The DC universe has undergone a variety of changes since its massive reboot in 2011 called the New 52. However its strangest aspect might not be the presence of the multiverse or re-envisioned origin stories, but the miniseries by writer/artist Andy Kubert, Damian: Son of Batman.
Kubert’s miniseries brings the young hero back but it takes place in a future that might never be. In this timeline, Bruce Wayne has passed on his cowl to Dick Grayson, the first Robin, and his son Damian is alive and well serving as Grayson’s Robin.
Grant Morrison made the deci sion to kill off the troubled son of Bruce Wayne in the eighth issue of Batman Incorporated. While there was a varied reaction from fans of the Bat-family it appeared that the young hero was done. It made sense, as Damian was initially created by Morrison and it appeared that he planned to take the character with him when he left DC.
The series is not very clear on whether or not the events of Bat man Incorporated took place in this timeline or if Damian ever died, which is a good move on Ku bert’s part. By avoiding the conti nuity issues of the main timeline, Kubert is able to provide a fresh self-contained story that isn’t tied down by the ever changing world of deaths and resurrections that plague comics.
Kubert is drawing and writing the miniseries and has done an excel lent job. The art is fresh and matches the flow of the story very well. It’s a rare talent to be able to draw and write a book and when it happens the end result is a high quality pub lication. Kubert does an excellent job showcasing the movement of his characters on each page.
One unique aspect of Damian: Son of Batman is the paper that it’s printed on. Kubert made the deci sion to publish his miniseries on an old fashioned newspaper print. Fans reading this series online are missing out on the rich texture that the newspaper print provides. The benefit of using newspaper print for this series is that it is reminiscent of older comics published in the same style, but with the fresh and lively drawing techniques that Kubert brings to the table.
Long time readers of Batman will notice that this miniseries is meant to feature the backstory to the events of “Batman 666”. In “Bat man 666,” an alternate timeline was shown that featured Damian Wayne as the Batman in a dystopian Go tham on the verge of collapse. Ku bert’s miniseries shows what events led to Damian dawning the cape and cowl.
Regular comic book readers might notice that the Damian featured in Kubert’s miniseries lacks the depth that he was given in the New 52. Da mian seems more like the immature child that he was when the character was first introduced. Kubert does show how the events in Damian: Son of Batman affect him though.
DC has given fans of this dysto pian future with a more ruthless Dark Knight in a few issues of Bat man Incorporated, but the events of those issues were written off as a dream or fear of Bruce Wayne. While Kubert’s story takes place in a possible future, it is solely focused on the world where Damian Wayne is Batman, finally providing a com plete story in this world that might never be.
Kubert’s miniseries is an excel lent read with a great story and art that longtime Batman fans can jump right in and enjoy. For new readers that are not familiar with the history of Damian Wayne, this book wouldn’t be the best place to start. If readers can look past all of the muck of possible realities that editors have created to avoid actu ally making a decision in the main timeline, Damian: Son of Batman is an excellent read.
