If you want Robin to stay dead, that's okay with me. But you've trained me too well -- made me what I am. You can't keep me from pursuing my own destiny. 
Batman #408 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1987.
Synopsis for "Did Robin Die Tonight?"
After having stolen a rare jewel, the Joker is confronted by Batman and Robin. During the struggle, Joker shoots Robin, causing the youngster to fall from the edge of a building. Batman takes his time to stop the Joker before rescuing Robin from the building's ledge, but this delay caused the media to believe and claim that the young hero is dead. After having delivered Joker back to Arkham Asylum, Batman takes Dick Grayson back home, where he tells the young man that he has decided to make use of the media's false claims to retire Robin from the public eye. Much to Dick's dismay, he agrees with Batman's decision, but he also tells his mentor that the end of Robin doesn't mean the end of his days of fighting crime, foreshadowing his transformation into Nightwing a few years later.
Later, on the anniversary of the death of Batman's parents, some weeks later; he makes his annual visit to Crime Alley to pay his respects. Much to his surprise, the alley is remarkably quiet as it seems word of this regular visit has got around the criminal fraternity. After a quiet night in Crime Alley, Batman prepares to return home, when he discovers that someone has stolen the tires of the Batmobile. Soon, Batman discovers that the responsible is a young kid named Jason Todd, who lives alone in a derelict building nearby. After retrieving his property, Batman is persuaded not to hand Todd over to the police or social services. Instead, Jason is taken to Fay Gunn's School For Boys where, once Batman has left, he meets a hostile reception.
Appearing in "Did Robin Die Tonight?"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Commissioner Gordon
- Jason Todd (First appearance)
- Robin
- Vicki Vale
Antagonists:
- The Joker
- Ma Gunn (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Catherine Todd (In a photograph only)
- Joe Chill (Flashback only)
- Martha Wayne (Dies in flashback)
- Penguin (Cameo)
- Thomas Wayne (Dies in flashback)
- Willis Todd (New Earth) (Mentioned only)
Locations:
Items:
- Batarangs
- Batrope
- Gotham Gazette
- Vue Magazine
- Hopeless Diamonds
Vehicles:
Notes
- This story is reprinted in the Batman: Second Chances and Robin, The Boy Wonder: A Celebration of 75 Years collected editions.
- This issue is told as a flashback. It retells the origin of Jason Todd in Post-Crisis continuity. It also marks the first appearance of the character in the new continuity.
- Regarding the credits of the cover of this issue, DC has records showing Ed Hannigan was paid for a cover sketch, Chris Warner for pencils, and Dick Giordano for inks, but Chris Warner denied having drawn this cover (via email).[1]
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Batman Recommended Reading
- Batman (Volume 1)
- Batman (Volume 2)
- Batman (Volume 3)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 1)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 2)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 3)
- Batman Confidential (Volume 1)
- Batman: Gotham Knights (Volume 1)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Volume 1)
- Batman: Streets of Gotham (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 1)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman: World's Finest (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 2)
- The Brave and the Bold (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 2)
- Superman/Batman (Volume 1)
- World's Finest (Volume 1)
Links and References
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