After over 80 years since he was introduced and after years of homoerotic subtext with his companion Batman, Robin has come out as LGBTQ+ in DC's latest issue of 'Batman: Urban Legends'.
In the comic's cliffhanger ending, the current iteration of the Boy Wonder, Tim Drake, is seen accepting a date invitation from his friend Bernard, having just rescued him from a villain while being disguised as Robin.
“Ever have a lightbulb moment?” Drake wonders in a panel. “Like something out in the ether has been taunting you, teasing you. Like you know you’re supposed to be on the same page as your brain but not everything made sense. People keep asking me what I want. But I couldn’t grasp it. Whatever it was. It always felt just out of reach. Until now. Until right now.”
Meghan Fitzmartin, the writer of the issue, told Polygon that she did not want to put a label on Drake's sexuality. Date has also been seen dating the female superhero Spoiler. "I wanted to show that sexuality is a journey. Drake's feelings for Stephanie are very real, as are his feelings for Bernard. However, Tim is still figuring himself out".
Fitzmartin added that she was thrilled to get DC's approval. "I fully sat on the floor of my apartment for a solid two minutes in happiness as it sunk in … I hope it is as meaningful for others as it has been for me.”
Drake is an addition to the list of superheroes to be written as LGBTQ+, including Batwoman, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, married couple Midnighter and Apollo and Captain America.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)