Warning! Spoilers for Batman: Beyond the White Knight #1 ahead!
In a move completely out of character for the Caped Crusader, Robin in DC Comics' Batman: White Knight universe. This happens during a rather emotional moment in a comic that is otherwise full of excitement and action.
Batman Beyond the White Knight #1 by Sean Murphy and Dave Stewart opens up with Terry McGinnis sneaking into the Batcave and stealing the iconic red and black Batman Beyond suit with help from Derek Powers. The comic then cuts to a prison scene, where readers see an orange jumpsuit clad Bruce Wayne deescalate and barter for Jason Todd's life with the Sons of Azrael gang. Once Bruce successfully saves Jason, the two head to an uninhabited cell to hash out some bat family drama.
This is the moment where Bruce's unexpected apology occurs. Bruce explains to Jason that he spent years reflecting, and that he does not regret bringing him and the other Robins in, training them, and then fighting alongside them. Bruce then says, "I loved you like a brother, and that was my biggest mistake. Because what you really needed was a father. Same with Dick, Barbara, and Tim. That's what you all wanted from me, and I never fully appreciated that... so if this is my only chance to speak to you, then I just want to say I'm sorry." Almost immediately after, the prison is attacked by a Gotham Terrorist Oppression unit led by none other than Dick Grayson. And unlike Jason, when Bruce tries to talk to him, Dick refuses to acknowledge him.
This implies that Batman has screwed up royally in this universe regarding his treatment of the Robins. Usually, Batman is the type who does what needs to be done without letting his personal feelings get in the way. It seems that he's the same way in this universe, but now he is taking the humble approach and opening himself up, so he doesn't lose what little he has left. Dick Grayson seems to have cut Bruce out entirely, and Bruce is trying to avoid that with Jason. Perhaps this is the arc readers will see Bruce take in this latest miniseries: changing his ways to do right by Jason, Dick, and the other Robins and become the father that they have always wanted.
Batman is definitely doing things differently by taking the humble route, and hopefully it will pay off for him and the Robins. itting he failed as a father is the first step, and hopefully Jason Todd will accept his apology and let him back into his life.
