Robin 80th anniversary: From first kiss to failed wedding, a look at his turbulent relationship with Starfire
They were from two different worlds — literally. The complicated romantic history between Robin and Starfire has always been a fan favorite. It has all the elements of a regular soap opera, stirred well with the fantastical plotlines to make it even more intriguing and twisted. The two characters have decades worth of history to themselves and this has been reflected in the animation series, films as well as the latest DC show 'Titans'.
So on Robin's 80th Anniversary special, we take a fleeting look at their relationship in the animated 'Teen Titans' series as well as the comics.
The animated series
For those who grew up on this series 'Teen Titans', the blossoming romance between the two of them was hard to miss, and later became a key point in the show. Starfire is the lovable and affectionate alien, who is still trying to learn about Earth's ways and customs. Yet, she is a different person in battle — fierce and powerful, as she can emit star bolts from her hands, and later from her eyes. Robin is more hesitant and shy about his feelings for Starfire but gradually becomes more comfortable about showing it.
Their first meeting (which was later revealed in Season 5) involved a kiss — but not for the reasons you would expect. Starfire came to Earth without any understanding of English and was unable to communicate with anyone, till she kissed Robin. For the uninitiated, Tamaraneans are able to absorb language skills through physical contact. Though they are a little awkward about it later, their relationship began to bloom over their time as teammates. The hints of this were seen in episodes such as 'Sister', when Starfire's evil sister Blackfire arrives and tries to replace her as Titan, and 'Date With Destiny' where Robin is forced to go on a date with a villain's daughter to save the city, leading to particularly hilarious consequences. The real nod was during the episode 'Betrothed' in Season 3, where Starfire almost gets married to a green ogre-like creature to save Tamaran, only on Blackfire's orders. While the other Titans are rather baffled, Robin has a particularly hard time dealing with this. However, after a showdown with Blackfire, Starfire returns to Earth with her team.
In the fourth season, 'Stranded', after the Titans playfully refer to Starfire as Robin's girlfriend, he is visibly embarrassed and says that she is not his girlfriend. A hurt Starfire demands him to explain himself when they are later stranded on a planet. Finally, Robin admits that he isn't comfortable with showing his feelings and the two share a sweet hug. In the film 'Trouble In Tokyo', the two finally share a kiss.
This is the sanitized and less complicated version of their relationship in the comics, where it was another ballgame altogether.
Star-crossed lovers
Just like in the animated series, Starfire absorbed the English language from Robin through a passionate kiss. This began a long romance between them, filled with hindrances and obstacles. As the New Teen Titans fought many villains together, Robin and Starfire grew closer. However, their contrasting personalities would lead to heated arguments between the two. For starters, Starfire did not understand Robin's need to tone down his emotions. Yet, despite these glitches, they were still madly in love.
Starfire's first marriage
Starfire was called back to Tamaran when her father ordered her to marry Karras, the son of a high-ranking Tamaranean, as part of a political alliance. As this was an act of diplomacy, she wasn't expected to give her relationship up with Robin, who had now become Nightwing. Dick Grayson held on to his pride and decided to leave Tamaran. Though Starfire tried to salvage her relationship with Karras, she left him in the hope that things would work out once again with Nightwing. Conveniently Karras was killed off, and Nightwing decided to marry Starfire.
Deceptive seduction and then proposal
But some soap opera styled scandal unfolded, as the shapeshifter Mirage tricked Nightwing into thinking she was Starfire and seduced him. At first Starfire was furious that Nightwing could so easily be tricked, but when he proposed she seemed to have changed her mind and agreed to marry him.
Demonic Raven ruins the wedding
On their big wedding day, Raven, who gets possessed by her evil father kills the priest before he pronounces Nightwing and Starfire husband and wife. Raven is defeated, but a broken Starfire returns to Tamaran, putting a long pause on her relationship with Nightwing. The Titans regroup again later and Starfire returns to Earth. Though she and Nightwing acknowledge that their feelings are still very much there, they realize that they are too emotionally scarred to ever be together again. They resumed their physical relationship, but could never connect again emotionally. Starfire continued to be in love with Nightwing for years, but he moved on finally. Finally, she left the Titans.
Years later, Starfire married General Phy'zzon, a Tamaranean, out of love. However, he died during the battle to save Tamaran from the Sun Eater.
The second Robin
While everyone knows about the iconic romance between her and Dick Grayson, not much is said about her brief fling with Jason Todd, who took on the mantle of being Robin after Dick Grayson became Nightwing. Jason and Starfire had a momentary attraction during the New 52 comics. However, Starfire still was in love with Nighwing, so this affair didn't go anywhere concrete.
And you thought your dating life was tough.