Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s rejected Robin concept art gifted Damian Wayne with one of his best costumes to date. However, the Boy Wonder wasn’t the sole recipient of a redesign from these comic legends; the Dark Knight himself also underwent a transformation. Sadly, Morrison and Quitely’s Batman concept art was ultimately rejected. Nonetheless, the undeniable truth remains that these designs are striking and definitely warrant a second chance in future comics.
Batman & Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, and Philip Tan includes Batman Redrawn, a guided tour of the artistic process behind the comic volume.
Here, fans can explore Morrison’s and Quitely’s concept art for Batman & Robin, where the two reimagine the dynamic duo with a fresh look as Dick Grayson takes over the Batman mantle and Damian Wayne assumes the role of Robin. Despite these designs being rejected over a decade ago, they continue to exude undeniable badassery, with Robin’s design deserving a second chance to grace the pages of comics.
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Rejected Robin and Batman Concept Art
Before the Batman & Robin run, starring Dick and Damian as the new Dynamic Duo began, Morrison proposed significant revisions to the Caped Crusaders’ costumes. They suggested a complete overhaul for Batman, advocating for a reversal of the traditional chest shield to create a yellow bat symbol within a black circle. As for Robin, Morrison drew inspiration from the uniform of Earth-2 Robin from the ’60s, envisioning a gray and yellow outfit. They personally sketched out these ideas and shared them with Quitely, who added his own touches.
Quitely showcased remarkable skill in refining the designs, retaining Morrison’s original design and color concepts, such as incorporating a yellow “R” within a black bat symbol. However, he also made significant adjustments, opting for a more pronounced use of the yellow and gray colors in Damian’s costume while omitting the blue that Morrison had included. The outcome was an exceptionally sleek and combat-ready design. Despite Quitely’s efforts, the designs were ultimately rejected, as they were considered too “off-model,” leading to the adoption of the more familiar designs seen throughout their Batman & Robin run.
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The Gray and Yellow Robin Suit Deserves a Second Chance
Given Duke Thomas’ Signal has adopted the bat symbol and yellow color scheme as his own, Morrison and Quitely’s Batman design wouldn’t feel out of place in today’s comics, as it closely resembles Thomas’ design, particularly with their shared plated hood appearance. However, the yellow and gray Robin design remains exceptional and distinctive, deserving a place in comics. It exudes professionalism and a sense of badassery that perfectly aligns with Damian’s character while maintaining recognizability. Although it’s unlikely to occur, it would be truly remarkable to witness Grant Morrison’s and Frank Quitely’s original designs for Robin revitalized for a new audience.
Batman & Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn is available now from DC Comics!
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