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Caroline Keene "Carrie" Kelley is a superheroine from Frank Miller's ''Dark Knight'' trilogy of
Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
graphic novels (1986-2017). She becomes the new Robin in '' The Dark Knight Returns'' (1986) when she saves
Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
's life. Later in ''
The Dark Knight Strikes Again ''The Dark Knight Strikes Again'', also known as ''Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again'' and ''DK2'', is a 2001–2002 DC Comics three-issue limited series comic book written and illustrated by Frank Miller and colored by Lynn Varley, featuri ...
'' (2001–2002), she adopts the identity Catgirl, and in '' The Dark Knight III: The Master Race'' (2015–2017), she adopts the identity
Batwoman Batwoman is a name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies of Batman similarly to Batgirl. The original version of the character, Kathy Kane (eventually given t ...
. Carrie was the first full-time female Robin in the history of the ''Batman'' franchise, though Julie Madison had passed off as Robin for a brief time in a Bob Kane story published in ''Detective Comics'' #49 in March 1941; because Miller's ''Dark Knight'' trilogy is not part of the main DC canon, Stephanie Brown became the first mainline female Robin in the early 2000s instead. She has been featured in different forms of media in and out of comics, and made her live-action debut in the television series '' Gotham Knights'', portrayed by Navia Robinson.


Publication history

According to Frank Miller, the idea to create Carrie Kelley was sparked by a conversation with
superhero A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, typically using their ...
comics veteran John Byrne while they were flying to an
Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...
comic convention. When Miller told Byrne he was writing a Batman story featuring an old and crankier Batman, Byrne recommended he make Robin a girl and drew him a sketch. Miller liked the concept so much that he ultimately included it in '' The Dark Knight Returns''.


Fictional character biography


''The Dark Knight Returns''

Carrie Kelley is a 13-year-old schoolgirl and
scout Scout may refer to: Youth movement *Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement ** Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom ** Scouts BSA, sect ...
whom Batman saves from a sadistic group of Mutant gang members on the night of his return from retirement. Idolizing the Dark Knight, she then spends her lunch money on a Robin outfit, sets out to attack petty con men, and finds Batman in the hope of becoming his partner. Kelley uses a
slingshot A slingshot or catapult is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame, with two tubes or strips made from either a natural rubber or synthetic elastic material. These are attached to the upper two ends ...
and
firecracker A firecracker (cracker, noise maker, banger) is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang, usually for celebration or entertainment; any visual effect is incidental to ...
s as weapons. She also wears green-tinted sunglasses instead of a black domino mask. Before she begins her training with Batman, she is already trained in gymnastics. Like most of the young characters in the book, she speaks in a futuristic
slang A slang is a vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in everyday conversation but avoided in formal writing and speech. It also often refers to the language exclusively used by the members of pa ...
that Miller credited colorist (and Miller's wife) Lynn Varley with helping to create."Comic book artist and writer Frank Miller,"
''Fresh Air'' (November 14, 2002): "Frank Miller: 'The whole thing actually comes by way of Lynn Varley and her brothers... It was a way that they spoke in their neighborhood in Livonia, Michigan. It's simply a reverse way of speaking in patterns.'"
Unlike the first and
second The second (symbol: s) is a unit of time derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes, and finally to 60 seconds each (24 × 60 × 60 = 86400). The current and formal definition in the International System of U ...
Robins mentioned in the story, Kelley is not an orphan, but she appears to have rather ignorant and neglectful parents who are never actually seen—one of them mutters "Didn't we have a kid?" while their daughter is witnessing the fierce battle between Batman and the street gangs known as the Mutants. It is hinted through their dialogue that they were once activists and possibly hippies during the 1960s, but have since become apathetic stoners. In the series, the government's banning of superhero activities and Jason Todd's death led to the Dark Knight's retirement. Still, Batman accepts her as Robin when she saves his life just as he is on the verge of being killed by the unnamed
Mutant In biology, and especially in genetics, a mutant is an organism or a new genetic character arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is generally an alteration of the DNA sequence of the genome or chromosome of an organism. It i ...
Leader by jumping on him from behind and tearing at his eyes. She practically drags him back to the
Batmobile The Batmobile is the fictional land vehicle driven by the superhero Batman, used both to patrol Gotham City looking for crime and to engage in car chases or vehicular combat with the city's criminal underworld. The Batmobile is one of a suite o ...
and makes a sling for his arm out of part of her cape and a piece of pipe. He often threatens to fire her but she shows considerable ability and improvisation which impresses him enough to give her a stay of dismissal even when she disobeys his orders. The police, now led by newly appointed Commissioner Ellen Yindel following James Gordon's retirement, take a very poor attitude toward Batman and his methods and issue a warrant for his arrest. When she sees Batman with Kelley leaping in mid-air and barely catching a passing hang-glider, Yindel adds child endangerment to the growing list of charges against Batman. As Robin, Carrie plays a crucial part in tracking down and confronting the Joker who (at a fairground) has poisoned several children and planted a bomb on a
roller coaster A roller coaster is a type of list of amusement rides, amusement ride employing a form of elevated Railway track, railroad track that carries passengers on a roller coaster train, train through tight turns, steep slopes, and other elements, usua ...
. While Batman goes after his age-old nemesis, Carrie manages to dispose of the bomb but gets into a tangle with Fat Abner, Joker's accomplice. As they grapple together, Abner is decapitated by an overhanging section of the track, driving Carrie momentarily into shock and tears, but recovering enough to rescue a seriously injured Batman from capture by the police and help heal his wounds with
Alfred Pennyworth Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, originally Alfred Beagle and commonly known simply as Alfred, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, most commonly in association with the superhero Batman. Alfred is ...
. Carrie also helps Batman restore order in Gotham after a nationwide blackout caused by an electromagnetic pulse with help from the Sons of Batman. Unnerved by Batman's activities, the United States government sends
Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...
to bring the Dark Knight down. As the big battle is about to start, Carrie delays Superman's arrival using the tank-like Bat-mobile and a slingshot, to which the Man of Steel simply replies "Isn't tonight a school night?" Using a variety of powerful weapons, including synthesized
kryptonite Kryptonite is a fictional material that appears primarily in Superman stories published by DC Comics. In its best-known form, it is a green, crystalline material originating from Superman's home world of Krypton (comics), Krypton that emits a u ...
, Batman manages to defeat Superman but "dies" in the process. It later emerges that he had faked his death and Carrie unearthed Batman from his grave soon after he revived. They then go underground to the
Batcave The Batcave is a subterranean location appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It is the headquarters of the superhero Batman, whose secret identity is Bruce Wayne and his partners, consisting of caves beneath his personal r ...
where, with
Green Arrow Green Arrow is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in ''More Fun Comics'' No. 73 on September 19, 1941 (cover dated November 1941), th ...
, they set about training various teenage street gangs into an army in preparation to deal with people "worse than thieves and murderers."


''The Dark Knight Strikes Again''

Three years later, Kelley has begun calling herself "Catgirl". She remains Batman's able second-in-command. She wears a skin-tight cat costume with a leopard pattern and is now trained extensively in combat. Her equipment includes motorized rollerskates and an arm cannon that fires batarangs. Catgirl's main duty is to oversee an army of Batboys to help save the world from a police-state dictatorship, led by Lex Luthor and Brainiac. She leads them into battle, liberating imprisoned heroes such as the
Atom Atoms are the basic particles of the chemical elements. An atom consists of a atomic nucleus, nucleus of protons and generally neutrons, surrounded by an electromagnetically bound swarm of electrons. The chemical elements are distinguished fr ...
and Flash. However, she also causes serious injury to a Batboy who exceeded her orders by maiming and killing a couple of police officers. She beats him up and tells the others to treat him but not bother with
anesthetic An anesthetic (American English) or anaesthetic (British English; see spelling differences) is a drug used to induce anesthesia ⁠— ⁠in other words, to result in a temporary loss of sensation or awareness. They may be divided into t ...
. Once alone, however, she breaks down in tears but is offered a comforting hand by Batman. She has been referred to as "The daughter atmannever had" but also as " jailbait". Carrie eventually comes into conflict with a supernatural man resembling Joker and attempts to kill the man with arrows, thermite,
acid An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e. Hydron, hydrogen cation, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory, Brønsted–Lowry acid, or forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis ...
, and C4. However, the man still returns to make an attempt on her life in the Batcave, turning out to be a genetically modified and now-homicidal
Dick Grayson Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman, Teen Titans and Justice League. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, he first appeared in ' ...
having resented her because he had been shoddily treated and dumped by Batman. Her lips are badly lacerated and several of her bones are broken in the fight. Thinking that she is about to die, she tells Batman that she loves him, with Batman later reflecting that he feels the same (Frank Miller clarified in an interview in the book ''Batman Through the Ages'' that Batman saw Carrie as a daughter, meaning Carrie most likely saw Batman as a father figure). Batman, however, arrives and stalls Grayson long enough for Ralph Dibny to get Carrie to safety. It was noted that Carrie was developing feelings for Atom.


''The Dark Knight III: The Master Race''

Three years after being missing,
Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
makes some appearances in Gotham for the first time. After a confrontation with the GCPD and Commissioner Yindel, Batman is apprehended and unmasked revealing it is Carrie Kelley under the cowl. She claims Bruce Wayne is dead. Later, Kelley tells Yindel the story about Batman passing on his bed after being beaten by a villain. While being transferred to Blackgate prison, Kelley remotely activates a tank that attacks the convoy and helps her escape, then she reunites with Wayne at the Batcave. Kelley and Wayne see the news on the Kandorians, led by Quar, giving mankind three days to surrender to their demands and accept them as gods. Bruce and Carrie go to the
Fortress of Solitude The Fortress of Solitude is a fictional fortress appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. It is the place where Superman first learned about his true identity, heritage, and purpose on Eart ...
and wake
Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...
, who has been sitting and covered by ice for three years. Carrie reunites with the Bat Boys Army while Batman and Superman defy Quar. After being defeated by Lara, Superman is encased in black matter by Quar, who turns to Gotham and demands they hand over Batman to them or face obliteration. Bruce presents Carrie, as a "graduation present", a green and purple
Batgirl Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. The character Bette Kane, Betty Kane was introduced into publica ...
outfit and sends her on a mission to engage
Aquaman Aquaman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in ''More Fun Comics'' #73 (November 1941). Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles ...
’s help to find and free Superman. After the
Kryptonians Kryptonians are a fictional extraterrestrial race within the DC Comics universe that originated on the planet Krypton. The term originated from the stories of DC Comics superhero, Superman. The stories also use "Kryptonian" as an adjective to ref ...
are defeated, Carrie is attacked by
Baal Baal (), or Baʻal, was a title and honorific meaning 'owner' or 'lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power (social and political), power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The ...
and disfigures his face using a slingshot and
kryptonite Kryptonite is a fictional material that appears primarily in Superman stories published by DC Comics. In its best-known form, it is a green, crystalline material originating from Superman's home world of Krypton (comics), Krypton that emits a u ...
. Lara confronts Carrie and it's about to kill her when Diana stops her. Carrie witnesses the fight between Diana and Lara, impressed by the power both of them show. Later, Batgirl finds out that Batman was killed by Quar before escaping. She talks to Yindel at the destroyed
Bat-Signal The Bat-Signal is a distress signal device appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, as a means to summon the superhero Batman. It is a specially modified searchlight with a stylized emblem of a bat affixed to the light, allowing i ...
and tells her to get a new one to stay in touch. While discussing with
The Flash The Flash is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1 (cover date, cover-dated Jan ...
in the Batcave, a younger Bruce comes back after being immersed by Superman in the Lazarus Pit. While following a lead on a crime, Commissioner Yindel is captured by Bruno and the Jokers. She is saved by Batman and Batgirl. They then head to the desert where the Kryptonians are joining forces again and use a band of bats to confuse them, causing them to disparately attack themselves, the rest are eliminated by the four remaining Quar's children. Superman, Batman, and Batgirl then attack them but they go nuclear and are about to explode when The Atom appears and reduces them in size so the explosions are insignificant. Two months later, Superman is nowhere to be found and Bruce wonders where he could be. Carrie shows up with a new black suit and formally becomes
Batwoman Batwoman is a name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies of Batman similarly to Batgirl. The original version of the character, Kathy Kane (eventually given t ...
.


The New 52

In September 2011,
The New 52 The New 52 was the 2011 revamp and relaunch by DC Comics of its entire Line (comics), line of ongoing monthly superhero American comic books, comic books. Following the conclusion of the "Flashpoint (comics), Flashpoint" Fictional crossover, cros ...
rebooted DC's continuity. On Prime Earth, Carrie Kelley makes her first appearance in '' Batman and Robin'' #19 (titled ''Batman and Red Robin''). She is a college student and
Damian Wayne Damian Thomas Wayne is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman. He was created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert. Damian Wayne is the biological son of Bruce Wayne/Batman. His mo ...
's acting instructor. As a homage to ''The Dark Knight Returns'', she wears a Robin costume as a Halloween costume on her first appearance.


DC Rebirth

In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called "
DC Rebirth DC Rebirth is a 2016 relaunch by the American comic book publisher DC Comics of its entire Line (comics), line of ongoing monthly superhero comic book titles. Using the end of The New 52 (2011–2016) initiative in May 2016 as its launching point ...
" which restored its continuity to a form much as it was before "The New 52". Carrie Kelley appears in a possible future where Batman and
Catwoman Catwoman is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, she debuted as "the Cat" in ''Batman (comic book), Batman'' #1 (spring 1940). She has become one of the superhero Batman' ...
have grown old together, watching over the former as he dies.


Other versions

Carrie Kelley appears in '' Ame-Comi Girls''. This version is
Barbara Gordon Barbara Joan Gordon is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. The character was created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Ga ...
's cousin and sidekick.


In other media


Television

* Carrie Kelley appears in ''
The New Batman Adventures ''The New Batman Adventures'' (often shortened as ''TNBA'') is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, which aired on Kids' WB from September 13, 1997 to January 16, 1999. Produced by Warner Br ...
'' episode "Legends of the Dark Knight", voiced by Anndi McAfee. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version is a contemporary young girl who envisions Batman in a manner akin to his depiction in ''The Dark Knight Returns''. * Carrie Kelley / Robin appears in the ''
Teen Titans Go! ''Teen Titans Go!'' is an American animated television series developed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic for Cartoon Network. It premiered on April 23, 2013, and is based on DC Comics' fictional superhero team the Teen Titans. The series ...
'' episode "The Best Robin", voiced by
Scott Menville Scott David Menville (born February 12, 1971) is an American actor and musician who is known for his voice work in animated films, television series and video games. He voices Robin in Cartoon Network's ''Teen Titans'' (2003–2006) and ''Teen ...
. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version is a member of a team of Robins. * Carrie Kelley appears in a photograph in the ''
Titans In Greek mythology, the Titans ( ; ) were the pre-Twelve Olympians, Olympian gods. According to the ''Theogony'' of Hesiod, they were the twelve children of the primordial parents Uranus (mythology), Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth). The six male ...
'' episode "Barbara Gordon" as one of
Dick Grayson Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman, Teen Titans and Justice League. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, he first appeared in ' ...
's potential Robin candidates. * Carrie Kelley / Robin appears in '' Gotham Knights'', portrayed by Navia Robinson. This version is a contemporary classmate of Bruce Wayne's adoptive son Turner Hayes whose mother Lisa Kelley (portrayed by Angela Davis) works as a doctor. * Carrie Kelley appears in the '' Batman: Caped Crusader'' episode "Nocturne", voiced by Juliet Donenfeld. This version is a contemporary orphan under Leslie Thompkins' care.


Film

* Carrie Kelley / Robin appears in '' Batman: The Dark Knight Returns'', voiced by Ariel Winter. * Carrie Kelley / Robin's design serves as inspiration for '' The Lego Batman Movie''s incarnation of
Dick Grayson Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman, Teen Titans and Justice League. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, he first appeared in ' ...
/ Robin.


Video games

Carrie Kelly / Robin appears as a character summon in '' Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure''.


Miscellaneous

* Carrie Kelley / Robin appears in ''Comics Collector'' #8 (
Krause Publications Krause Publications is an American publisher of hobby magazines and books. The company was started by Chester L. Krause (19232016) in 1952 and published '' Numismatic News''. In the coin collecting community the company is best known for its ...
, Summer 1985), predating her first comic book appearance. * Carrie Kelley appears in '' The Batman & Robin Adventures'' #6. * Carrie Kelley / Robin appears in '' Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' #13.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelley, Carrie Batman characters Characters created by Frank Miller (comics) Comics characters introduced in 1986 DC Comics female superheroes DC Comics martial artists DC Comics sidekicks Fictional inventors in comics Robin (character) Teenage characters in comics


External Links


Not Offended--stories based on Gotham Knights, With that version of Carrie Kelley as Duela's best friend and ally.