Batman's trusty sidekick Robin has come out as bisexual in the latest edition of the Batman: Urban Legends comic, much to the delight of LGBTQ+ fans.
Writer Meghan Fitzmartin told BBC Radio 4 Robin's sexual identity felt like the "missing piece" of the puzzle in understanding the iconic character.
Also known as Tim Drake, Robin has previously had female love interests, but in the new issue of the comic accepts a date from an old friend, Bernard Dowd.
"We were looking at what we could do with Tim and what stories we want to tell with Tim," Fitzmartin said. "It's been a while since he's had his own story."
Having reconnected with Dowd for dinner earlier in the story, Robin has a "lightbulb moment" and realises he may have romantic feelings for his friend.
"I'm really glad you got home okay. I've been doing a lot of thinking, about that night, and I – I don't know what it meant to me. Not yet. But I'd like to figure it out," Robin tells Dowd about his visit.
"I was hoping you would. Tim Drake... do you want to go on a date with me?" Dowd asks, to which Robin replies: "Yeah... Yeah, I think I want that."
Fitzmartin said she wanted to let the character "speak what he felt".
"I know that that's very a 'writer-ly' thing to say but it really did feel like I was handing over the reigns to Tim [Drake] to say, 'Alright bud, whatever you want to say, go for it'."
One fan called the moment "inspiring" on Twitter, adding: "DC never wanted a queer Robin but after years and years of campaigning from writers and fans it finally happened."
"Kudos to the writers for weaving this chapter so greatly and tastefully into the Batman Mythos - from a longtime Tim Drake fan," wrote another.
"Holy representation Batman! Love this," offered a third.
Not everyone was so impressed, however.
"Nobody can ever just leave things alone," one tweet read. While others asked "Really? Why?" and dubbed the revelation "unnecessary".
