Damian Wayne
| Damian Wayne | |
|---|---|
Damian Wayne as depicted on the variant cover of Nightwing vol. 4 #16 (May 2017). Art by Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, and Sula Moon. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | As a baby: Batman: Son of the Demon (1987) As Ibn al Xu'ffasch Kingdom Come #2 (June, 1996) As Damian Wayne Batman #655 (September 2006) |
| Created by | Grant Morrison (writer) Andy Kubert (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Damian al Ghul, Damian Wayne |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Batman Family League of Assassins Teen Titans Justice League |
| Partnerships | Batman Dick Grayson Jason Todd Superboy Flatline |
| Notable aliases | Robin Batman Redbird |
| Abilities |
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Damian Wayne (né al Ghul) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman. He was created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert. Damian Wayne is the biological son of Bruce Wayne/Batman. His mother is Batman's love interest Talia, daughter of Batman's adversary Ra's al Ghul, who wants Bruce Wayne to sire his future lineage. Bruce and Talia were engaged, but she calls off their marriage once she falls pregnant and tells Bruce she miscarried, keeping Damian's existence hidden until Batman #656 (2006). Damian was intended to kill and replace Batman and serve as a host body for Ra's al Ghul, which would unify the Wayne and al Ghul factions. Damian is Bruce's youngest child and only biological one, with Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Cassandra Cain as his adopted siblings.
A prototype of the character originally appeared as an unnamed infant in the 1987 story Batman: Son of the Demon, which at the time was not considered canon. Following this, various alternate universe stories dealt with the character's life, giving him various names. In 2006, the character was reinterpreted as Damian Wayne by Grant Morrison and introduced into the main continuity in Batman #655, the first issue of the "Batman and Son" story arc after a temporal paradox to the timeline including of Batman's history following the events of Infinite Crisis. Damian Wayne is the fifth character to assume the role of Robin, Batman's vigilante partner.
Damian, as a preadolescent, was left by his mother in the care of his father, who had been unaware of his existence. He is violent, self-important, and was trained by the League of Assassins, learning to kill at a young age which troubles his relationship with his father who refuses to kill. However, the Dark Knight does care for his lost progeny. After the events of Batman R.I.P. and Batman: Battle for the Cowl, he takes the role of Robin at ten years of age, becoming the fifth person to use the Robin persona. He first works with Dick Grayson before going to work alongside his father, upon his father's return to the role of Batman.
Damian appears in the 2023 Christmas-themed animated film, Merry Little Batman, voiced by Yonas Kibreab; and returned in the TV series, Bat-Fam, with Kibreab reprising his role. He is also slated to make his live-action debut in the film The Brave and the Bold, produced by DC Studios.