13 Years Ago Today, DC Killed the Best New Batman Character of the 2010s

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It’s hard to forget the shocking death of a major character in Batman’s world just over ten years ago. Despite being highly skilled, Batman and his allies are still human, meaning they lack superpowers and are therefore vulnerable. As the story of Jason Todd shows, villains can sometimes overpower members of the “Bat-Family.” While rare, these tragic losses do happen.

Today we remember the tragic death of Damian Wayne, a member of the Bat-Family. While not as widely known as the death of the original Robin, it was equally shocking. Damian, who had been the latest Robin for about seven years, was a popular addition to Batman’s world in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His life was cut short in a heartbreaking conflict between his parents, leaving fans devastated.

On This Day 13 Years Ago, Damian Wayne Died in Batman’s Arms

Grant Morrison’s acclaimed Batman saga wrapped up with the second part of Batman Incorporated. The story centered on Batman and his global team battling Leviathan, a dangerous terrorist group led by Talia al Ghul, the mother of his son, Damian. Driven by her resentment towards Batman, Talia created Leviathan to dismantle everything he believed in. As Talia’s organization infiltrated global systems and launched destructive attacks, the conflict reached its peak in Batman Incorporated #8, when Damian Wayne turned against his mother and her evil scheme.

In a story by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham, Damian Wayne jumps into action when Leviathan attacks Wayne Tower. He hopes to reason with his mother and end the conflict, but the situation becomes more dangerous with the arrival of the Heretic – a dangerous operative and Damian’s cloned brother. Robin and Nightwing team up for a final battle against the Heretic, but he quickly defeats Nightwing, leaving Damian to face him alone. Despite being outnumbered, Robin bravely continues the fight.

Damian fights with incredible courage to defeat the Heretic, but he’s simply no match for his opponent. He pleads with his mother, Talia, to intervene, but she remains passive as the Heretic fatally wounds him. Watching from a safe distance, Talia allows a single tear to fall. Batman arrives just after the attack, too late to save Damian. Heartbroken, Bruce holds his son’s body, and a sense of overwhelming despair begins to consume him.

Damian’s Death Still Stands Out as a Shocking Moment in Batman History

I recall when this issue was first released, and it’s still a difficult story to get through. The cover immediately brings to mind the “Batman R.I.P.” arc, and the heartfelt conversation between Damian and Nightwing hints at what’s to come. However, witnessing the events unfold is truly painful. Despite his confidence and abilities, Damian is still just a child, and seeing him caught in such a dangerous situation is heartbreaking. He puts up a strong fight against Leviathan and the Heretic, but you can sense from the start that he’s ultimately going to lose.

Although it was incredibly painful to see Damian die, I did respect how DC Comics handled the aftermath, showing the impact of his death on the entire Batman family. For a month after, all the Batman-related comics carried a ‘Requiem’ theme, delving into how heroes like Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl were affected. The Batman and Robin series, in particular, really focused on the emotional and psychological damage Bruce Wayne suffered, which ultimately led to a story about his desperate attempt to bring Damian back to life. Even though Damian eventually returned, it didn’t lessen the sadness of his initial death.

Superhero deaths are common in comics, and when Damian seemingly died, I half-expected him to come back. However, that doesn’t lessen the impact of his death in the Bat-Epic. It was a truly shocking and sad moment, reminding us that despite his skills, Damian is still just a child. This was a powerful moment that helped bring Morrison’s incredible story to a satisfying end. Ultimately, I’m happy Damian is still alive – it would have been devastating to see him gone for good.

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2026-02-27 18:17