10 Best New DC Characters Of The 21st Century

It would be hard to compose this list and not include Damian Wayne. It would be even harder to imagine a DC Universe that didn't feature the world's most arrogant super-hero. But the fact of the matter is that Damian Wayne was only brought into existence in 2006 during Grant Morrison's "Batman and Son" story arc.

In contrast to the Robins that came before him, Damian is the biological child of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, having been grown in a laboratory with their DNA. Unaware of his son's existence, Damian is raised by his mother in the League of Shadows until his pre-adolescence, when Talia leaves him in Bruce Wayne's custody in an attempt to disrupt his work as Batman.

Initially, Damian Wayne is egotistical and outraged by Batman's no killing rule, causing friction between them. However, Damian's personality and demeanour begins to soften after partnering with Dick Grayson (who has become Batman in Bruce's apparent death) as his Robin. This run of Batman and Robin - once again by Grant Morrison - besotted fans with its depiction of their brotherly love.

Moreover, Peter Tomasi's equally popular run on Batman and Robin sought to amend the distance between Damian and a returned Bruce. The series highlighted Damian's growth as a person and crime-fighter, while also showing Bruce to accept his son for who he is deep down, including his tempered arrogance.

All in all, Damian continues to reinvigorate the Batman world by bringing much needed conflict and compelling moral dilemmas, while retaining the heart that makes him a hero.