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Pre-spandex Superman story Smallville has been a long running hit for the CW Network. Variety tells us CW is contemplating the origin story of Robin, Batman’s sidekick. The Graysons is a one-hour pilot produced by Smallville’s new showrunners Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson along with Supernatural producer/Terminator Salvation director McG.
It chronicles the lives of the Grayson family of acrobats that give Dick “DJ” Grayson the skills he will eventually use to fight crime alongside Batman. With widespread speculation that this is Smallville’s final year, word is The Graysons could be the replacement. If Smallville can keep things going for another year then it would likely get paired with The Graysons.
The WB and then CW have kicked around numerous DC Comics ideas but Smallville was really the only one to take off. Birds of Prey focused on Batman and Catwoman’s daughter The Huntress and her crimefighting girlfriends. It lasted about as long as one of Joker’s little vacations from Arkham Asylum. Smallville’s Supergirl, Laura Vandervoort revealed at a convention that CW brass had talked about a spinoff involving her character. Ultimately they decided against it.
Readers, have you always wanted to know more about Robin’s backstory or do you just consider him Jimmy Olsen with a cape?
KayDee, if Smallville is any indication there will be some heavy retconning on Robin’s backstory. Smallville features a lot of twists that never took place in the comic books.
Jor-El being evil, Johnathan Kent’s death and Clark encountering a number of villains he shouldn’t meet until his post-spandex career are just a few of the changes.
The buzz I’m encountering so far is that a lot of folks agree with Maven’s succinct assessment of the show.
My problem with the concept, is that Dick Grayson apparently grew up in a stable home with a loving family, and it was the death of those he loved that propels him into working with Batman. Does this make for compelling drama? Smallville is about Clark Kent growing up and dealing with his burgeoning powers as well as all the teen angsty stuff. Robin doesn’t have super abilities to fight crime, but relies on the technological expertise of Bruce Wayne. Those advantages won’t be available for use on the series. Just wondering whether young Grayson’s life has the groundwork to be a compelling series.
Worst. Idea. Ever.