WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #4 & #6!
AnotherRobin’slife is on the line, but this time, it’s not theJokeror any villain threatening the Boy Wonder—it’s a majorJustice Leaguehero. If this hero dares to kill Damian Wayne, fans can bet that Batman will unleash his fury and hunt them to the ends of the Earth.
Green Arrow will have to face the wrath of the new Batman and Green Lantern if he kills Robin.
Matthew Rosenberg, Otto Schmidt, Pierluigi Casolino, and Tom Napolitano’sDC vs. Vampires: World War V#4intensifies the three-sided war raging between Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon’s undead army, Green Arrow’s human resistance, and Damian Wayne’s vampire guerrilla fighters.
Previous issues have featured tense skirmishes between these factions, with Damian suffering a devastating loss when his entire league of vampire fighters was wiped out.Unfortunately for the Boy Wonder, issue #4 makes it clear his bad luck isn’t over, as he now finds himself in Green Arrow’s crosshairs.
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Green Arrow Prepares to Join Joker in the “I Killed Robin” Club by Killing Damian Wayne
“Tell Yourself This Is a Mercy Killing If That Makes It Easier.”– Green Arrow inDC vs. Vampires: World War V#4
After a confrontation withthe vampiric Raven, Black Adam, and Wonder Girl Cassie Sandsmark,Damian Wayne narrowly escapes with his life, thanks largely to his grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul, who has now taken on the mantle of Batman.During their time together, Ra’s attempts to persuade Damian to transform him into a vampire. However, Alfred—now a Green Lantern—arrives just in time to stop Damian before he can go through with it. Initially overjoyed to see Alfred and learn of his Green Lantern status, Damian’s relief turns to betrayal upon discovering that Alfred has had the ring ever since severing Hal Jordan’s hand but only now has chosen to use it.
Ra’s and Alfred clash over who is best suited to guide and support Damian in his mission. However, as the two argue, Damian quietly slips away, leaving them behind. Robin isn’t seen again until he approaches Green Arrow and the human resistance. Believing he will be welcomed as an ally in their shared goal of dismantlingBarbara Gordon’s vampire empire, Damian approaches Oliver peacefully. However,Green Arrow quickly makes it clear he doesn’t see them as allies, pointing out that Damian is a vampire himself.
The issue’s final page shows Oliver’s people restraining Damian as the archer raises his bow. Aiming an arrow at Damian’s heart, Green Arrow says, “You were always a pain, but I wouldn’t wish your life on my worst enemies, Damian. This war has taken a lot from all of us, and I swore we’d take it all back from every single vampire we can.I’m sorry, kid. Tell yourself this is a mercy killing if that makes it easier.”The comic ends with Robin shouting,“No! Wait!”leaving readers in suspense about the Boy Wonder’s fate. Given that Oliver has already killed one former Robin, the odds don’t seem to be in Damian’s favor.
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Green Arrow Has Already Killed a Robin, What’s One More?
Panels Come FromDC vs. Vampires#6 (2022)
Fans of Rosenberg and Schmidt’s series will remember that inDC vs. Vampires#6,Green Arrow killed former Robin Jason Todd.This issue remains one of the bloodiest, with a high death toll among major characters, including Batman, Red Robin, Green Lantern, and Red Hood. However, Jason’s death stands out as the most tragic. He could have survived, but instead of fleeing with Green Arrow, Alfred, and Cassandra Cain, Jason chose to return and save Damian, despite knowing his youngest brother had already been bitten by Dick, marking the start of his vampire transformation.
Jason succeeded in getting Damian away from the vampiric Wonder Woman and Nightwing. However, saving the youngest Robin cost him his life, as Diana and Dick began to feed on him, initiating his transformation into a vampire. Before he could fully turn,Jason demanded that Green Arrow kill him, and the archer obliged.Thus, Oliver Queen has already killed a former Robin. However, if Green Arrow goes through with killing Damian, it will be a major betrayal to the Bat-Family, unlike Jason’s death.
Despite Oliver killing Jason inDC vs. Vampires#6, that killing didn’t earn him a spot in Joker’s infamous“I Killed a Robin”club for several reasons. First, Jason asked Oliver to end his life, making it a true mercy killing. In contrast, Damian is actively begging Oliver not to kill him, so even if Oliver labels it a“mercy killing”in his mind, this death would be anything but. Another reason Damian’s death would feel so different is that, despite being a vampire, Damian is still a child and a Robin, while Jason was a man and no longer held that title. Therefore, if Oliver goes through with killing Damian, it will officially mark his entry into the“I Killed a Robin”club.
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Batman and Green Lantern Will Stop at Nothing to Hunt Green Arrow if He Kills Robin
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Stephen Segovia forDC Vs. Vampires: World War V#4 (2024)
Bruce Wayne will undoubtedly be rolling in his grave if his childhood friend and brother-in-arms ends up killing Damian. However, it’s not the spirit of the Batman that Green Arrow will need to worry about if he kills Robin. Instead,Oliver will have to face the wrath of Ra’s al Ghul—the new Batman—andGreen Lantern Alfred Pennyworth, both of whom won’t allow the butchering of their grandson to go unpunished. In fact, this situation could escalate further, potentially leading to Batman killing Green Arrow. Despite Ra’s adopting Bruce’s mantle, it’s unlikely he has embraced the latter’s“No Kill”rule.
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Daniel Bayliss forDC Vs. Vampires: World War V#3 (2024)
Despite Oliver appearing poised and ready to kill Damian, the main question remains: how likely is it that Green Arrow will actually go through with it? Screen Rant argues that it’s highly unlikely, suggesting that Oliver’s conscience will prevent him from releasing the arrow, or that Alfred and Ra’s will arrive in time to stop Damian’s murder. For fans looking for a more definite answer on whether Damian survives, keep reading—but be warned, a spoiler is ahead. Thanks to the mention of Damian in the synopsis forDC vs. Vampires: World War V#6, fans know thatRobinwill survive and even start working withGreen Arrow—at least for now.
DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #4is available now from DC Comics!
