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Damian Wayne just rediscovered a wholly different Ra’s Al Ghul — who has become a seemingly radically different person.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Robin #4 on sale now.
Ra’s Al Ghul has long been one of DC’s deadliest forces, an ancient warrior and ruthless general who found his greatest rivals in the modern-day thanks to the Bat-Family. Despite his best efforts, Ra’s has ended up removed from his position as the Demon’s Head and become estranged from his daughter Talia and grandson Damian.
Ra’s has been MIA since his last defeat at the hands of Batman and his superheroic allies, but his reappearance in Robin #4 by Joshua Williamson, Jorge Corona, Luis Guerrero, and ALW’s Troy Peteri suggests Ra’s has been going through some radical changes.
After his disastrous battle with Conner Hawke on Lazarus Island ended in him being thrown off the side of a cliff, Damian was only saved by the timely intervention of his pet dragon bat, Goliath. Goliath then brought the injured young man to an otherwise unknown island — where Ra’s had been staying in self-imposed seclusion following his defeat at the hands of Batman, Black Lightning, and the rest of the Outsiders. Waking up, Damian confronts Ra’s — finding him meditating atop a rock on the beach.
As he explains to his grandson, Ra’s maintains an eye on the League of Lazarus and the rest of the world but hasn’t been involved with them in some time. It turns out Ra’s decided to come to the island to live in secret and peace as he reflects on his numerous defeats — in an attempt to learn from them and grow. Damian is desperate to return to Lazarus Island so he can take part in the Lazarus Tournament, but Ra’s refuses to simply hand over the keys to his transport.
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Instead, Ra’s forces Damian to take the day to meditate and heal. They meditate, play games of strategy, and generally take a second to center Damian’s mind and soul. That evening, over a firelit dinner, the pair discuss Ra’s history as the longtime villain explains to his grandson that Batman has never been his greatest enemy — but rather himself and his expectations of himself. His belief that he needed to control and “fix” the world may have driven Ra’s to reach great heights has also trapped him with an unquenchable rage that he must contend with at all times. As Ra’s speaks, gazing up at the stars, Damian takes the keys to the transport and sneaks away without leaving a trace in the sand — impressing Ra’s and prompting him to call his grandson greater than either the Demon or the Detective that came before him.
Seeing a surprisingly Zen-Ra’s can come as something of a surprise, especially considering his more recent appearances fighting against Black Lightning or setting off a conflict with Solomon Grundy. However, it’s also quietly perfect. It reaffirms the quiet confidence of Ra’s, and is a perfect explanation for where he’s been. The ancient Ra’s trying to find peace is a welcome development. It’s possible his inevitable return will see him embrace the lessons he’s been preaching his grandson, potentially putting him on the path to make peace with his enemies and family. But it could also see a newly centered Ra’s return with a deadly clarity that could give him an edge against the rest of the world — especially if Black Lightning’s fate in Future State is an indicator of things to come.
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