"Batman and Son" is a 2006 comic book story arc published by DC Comics, written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Andy Kubert. It ran across four issues of the main Batman title, from issue #655 to #658, and marked the beginning of Morrison's influential seven-year run on the character. The arc is notable for introducing Damian Wayne, the biological son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, into mainstream DC Universe continuity.
The story draws heavily on the 1987 graphic novel "Batman: Son of the Demon," which first explored the idea of Batman fathering a child with Talia. Morrison expanded this concept, bringing Damian from the fringes of canon into a central role. In the narrative, Talia presents the ten-year-old Damian to Batman, leaving him in his father's care as part of a larger scheme. Damian is arrogant, violent, and has been raised by the League of Assassins to be a killer, creating immediate conflict with Batman's strict moral code.
"Batman and Son" also features the return of Man-Bat and the League of Assassins, blending psychological family drama with high-stakes superhero action. The story explores themes of legacy, nature versus nurture, and whether a child raised in violence can be redeemed. It was a critical and commercial success, praised for its bold redefinition of the Batman mythos and its complex characterization of the new Robin.
This storyline laid the foundation for years of subsequent Batman stories, including "Batman R.I.P." and the formation of Batman Incorporated. Damian Wayne would go on to become one of the most popular and enduring additions to the Bat-Family in modern comics, headlining his own series and becoming a core member of the Teen Titans.
