Warning: Spoilers for DC's Robin #2!
Batman's son and former sidekick Damian Wayne a.k.a. Robin the Boy Wonder has received a new costume to showcase in the second issue of the Robin ongoing series, paving the way for an abundance of additional suits to be featured throughout the remainder of the DC Comics series.
The series finds Damian on the famed Lazarus Island for a deadly yet valuable tournament with fellow violent competitors Respawn, Flatline, XXL, Black Swan, and Connor Hawke a.k.a. Green Arrow, each equally skilled and homicidal in their own respective manners. In the previous issue of the new Robin series from writer Joshua Willaimson (The Flash, Justice League) and artist Gleb Melnikov (Wonder Woman, Crimes of Passion), the titular teen vigilante received a new costume heralding the start of the current series. However, Williamson and Melnikov are reassuring fans with their follow-up issue that Robin won't be lacking in any new designs. In order to stand a better chance in the tournament than his last performance, Robin must train with his own former murderer Flatline. As Damian begins his grueling training process, the young adventurer rocks a shiny new to mark the occasion.
In an effort to ensure fans that more changes are in store for the beloved hero, Robin's writer Joshua Williamson took to his personal Twitter account to tease fans with a sketch of Robin's brand new costume, which debuted in issue #2. However, in order to avoid revealing further secrets for upcoming issues, Willaimson refrained from sharing any concept art or visual hints of future Robin costumes. All the writer would give up is Robin's transition to becoming more of a fashion icon. Rather than flashy red and green tights, Robin's new costume is even less of a traditional costume and more of a cloak enveloping the entire body, harkening back to Damian's League of Assassins roots. Matching are a pair of gloves covered in gold detailing the design pattern of Robin's suit itself. Damian has lived under Batman's shadow for much of his teenage life and now the boy has the chance to stand on his own, through his suit no less.
Upon Damian's comic book introduction in 2006, the newly introduced character was outfitted with a Robin suit, which did not stray from the Robin incarnations of past comic books. Despite Damian's Robin suit having its minor idiosyncrasies that helped it stand apart from the rest, the costume ultimately remained a familiar Robin suit. Damian's new suit completely overcomes this past flaw and has an identity of its own in a way.
While Flatline looks to steer Robin in a more easygoing direction, Damian's suit retains the darker and ruthless nature that this particular Robin tends to exhibit.
Source: Joshua Williamson