Batman's New Robin is His Favorite EVER (Ours Too)

Warning: SPOILERS for Justice League #20

Batman has claimed many versions of Robin as a sidekick, and raised more than one child to be his next successor. But finally, one has been selected as Bruce Wayne's favorite ever. And for once, Batman's decision is one we absolutely agree with.

It's not going to be the version of Robin that many fans will hope, with Batman comics having previously demonstrated Nightwing's importance to the DC Universe. But despite the success and acclaim of his run on the New 52's Batman series, Scott Snyder saved one of his greatest Bat-characters for the current Justice League. A character, a sidekick, but more than anything, a story too beautiful to truly appreciate in the moment.

It is the child that chose Batman for a father, and whom Bruce has now seemingly accepted as his son... and the version of Robin that Batman has named his favorite. "No, I mean it. My favorite ever." Readers aren't worthy of such a love story.

This Page: Batman's Son, The Alien Starfish Jarro
Page 2: Jarro, Officially Batman's Favorite Robin?

Batman's Son, Jarro The Psychic Starfish

For those casual fans of DC Comics who haven't kept up to date with the recent Justice League relaunch, or the galaxy-spanning events of Justice League: No Justice, this story twist is going to throw you for a bit of a loop. But believe us when we tell you that despite the few scenes that make up the tale so far, the growing bond between Batman and Jarro, the pint-sized Starro is the feel-good story of the year. And it all started when the heroes of DC's Universe decided to give the original Starro a second chance to be a cosmic hero, instead of a villain.

Starro, the alien conqueror the Justice League formed to stop (back in 1960). Starro, the gigantic psychic starfish that deploys miniature versions of itself to slap onto the heads of victims and override their brain activity, becoming drones. Starro, the telepath asked by the Justice League to save countless worlds as part of No Justice. Starro who died a hero's death when he accepted, and was thought lost for good because of it.

Thankfully, Snyder and Francis Manapul gave Starro a hero's legacy as well (and set the tone of the coming Justice League saga in the process) by the surprise arrival of Jarro, a miniature version of Starro that Batman had somehow managed to keep alive inside of a jar. Having named him Jarro (obviously), the true meaning of their bond became clear when the Hall of Justice was attacked by the Legion of Doom, and Batman sprung into action to save both of their lives... as Jarro panicked and sought comfort from his "Dad" along the way.

That comfort has been returned by Batman to this point, clearly just fine with Jarro viewing him as a father. But now, this bond has grown even stronger. Not only does Batman see Jarro as his "son," he's honoring him as his favorite Robin to date... uniform and all.

Page 2: Jarro, Officially Batman's Favorite Robin?

Meet Jarro, Batman's Favorite Robin (Ever)

Hard as it may be to believe, the confirmation of Jarro--a psychically gifted alien starfish--as not only Batman's son, but his new Robin, is effectively a minor point in the current arc of Justice League. After the previous issue concluded with the older Superman of DC's future arriving to show the League their greatest possible future, fans were left unsure of what to expect next. But for obvious reasons, it's Batman's return to chasing down Gotham criminals that is going to produce the most powerful responses from readers. For it's there that Bruce crowns his most accomplished sidekick in history.

Just as Jodie Foster's heroine in Contact (1997) regretted being chosen to look upon a cosmic miracle, recognizing that "they should have sent a poet" to translate such beauty into mere words, we find ourselves unable to do justice to the debut of Jarro in full costume as the newest Robin, the Boy Wonder. So when words fail, we must let the artwork of Jorge Jimenez say what we can not.

For now we can only hope that Jarro's costume was fashioned with the same loving hands that crafted (and mended) the suits of Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, and Damian Wayne. All things considered, it would make for Alfred Pennyworth's easiest challenge to date, crafting a cape the size of a tissue. But it isn't the size of the sidekick that matters to Batman. It is the dedication, loyalty, and commitment to serve as Batman's reliable partner in the field that counts. And before Bruce can even ask Jarro to aid him in apprehending Deathstroke, Jarro is leaping into the action to immobilize Slade Wilson in seconds.

That level of readiness and combat effectiveness is what prompts Batman to finally refer to Jarro as his "son," while commending him as not just a capable sidekick on par with the DC greats who have claimed the mantle... but as "my favorite Robin ever. No, I mean it. My favorite ever." It's a moment so touching... we hate to even remind ourselves that it's taking place inside of a larger, more uncertain, almost impossible future. Which means this scene of Batman/Jarro fatherly bonding might not be a exactly as it seems. But if we're honest, we couldn't care less. Even if this scene is a fantasy of Batman's (or Jarro's) the truth of it can't be denied.

Bruce Wayne has never had a son who loved him as only an alien starfish grown in a jar on his desk possibly can. And Jarro lives to become the hero his ancestor was at heart, serving his father to the best of his ability. If that doesn't make for the Robin Batman would prefer most of all... what kind of story are we even telling?

Justice League #20 will be available on March 20th from your local comic store, and directly from DC Comics.