Batman – White Knight: A promising universe for DC

Image by DC Comics/Art by Sean Murphy

The second Robin (or the first?)

The final 24 episodes of BTAS were initially called The New Batman Adventures during its first run on Kids’ WB (ran from 1997-99). The main focus of these stories was Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing (the original Robin – Dick Grayson), and a new Robin (Tim Drake). The show skipped over the story of Jason Todd, who had been killed by the Joker in the main Batman continuity. This particular Batman story is known as “A Death in the Family” (written by Jim Starlin and illustrated by Jim Aparo, Batman #426-429, 1988-89).

This was, of course, fine because BTAS had created its own universe, and wasn’t looking to go into the death of the second Robin from the main continuity (especially for a cartoon meant for kids). Murphy actually places Jason Todd before Dick Grayson in White Knight, and he had the following to say on his take for Todd:

"“I would love to get to Jason Todd. One of the happy accidents of ‘Volume 1’ was I switched the order of the Robins. So that Jason Todd in White Knight – spoilers – he was not killed. He just left. So for ‘Volume 2’ , I wanted to sort of touch on that. I’m not sure I’m going to fit it in ‘Volume 2.’ Maybe at the end? But if I ever get a third volume, maybe I’ll tackle the Jason Todd thing.”"

Todd existing before Grayson could actually fit into the Timm-verse. It would take some major revisions to make it fit, but it kind of leaves a reason for why Todd is never mentioned in the animated universe. Either way, it’s a cool addition in White Knight because it opens up story options. In the main continuity, Todd comes back from the dead and takes on the moniker of Red Hood. He even eventually becomes one of Batman’s allies again – although Red Hood is more of an anti-hero and still at odds with his former mentor.

For Murphy, he can go in any direction with this still alive Jason Todd. Batman may not have to carry the weight of his death, but will have to deal with having driven him away. It also changes the relationship for Dick Grayson, who now has a predecessor as Robin, instead of being the original. That is a big change for Batman and Robin’s ongoing relationship, which now encompasses nearly eight decades of stories.