10 Best Robin Quotes in DC Comics, Ranked

Over the years, many characters have adopted the name Robin. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne – all (among others) have offered very different interpretations as to what it means to be Robin and have all brought something different to the table.

All have their fair share of notable moments to make them anyone’s favorite Robin, but they also have their fair share of quotable lines that leave an impression on any DC fans. The concept of Robin has existed for more than 80 years, almost as long as Batman, and as a result, holds just as much significance in the eyes of readers as one of the World’s Finest. Here are Robin’s best quotes that helped endeared audiences to anyone brave enough to wear the R insignia.

10 “We’re either partners in this war, or we’re not”

Dick Grayson, Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze #1 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Scalera, Dave Stewart, and Deron Bennett

Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze #1 serves as a flashback dating back to Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson’s earliest adventures as the Dynamic Duo. As he prepares and suits up for a battle with Mr. Freeze, Batman urges Robin to sit this one out to keep him out of harm’s way. In Batman’s eyes, this would be their most dangerous mission to date. Robin’s answer is simple: “We’re either partners in this war, or we’re not.”

There’s an extra, bolded emphasis on the word “partners” here. Robin is the original example of the perfect sidekick, but the word sidekick makes it easy to forget that Batman and Robin is a partnership, first and foremost. There may be hierarchy power balances at play and Batman will always play mentor, but on the field, they must trust each other as equals. Dick establishes this part of their dynamic very early on.

9 “He believed in me. That I could be as fast, as strong, as smart as the best of them. And I still can.”

Jason Todd, Batman: Urban Legends #5 by “Red Hood & Batman in ‘Cheer’ Part 5” by Chip Zdarsky, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Diogenes Neves, Marcus To, Adriano Lucas, and Becca Carey

In Urban Legends #5, the Red Hood flashes back in his mind to a time when he was still Robin – a doubtful Robin insecure about his place in the Bat-Family. When The Riddler springs one of his puzzles on Batman, trapping him in a glass tank filled with water, it’s up to Jason to save him before he drowns. Frantic and fearful that he’s not good enough to save the one person who believed in him, he’s able to configure Riddler’s trap, saving Batman, and earning Bruce’s proud approval.

Not every reader is going to have fond memories of Jason’s run as Robin (hence why fans voted for his death), but Jason does, as cynical as he can be.This flashback offers a window into Jason’s psyche not only as Robin, but the psyche he carries still as an adult. He compares himself to people like Dick and fears himself inferior, needing validation from his peers. The flashback also shows that when he has the encouragement or even motivation to help the ones he loves, Jason is capable of great things. And still is. Even as Robin, the only person holding Jason Todd back from his true potential is Jason Todd.

8 “I’m Robin … and I’ve got places to be.”

Stephanie Brown, Teen Titans #13 by Geoff Johns, Tom Grummett, Lary Stucker, Jeromy Cox, and Comicraft

Stephanie Brown’s brief time as Robin can often be forgotten by some, and outright disrespected by others. This was especially the case during her run, as some readers couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea of a Girl Wonder. As such, it feels like the creative team in this issue are using Conner Kent as a vessel representing Stephanie’s critics as he’s confronting her on who she really is, doubting that Robin could be a girl. After she tells him she’s Robin, his exact words are, “No, you’re a girl in Robin’s costume.”

Stephanie’s words are a message to any readers doubting her validity as Robin, defiantly stating that she’s Robin whether anyone likes it or not. The same applies to Superboy in this context, especially when his hassling of Robin ends with a stern Batman interrupting and co-signing Stephanie Brown as his Robin.

7 “We were the best, Richard, no matter what anyone thinks”

Damian Wayne, Batman Inc. #8 by Grant Morrison, Jason Masters, Nathan Fairbairn, Chris Burnham, and Taylor Esposito

This issue is most famous for the sight of Damian Wayne dying in Batman’s arms on the final page, but one moment that cannot be overlooked is the final one between him and Dick Grayson. Prior, Dick Grayson took a break from being Nightwing to don the Batman cowl while Bruce was M.I.A. This officially introduced Damian as his Robin. One distinction that Damian has from any other Robin is that his introduction into superheroism wasn’t alongside Bruce Wayne, but with Dick Grayson.

As much as Damian was hard-edged and rough around the edges during that time in his life, he does look fondly on that part of his life (as do many readers). In fact, he goes as far as to say that he and Dick were the best Dynamic Duo. Agree or disagree, it’s heartwarming to see how much being mentored by Dick left a lasting impression on the boy, contributing to them having DC’s best friendship.

6 “I was the best choice.”

Dick, Robin: Year One #2 by Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty, Javier Pulido, Robert Campanella, Sean Konot, and Lee Loughridge

Some critics downplay Dick Grayson’s recruitment into the Bat-Family by suggesting he was only recruited because Batman was so lonely. It implies that anyone could have filled Dick’s shoes, and he was just in the right place at the right time. Two-Face makes a similar implication in Robin: Year One, and Dick is quick to correct him. Dick isn’t Robin merely because Bruce Wayne took him in. It’s because he was the best possible candidate to be Robin.

This is the same young boy who had the investigative savvy to figure out Batman’s secret identity before he even started his superhero career. Dick was skilled far before becoming Robin and it is the potential he showed early on that made him a prime candidate for becoming Robin.

5 “It’s been fun, Batman. At least we’ll be going out in style.”

Jason, Batman: The Cult #3 by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson, Bill Wray, and John Costanza

There’s a narrative out there that suggests that Jason Todd’s time as Robin was completely unlikable, and he was written poorly written enough to warrant all the hate garnered to him going into that infamous voting. While he did indeed have his detractors, it’d be incorrect to say that his time as Robin was utterly unbearable. One of his finest moments came during Batman: The Cult, where he’s practically the MVP of the comic.

When Batman is at his weakest, it’s Jason as Robin who comes to his rescue. All by himself, Jason finds and rescues Batman from cultists and basically holds his own while Bruce is having an episode. He’s wholly impressive in this outing. Showcasing that devil may care attitude that would only amplify once he becomes the Red Hood, Jason is red to go out swinging right up until his last breath. Even as all hope seems lost, Jason is ready to go down swinging.

4 “You lost the second I started trying”

Tim, Red Robin #14 by Fabian Nicieza, Marcus To, Ray McCarthy, Guy Major, and Sal Cipriano

When Damian Wayne first made his DC debut, it didn’t take long before he created a family feud within the Bat-Family, and just as quickly did he pick a fight with Tim Drake. In their first skirmish, a Damian obsessed with becoming the next Robin made quick work of a Tim who partially was caught off guard, but also partially holding back on the newbie of the Bat-Family.

All of that goes out the window when the two bat brothers go toe-to-toe for a rematch once Damian has officially become Batman and Tim has ascended to Red Robin. He makes it clear verbally and physically that their first fight was a fluke and that when Tim puts the effort in, Damian is no match for the elder Robin. It’s moments like this (and badass lines like this) as to why, for many, Tim Drake is the best Robin.

3 “I have traveled too far … to suffer any more protests!”

Damian, Robin: Son of Batman #6 by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, Tom Nguyen, John Kalisz, and Tom Napolitano

This moment comes at a time when a young Damian is tasked by his mother, Talia al Ghul, to slaughter a horde of dragons in an effort to prove himself to the League of Assassins. His enraged words reflect how desperate he’s become, how angry he’s grown with his journey just far to prove himself as a warrior, and as the panels would show later, the guilt he feels in having to commit hefty amounts of murder.

His breaking part arrives when he meets his future pet sidekick, Goliath, a cute, cuddly creature. He can’t bring himself to kill the creature, breaks down into tears, and instead of killing him, nurses him instead. In totality, the series of emotions that Damian endures reminds readers that this Boy Wonder is just that: a boy. At the end of the day, he’s a child forced to grow up too fast and put into situations that he’s not ready for, no matter how hard he tries to act like more than just a child.

2 “Being Robin gives me magic”

Jason, Batman #385 by Doug Moench, Rick Hoberg, Chuck Patton, Alfredo Alcala, Afrienne Roy, and John Costanza

As mentioned earlier, at the core of Jason Todd in any iteration in his life is his insecurity. As much as him comparing himself to other crimefighters – like the previous Robin, Dick Grayson – picks at his insecurities, being Robin strengthens him enough to bury those insecurities. When Batman is dealing with a dangerous Calendar Man, he urges Jason to stay out of this, but Jason insists he is more than capable of holding his own.

Why? Because being Robin makes him feel magical, like he can do anything. And as some of these previous examples have shown, he very much can do anything he puts his mind to once he dons the mask. Wearing the Robin suit gives Jason an armor of protection, not literally, but the feeling of an armored knight who can feel strong at all times.

1 “Batman needs a Robin”

Tim, Batman #442 by George Pérez, Marv Wolfman, Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo, Adrienne Roy, and John Costanza

This is, by far, the most well-known quote about Robin in DC history, and the most compelling argument as to why every Batman needs a Robin. Tim Drake’s monologue makes a compelling argument, but the sentiment as he eases his way into the Bat-Family for the first time is the most important part: Batman simply needs a Robin. This was an era where Bruce was still grieving Jason’s death, and thus was pushing people out of his life in favor of riding solo.

Tim’s argument isn’t just his way of arguing that Robin serves a place in Batman’s life to keep him in check, but the importance of Robin as a symbol. Just as a police officer is repeatedly replaced whenever one officer can’t do their job anymore, so must Robin. Robin is just as much of a necessary symbol of justice as Batman.