Stranger Things prequel novel & podcast focus on Maya Hawke’s Robin

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

There are a lot of Stranger Things tie-in novels and graphic novels, and the next book coming down the line is Rebel Robin, written by A.R. Capetta. Rebel Robin is set to reach store shelves on June 29th, and you can pre-order a copy at THIS LINK. The book serves as a prequel origin story for the character Robin Buckley, who was introduced in season 3 and played by Maya Hawke – and that's not the only Robin prequel we're getting. Along with the book comes a podcast called Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins, where Hawke reprises the role with a vocal performance.

Like Stranger Things: Rebel Robin, Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins will also be released on June 29th. The six-episode podcast also has Sean Maher in the cast.

Hawke told Bustle, 

I love running from monsters and stuff, but I really love hallway conversations about feelings." … The 22-year-old actor relished the chance to spend time with her character in day-to-day situations while recording the podcast, particularly because she could do so sans costume and makeup. "It was great, I got to wear my pajamas," she said with a laugh.

According to Capetta, Rebel Robin was conceived as 

Robin's "superhero origin story," promising that she has a "triumph" in the end. What makes Robin so lovable, Capetta believes, is "seeing that character being a girl, being gay, being someone who actually got to really find power in being an outsider." But of course, she wasn’t always that way, and hopefully, this prequel will help young people realize that "it's OK to go through that part where you might feel like you haven't found your people yet, but you have found yourself."

While Hawke loves the coming-of-age element of the story, she also feels that Rebel Robin has something to offer to fans of Stranger Things who may not be interested in it at first glance. 

She assures that getting to know any character in-depth will "enrich the fans' experience of watching horrible things happen to them."

Here's a quick preview of the podcast: