Costume Rating 7: Robin I

[Podmark]

Alright Costume ratings return in a new format. Now it's a proper poll! Just thought this might make it easier to respond to (and for me to create them).

Today we look at Dick Grayson aka Robin and his original costume. So what do you think of this outfit? Classic superheros at their finest? A garish fashion disaster of epic proportions? or anything in between?

[crimsonquill]

I always liked Robins original costume because it fit the time period and his gymnastic/aerialist background. Would it work for a modern Robin? Nope, he would probably get comments like "What costume store did you buy that at? Cause I'd want to get a refund if I were you."

- CQ

[Cyber Burn]

I always liked Robins original costume because it fit the time period and his gymnastic/aerialist background. Would it work for a modern Robin? Nope, he would probably get comments like "What costume store did you buy that at? Cause I'd want to get a refund if I were you."

- CQ

I'll agree, it was alright for the time period, but it definitely doesn't work for modern times. So, meh.

[ShortFuse]

I like it from the waist up. From the waist down it's 

[BentonGrey]

3: A very qualified three , this is.  Robin's classic costume is iconic, unique, and when drawn by classic DC artists, it actually looks kind of cool.  However, it needs, and has always needed, pants.  That's why the simple update that Tim Drake had (which showed up on B:TAS), was so effective.  It provided a concession to stealth with the outer color of the cape being black, provided pants, and yet kept the trademark tunic.  So, while this costume is utterly a product of its time, and it certainly has its strong suits, it is a really flawed design.  I can't believe it took DC somewhere around five decades to give Robin pants.  The same is true for Aqualad, I suppose.

[Cyber Burn]

I was thinking about this some more, and considering that Batman's costume is dark, and is meant to "inspire fear" and be stealthy, why would he give his sidekick such a brightly colored costume?

I'm guessing it's not "Robin, the boy wonder", it's "Robin, the boy decoy".

[daglob]

The modern Robin's costume makes more sense than the old one. Still, it could be worse: look at all those shirtless wonders from The Golden Age... Blue Bard, for instance.

[Podmark]

So I fell into the dislike category.
I like ShortFuse's comment that the costume is good from the waist up, and as Benton said it's the basis for some better designs so it deserves props. Historically it probably looks fine and fits in well with the classic characters, but today I kinda cringe when I see this outfit.

[BentonGrey]

CB, the classic explanation is that Robin designed it himself, much like the fashion disaster that was Kitty Pryde's first costume:
http://www.uncannyxmen.net/images/costume//shadowcat-bigcostume2.jpg

However, more than a few folks have laughed about the fact that Robin seemed to make a rather colorful distraction from the stealthy bat-costume.  In fact, Tiny Toon Adventures lampooned that with Decoy, the Pig Hostage:
http://tinytoons.wikia.com/wiki/Decoy

[Tomato]

I voted "Meh" on this, but really it's between "Meh" and "dislike". When the time came for me to make a Dick Grayson Robin for my shelf, I chose to use a modification of the TAS outfit, rather than stick with the original, despite having to buy that outfit anyway.

[bat1987]

Was torn on "dislike" or "meh", voted dislike in the end. It's a recognizable suit but it sure didn't age well. I much prefer the TAS suit or Tim Drake's One Year Later outfit.

[Helix]

A tunic, a scaly speedo, and booties. That's not okay.

[Cyber Burn]

However, more than a few folks have laughed about the fact that Robin seemed to make a rather colorful distraction from the stealthy bat-costume.  In fact, Tiny Toon Adventures lampooned that with Decoy, the Pig Hostage:
http://tinytoons.wikia.com/wiki/Decoy

That was exactly what my comment referred to, I was actually wondering if anyone else would get the reference. 

[BentonGrey]

Haha, you beat me to it then, CB! 

I just discovered that someone did give an adult Robin pants, way back in World's Finest 184.  He's got the same costume, but with long sleeves and pants, both red (though he still has his green trunks, interestingly enough).  He's also got taller green boots in the same style as his old ones.  It really looks rather nice.  Too bad they didn't adapt that for his college-age adventures in the 70s.

[Glitch Girl]

From he waist up, not bad, from the waist down... 

I agree that this outfit is very much a product of its time. In this day and age, it's hard to take the pantsless wonder seriously.   I'm actually surprised it took so long to get him pants in the first place.

Ah Decoy, the Pig Hostage... I remember you well...

Speaking of animation, any thoughts on the Batman animated series take on Robin?
(Not the best image, but was the only one I could find where you could see the whole thing)

[BentonGrey]

I love it, but I think (hope?) Pod is going to do a thread on that one eventually, so I'll restrain myself for the moment.

[Podmark]

I love it, but I think (hope?) Pod is going to do a thread on that one eventually, so I'll restrain myself for the moment.

Is it acceptable to count it when we get to Tim Drake? Or do I need to do it separately? They're basically the same costume. Either way, yes we'll get to him.

[BentonGrey]

Nope, totally not acceptable, Pod.