Bruce’s actions as Batman are extremely oppositional — He might be the World’s Greatest Detective, but overall he’s a crimefighter, and everything he does, from his training in martial arts right down to his costume, are built on physicality and intimidation. Robin, however, is rooted in an entirely different philosophy. Batman’s there to fight against crime for taking away his parents, but Robin’s role has barely anything to do with getting revenge against Boss Maroni for killing the Flying Graysons. He’s not there for vengeance, he’s there to help.

I think it’s actually a pretty poetic element that ties their actions into their origins: If Bruce had been a massive, intimidating martial artist who knew seven ways to disarm a thug from any position — one of which hurts — then he could’ve saved his parents from getting gunned down. All Dick Grayson’s parents needed, however, was a safety net.