Warning: Spoilers for Batman and Robin #5!
DC Comics is finally ready to correct Batman’s bad reputation as a dad. When it comes to leading the Bat-Family as a father figure (or in Damian’s case, a biological father), Batman has his critics who’d call him the worst father of all time. Some would refer to such a statement as hyperbole, but others would say the criticisms are justified.
Finally, Batman is ready to take a turn for the better as a potential father of the year in Batman and Robin #5 by Joshua Williamson and Nikola Cizmesija. The new-age Dynamic Duo began investigating the mystery behind Gotham’s newest villain, Shush, as well as her alliance with Man-Bat, who is once again becoming a true DC villain. Their investigation calls for Bruce Wayne to enroll his son Damian in Gotham City High School.
Damian sees the experience as merely a mission, but Bruce, for once, gets the opportunity to be an enthusiastically supportive father. Between supporting his son at soccer games and on the street as Robin, Bruce Wayne is finally proving himself to be a good father — at least for now.
Batman’s Mysterious New Villain Completely Reinvents a Classic Enemy
A new Batman foe is coming to make a mess of Bruce Wayne’s life and she’s taking a page out of one of the Dark Knight’s most nefarious enemies, Hush.
Batman is Incredibly Supportive of Robin’s After-School Activities
The issue begins with Gotham High’s Pancake Breakfast, which also doubles as a soccer tryout. To the surprise of bystanders, notorious playboy Bruce Wayne is among those volunteering to serve pancakes to everyone, all with a smile on his face. An embarrassed Damian insists that his dad doesn’t need to be there, but Bruce assures him he’s only there for the sake of the mission. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Batman has another agenda: supporting Damian’s schooling and soccer tryouts.
Bruce learns from Damian’s biology teacher, Ms. Heather Hall, just how far Damian has been progressing in her class — to the point that she suggests that Bruce enroll the boy in college prep courses. Just as Bruce expresses his expectations for Damian to make friends his age, his face lights up at the sight of Damian playing soccer. Bruce is visibly elated, cheering his son on. Later, while patrolling as Batman and Robin, Bruce tells Damian how proud he is of his school performance so far and how happy he is that his teachers see what he’s always seen in his son.
Bruce Wayne Can Be a Great Dad — When He’s Not Batman
In maintaining the “Batman is a bad dad” narrative, critics have accused the character of being everything from neglectful to obsessive. But outside “Bat-duties,” he proves to be just the opposite, at least for Damian. Perhaps Batman has been portrayed as a bad dad for so long because of these so-called Bat-duties. Most of the time, he’s only patrolling with his kids while keeping a stoic demeanor, so there’s not a lot of room for comfort and kindness. Now, as Damian explores high school for the first time, Batman can support more mundane tasks such as schoolwork and sports like never before.
Batman and Robin #5 is available now from DC Comics.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #5 (2023) | |
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