History

Dick Grayson grew up in a traveling circus and was a member of a family-team of highly-skilled trapeze artists known collectively as "The Flying Graysons". The much-loved group was a headline act and famed for their (literally) death-defying aerial acrobatics. All this came to a tragic and sudden end one night when the circus stopped in Gotham City and was visited upon by one of it's more unsavory denizens...

In the middle of their performance at the Gotham Hippodrome, the stage is commandeered by Harvey "Two-Face", a former district attorney turned deranged criminal in an effort to flush out his nemesis, Batman. Amidst the chaos the Graysons took it upon themselves to try and save the day. Dick is able to incapacitate the goons on watch and foil the bomb plot set in motion. Upon noticing what was happening Two-Face fires his revolver into the rigging the remaining Graysons clung to to the horror of the crowd (including a helpless Bruce Wayne). The supports snap and the Graysons plunge to their death.

A new family and a new calling

Now orphaned and with no cause to stay in the circus Dick is taken in by Bruce Wayne, the billionaire and philanthropist due to him having no family of his own left. Bitter and vengeful he initially rejects Bruce's well-meaning gesture but is subtly persuaded to stay by his kindly butler, Alfred (...and by Bruce's vast collection of classic motorcycles).

Left to his own devices in the expansive Wayne Manor Dick discovers the entrance to the Batcave; the base of operations of Gotham's own hero, Batman. Realizing his named-guardian Bruce Wayne was the heroic vigilante Dick saw his way to get at Two-Face. Despite his insistence Bruce turned him down claiming his quest for vengeance would not bring him peace, himself knowing the same pain Dick had.

The birth of "Robin"

Incensed with Bruce's repeated stubborn refusal Dick left their company for a period whilst the threat of Two-Face escalated with his partnership with a mysterious and dangerous new villain, the Riddler. Using technology of his own invention he discovers Batman's secret identity and they attack Bruce at home incapacitating him and kidnapping his then-girlfriend Chase Meridian. Eventually with Alfred's care Bruce comes to and prepares to leave to storm their hideout and put an end to their schemes. It is then Dick reappears outfitted in an armor-suit (custom-made by Alfred) not unlike Batman's offering his help to even the odds. With gratitude and understanding Bruce finally accepts him and when asked Dick declares his alter-ego to be Robin, in tribute to a nickname given to him by his brother. Despite a shaky first mission Robin's assistance proves to be an asset to Batman and they win the day with the villainous duo's ultimate defeat.

With his family avenged and new-found purpose Robin became Batman's partner and protege in his unrelenting fight against the evil that plagued Gotham from then onward.