LogFAQs > #950025461

I forget if it was ever actually said, but I think it was implied at least a couple times that the reason why Slade wanted Robin was it was sort of an underhanded fuck you to Batman. But because of licensing issues, they couldn't actually refer to Batman by name.

As for who to recruit, Starfire seems ideal - she's pretty powerful but also kind of dumb, so probably fairly easy to manipulate or break (and potentially gets you a connection to intergalactic influence and tech). Raven's the real powerhouse, but also so unstable and powerful that she's too likely to backfire on you. Cyborg's got tech and skills (in theory, though moreso in the comics than in the show), but he's a bit too strong-willed to control (hence the later Hive storyline).