WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #3!DC recently introduced a new Elseworlds series DC vs. Vampires, and for two months, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out who it could be, especially with most of Bruce Wayne's male heirs dead. However, with the latest clue revealed, I think I’ve finally solved the mystery of who's behind the cowl.
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #3 by Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt continues the intense three-sided war between the vampires, the human resistance, and Damian Wayne's vampire guerrilla fighters, with tensions rising after Damian's assassination of Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon in issue #1.
In issue #2, the vampires began their revenge as a vampiric Wonder Woman tracked down and killed Talia al Ghul, nearly killing Alfred Pennyworth as well. Now, in issue #3, Black Adam, Wonder Girl, and Raven—loyalists of the fallen queen—are closing in on Damian. Fortunately for the Boy Wonder, the new Batman arrives just in time to offer aid, and I’m 99% sure the man behind the cowl is Damian’s grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul.
Batwoman Officially Dies, as The Bat-Family Faces One of Its Biggest Death Tolls Ever
The Bat-Family is falling fast in their latest crisis event, with Batwoman ing the fallen, sacrificing herself to save one of their own.
Fans Think The New Batman Is Ghost-Maker or Azrael (I Know They’re Wrong)
Khoa Khan Is a Vampire Operative & Jean-Paul Valley Is Dead
The newest Batman of Earth-63 has been teased for months, first through variant covers before officially debuting in DC vs. Vampires: World War V #2. Despite his appearance in the previous issue, there were almost no clues about his identity, especially since his mask covered his entire face. The only detail I gathered was that he was male. With most of Bruce Wayne’s male heirs dead, this helped narrow down the possibilities. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Duke Thomas were all ruled out, as they had died in earlier issues of the series.
After the new Batman’s debut in issue #2, I wrote an article speculating on his identity and was surprised that most fans guessed either Khoa “Ghost-Maker” Khan or Jean-Paul “Azrael” Valley. What shocked me was that Azrael had already been shown dying in DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War #5, and Ghost-Maker had been established as a vampire ally (he’s even seen hunting Big Barda and Mister Miracle’s child in the latest issue). So, unless Azrael has miraculously returned from the dead (again) or Ghost-Maker is working as a double agent, those theories seem unlikely.
I Thought Luke Fox Was The New Batman–But DC Just Killed That Theory
I’m 99% Sure the New Dark Knight of Earth-63 Is Ra’s al Ghul
While I initially suspected that Luke Fox was the new Batman, the clues in issue #3 have made it clear that I was wrong for two main reasons. First, we get a partial face reveal, and the new Batman's skin tone is noticeably light, which doesn't match Luke. Second, this Batman speaks to Damian with noticeable familiarity, and as far as I know, Luke and Damian have had minimal interaction, making it unlikely for Luke to engage with the youngest Robin in such a familiar way. But why do I now believe the new Batman is Ra's al Ghul?
One of the biggest clues comes from how this character speaks. Not only does the new Batman address Damian with a sense of familiarity, but he also speaks in a distinctly superior tone, even referring to Damian as “child.” This is very characteristic of Ra’s al Ghul, and it also suggests the individual is older, which also aligns with my theory. Granted, Ra's' signature goatee is missing in the partial face reveal, and this Batman uses contractions, which isn't typical of Ra’s speech patterns. Despite these inconsistencies, though, it’s the final clue that ultimately convinces me this Batman is Damian's grandfather.
Batman's Son Finally Accepts His Destiny, Leading An Entire Army of Killers
It’s a heartbreaking day for the Bat-Family as Damian Wayne seems to have finally embraced the dark destiny his grandfather always envisioned for him.
“I Trained You Better Than This, Child”: DC’s New Batman Drops Major Identity Clue
Who Do You Think the New Batman Is?
The clue that ultimately led me to suspect Earth-63’s new Batman is Ra’s al Ghul is a single line: “I trained you better than this, child.” This line stood out because it confirms that the new Batman has a personal connection with Damian and even trained him. With both Nightwing and Batman dead, it eliminates the two most obvious candidates who trained Damian. Alfred Pennyworth is also out of the running, having recently become DC’s newest Green Lantern. This leaves Damian’s grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul, as the most likely choice. With this clue and Ra’s al Ghul's absence from the story so far, it makes sense that he could be DC’s newest Batman.
DC Vs. Vampires: World War V #3 is available now from DC Comics!
- Alias
- Bruce Wayne
- FIRST APP
- Detective Comics #27 (1939)
- Created By
- Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Franchise
- D.C.
- Race
- Human
- First Appearance
- Detective Comics
One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
