The Graysons

According to an article posted yesterday on Variety's website, The CW is developing a show based around a pre-Robin Dick Grayson. Clearly the network is trying to find a replacement for the aging Smallville, but I'm not sure this is the right idea. A show about a family of circus acrobats is an interesting idea, and I'm sure a series could be built around it, but I question the value of using the Dick Grayson character, and all the baggage that comes with him, while not taking advantage of his ties to the Batman mythos. Also, from a geeky purist's perspective, the timeline bothers me a bit. As described in the article, I would guess that Dick (called DJ on the show, ugh) would be 14 at the youngest as the series begins. Most likely he'd be a little older, say 15 or 16. So, when is he supposed to become Robin? The standard timeline puts him as younger when his parents are killed and he's taken in by Bruce Wayne. The whole idea is that young Dick's plight resonates with Bruce Wayne, they both watched their parents die at a very young age. Let's say The Graysons starts with 14 year-old Dick. Let's also say that it runs for at least five years (long enough to get to that magic 100 episodes that means syndication gold), the series would end with a 19 year-old, not-Robin, Dick Grayson. Grown-up Robin is stupid, have we learned nothing from Chris O'Donnell in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin?

Ultimately, if the show makes it to air, I'll give it a shot. How could I not? Hopefully the creators will be able to allay my fears and produce a great show.