The Philosophy of Sidekicks, What Even ARE They?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ต.ค. 2018
  • Comic books are known for sidekicks like Robin, Bucky, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and so much more, but what exactly ARE they?
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    Tags: #Sidekick #Comics #Robin
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ความคิดเห็น • 277

  • @ChasehaWing
    @ChasehaWing 5 ปีที่แล้ว +160

    There is a simpler way to define a sidekick: an apprenticeship.
    Sidekicks learn from the hero. They take in the lessons and wisdom and absorb it in their own ways. And are the first in line to one day inherite the roll of the hero should anything happen to him and are key rolls in teaching the heroes too.
    Heroes learn patience, adaptatibility, and gain the ability to teach when taking on a sidekick. That last point is vital to the roll as no one can last forever and if you look at the current line of superheroes who are either the most popular, long lasting or influential, all of them have had either a sidekick or another hero take up the mantle in their place in some way if/when they were defeated. All of them have someone who became better than them or learned from them. Even Hal Jordan was overshined by lanterns like John Stewart and Kyle Rayner, who although was not a sidekick, was influenced by Hal and grew to be better.
    For the most part, Sidekicks remind us of the passing of time, and that heroes will be gone and someone will need to take up the torch. That is why they are so essential. They represent the future and remind us that their potential has not been fully reached yet. This is why it is so DEVASTATING when any of them die! They are the children/ hope/future of our heroes. If they die, so does their legacy. And if you have no legacy, you are only temporary.

    • @BP-dn9nv
      @BP-dn9nv 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That's the way I've always viewed sidekicks

  • @russellwhisenant5554
    @russellwhisenant5554 5 ปีที่แล้ว +414

    Tim Drake is a better detective than Batman?! This deserves a video of its own.

    • @HEXP1XEL
      @HEXP1XEL 5 ปีที่แล้ว +107

      Russell whisenant Tim was the first, and I believe fastest, person to work out Bruce Wayne is Batman
      He has a bunch more feats, dude is one of the smartest characters in comics

    • @prophet1390
      @prophet1390 5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Dean Sawyer-Terry Hugo Strange did it first, he is smarter then Bats but Hugo did do it first

    • @russellwhisenant5554
      @russellwhisenant5554 5 ปีที่แล้ว +47

      Sawyer-Terry I'm not denying it. I just think it's interesting and worth of video. After all the creators called Batman the world's greatest Detective, and Tim Drake sometimes calls himself the world's second greatest detective. That indicates he might feel inferior to Batman. That could be humility. It could be Batman's overblown reputation. It could be the lasting impression Batman made on a much younger and less accomplish Tim Drake. I still think it's worth of video. We could of course share with the video about who the greatest detective in DC's main universe is. That would be especially fun if Comic Drake thought it was some other character in entirely.

    • @Estarfigam
      @Estarfigam 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Hugo is only first because Tim wasn't even thought of.

    • @kevinnosaurus793
      @kevinnosaurus793 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Maybe it's like Wally-Barry situation , when Wally run slower than Barry only for us know that Wally had like a mental block that he believe he's no better than Barry. Also Tim is so young when he figured out Batman is who , so still have some time to surpass Bruce.

  • @JohnnyREB1977
    @JohnnyREB1977 5 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    Looking at the idea from perspective of the Dark Knight, I've always seen the Robins as squires. Here's a quick definition: a young nobleman acting as an attendant to a knight before becoming a knight himself. Setting aside the "nobleman" part of the definition, the first three Robins are along this idea. Each is an attendant/assistant to Batman up until the time they move on to become Nightwing, the Red Hood, or Red Robin.

    • @plumpestpigeon5175
      @plumpestpigeon5175 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Good point. Thanks.

    • @WilliamWizer
      @WilliamWizer ปีที่แล้ว

      it, more or less, applies to most sidekicks. I'm sure you can find exceptions and exceptions to the exceptions but it's a good definition.
      that definition allows to exclude cases like the fantastic 4 (they are a family. not attendants) or x-men (they may be students, so they learn from other heroes, but not attendants)
      I'm not sure if there's any case but your definition could even explain how a hero can have an even more powerful sidekick. the hero is already an experienced knight while the sidekick, no matter how powerful, is an attendant earning the right to become a knight.

  • @Snazzysnail15
    @Snazzysnail15 5 ปีที่แล้ว +116

    I find that sidekicks often add much needed character interaction with hero’s that normally roll solo. Robin (any) gives the reader a chance to Batman as a character instead of a smart guy punching criminals

  • @xchargerOUx
    @xchargerOUx 5 ปีที่แล้ว +287

    It's a philosophy that separates DC and Marvel.

    • @johnnoahdeandres9458
      @johnnoahdeandres9458 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Lol

    • @GamingBoy-uo2rs
      @GamingBoy-uo2rs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@eryvac0074 Marvel Sidekicks are grown men

    • @jensennguyen02
      @jensennguyen02 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@GamingBoy-uo2rs what about OG bucky?

    • @bradychristian5507
      @bradychristian5507 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@eryvac0074 they have way less and they tend to be adults

    • @masonicmantis3214
      @masonicmantis3214 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@jensennguyen02 original Bucky wasn't a marvel character nither was captain America they were part of 1940s ww2 comic's and the company that made them played by the same book DC did back in the day so OG Bucky didn't follow that rule
      And if you want to know why I know this I have no life

  • @NihilisticZebra
    @NihilisticZebra 5 ปีที่แล้ว +251

    A kick on the side duh

    • @skorloxtv4129
      @skorloxtv4129 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @bryan diaz varela side-dab
      lol

    • @Khailward
      @Khailward 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Heroes need someone at their side. Someone to kick them into shape. If only there were a word for that.

    • @horseoperamarker
      @horseoperamarker 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes

  • @JeremyWS
    @JeremyWS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +112

    "This is _Comic Drake_ and my name is Drake and in this episode we'll be talking about Tim Drake." ba dum tss

  • @LancasterResponding
    @LancasterResponding 5 ปีที่แล้ว +154

    Sidekick is the dude that has to take over for the main super hero after they “go missing” for a little but like they were taking a shit and wanted to be alone for awhile.

    • @luizhenriquealves9755
      @luizhenriquealves9755 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Like when super-man take over the mantle of batman when Bruce was missing?

    • @LancasterResponding
      @LancasterResponding 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Luiz Henrique Alves Was Batman missing? I thought Supes was disguised as Batman to fight someone

  • @Numbuh1NerdX
    @Numbuh1NerdX 5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    As always, Dick Grayson is the perfect example of the value of a sidekick. Having to spend time with another human person - one that allows himself to occasionally enjoy living - is what takes Batman from being a flawless crime-stopping robot to being an actual character. Dick connects Bats to Bruce - the person he was before he let the death of his parents eat him alive - and that drop of humanity keeps Batman empathetic and emotional, which is both a functional strength and weakness, but also drives Bruce's arc forward: an unintentional journey to find the boy he lost in Crime Alley.
    tl;dr: Dick Grayson is the only reason why Batman is an interesting character.

  • @ShadowWingTronix
    @ShadowWingTronix 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    I would also maintain that a sidekick is a good way to introduce a new younger hero. Damien was supposed to die but he gained enough fan support that he stayed on. Or what about Riri Williams? Part of the reason people had trouble accepting her wasn't that she was a bad character but that she replace an existing beloved character and they tried to make her better than Tony. Had she become Tony's protege and won fans over Ironheart might have been more easily accepted even if she ended up replacing Tony. It's what won Rhodey his fans and eventually his own superhero identity as War Machine.

  • @FudgieTheKing
    @FudgieTheKing 5 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    To Batman a sidekick is just a living target look at Robin's outfit

    • @dedg0st
      @dedg0st 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      FudgieTheKing
      as opposed to wolverine who donned yellow and blue to draw attention to himself. (a new revelation in the origins of the character)

  • @DaveStellar
    @DaveStellar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Drake would lowkey be a great English teacher. No other channel would break down comics’ characters and themes this much and this well. I’ve learned as much from this video as I have in 12 years of English class in school

  • @cjhs2006
    @cjhs2006 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ned From Spider-Man:Homecoming as The Guy in The Chair Trope Really Makes me Laugh

  • @jachariah4694
    @jachariah4694 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The younger partners are usually my favorite characters, Nightwing, Wally West, Cassie/Donna Troy, Conner, Miss Martian and characters like these are my definitive DC Pantheon

  • @parkb5320
    @parkb5320 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I always thought of sidekicks as a hero training his replacement.

  • @jdjacobus2735
    @jdjacobus2735 5 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Dick and Damian will always be the greatest duo in comics.

  • @OwenLikesComics
    @OwenLikesComics 5 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    Can't wait for this!

  • @Liam_Mellon
    @Liam_Mellon 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I once had a professor who said "the sidekick is a manifestation of the hero's conscience, expressed in concrete terms."

  • @the_well-known_stranger2275
    @the_well-known_stranger2275 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I really appreciate how you used Tim Drake Robin in the thumbnail (he’s my favourite, and the best, robin).

    • @saj-manthesonicfan1893
      @saj-manthesonicfan1893 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Cbat 1612; Absolutely! Tim is the best robin in all the multiverse! :D

  • @DJSIQRIQ
    @DJSIQRIQ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    It's an old cell phone

  • @mrhypnagogia
    @mrhypnagogia 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    dick grayson s gift to the bat family is his emotional maturity. He keeps the team grounded

  • @Robin_Glader
    @Robin_Glader 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A sidekick is a superhero in training by another more experienced superhero.

  • @encounteringjack5699
    @encounteringjack5699 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Just because a “sidekick” strengthens the big guy, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a vital thing to be known as part of being a sidekick. The duo is a lot like a form of family. The big hero is like the parent and the sidekick is like the child.
    That’s a good observation, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is vital. It just means that the two can grow on each other and care for each other.
    I think a sidekick is a lot like a soldier following the commands of the leader. The leader typically having more experience will lead the group to carry out plans. The leader is like the Batman, and the other group members are like the Robin.
    From time to time they might disobey orders, but only when they know the leader is wrong. Which is a lot like what Robin might do, from what I can recall anyway. I don’t know much about comics so I’m kind of basing this off of other superhero related things.

  • @evrypixelcounts
    @evrypixelcounts 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Alfred IS his superhero identity!

  • @PKHomeMovies
    @PKHomeMovies 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You continue to teach and inspire me bro. TY.

  • @epicotakucherry5280
    @epicotakucherry5280 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Sidekicks are probably my favorite part of American comics, and the Robins, in particular, are my favorite characters. One of the easiest ways to analyze and understand a character is how they live their lives with the trials and tribulations of a family. I've kind of got a love-hate relationship with Batman, depending on how he's depicted and who's writing him, but to me, he's always best when he's with the rest of the BatClan and is loving and growing alongside them. I LOVE older, softer Bruce with like 10 kids who's just trying to do his best and love his kids and make sure they have the best life possible but has learned that being overbearing or controlling just makes things worse (see: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd) and that he needs to let them live their own lives. LOVE that shit. Give me more.
    Dick Grayson is my favorite comic book character and I think his journey from a newly-orphaned ward of Bruce Wayne to full-fledged Robin to independent Nightwing (particularly if his founding of the Teen Titans is part of that journey) and the man he is now is fascinating and amazing and wonderful. He's, rightfully so, the poster boy of any comic sidekick ever and also a great example of how no matter what life throws at you, you can still come out of it smiling and ready and willing to love others. Batman had to learn that the hard way and only after 20-30+ years of toiling and being stubborn, but Dick has demonstrated that nearly from the start. I love him so much if you couldn't tell.
    And on the sidekick-kick less hero thing (the part about Hal and Tony), I'd like to add: the MCU decided to take the angle of giving Tony a pseudo-sidekick but definite-child-figure in Peter.
    MCU!Tony has definitely cut down on his philandering and partying (he still enjoys a good party, but has grown too much and is also too traumatized to recklessly throw himself into them the way he used to), but because all of those he worked with before were his peers, you didn't get to see his awkward, nurturing, doting side (with very few exceptions with Pepper, and even then the best moments were after he'd already met Peter) until taking Peter under his wing. He knows Peter's care rests heavily (but not solely) in his hands and would do ANYTHING to protect him. The absurd amount of settings for the suit was Tony taking all the precautions he can think of to make sure Peter suffers as little as possible, never going through the things Tony had to, and of course, he was heartbroken and scared to shit when he realized Peter got onto the ship with him in Infinity War.
    Tony loves Peter so intensely and while he's more of a son-figure than a sidekick like others such as the Robins were (while they were all adopted, usually before becoming heroes, it took longer for Batman to love them like sons than it did for Tony), I think it's an interesting thing to note. It was definitely not a road I think anyone was expecting Marvel to take, but it was a great one. Tony's at his best when he's showing his love for people (preferably not through self-sacrifice), and in no one is that more obvious than his relationship with Peter (although he's a lot more obvious about his love for Pepper now, too). Plus, it's just really fucking sweet and adorable and I love it.

  • @obrysii
    @obrysii 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video, Drake. Great work!

  • @gvendurst
    @gvendurst 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    8:02 "It's like porn, you know it when you see it." You thought we wouldn't notice, but we did. ;)

  • @Staygeeky2456
    @Staygeeky2456 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love that you're working with smaller channels I love!

  • @majesticgothitelle1802
    @majesticgothitelle1802 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The fate of all Robbins

  • @wuzzen97
    @wuzzen97 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Also, it‘s great that you help smaller youtubers get noticed.

  • @brutravain
    @brutravain 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So It Goes seems a very nice guy and just as informative as you, Drake. Great collaboration!

  • @derrickmarais
    @derrickmarais 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Best modern sidekick, Ahsoka Tano.

  • @ericshun2552
    @ericshun2552 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    So it goes is Drake's official sidekick now

  • @Skkorm
    @Skkorm 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Best comic related channel on the site

  • @MVFev
    @MVFev 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I just learned so much about something I've seen for two decades. Srsly, THANK YOU, Sir Drake of Comic!
    Also, following your sidekicks rules (Chosen by hero, act in subordinate way etc),
    Damian is a sidekick but... Jon isn't. (MAN, DAMIAN'D BE SO MAD 'BOUT THAT)

  • @emmtea5092
    @emmtea5092 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Surprised to see no mention of Sancho Panza, who I'd consider a very clear old school sidekick

  • @griffinwetzel3059
    @griffinwetzel3059 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    my favorite example of a sidekick is plastic man’s sidekick woozy. he‘s literally just some guy.

  • @jeremybossom4824
    @jeremybossom4824 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've been wanting to see a video on Kate Bishop for a while, and seeing her in this video brought it to mind.

  • @odpaws
    @odpaws 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    the collaborations are appreciated

  • @samuelmeyer1024
    @samuelmeyer1024 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    The Sidekick. It's a lost art.

  • @Estarfigam
    @Estarfigam 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    So where would the Doctor's companions fall? Partners?

  • @walterluffman9718
    @walterluffman9718 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A sidekick is, in addition to everything else, an apprentice to the primary hero. Robin (Dick Grayson in particular) was being trained to grow into an equal who could eventually take the place of the primary hero when he/she retires or dies. While Dr. Watson was never a formal apprentice, he learned Holmes' methods from the master detective and, in time, might have continued if Holmes were killed during a case -- or became useless as a result of his cocaine use.
    A sidekick often also serves as an extra set of eyes or fists for the primary, either conducting surveillance when the bad guys split up or joining the primary to take on several bad guys who otherwise might, conceivably, overwhelm the primary.
    And as a story element, the sidekick sometimes offers an excuse for exposition by the primary. This was far more common in the Golden and Silver Ages.
    Of course, _teenage_ sidekicks were created as someone for the young readers to identify with. "I might not be as smart, or tough, or rich as Batman -- but hey, maybe I could be Robin!"

  • @munjee2
    @munjee2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Well maybe Alfred could be considered a sidekick but in no way Gordon he is his own person separate from Batman their world's just intertwine unlike Batman and Alfred who work with each other sure you could have a Batman version without him but it would like a departure and like Gordon who is linked to the character but no one thinks Batman needs to have a Gordon

  • @Interfaune
    @Interfaune 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This video reminded me of a discussion thread on an online comic forum about five years ago where I was the only one who determinedley argued that sidekicks could exist in all kinds of fiction, not necessarily monopolized by superhero comics. Watson was one of my examples. After a long and heavy chunk of text was written and I was about to post it, the computer crashed, shut down itself and erased it all. I never managed to revisit that forum for a couple of years. XD
    By the way: Am I just hungry, or is anyone else hearing him say "sidecake" in this video?

  • @golgarisoul
    @golgarisoul 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really liked this episode. I would like it if you did more "philosophy of" videos. Philosophy of Heroes. Philosophy of Villains. That sorta thing.

  • @squeethemog213
    @squeethemog213 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This as an enjoyable watch. Part of me always thought side kicks were a way for marketing to endanger the hero but have them survive because they have meat shield. But I have since learned otherwise.

  • @sofaris576
    @sofaris576 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I wonder if Morgana from Persona 5 counts as a sidekick. Now Persona 5 is a Videogame and not a comic book but its a game about a groupe of vigilantes with a comic book art style and I think the sidekicks are not limited to comics anyway
    Now to Morgana:
    He is in a subordinate role, fights crimes with his own codename (Mona) and adds something the hero lacks.But he is actually the mentor of the main hero and the entire group. Its more like he choosed Joker instead of Joker
    choosed him.
    Now he is a subordinate to Joker but while Joker is the Leader and Makotto is basicly the second in command (not official but she just is) everyone in the group are pretty much equals. So I guess technically Morgana does not fit the definition. But he just makes the impresion. His whole fighting style is based around assisting the others. Healing wounds and knocking down enemys to open chances fore other members of the groupe to get a good hit in ore the entire group to attack as one. On his own he is pretty much helpless but when asisting Joker and the others he rocks pretty hard.
    He is this cute little helper.
    He also helps out in varies other ways. Fore example he comes up with clever strategy’s to take down the villain of the month which makes those boss fights a shit lot easier. He also teaches Joker to craft useful tools. Those tools are very situational but in the situations where they are useful they are freaking amazing. This infiltration tools made the Optional super Bosses Caroline and Justine at least 10 levels easier.
    He also serves as escape car saving the group a number of times when they need to make a quick exit.
    Now I wonder does he count as a sidekick, ore a partner?
    Man this question was just an excuse to talk about my favourite Videogame companion. Its still an interesting one.
    Edit: sorry that my comment looks so messy. It looks completly different during the writing.
    I tried to fix it somewhat.

  • @pedrorocha3674
    @pedrorocha3674 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The Iron-Man part is kinda funny. In the movies, Spider-Man is almost a sidekick to Iron-Man and if you compare to the comics, he's much more mature.

  • @lukeamparo6586
    @lukeamparo6586 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Soooooooo... Sidekicks are foil characters who are on the same level (power/ability wise) as their mentors. Only difference being age and experience. Is that right?

    • @lukeamparo6586
      @lukeamparo6586 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @bryan diaz varela Harley is more of a partner than a sidekick. Joker drove her crazy but never really chose her to be his partner and she doesn't seem to add anything the Joker lacks. Really she is just taking up space in the Joker's eyes which may be one of the reasons why he kept abusing her. Joker admits himself that he loves Batman and most likely sees that relationship as a one on one dance and anyone getting in the way should die. So no she's not a side-kick.

    • @despicablepenguin
      @despicablepenguin 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lukeamparo6586 yeah but partner would imply they're on equal terms which they're totally not, at least in Jokers eyes. Unless you mean partners as in relationship and idk if you can even say that because idk if Joker really likes her or not.

  • @gr8kat1
    @gr8kat1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I always loved the dynamic between Wolverine and Jubilee.

  • @nirast2561
    @nirast2561 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That short shot of Vision's family at 0:38 is reaaaaaly creepy.

  • @TheCreepypro
    @TheCreepypro 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    very nice Drake I love when you experiment and your guest was cool I'm gonna go hit him up as well

  • @wuzzen97
    @wuzzen97 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video!

  • @dalesanteford7432
    @dalesanteford7432 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The first Heroes like the Black Terror kid Terror Catman and kitten. It's a way to see the hero through the sidekicks eyes

  • @munjee2
    @munjee2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Doesn't Tim drake counter that first rule or is it okay if they're eventually taken in

  • @JaiProdz
    @JaiProdz 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was a really good video

  • @Arthurpendragon2
    @Arthurpendragon2 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for this.

  • @TauronB2G
    @TauronB2G 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    What’s up Comic Drake... it’s Tauron from the survey. Enjoyed your video dude.

  • @revan0890
    @revan0890 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A sidekick is the chosen protege.

  • @thomaswagner9875
    @thomaswagner9875 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm surprised you never referred to the Disney Movie "Sky High" which turns a spotlight on the terms "Hero" and "Sidekick or 'Hero Support'".

  • @ameliadavidson360
    @ameliadavidson360 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    So I typed up this wonderful comment while I was at work...only to come here to re-watch this episode on Sunday while I'm trying to write for NaNoWriMo...and it apparently didn't post... Thank you local county free Wi-Fi... >__>
    First off, I'm glad you're sounding better, so hopefully that means you're physically better.
    Second, sure, "what is a sidekick" sounds like a dumb question, but when I saw the post, it took me a long while to even think up of an example outside of the traditional Robin. Everyone writes off sidekicks as "dumb kids", but they serve a vital function. And kudos for bringing up Little John! Robin Hood is my favorite folk hero of all time, so always happy to hear more about the Merry Men of Sherwood.
    Interesting note though about Bucky Barnes... He has gone from sidekick to now a supporting/main character, depending on which title you read. And while a couple of the individual Robins have done the same, Robin is still Bat's sidekick. (That's not to say that Robin isn't important, it was just an interesting difference I noticed between Buck and Dick; there's not another Bucky Barnes running around after all) You are right though that Marvel doesn't seem to have very many sidekicks in its roster, but I feel like outside of Batman, at least in the comics I am aware of, DC doesn't either. I do think sidekicks were more popular earlier on in comics than nowadays, which is honestly kind of sad. I almost feel like more than ever, we need that side-by-side with heroes, with the younger generation to show we can work together and that both serve an important role in society, that each one is capable of doing great things on their own, but when we work together, we can do so much more.

  • @chicken-films10
    @chicken-films10 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That makes tim drake the world's greatest detective

  • @aymenferchichi5671
    @aymenferchichi5671 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    HE is SIDEKICK ,He is PSYCHIC...

  • @DrewconicSorceress
    @DrewconicSorceress 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    God this brings me back to that salad video from your old channel

  • @civilbeast165
    @civilbeast165 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful

  • @EClark-nu5nr
    @EClark-nu5nr 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Woozy Winks was a sidekick to Plastic Man, but he doesn't fit your mold. Neither does S.T.R.I.P.E or Stripesy when he was with the Star Spangled Kid OR Star Girl as he was older than both of them, but he was THEIR sidekick.

  • @thejoker5755
    @thejoker5755 5 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    Basically the same as a side chick

    • @munjee2
      @munjee2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      But according to comic laws if you start dating the whole thing end in a months

    • @dccomicsfan4345
      @dccomicsfan4345 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Batman has Catwoman and Wonder Woman's his sidechick 😉

    • @Tsukiakari-qb3tk
      @Tsukiakari-qb3tk 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      DC Comics Fan nah his side chicks are Catwoman and Talia al Ghul, also Kate “Batwoman” Kane

  • @MOMOFCJ6
    @MOMOFCJ6 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There basically the healer in a rpg that everyone shits on but the dont when they need him

    • @an8strengthkobold360
      @an8strengthkobold360 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Try dnd were the healers are easily the strongest characters.

    • @MOMOFCJ6
      @MOMOFCJ6 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah

  • @someoneirrelevant6815
    @someoneirrelevant6815 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    ‘Arguably’ Everyone knows the most iconic sidekick of all time is Robin.

  • @Jessinking
    @Jessinking 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    very interesting topic

  • @geo1504
    @geo1504 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Hi drake just wondering who is your favourite robin and why, also I’m looking at catching up on the recent batman stories any issues you recommend?

    • @ComicDrake
      @ComicDrake  5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Dick Grayson because he has the best personality and the most complete character arc. Just read all of Batman Vol 3 since it's great.

    • @geo1504
      @geo1504 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Ok great choice!!! I’ll read vol3 thnx for the reply

  • @Momsspaghetti777
    @Momsspaghetti777 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's an apprentice rule to a hero. If a hero has equal knowledge or status to another they are a partnership or a team. If they are guiding the other and essentially teaching them the ropes they are in a hero/sidekick relationship

  • @RobynReanimates
    @RobynReanimates 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nightwing is my favorite superhero

  • @ConriDubhghail
    @ConriDubhghail 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    10:05 Is this the character that Hal Jordan calls "little sister" and then proceeds to date when her ring ages her up?
    Edit: Can't tell if this is the right panel, but the character I'm thinking of is Arisia Rrab. One of the odd bits of Green Lantern lore.

    • @nomeatbag
      @nomeatbag 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      do you know witch comic this was/is?

    • @ComicDrake
      @ComicDrake  5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      It sadly is.

    • @fearless4him595
      @fearless4him595 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ConriDubhghail So he’s dating his sister?

    • @ConriDubhghail
      @ConriDubhghail 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@fearless4him595 She's not actually his sister, she was a young Green Lantern and thus the "little sister" of the whole Corps.

    • @fearless4him595
      @fearless4him595 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ConriDubhghail Oh, that makes sense. So he’s technically just dating a younger co-worker right?

  • @dccomicsfan4345
    @dccomicsfan4345 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Robin is the best sidekick ever!!!

  • @logannottheonefrommarvel9917
    @logannottheonefrommarvel9917 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sidekicks are for people who see themselves as lesser individuals compared to those with more experience. Not so much terrible altogether, just not as good as the heroes they're associated with. They're flawed, and that's what makes them relateable to many.

    • @sofaris576
      @sofaris576 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah flaws can make a Character more likeable. A great example is Morgana from Persona 5. He serves varies roolls (mentor, guide, strategist, healer ect) and he is pretty amazing at his Jobs but he screws up once in a while. Fore example he has a weakness fore treasures which coused him to trigger a trap from which Joker needed to save the groupe. Ore his plan to steal Madarames tresure which was cool but ultimately failed.
      I like that. Later in the game the group gets a new strategist who is cool but she is a little to perfect and rearly ever screws up.

  • @JakobVirgil
    @JakobVirgil 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sancho Panza is the original sidekick and shows its origin as a knights squire.

  • @kurumais
    @kurumais 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i wish cap would get a new sidekick

  • @JackClockerinos
    @JackClockerinos 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    What about Bernardo in Zorro? He was around in 1919, and one of the first sidekicks of the 20th century before anyone else.

  • @Maddiethedumbasslesbian
    @Maddiethedumbasslesbian 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I wasn't expecting to cry with the Jason and Bucky stuff.

  • @donquixote9847
    @donquixote9847 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I thought this was going to be stupid until I actually watched it

    • @ComicDrake
      @ComicDrake  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That could be my channel's slogan.

  • @wuzzen97
    @wuzzen97 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I‘d love to hear some examples of sidekicks being older than the hero.

    • @jonathand.t.5051
      @jonathand.t.5051 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      There is one notable example in STRIPE I believe, whos the sidekick to the Star Spangled Kid and Stargirl despite being older than both of them (and Stargirls stepfather)

  • @purplemask4204
    @purplemask4204 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Could you follow this up with a video about Henchmen if you can I know they are more simple

  • @theghostinthemirror8158
    @theghostinthemirror8158 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I always got the impression that
    (1) A sidekick provides interesting dynamics for the hero, them typically being younger influencing that. Batman will behave differently when working with a child, so would any hero.
    (2) It’s kind of like superhero internship for the sidekick, you learn the ropes by running around with a professional.
    (3) kind of similar to the first point, but sidekicks provide a special sort of character drama for a hero. The close (often parental) relationship between hero and sidekick, provides a special tension. Hell, Bucky was almost more important for Cap’s character development after dying than he ever was alive. It also gives opportunity for the hero to fail, Bucky or Jason Todd’s deaths, for example.

  • @amykarr6163
    @amykarr6163 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    babs got a good mention 👍

  • @despicablepenguin
    @despicablepenguin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I would take off the has to be chosen by the hero because I'm sure there's sidekicks (idk about comics) that forced themselves on the hero, I'm mostly referring to Nimona though I guess I'm not sure if she counts as a sidekick because her name is on the cover and the book revolves around her, especially at the end but she's a self appointed sidekick so I guess she's a sidekick ┐(´ー`)┌. I mean I would just define a sidekick as an apprenticeship basically

  • @stegbaus
    @stegbaus 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dick Grayson is supposed to be the light to Batman´s darkness. This is the most important thing that makes such a great Robin. Tim Drake is not yet a better detective but will be one day (Bruce even says that once) and Damian is not a better fighter than Bruce (I think you meant that he might be one day), in fact he is not even a better fighter than any of the other Robins, but he might be one day. Although in Batman and Son we were told that he will never be as good as Drake, and neither will he surpass Grayson.

  • @imparanoiiid
    @imparanoiiid 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I will summarize your video with one word
    Assistant héroe

  • @TomRocksable
    @TomRocksable 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    4:24 oh................oh no...

  • @leoartshala4373
    @leoartshala4373 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What about Pat Dougan aka Stripsey he was a sidekick of Sylvester Pemberton aka The Star Spangled Kid and way older than the Hero

  • @EdslilNeko
    @EdslilNeko 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I know this is an older video so commenting is prooobably kinda dumb, but here we are anyway.
    If I had to boil down the difference between a sidekick and an ally I would say that, more than a sidekick being chosen by the main hero, they have to be created by that hero. Either directly or indirectly. In the case of each of the Robins, it was very direct, Bruce/Dick hand picked each one and molded them into the Robin persona they would take on. Whether through training or otherwise. Even Tim, who you could argue made himself Robin, had to first be trained by Batman to be able to take on that role.
    The difference between that and, to use the video's example, Barbara Gordon is that Bruce had no hand in making her. If Batman didn't exist, it is very possible that Barbara Gordon would still have used her skills to protect the people of Gotham, just perhaps with a different name. The same could be said of Batwoman, Kate Kane. (In case you didn't guess from the user name, the Bats are my particular area of expertise.)
    Contrast this with, say, the Flash family and you see more of the indirect creation of sidekicks. Barry Allen didn't set out to make Wally West a sidekick, but Wally purposely chose to try and obtain powers like his because of his inspiration. Bucky is another indirect example. Cap didn't make him, but he was chosen for Cap, and if he hadn't been it is unlikely that a 16 year old marksman would have had such an iconic role. If the smaller hero wouldn't have existed without the bigger one, then that's what makes them a sidekick.
    And there's gray area here, of course. It could be argued that many different sidekick characters would have found their own way to be heroes if they hadn't met their mentors, but the key word here is different. James "Bucky" Barnes, might have made a name for himself as a sniper without Captain America, but he never would have been the icon that he became. Dick Grayson could arguably have gone down a vigilante route without Batman (likely a darker one), but would he still have been "Robin"?
    And you can get more literal with it too. Superboy literally wouldn't exist without Superman (although his sidekick status is... nebulous). And Damian Wayne, as Bruce and Talia's son, likely wouldn't exist without the Batman identity either. Unless Talia came by Gotham and met an AU version of Bruce Wayne and decided to get busy with him despite having no connection to him whatsoever. But I digress.
    I'm sure someone can come up with an example of a sidekick that was not a direct or indirect creation of their mentor, (Jubilee is one I can name, so far as I know she'd exist without Wolverine, but I also don't know if I'd refer to Wolverine's surrogate fathering of various young women as having sidekicks) but I would say that the vast majority fit the dynamic.

  • @pinstripe4254
    @pinstripe4254 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think that a sidekick is typically a student to the hero who is the mentor and while this is not always the case it is in many sidekicks otherwise they provide support. For the student sidekicks they usually break off and become there own but support such as Watson is more or less an assistant and though he is useful and listens to Sherlock he does not learn from him like a student.

  • @expendableindigo9639
    @expendableindigo9639 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So do MCU Spider-Man and Amy Bendix count as sidekicks? What about Ned?

  • @shadowclaw7210
    @shadowclaw7210 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Side kick - Is side hero that kicks bad guy with main hero

  • @zandernewson9933
    @zandernewson9933 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I remember one time I referred to Miles Morales as being Peter Parkers sidekick, lots of people got very angry with that, but I didn’t mean he was less powerful or subordinate to Peter Parker. I just meant they were partners.
    Peter is Mile’s sidekick, and Miles is Peter’s side kick.

    • @LuffyBlack
      @LuffyBlack 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think you missed the point

  • @deviousj5868
    @deviousj5868 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Is So It Goes Comics Drake's sidekick?

  • @camerongrow6426
    @camerongrow6426 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good to see the colds finally gone

  • @dedg0st
    @dedg0st 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    read brat pack. a meta-commentary on sidekicks and the cynical world of the 80s and 90s.
    it’s extremely dark and is a satire of the moral ambiguity of the time.

  • @letsget100subswithoutconte4
    @letsget100subswithoutconte4 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    a person's assistant or close associate, especially one who has less authority than that person.