DC's New Robin Proves It's Changed Its Original Definition of Heroism
Warning: Spoilers for Batman White Knight Presents: Red Hood #1 ahead!
The mold of the superhero has changed a lot since its inception, and DC's newest Robin is proof that the publisher is now pushing a more grounded and communal approach to heroism. Superheroes are often held apart by their nature, flying above and staying distant from the people they protect. Even in her introductory issue, Gan — a new Robin being trained by Jason Todd — shows that she's connected to her neighborhood in ways the old heroes never were.
In DC's Batman: White Knight universe, Jason Todd served as the first Robin and never died at the hands of the Joker. Instead, the Joker broke Jason Todd and tortured Batman's secret identity out of him, before letting him go knowing that the betrayal would sabotage Jason's relationship with Bruce. Unable to bear the shame, Jason ran away from Batman and the mantle of Robin.
Related: Red Hood Expands DC's Batman: White Knight Universe in Solo Miniseries
In Batman White Knight Presents: Red Hood #1 by Sean Murphy, Clay McCormack, Simone Di Meo, and Dave Stewart, Jason Todd is shown drifting aimlessly through Gotham, beating up the Stoplight Gang when they try to rob a liquor store. To his surprise, his assault is stopped by a mysterious girl (Gan) dressed in a Robin outfit who does not seem to be affiliated with Batman. After tailing her and learning of her motives, he agrees to take her under his wing and Jason Todd trains her properly as a new Robin.
Gan's earnest devotion to her community immediately sets the character apart from other superheroes. When Jason questions her about her motives, she notes that "Batman...doesn't make it out here to [her neighborhood of] East Backport very often...he just
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