Batman and Robin Are Undergoing a Major Character Arc, But They’ve Already Done It Several Times

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Superhero comics are built on stories that essentially repeat. Because these heroes are meant to have ongoing adventures, they usually return to a familiar starting point so readers can still connect with the character. While heroes can definitely change and grow, they generally revert to core traits and behaviors. This isn’t necessarily a flaw—it’s just how the genre works. However, when characters are constantly reset to their original state, especially quickly and repeatedly, it can become problematic. A prime example of this is the character of Damian Wayne, also known as Robin.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s recent work on Batman and Robin (2023) feels like a retread of familiar ground, revisiting character arcs that have already been explored. Both Bruce and Damian Wayne go through experiences that feel repetitive, especially considering the previous storyline focused on the same thing: Bruce and Damian strengthening their father-son bond and Damian becoming more compassionate and mature. The issue is that Damian already underwent this transformation in a previous arc, moving beyond his earlier, more aggressive tendencies.

The Start of an Identical Arc

Two writers, Joshua Williamson and Phillip Kennedy Johnson, have contributed to the current Batman and Robin comic series. Interestingly, both writers have explored very similar themes: the strained relationship between Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian. While each run has its own style, they both center on the difficulty Bruce and Damian have transitioning from crime-fighting partners to a functional family. Although this isn’t necessarily a flaw, Williamson’s storyline seemed to resolve this family conflict, only for it to be quickly reintroduced by the next writer.

This pattern of growth and regression isn’t new for Damian Wayne. From the beginning, his story has revolved around trying to become a better person, only to repeatedly revert to his old, immature ways. A good example is his conflict with Bruce in Teen Titans Annual (2016) #2, which led to him striking out on his own and embracing a more violent path, aligning himself with his mother. However, through the Robin (2021) and Batman and Robin (2023) series, he and Bruce rebuilt their relationship, and Damian evolved from an angry, reckless youth into a more mature and thoughtful young man.

After Williamson finished writing, Bruce and Damian finally seemed to have a healthy father-son relationship, and Damian was doing well in school. Unfortunately, the next writer, Johnson, quickly undid all that progress. The Damian we saw in issues #13 and #14 felt like a completely different person. While Johnson’s portrayal of Damian’s voice was strong, it didn’t fit the character after years of established development – it would have felt more appropriate a decade earlier.

The Status Quo Trouble

Batman and Damian Wayne have frequently been brought back to their starting points, which is common in comics, but it can be frustrating when these resets happen so often. This has been a particular issue for them, but it’s a problem for any character when their development feels meaningless. Comics can be hard to get into already, and constantly erasing past storylines discourages readers. Many longtime fans have experienced the disappointment of a new creative team ignoring established plot points, and it’s something the medium needs to avoid.

Things will likely return to how they were before, but that doesn’t mean the situation can’t improve slightly. Damian has a reputation for being quick-tempered and arrogant, but he doesn’t need to completely change who he is to mature and build a better relationship with his father. Unfortunately, he seems destined to fall back into old patterns, ignoring any progress he’s made. While comic books often revisit familiar themes – and that’s part of what people enjoy – repeating the same character flaws and lessons isn’t satisfying. Readers appreciate revisiting favorite stories, but not when characters don’t actually grow.

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2025-11-20 22:18