ComicsBatman spin-off The Boy Wonder is a “coming of age fairy tale” that shines new light on Damian WayneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsBatman spin-off The Boy Wonder is a “coming of age fairy tale” that shines new light on Damian WayneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
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In an exclusive interview with Newsarama, Juni Ba describes the book as a “coming of age fairy tale”, explains why he’s so fond of Damian, and touches on the latest Robin’s troubled relationship with his predecessors.
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Newsarama: To start us off, what can you tell us about the story of your new series, The Boy Wonder?
Why does Damian appeal to you so much as both an artist and a writer?
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It sounds like the book will see Damian coming to terms with his place in the Robin lineage. How does he feel about his brothers?
This Damian would probably say they’re usurpers, ingrates, failures and profiteers! It’s pretty hard being raised as the center of all the attention, as well as a successor who’s never quite enough for his grandfather, and then when thrown into the Bat family, he becomes what feels like the fifth wheel. The last and least appreciated son. So his whole arc will be about processing that.
How much does Damian’s past with Talia and Ra’s al Ghul influence Damian and this story?
A lot! They raised him after all, so that upbringing influences a lot of what he does. But that includes Batman too, even if his influence is more recent. There’s a looming presence of all the parental figures and the pressure of what they’d have wanted you to do, how they would have judged you.
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The Boy Wonder has this beautiful visual style - fairy tale, as you just said - despite some strong moments of violence. Why did you choose to tell the story this way?
Fairy tales are great for allegory, larger than life concepts and leaning into the magical. There’s also a story reason I can’t spoil but it makes for a great framing device.
What are some of the benefits of putting this out as a DC Black Label book?
Mostly freedom! I got to tell the story I wanted. I didn’t have to worry about continuity, and thus made what I like making: a self-contained adventure that anyone can appreciate as a comic, with or without any prior exposure to that world. Plus we got to have fun with the design of the issues!
Are there any other DC characters that you’d love to tell a story with in this way?
I’d say Etrigan or Superman would be fun to play with!
The Boy Wonder #1 is out now from DC.
Where does Damian Wayne rank on our list ofBatman’s best Robins of all time?
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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