Similar to Marvel’s What If? stories that took place out of canon, DC Comics explored the concept through their imprint Elseworlds. Like Marvel, these stories did not interfere with the ongoing storylines for characters but instead added a refreshing spin on existing stories, often placing familiar characters in wildly different settings. Some of the most popular entries were Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross and Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar and Jerry Seigel.
One of the earliest Elseworlds stories focused on another popular character at the time: Robin, Batman’s ward and sidekick. Created by Byron Preiss and P. Craig Russell, Robin 3000 was released as a two part story in 1992. As the title suggests, the story introduced a new Batman and Robin who continue the fight for justice not only in Gotham City, but across the entire galaxy.
A thousand years from now the landscape of Gotham City and the world has drastically changed. In a series of flashbacks throughout the story we learn that the long line of the Wayne family has impacted the world through a collection of inventions that help mankind explore other planets and reduce famine.
After one of the Wayne inventions seemingly goes awry, a mutant virus spreads throughout the world. An alien race called the Skulp arrive soon after, offering a cure in exchange for domination of Earth. The Wayne family is used as scapegoats and are all imprisoned. In prison, Bruce Wayne XX hears stories of the original Batman and what he stood for. After convincing his captors he has been ‘rehabilitated,’ he learns that the stories are true and takes on the mantle of Batman. He then begins to train his nephew Tom Wayne on how to defend himself, and Tom assumes the role of Robin.
As the story opens the duo are attempting to escape a fleet of Skulp warships. The Skulp have learned that Bruce is Batman and aim to destroy him. They are unaware of Robin, and with the help of a Robin android Bruce created he sends Tom back to the ground and sacrifices himself, making Tom promise to continue the fight for justice. After a small hiccup, Tom travels to the planet Bolivar with his friend to locate rebels. A rough landing leaves him injured with a shattered hand that was then replaced with a cybernetic version.
Tom and a small group of rebels devise a plan to be captured, learning the Skulp soldier Dregon is calling the shots. Before Dregon can destroy them, he’s betrayed by his mercenary Genra who was forced to help the Skulps after they kidnapped her parents. The story concludes with the Robin android successfully locating Tom, giving him the DNA profile to create another Batman along with Tom’s costume, noting that it is time for Robin to return.
Even a thousand years from now, Batman still requires a Robin to help him in his efforts. He has always represented Bruce’s humanity, regardless of if it’s Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, or Tom Wayne. Robin has always kept Batman balanced, offering the Dark Knight perspective, optimism, and stability, offering a ray of light in an otherwise dark role, and reminding him through it all to maintain the most important facet of his persona...his humanity.
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