Batman fans have celebrated DC Comics’ canonical confirmation that Tim Drake, also known as the Caped Crusader’s sidekick Robin, is queer.
The sixth issue of the monthly comic series Batman: Urban Legends was published on Tuesday (August 10).
In it, the character is shown having a “lightbulb moment” while reconnecting with old friend Bernard Dowd. Earlier, Tim had popped round to Bernard’s for dinner.
The character enjoyed himself so much that he began to question how he felt about their friendship.
Later, it became clear he might have feelings for his longtime pal – and he decided to address it.
“I’m really glad you got home okay. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, about that night,” Tim explains to Bernard about the visit.
“And I – I don’t know what it meant to me. Not yet. But I’d like to figure it out.
Bernard then responds, “I was hoping you would. Tim Drake… do you want to go on a date with me?”
Tim replies, “Yeah… Yeah, I think I want that.”
Fans were thrilled with Robin’s ‘lightbulb moment’
“MY FAVOURITE ROBIN IS CANONICALLY QUEER AND IF YOU NEED ME I’LL BE DOING A VICTORY SCREECH FROM THE NEAREST ROOFTOP,” one person wrote.
“Tim Drake finally coming out is so inspiring, DC never wanted a queer Robin but after years and years of campaigning from writers and fans it finally happened,” another wrote.
They added, “It’s SO well written, I and a lot of LGBTQ+ people can relate to having the ‘lightbulb moment’ mentioned here.”
So spoilers for today’s Batman: Urban Legends
but uh…
MY FAVOURITE ROBIN IS CANONICALLY QUEER AND IF YOU NEED ME I’LL BE DOING A VICTORY SCREECH FROM THE NEAREST ROOFTOP. pic.twitter.com/TI9mcr9WQx
— E.R. Itchy (@Ritchie018) August 10, 2021
Tim Drake finally coming out is so inspiring, DC never wanted a queer Robin but after years and years of campaigning from writers and fans it finally happened
A big thank you to Meghan Fitzmartin, Belén Ortega and Alejandro Sánchez for making this moment so beautiful ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xb5YugEYd9
— Neb | 🏳️🌈 (@NebsGoodTakes) August 10, 2021
It's SO well written, I and a lot of LGBTQ+ people can relate to having the "lightbulb moment" mentioned here pic.twitter.com/BJCMq5BbW2
— Neb | 🏳️🌈 (@NebsGoodTakes) August 10, 2021
Well, it's officially – Tim Drake/Robin is CANON BISEXUAL! 🤯👏👍
Kudos to the writers for weaving this chapter so greatly and tastefully into the Batman Mythos – from a longtime Tim Drake fan 😎👍❤ pic.twitter.com/YVE7EDj22h
— WriterGuyKai (Kai)✒ (@WriterGuyKai1) August 10, 2021
DC Comics explains legacy of iconic character Robin
DC Comics later published a blog post on their official website about Robin’s big moment, confirming, “Tim Drake dates boys.”
“If you’re a member of DC’s significant queer community, then you already understand why this is a big deal,” DC writer Alex Jaffe explained.
“In fact, you’ve probably been waiting for a moment like this for a very long time. But for the uninitiated, please allow me to explain.”
“Queer coding in comics, the idea of expressing your true self through a colorful costume as you hid your dual identity from the world, was once considered too scandalous for a largely homophobic nation.
“As queer kids were finding a piece of themselves in characters like Robin, judges and psychologists and even the comic book publishers themselves, wary of a culture turning against them, did everything they could to censor queer themes from comics for decades to come.
“But even as those themes were stifled, speculation on Robin’s sexuality has never stopped.
“And despite a multitude of new Robins, each with a parade of their own heteronormative partners, queer readers have continued to see a piece of themselves within the Boy Wonder.
“All the way back in 1940, Robin was created with the intention of being a reader surrogate—a character who readers could project themselves onto, fighting crime across rooftops under the enigmatic Batman’s wing.
“There have been female Robins, Black Robins, rich Robins, poor Robins.
“Why would a queer reader, especially one overtly ostracized by comics culture itself for so many decades, feel any less worthy of that same surrogate relationship?”
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