Richard "Dick" Grayson was born to circus aerlists John and Mary Grayson. Dick Grayson joined his parents in their trapeze act, the Flying Graysons, which was part of the small traveling Haly Circus. Under pressure to pay protection money to a local mobster, "Boss" Zucco, the circus owners refused. Enraged, Zucco decided to intimidate the circus owners by killing their most successful act, the Flying Graysons. Zucco had the trapeze and safety nets cut which killed John and Mary Grayson.

Millionare playboy Bruce Wayne was in the audience and watched the Grayson's death happen. Some later versions state Wayne was investigating Zucco activities at the circus but was unaware of the extent Zucco was already involved.

Dick blamed the deaths on Zucco from conversations he overheard. Bruce recognized a similar tragedy in his own earlier life and decided to take Dick in. Deciding to channel Dicks rage and grief into action, and partially protect Dick from Zucco, Wayne began training Dick in further more extensive acrobats and fighting techniques. When Bruce felt Dick was ready to use his skills, he gave him the costumed identity of Robin, the Boy Wonder.

As Robin, the junior partner of Batman, Dick would fight against many powerful villians including the Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, Basil Karlo the first Clayface.

As Dick became older, he face his own villians including No-Face and several others including several of the earlier Batman rogues. Dick would continue as Batman's partner until Bruce retired from the role despite gaps such as when Dick left for college.

As Dick Grayson, he became a full partner in the law firm of Cranston and Grayson (later Cranston, Grayson and Wayne upon Bruce's daughter Helena joining). It was as the prominent lawyer that Dick became elected to serve as Ambassador for the United States to South Africa. Dick would continue to be active as Robin for most of the intervening years. After the death of Bruce Wayne, Dick reconsiders his earlier decision and thinks to re-adopt the Batman role but Helena convinces him not to do so. "There was only one man who could be the Batman, Dick, and my father is dead. We can carry on his work-you as Robin, me as the Huntress…but the Batman is dead. Only legends live forever…not the men who make them."

Dick would assume the identity of Batman in one known occasion against the Joker, who resumed his rampage upon hearing of the death of Batman (Bruce Wayne). Dick assumed the role of Batman without indicating that he was not the original.

After that Joker case, Dick completely retired from the Batman role, preferring to remain Robin.

Dick is in love with Helena Wayne but has stayed away because she is with District Attorney Harry Simms. When