WARNING! Spoilers Ahead for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #4In DC's darkest Elseworlds story, Batman is a former villain in DC lore.
The preview for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #4 – written by Matthew Rosenberg, with art by Otto Schmidt – continues the gripping tale of a DC Universe that's been overrun with vampires. Mister Miracle, who's attempting to protect his child, seeks refuge in a secluded cabin he discovers. However, he quickly realizes he isn't alone, as Batman appears before him.
This isn't the Batman he once knew, though. In his conversation with Mister Miracle, Batman drops an intriguing clue about his identity, suggesting that Ra's al Ghul has shockingly taken up the Caped Crusader's mantle, in a shocking twist on his usual role as an antagonist.
DC's New Batman Is Officially Revealed To Be Longtime Enemy Ra's al Ghul
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #4 – Written By Matthew Rosenberg; Art By Otto Schmidt; Available November 13 From DC Comics
When Scott points out that Batman isn't a vampire and Robin is, he responds: "the bonds of family will transcend these petty wars for those willing to try." With confirmation that he is Damian Wayne's family, there's only one DC character who fits the bill as the new Batman: Ra's al Ghul. Considering that Ra's is one of the Dark Knight's most notorious enemies, as well as the grandfather of Bruce Wayne's son, this twist is a major gamechanger, the one that makes the most of the Elseworlds promise to reinvent classic DC characters and subvert their usual dynamics.
After 39 Years, One of DC's Most Extreme Villains Is Reborn as Batman's Greatest Nemesis (With Opposite Tactics to Joker)
Batman: Dark Age #6 comes to close, and the preview for the final issue shows off a villain for Batman even deadlier than the Joker...
The original Batman wears a new costume that conceals his face, readers have been left to speculate about who he might be. His meeting with Damian in the series' previous issue references the two being familiar with each other, and now, their family bond has been affirmed.
Ra's al Ghul Is Batman's Most Unlikely Successor Yet
How Did Batman's Enemy Inherit His Iconic Mantle?
In DC vs. Vampires: World War V #3, Batman tells Robin that he trained him, hinting at their closeness. While there are multiple DC characters who could technically be considered mentor figures to Damian, most of them have perished over the duration of the story, leaving only a single option, Ra's al Ghul, his grandfather who trained him in his youth. Now that their familial relationship has been established, the theory that the new Batman is Ra's al Ghul has been all but confirmed, which means one of Batman's darkest villains has taken over his mantle.
Instead of facing off against Batman, Ra's al Ghul appears to have become Batman himself.
Ra's al Ghul has historically been a villain to Batman and the rest of the Bat-family, so it's a major shift to see him in this new role. Instead of facing off against Batman, Ra's al Ghul appears to have become Batman himself; it remains unknown how this shift from villain to hero occurred, and the circumstances of this will surely be explained in due time. All that's known for now is that this universe needs a Batman, and even if he isn't the one that was expected, his alliance with vampire Robin proves that he can end this deadly conflict once and for all.
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #4 will be available November 13, 2024 from DC 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.
