Batman has so many allies, sidekicks, and young wards that keeping track of them can be a fool's errand. Despite the myriad options to choose from, most of these costumed youths never get a chance at the spotlight. However, thanks to a controversial upcoming DC Comics show, one such figure is finally getting her moment.
With one of the most publicly criticized trailers in recent history, The CW recently announced Gotham Knights. Not to be confused with the upcoming game of the same name, the show depicts a new adoptive son of Bruce Wayne joined by several children of villains. Rounding out the team is a skilled figure who describes herself as the Bat's "eyes and ears" and goes by Carrie Kelley.
Carrie Kelley was created by Frank Miller for his landmark 1986 series The Dark Knight Returns. Reportedly, comic book legend John Byrne pitched the idea of a female Robin to take the edge off of the older and darker take on the Bat. The Dark Knight Returns is a massive moment for the character and a turning point for DC Comics as a whole. Those who are sick of the comically edgy brooding monster Batman largely have Miller to thank for that trend. Like Alan Moore's Watchmen, the impact of the series has done more harm than good, regardless of its original quality. Those who only know the name or the iconic shots of Batman punching Superman, or those who only know it as source material for Batman v. Superman, might be surprised to see the series' take on Robin.
Caroline Keene Kelley was born into the nightmarish dystopia of Frank Miller's Gotham City. The school system has failed, the government is corrupt and incompetent, and the streets are overrun with dangerous criminals. For his part, Bruce Wayne gave up the cape and cowl when Carrie was three years old, after the death of former Robin Jason Todd. When a youth gang called The Mutants takes to the streets, Batman decides to use advanced technology to return to the field, despite his advanced age and decade of inactivity. On his first night, he rescued Carrie Kelley and her friend from a Mutant attack.
Enamored with the hero who saved her life, Carrie used her lunch money to buy a bootleg Robin outfit the following day and declared herself the Bat's new sidekick. She armed herself with a slingshot and a selection of fireworks and set to work hunting down petty criminals. Shortly thereafter, Carrie discovered Batman in conflict with another group of Mutants. After efficiently dispatching most of the criminals with his high-tech gadgets, the group's leader managed to goad Batman into a hand-to-hand bout. The Bat, made soft by age and inactivity, is defeated and almost killed by his foe, only for Carrie to intervene. Using her explosives, Carrie is able to create a distraction, allowing both of them to slip away. After saving his life, Batman agrees to officially dub Carrie Kelley the new Robin.
When compared to other Robins, Carrie is upbeat, resourceful, rebellious, and good-natured. She's an excellent opposite to Miller's miserable Batman. The Bat is constantly threatening to fire her, but she's both too good at her job and too good an influence for him to actually let her go. She's a trained acrobat and a solid fighter, like every other Robin. She aids Batman in tracking down the Joker and helps deal with the clown's allies and traps while the old nemeses fight. Carrie even helps slow down Superman before he challenges Batman. After Batman and Green Arrow defeat Superman, Carrie is instrumental in Bruce's feigned demise. It's Carrie who pulls Batman out of his grave and sets to work on their new plan to handle even more supervillains. Later iterations of the character gave her roles beyond her original station.
Kelley has advanced from Robin to "Catgirl", but grew from that level to eventually become her universe's Caped Crusader. There are several sequel series to The Dark Knight Returns, often many years apart. The most recent came in 2019, with Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child. In that miniseries, Kelley is the universe's Batwoman, and she is dynamite in the role. Miller has changed dramatically as a writer, both in technique and messaging. There's no real way to put it beyond stating outright that his politics seem to have made a 180-degree reversal. A female Robin was a progressive move when Miller did it in 1986, but the character Miller came up with was more than a cheap gimmick.
Of all the things future Batman creators took from The Dark Knight Returns, far too many have left its best character on the table. Carrie Kelley is finally heading to the screen in live-action, but the series' dubious quality makes even that accomplishment questionable. Hopefully, fans and creators will see what they've been missing with Carrie Kelley and bring her into the big leagues because she deserves so much more.