Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #148!The most fierce Robin rivalry in DC Comics history can finally be put to bed as two heroes finally find common ground. An intense fight finally helps Tim Drake and Damian Wayne put their years of animosity behind them.

In a team as big as the Bat-Family, there’s bound to be some bad blood. But rarely has there been a rivalry more fierce than the one between Bruce Wayne’s adopted son and his biological one. However, when a new threat presents itself, the two Boys Wonder put all their issues aside in a fight scene that bodes well for their future.

Tim Drake and Damian Wayne Team Up to Stop DC’s New Evil Robin

In Batman #148 by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles, Damian is being held hostage in Blackgate Penitentiary by Zur-En-Arrh and his new Robin. Zur-En-Arrh’s sidekick brags that he and his partner are finally going to do what the Bat-Family never could and save Gotham. However, as the twisted Robin drones on, Damian taps out a secret message in Morse code through the technology in his costume. Zur-En-Arrh zaps the restrained Robin and leaves his sidekick to continue watching Damian.

Elsewhere, the Bat-Family reunites with Batman, who apologizes for his recent behavior and formulates a plan to rescue Robin and stop Zur-En-Arrh. With Oracle coordinating their response, Batman, Nightwing, and Red Hood head to stop Zur-En-Arrh while Tim Drake heads off to find Damian. The older Robin tracks the younger one down in a study, but before he can free Damian, Tim is attacked by Zur-En-Arrh’s Robin. Tim takes one look at the new Boy Wonder and realizes that Zur-En-Arrh has cloned Bruce to create a Robin.

Tim battles Zur-En-Arrh’s Robin and realizes he’s just as formidable as Bruce, even possessing the same skills and training. Despite Batman’s clone having the upper hand, Tim throws a birdarang at Damian’s bonds, freeing him. The two Robins fight together to beat their twisted opponent. Damian gets a solid crack on the jaw while Tim brings the clone down with a powerful kick. Damian and Tim rib one another as Tim handcuffs the new Robin before they head down to join the fight against Zur-En-Arrh.

Tim Drake and Damian’s Complicated History

To say that Tim Drake and Damian Wayne have had struggles in the past would be an understatement. Tim first met Damian in the “Batman and Son” story arc when the latter was formally introduced to the Bat-Family. Damian took issue with the fact that Tim was Robin, something Damian felt was his birthright. Damian confronted Tim in the Batcave and the two got into a fight that ended with Damian nearly killing Tim. Unfortunately, that was just the beginning of the two Robins’ antagonistic relationship.

It wasn’t too long after Damian was introduced that he was made the new Robin. Bruce was missing and Dick filled in as Gotham’s Dark Knight and justified the decision by saying that Damian needed guidance. Stripped of the title he famously earned, Tim became Red Robin and distanced himself from Gotham and Damian. Bruce eventually returned and Tim came back as well. But there was still a mutual dislike between Damian and Tim. Thankfully, Damian had grown past his more violent ways and didn’t try to kill Tim anymore at least.

Years after Damian supplanted Tim as Robin, their roles were reversed when Damian quit the Robin role and ventured out into the world to find himself. Tim was more than ready to re-assume his old moniker, creating a fresh new conflict between Tim and Damian. After a short sabbatical, Damian returned and became Robin again, putting the two at odds, though they never physically fought over their shared identity. However, during “Gotham War”, Tim didn’t hold back from pointing out that he’s the Robin who always saves Batman.

The Two Robins’ New Enemy Proves They’ve Grown Past Their Rivalry

A team as large as the Bat-Family is bound to have some level of interpersonal conflict. Even Tim and Damian aren’t the first Robins to have a rivalry that’s resulted in physical altercations (lest anyone forget about Dick Grayson and Jason Todd’s history). Tim and Damian’s conflict largely stems from the fact that the latter, who had been raised as Batman’s ‘true’ legacy, was jealous of Tim, who’d been formally adopted as Batman’s son. Tim, in turn, was angry that the identity he worked so hard to earn was simply given to Damian.

But as Batman #148 shows, whatever negative feelings they two have had for one another are all in the past. After all, out of all the people who could have gone to save Damian, it’s Tim instead of someone much closer to Damian (say Nightwing, his old mentor). Despite insulting him, Damian tries to warn Tim before Zur-En-Arrh’s Robin attacks the older hero. Tim is also smart enough to realize that he can’t beat Bruce’s clone alone and frees Damian so the two Robins can work together to beat their opponent.

The fight scene is quick, especially once Tim and Damian start working together. But their excellent teamwork shows just how much the two Robins have grown since that first fight in the Batcave. There’s no arguing or yelling. It’s just two heroes working together to defeat a common enemy. They even have a bit of playful banter afterward, something that’s incredibly hard to imagine back when the two first met each other. Sure, they might not be best friends, but it’s safe to say Tim and Damian’s Robin rivalry is pretty much over.

What’s Ahead for DC’s Two Robins Now?

While Damian’s always probably going to give off a little attitude toward Tim, the two have grown to the point where they make an excellent team. Perhaps fans will see them working together more often now that their intense dislike has simmered down considerably. Or maybe they’ll just stick to their own beats and only work together when the situation requires it. Either way, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne are finally at a point where they can coexist peacefully with little-to-no Robin drama.

Batman #148 is available now from DC Comics.