Damian Wayne faced many challenges in his young life, but high school proved to be his greatest test. Bruce Wayne had hoped to socialize his son, but Damian treats school like a stakeout. However, Damian’s hunting for trouble paid off, as one of his rivals was revealed to have a surprising connection to a Gotham City villain.
Batman and Robin #5 by Joshua Williamson and Nikola Cizmesija finds father and son attending a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the school’s soccer team. Finally growing tired of tolerating the bullies who singled him out, Damian Wayne tries out for the team. He easily evades his tormentors on the field but is astonished that the goalie easily blocks his shot. This leads him to theorize that the goalie, Zach, is more than a typical jock.
Batman is skeptical, despite Robin identifying his new principal as the assassin Mistress Harsh in disguise. Still, the two follow after Zach on the odd chance he is tied to their current case. While they do not find the connection they wanted, they discover something even more disturbing about Zach.
Damian Wayne’s Rival is the Son of Zsasz
The final page of the issue reveals that Zach has a shrine devoted to the serial killer Victor Zsasz. Looking at a mug shot of Zsasz, Zach addresses it as “father,” promising they will be together soon. The shrine also features a large knife labeled “First Kill,” suggesting that Zach plans to follow in Zsasz’s footsteps.
It is entirely possible that Victor Zsasz fathered a hereto unknown son. Before he suffered a psychotic break and began giving people the “gift of death,” Zsasz was a captain of industry who traveled in the same circles as Bruce Wayne. However, it is equally plausible that Zach is a disturbed young man who merely feels a connection with an infamous killer. In either case, Damian Wayne now has a new enemy with a similar drive to prove himself to his father.
Batman and Robin #5 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
