Following up on @Johnny_Bravo’s point, certain cynical interpretations of Batman involve the assumption that the person in the bright colors is going to get shot while the vigilante in blue/black/gray urban camo is going to slip past…
Or as the Dark Knight graphic novel pointed out similarly - Why put a target on your chest? Easier to armor than your head or the rest of your body.
Slightly more seriously, just as Batman relies on appearing invincible and mysterious, so does Robin. You’re projecting a feeling of endless continuity, so at no point do the (less intelligent) street villains think they can take out a new Robin, which does help ease the transitions.
Or, in the case of older continuities, it’s just that continuity. Prior to the last half dozen reshuffles, there was stories of the older generation retiring, Robin becoming the new Bat, and a Wayne or Grayson Jr becoming the new Robin, and then later the cycle would repeat.
But as far as the population is concerned, it’s always Batman and Robin.
It was mentioned in a flashback in a “special edition” Batman I had back around 1970.
Bruce Wayne came to see Harris wearing the costume he’d created.
Harris agreed to teach Bruce everything he knew about crimefighting.
Harris named him “Robin” because he was “bright as a robin redbreast in that costume.”
Bruce suggested that Dick Grayson adopt another name before working with “the Batman.”
Dick suggested he take the name of another “flying creature.”
Bruce said “I was thinking the same thing. How do you like the name ‘Robin’?”
Dick said “Swell. Robin Hood has always been one of my favorite heroes.”
Bruce made an identical costume for Dick, since he learned to sew in the Sea Scouts.
… And now you know the rest of the story.
I wonder what would happen to me if I walked into a police station in that outfit and asked a detective to teach me everything he knew about crimefighting?
In a just world, Bruce Wayne would eventually retire and his current Robin would be promoted to Batman in his place. But Bruce is too much of a jerk to allow that.
I think Tibby’s point is that owls fly at night as do bats. I do not think robins fly at night. But, “Batman and Owly” would scan better and be a good combo: Batman is brooding and morose, while Owly would have to live up to his/her name (which means piquish). It would make for a nice contrast.
That’s the exact same thing I came here to post. Once established, superhero identities become roles. How many Ironmans, Captain Americas, etc have there been?
When Jason Todd became Batman’s partner, he initially considered using a name other than Robin as a sign of respect for Dick Grayson. In Batman #368,his suggested codenames were Flying Ace, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Eagle, Domino and Kid Dynamite. Luckily, Dick Grayson gave him his blessing to inherit the Robin mantle because it’s clear that names and branding are not Jason’s strong suit.
It’s funny how, once that preposterous Robin suit was debuted in 1940, it never changed a bit for at least 40 years. That’s one example of how the DC universe differs from real life; what kid irl would voluntarily wear that in public?
