Now that young Damian Wayne has fallen in battle, The Dark Knight has a vacancy for a new Robin and while it was looking extremely likely that Harper Row was being lined up as the new Girl Wonder, an old favourite has now entered the race with the gatefold cover for Batman and Robin #19 (a.k.a. Batman and Red Robin #19) revealing that Carrie Kelley is set to debut in DC’s New 52:
Carrie Kelley was created by Frank Miller and appeared as Robin in Miller’s seminal Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in 1986, before returning as Catgirl in the follow-up Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again in 2001. As well as serving as her introduction to the New 52, Batman and Robin #19 will also mark Carrie’s first ever appearance in mainstream DC Comics continuity.
“She’s a college kid who’s got spunk and speaks her mind,” states writer Peter A. Tomasi in an interview with the New York Post. “This is not an alternate-earth Robin, this is simply a girl named Carrie Kelley, who we learn knew Damian, which in turn weaves her into the fabric of the DC Universe for the first time in 25 years. What you’ll find out once you crack the book, is that she’s not exactly the ‘new Robin,’ but I don’t want to spoil the story and her introduction into Bruce Wayne/Batman’s life.”
Despite playing down the possibility of her becoming Batman’s next partner, Tomasi goes on to admit that she is set to play a big role in the DC universe: “In regards to how long she’ll be around, let’s just say that it’s a helluva lot longer than ‘one issue.’ I’ve got plans for Carrie that play well into the future. It’s all real. It’s all in continuity. It’s all part of the Batman universe in the here and now. Carrie Kelley has found her way into The New 52 and she’s here to stay – in what capacity is anybody’s guess – except mine of course.”
Batman and Robin #19 will be released – and no doubt sell out – this coming Wednesday.
Originally published April 5, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
