dissatisfaction with the inclusion of child heroes. In The Great Comic Book Heroes, Feiffer wrote, 'Though I may have pirated the super-heroes I never went near their boy companions. I couldn’t stand boy companions.' The tone suggests that the idea of a young sidekick fighting and training as proficiently as Batman irked the reader.

Feiffer further delves into the psychological aspect, arguing, 'The super-grown-ups were the ones I identified with. They were versions of me in the future. There was still time to prepare. But Robin the Boy Wonder was my own age. One need only look at him to see he could fight better, swing from a rope better, play ball better, eat better, and live better — for while I lived in the east Bronx Robin lived in a mansion, and while I was trying somehow to please my mother and getting it all wrong — Robin was rescuing Batman and getting the gold medals. He didn’t even have to live with his mother.'

This critique highlights the disconnect between the protagonist and the sidekick, questioning the logic of having a younger, seemingly more capable agent.

Modern Debate and Perspective

As comic books evolved, so did the target audience. In contemporary times, the primary readership for Batman is not focused on children. Many argue that including a sidekick like Robin detracts from the noir and adult atmosphere of Batman narratives, which was historically more mature and edgy.

Some comic book authors and fans propose alternative roles for Batman's partners. Jeph Loeb, another scriptwriter for DC Comics, suggests that characters like Commissioner Gordon or Alfred could serve as effective conversational partners for Batman without the baggage of being a young hero. This perspective aligns with the modern approach of balancing light-hearted elements with the serious tone often found in Batman's stories.

Future of Sidekicks in Batman's Universe

Given the historical and psychological arguments against child heroes, the future of Batman's sidekicks is up for debate. With the diversification of audiences and the shifting narrative focus, it is likely that the portrayal of sidekicks will continue to evolve. If the goal is to maintain the noir and adult atmosphere of the Batman stories, the introduction of skilled, adult-oriented partners may become more prevalent.

The decision to include child sidekicks in Batman's tales has been a complex balancing act between market appeal and character coherence. As the comic book industry continues to evolve, the role of these characters will undoubtedly reflect these changing dynamics.