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I like Robin. I think Batman’s a less interesting character without Robin by his side. I do not like “Smallville.” I think Superman’s a less interesting character with that show in his canon. Giving the Boy Wonder the “Smallville” treatment is a recipe for suck, one that serves a family of four. Prequelmania has simply gotten out of hand. At this point, I’m almost half-expecting the CW will make a television series about Green Arrow’s pregnant mother, carrying the fetal Emerald Archer to term.
IGN reports that the CW has ordered a pilot for “The Graysons.” For those of you not steeped in comic book lore, or haven’t seen “Batman Forever” in a few years, the Flying Graysons were a family of circus acrobats. Two-Face sabotaged their high-wire act, killing all but one of them, the young Dick Grayson. Dick was then taken in by a rich fellow named Bruce Wayne. They two of them quickly began their decades-long love affair. They also fought crime in colorful costumes.
I wish the name Dick would make a comeback in a big way. Vice President Cheney is not helping matters on that front, I imagine. At any rate, the producers of “The Graysons” have apparently changed Dick’s name to DJ. I assume that’s because Richard, Rick, Ricky, Rich and “pre-Robin” don’t seem like remotely viable alternatives. Dick Grayson’s middle name is John, hence the groaner of a nickname, “DJ.”
This idea is the perfect summation of everything I hate about the entertainment industry. The ongoing prequel fixation that’s gripped Hollywood has made me come out in a rash. How is Robin supposed to be interesting when he’s not even Robin yet? I mean, prequels are just exposition — the first ten pages of a script endlessly drawn out, like in the case of “Smallville.”
I think an interesting Robin TV series could be produced. Make it about Dick Grayson, not DJ, balancing schoolwork and a social life with his nightly patrols as one half of the Dynamic Duo. The long-running “Robin” comic book series does this, although it’s about Tim Drake, the third wearer of the Robin outfit. Batman’s presence could be de-emphasized, but you could have access to the menagerie of Bat-villains. There’s so much more story potential when you begin things in medias res.
The CW simply doesn’t get it. They don’t know Dick.
-Brad Lohan
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