The Best Batman Character of the 2010s Wouldn’t Have Happened Without Changing Canon (DC Should Do It Again)

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It’s fair to say that Damian Wayne, Batman’s son, is one of the most impactful characters DC Comics has created in the last decade. Few new characters have had such a big effect on the Batman universe, and he’s quickly become a major, long-lasting figure in the DC Universe. Interestingly, Damian’s creation was actually inspired by a storyline that wasn’t originally considered official DC Comics history.

Most fans first met Damian Wayne during Grant Morrison’s famous Batman storyline. However, the idea of a child for Batman and Talia al Ghul actually appeared in a separate, unofficial story back in the late 1980s. Later, Damian became an official part of the DC Universe and quickly became a beloved character. His popularity suggests DC might consider incorporating other ideas from past, non-official stories into its main storyline.

Damian Wayne Was Inspired by a Non-Canon DC Story

Long before Damian Wayne appeared in the famous “Batman and Son” storyline, a graphic novel called Batman: Son of the Demon – created by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham – showed Batman becoming a father with Talia al Ghul. The story depicts a relationship between Bruce Wayne and Talia that results in a pregnancy. Talia secretly leads Batman to believe she had a miscarriage, but she actually gives birth to their son and places him for adoption.

Though not officially part of the main Batman storyline, the concept of Batman and Talia al Ghul having a child appeared in other stories like Batman: Brotherhood of the Bat and Kingdom Come. However, it wasn’t until 2006 that DC Comics fully integrated their son, Damian, into the core Batman universe. His backstory was adjusted – it was suggested Talia may have used drugs to ensure Bruce Wayne fathered him – but Damian became a genuine part of the official story and has been a member of the Bat-Family for almost twenty years.

It’s amazing how a single idea from a non-mainstream story, like the character introduction in Son of the Demon, can have such a big impact – I’d be really sad if we hadn’t gotten Damian, he’s my favorite Robin! It makes you wonder if other out-of-canon stories could offer good ideas for the main DC Universe. We’re probably not talking about something as drastic as DC vs. Vampires or Injustice, but the multiverse is full of stories that could inspire some cool changes to the core DCU.

Non-Canon Comics Should Be Used to Inspire Bold New DC Stories

I’m not suggesting radical changes like reimagining Superman’s origins with him being raised in a completely different country, as seen in stories like Superman: Red Son. However, many Elseworlds tales contain fantastic concepts that haven’t been explored further. Take Cythonna from Superman: The Last God, for example – a powerful, vengeful Kryptonian ice goddess who fought Superman. She only appeared in that single story, but a skilled writer could definitely find ways to build on a character like that and her grudge against the Man of Steel.

This isn’t to suggest creators should only draw inspiration from stories outside the main timeline. However, considering the significant impact Damian has had over the past twenty years, it’s impressive that Morrison was willing to explore ideas beyond established continuity and say, ‘Let’s make this happen!’ The core universe can easily fall into predictable patterns, but these non-canon stories offer something fresh, and that’s ultimately what fans are looking for.

Comic book fans can be unpredictable, but stories that aren’t part of the official timeline often give a good indication of what they’d enjoy seeing in the main storyline. The positive reaction to Batman and Talia having a child proves this point – it suggests DC Comics could explore other unconventional ideas. While it’s not guaranteed to be as successful, DC might be surprised by how receptive fans would be to these ideas if they were incorporated into the main universe.

If you could add one story idea from outside the main DC Universe to the new DCU, what would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-04 00:11