The world has loved Batman for more than eighty years, but fans know he wouldn't be half the hero he is without his sidekick. So it's only right that DC's Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular pays tribute to the many versions of young hero. And in the case of Dick Grayson, how Batman's training prepared him for a comic career of his own.

Most comic readers know of Grayson's rise from the Batcave to the Teen Titans, a solo career as Nightwing, and even his time as Batman's replacement. But when Dick Grayson's identity was revealed to DC's universe in 2012, the man the world knew had no choice but to die... so he could be reborn as Grayson. Tom King, Tim Seeley, Mikel Janín, and Jeromy Cox gave Dick a new mission as a secret agent of Spyral, and now they're back to pay tribute to that chapter as part of the Robin 80th Anniversary. The special issue arrives in comic book shops on March 18th -- and will also be available digitally via Comixology and ReadDC -- but Screen Rant got the chance to speak with both Seeley and Janín about returning to the Grayson days, how the series has aged, and what makes the first Robin the best (with a preview of the story, as well).

RELATED: Goodbye Robin, Tim Drake Officially Debuts As DRAKE

The Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular includes stories from the greatest Robin writers, paying tribute to the character in various guises, including Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown and Damian Wayne. The credits for the issue is stacked with comic legends, like Marv Wolfman, Tom Grummett, Chuck Dixon, Scott McDaniel, Devin Grayson, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Tim Seeley, Tom King and Mikel Janín, James Tynion IV, Peter J. Tomasi, Judd Winick and others.

Screen Rant: With Robin 80th Anniversary, you two are reuniting for a trip back into Dick Grayson's days as Agent 37 for "The Lesson Plan." Some of the biggest Nightwing fans show a special kind of affection for Grayson. I'm curious if you've also noticed the special place your work holds for those fans, especially since it's a story where Dick is far from 'under Batman's wing.'

Tim Seeley: Yeah, absolutely. Which is funny, because when it was announced, Tom and I would get people telling us they hated us all the time! But very quickly, fans realized we weren't taking anything away from the character, nor were we ruining him. We were adding something to him, and using the things we loved best about him to challenge him in a way he'd never been challenged. For years, the most common thing said to me at conventions was “I wanted to hate GRAYSON, but I ended up loving it." Of course, the fact that we had some amazing (and sexy!) art from Mikel Janín and Jeromy Cox really helped.

Grayson Robin 80th Comic Preview 1

Mikel Janín: Absolutely. Grayson is the most loved book I’ve ever worked on. We’ve always felt it’s special, and of course we love it too! That’s why when we had this opportunity, I didn’t doubt for a second that we needed to do this story.

As you’ve returned to the stage of a character's life that you defined, what has that process been like for you? What was it like to create a new Spyral story? Is there an element of nostalgia in returning to Spyral?

TS: It was tough, if only because the character has moved on and he's not a spy (and he's not even Dick anymore). So, I had to get myself back into my old headspace, to make it an even more fun, crazier, sexier time!

MJ: There definitely was some nostalgia, but just like the first time, it was instant fun. So, it was easy for me to go back to that loved place. Also, it was so great to have Jeromy Cox in colors to round off the throwback. I really loved being part of this.

Grayson Robin 80th Comic Preview 2

For you Tim, this story is really built on Dick's connection to Bruce. Specifically, how Bruce's training persists in Dick's own mind as a teacher. I don't know if I've heard two Batman fans agree on exactly how Dick sees Bruce, and how he does or doesn't want to follow his example. This story feels like you giving your own view (I'm thinking of the final page here, especially). How did you incorporate the lessons Bruce passed onto Dick in this short story?

TS: The final lesson was Tom King's idea, and I think, very much in keeping with the spirit of GRAYSON. I originally didn't think I could make it work, but I totally came around to the idea. Here we see this rebellious streak to Robin, which I think is totally something to celebrate if you're going to talk about his 80th anniversary. Overall though, I think Dick and Bruce's relationship as mentor and student is probably very much like the movie Rashomon, where it totally depends on who is telling the story.

Grayson Robin 80th Comic Preview 3

For you Mikel, every page of this story feels charged with Dick's energy and personality. When you're working on an 8-page story, with a lot of great action, do you approach it differently than if it were a full issue? Are you looking forward to seeing fans react to the 'loincloth-warrior' costume you've created for Dick?

MJ: It was a pretty straight forward process. Layouts came quickly to my mind and I’m glad I didn’t lose the ‘touch’ to make it feel 100% Grayson. The schedule was really tight, but I was totally into it, so fresh ideas were coming all the time, including the loincloth-warrior thing. It came naturally and I think it was funny and sexy.

Since the readers will demand to know, I have to ask: which Robin do you name as the best ever?

TS: Dick, for sure. First Robin, best Robin. Where would superhero comics be without him?

MJ: Dick is the best, no question there.

Grayson Robin 80th Comic Preview 4
  • ROBIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR
  • Release Date: March 18th, 2020
  • Written by: Marv Wolfman, Chuck Dixon, Devin Grayson, Tim Seeley, Tom King, Judd Winick, James TynionIV, Amy Wolfram, Robbie Thompson, Adam Glass, Peter J. Tomasi, Others
  • Art by: Tom Grummett, Scott McDaniel, Mikel Janin, Kenneth Rocafort, Freddie Williams II, Javi Fernandez, Nicola Scott, Dustin Nguyen, Andy Kubert, Frank Miller, Others
  • Cover Art by: Lee Weeks
  • DC Comics celebrates Robin the Boy Wonder's 80th anniversary in style with an all-star creative team representing each iteration of the iconic character across eight decades of history! From the high-flying adventures of Dick Grayson to the tragedy of Jason Todd, the enthusiasm of Tim Drake and the arrogance of Damian Wayne, the persistence of Stephanie Brown and the rebelliousness of Carrie Kelley-the mantle of Robin has been worn by many, but always represents one thing: a hero.

The Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 is a prestige format comic book retailing for $9.99, available at local comic retailers and digital retailers on March 18th, 2020. the issue is going to be available digitally via Comixology and ReadDC.

MORE: DC Finally Gets Justice For Batman's FORGOTTEN Robin