Warning! Contains Spoilers For Absolute Batman #1!Batmanhas raised many children over the years, either biological, adopted or otherwise, but the modern spotlight belongs toDamian Wayne, the true heir to the cowl. Readers have gotten to see their relationship grow over the past two decades, but it seems that DC’s bold new Absolute Universe could be setting up a major twist. Damian may not be the son of Batman in this new continuity, but instead, the son of theThe Joker.
TheAbsolute Batman has made massive changesto canon already, with Batman no longer a billionaire, but a working-class man in Gotham City who has never left the country (let alone traveled the world). This poses a problem for Batman’s lore: if Batman never travels the world, then he never meets Talia Al Ghul. And if he never meets Talia, then they never have the opportunity to createBruce’s latest version of Robin.
Damian Wayne Can’t Exist if Batman Never Travels The World
Bruce & Talia al Ghul Meeting is What Changed DC History
The Damian Wayne of DC’s main universe was born whenBruce and Talia shared a steamy encounterin the desert, after Bruce had battled her father Ra’s al Ghul in a duel. It was a moment that would have long-lasting effects, as Damian would later appear as part of Grant Morrison’sBatmanrun. While initially disliked, Damian has grown into being one of DC’s most popular Robins, and continually earns starring or supporting comic roles. But his existence relies on Bruce Wayne ;eaving Gotham.
10 Most Unique Robin Costumes in All of DC History (That Did Something New)
Robin was the first sidekick in comic books, and so the mantle has had countless different (and strange) costumes associated with it over the decades.
The Absolute version of Batmanisn’t the larger-than-life figure that fans are used to. Whether due to his lack of family money, or simply his decision to train within Gotham and not around the globe, the new version of Bruce should never meet Talia. Even more chilling to consider, however, is that the comic introduces a different character who is traveling the world. The man known as Joker has been learning from the best of the best, including Henri Ducard and the League of Assassins (and kills them off after he’s finishing his training) I think it’s entirely possible that instead of Bruce, it was Joker that spent that fateful night with Talia al Ghul.
Absolute Joker Being Damian’s Father Would Change Everything
Absolute Batman #1by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles
One of the defining features of Damian Wayne is his training, having been taught by theLeague of Assassinsfor the first decade of his life. When Damian came to Gotham to assume the role of Robin, he was already a deadly fighter, making him a unique Robin (and one of the reasons I think Damian is such a great character). Usually, it’s the job of a Robin to prevent Batman from falling into darkness. Instead, Damian started in darkness, and Batman had to pull him out. But what if he didn’t have a father to pull him from darkness, only one who instead pushed him deeper into it?
I don’t think it’s any secret that the Joker has a sadistic streak, and this seems to still be the case withthe Absolute version of Jokeras well. In the first issue ofAbsolute Batman, Alfred mentions that he has been chasing the Joker for 6 years, but no explanation is given of where that time has taken him. For all I know, Joker spent those years with Talia in the League of Assassins. Allow for another 4 years of Joker fighting Batman, and that would be the appropriate time Damian showed up in the original comics. If this change is made, this could be one of the biggest twists of the Absolute Universe.
Absolute Joker Would Turn Robin Into A Monster
The Clown Prince, With His Own Deadly Heir?
This version of the Joker glimpsed in the Absolute Universe is definitely different from what fans know. From just the debut issue, he doesn’t have pale skin or green hair, and is instead incredibly wealthy. With these talents, I don’t think there’s any reason to assume he wouldn’t be able to handle Damian with the same tact as Bruce. Now, explaining why he would care about taking in Damian is still too early to tell.
But one thing is certain and undeniable: there is no reason to think Bruce Wayne ever met Talia al Ghul. And now that the League of Assassins is dead, it’s unlikely he ever will. ButThe Jokerabsolutely met the League of Assassins, and could very well have met Talia, which I think might just give readers their darkest version ofDamian Wayneyet.
