10 Shocking Times Sidekicks Quit

Dick Grayson was not only the original Robin, he was one of the original sidekicks in comics history.

Starting in the 1940s, Dick was a constant companion to Batman, accompanying him on adventures after Bruce took him in as an orphan and trained him. The two of them became a fixture of comics, movie serials, radio, TV shows, and animation.

Eventually, Dick grew up and became Nightwing. The New Batman Adventures episode Old Wounds told this story (as a flashback) as Dick regales the new Robin, Tim Drake, with the account of how he left Batman.

After finding out in the same conversation that his girlfriend Barbara Gordon is Batgirl, AND that Batman knew this yet still put her in danger, Dick clearly no longer trusts Bruce. After berating him, he turns to leave, and Bruce attempts to stop him. Dick punches him in the face, strips off his cape and mask, and walks away, never to be Robin again.

Dick eventually patched things up with Bruce, but on different terms, as a peer and not a sidekick. He seemed to have started a trend, because virtually every Robin since Dick has at one point left Bruce.

Perhaps he should stick to adventuring with his dog Ace.