Summary

• Damian Wayne's iconic "tt" catchphrase is explained in Wonder Woman #12 as a trait inherited from his mother Talia al Ghul.
• The narrative ties into DC's Absolute Power crisis event, focusing on Amanda Waller's campaign against Earth's metahumans.
• While the explanation for the "tt" noise offers depth to Damian's character, his pessimistic view on love seems out of character.

WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for Wonder Woman #12!Damian Wayne’s Robin is renowned for his signature “tt,” a catchphrase as integral to the character as the character himself. For die-hard fans, any comic or fanfiction featuring the fifth Robin that omits this distinctive sound is considered a gross misrepresentation of the fifth Robin because, as most know, wherever Damian goes, you can count on the judgmental tongue click to accompany him.

While Damian is frequently compared to his father, it’s refreshing to see one of his most defining traits traced back to his mother.

In Wonder Woman #12, created by Tom King, Tony S. Daniel, and Leonardo Paciarotti, the narrative ties directly into DC’s Absolute Power crisis event. This storyline highlights Amanda Waller's ruthless campaign against Earth's metahumans, who are imprisoned unjustly by her power-stealing Amazo robots.

In this issue, Wonder Woman and Damian Wayne's Robin forces to track down Waller’s secret prison. Throughout their investigation, their interactions are peppered with rich revelations, including a key moment when Damian explains his iconic use of “tt” after Wonder Woman calls him out on it.

Damian Wayne Finally Gives an Explanation For His Iconic “tt” in Wonder Woman #12

Damian's Use of "tt" is Directly Linked to His Mother Talia al Ghul

After persuading Captain Boomerang to reveal the prison's location through the power of love, Wonder Woman remarks, “And there it is. As it always is. Love conquering fear.” This statement elicits a judgmental “tt” from Damian, prompting Diana to question his peculiar habit: “This again. What is this ‘tt’? This is not from Batman.” Surprisingly, Robin offers a detailed explanation, confirming that the “tt” isn’t a trait inherited from his father—who believes in the “limitless nature of everyone”—but rather a gesture acknowledging “the impossible,” a trait he inherited from his mother, who understood “practicalities.”

This deep explanation for the brief “tt” noise might seem surprising, but it perfectly aligns with Damian’s character. Prior to this, fans likely viewed the “tt” as a mere expression of judgment or attitude, or even a verbal tic. However, this revelation adds significant depth to the youngest Robin’s character, highlighting a trait he attributes to his mother rather than his father. While Damian is frequently compared to his father, it’s refreshing to see one of his most defining traits traced back to his mother, Talia al Ghul, offering a new perspective on his character.

Robin Reveals His Pessimistic View on Love (But It Doesn’t Quite Make Sense From a Characterization Perspective)

Diana Prince Gives Damian Wayne a Lesson In Love (But Did He Actually Need It?)

This scene also sheds light on Damian’s view of love. When Wonder Woman mentions love as a force that conquers fear, Damian’s dismissive “tt” suggests he sees love as impractical. This leads Damian to describe his bleak outlook on love as merely a “marketing tool.” While there could be various reasons for Damian’s stance, it seems somewhat out of character given the significant growth he has shown over the last decade, which is deeply rooted in his love for his family—especially Dick Grayson—and even his pets. In summary, while the explanation for Robin's “tt” was insightful, his subsequent views on love felt like a departure from the character’s established development.

Wonder Woman #12 is available now from DC Comics!