Carrie Kelley Joining Current Batman Continuity as the New Robin?

Carrie Kelley, Robin from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, will be joining DC Comics’ revamped ‘New 52’ universe in Batman & Robin #19.

She’s being teased as Batman’s new partner in the wake of Bruce Wayne’s son Damian’s death. Is she the new Robin though? Writer Peter Tomasi says “not exactly.”

via New York Post:

“She’s a college kid who’s got spunk and speaks her mind,” said writer Peter Tomasi. “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.”
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“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,” Tomasi said. “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.”
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“It’s all real,” he said. “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.”