Warning! Contains spoilers for Batman and Robin #12!

Summary

• DC reveals Alfred Pennyworth, not Batman, gave Damian Wayne his first Robin suit in Batman and Robin #12.
• Alfred's was crucial in Damian Wayne's transformation into a hero.
• The relationship between Alfred and Damian was key, and Damian continues to honor Alfred's memory.

No matter how much training someone goes through, they're never really Wayne his first Robin suit.

DC reveals the origin of Damian's Robin suit in Batman and Robin #12 by Joshua Williamson and Juan Ferreyra. This story focuses on Robin confronting Bane for revenge after the death of Alfred Pennyworth. As Damian hunts Bane down, the readers are treated to several important memories that Damian has of Alfred.

One of the most important and heartbreaking memories that readers are shown takes place during the time Batman was thought dead after the events of Final Crisis. It's here that Alfred Pennyworth gifts Damian his very first Robin outfit. It's a touching moment that proves Damian, even then, had finally found the redemption he'd been looking for ever since his introduction into Batman's world — and a retcon that makes Alfred's death all the more painful for Damian and readers alike.

Alfred Pennyworth Was One of the First to Believe in Damian Wayne

Alfred Died in Front of Damian in Batman #77 by Tom King, Mikel Janín, Tony S. Daniel, Norm Rapmund, Tomeu Morey, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles

Damian Wayne had a lot of difficulty integrating with the Bat-Family when he first showed up. Batman had to come to with the fact he suddenly had a biological child that he was completely unaware of. Dick Grayson was off being NIghtwing in Blüdhaven and didn't meet Damian for a bit, and Damian Wayne and Tim Drake's first meeting did not go well. This left Damian with very few friends in the Bat-Family, and despite Damian's claims of not caring if anyone likes him, he did find one important ally in Alfred Pennyworth. While everyone else wrote Damian off as a potential monster and a definite murderer, Alfred didn't.

While all the other of the Bat-Family would come to appreciate and care for Damian in their own way, none were as quick or as consistent in accepting him as Alfred.

Throughout their history together, Alfred Pennyworth was consistently one of the few friends Damian had. While all the other of the Bat-Family would come to appreciate and care for Damian in their own way, none were as quick or as consistent in accepting him as Alfred. This relationship is why it makes perfect sense that Alfred was the one to give him his very first Robin suit. When Damian first appeared in Gotham, he declared himself Robin, beat Tim half to death, and then immediately murdered a criminal on his first night out. With Alfred gifting him the suit years later, it showed he had finally earned it.

Damian Wayne Became a Hero Because of Alfred's

So Damian Will Keep Honoring Alfred's Memory

Even years after his death, Alfred's influence is still felt in every single member of the Bat-Family. Alfred is the one who inspired and gave Nightwing the means to try and save Blüdhaven in a new way. Alfred is also the one who helped put Damian on a truly heroic path. Without Alfred's unconditional love and , it's possible Damian would have fallen back in with his mother Talia, becoming the villainous leader of the League of Assassins after the Bat-Family's rejection. Thankfully, Alfred was able to give Damian Wayne a new destiny as Robin.

Batman and Robin #12 is available now from DC Comics!