WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #4 and #6!
Other Robin’s life is at stake, but this time, it’s not the Clown or any villain that threatens Wonder Boy – it’s a big Justice League hero. 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 D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #4 intensifies the three-sided war between Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon’s undead army, Green Arrow’s human resistance, and Damian Wayne’s vampire guerrillas.
Previous issues featured tense conflicts between these factions, with Damian suffering a devastating loss when his entire league of vampire fighters was wiped out. Unfortunately for Wonder Boy, issue #4 makes it clear that his bad luck isn’t over, as he now finds himself in Green Arrow’s crosshairs.
Green Arrow Prepares to Join the Joker at the “I Killed Robin” Club by Killing Damian Wayne
“Tell yourself this is a mercy killing if it makes everything easier.” – Green Arrow in D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #4
After a confrontation with vampires Raven, Black Adam and Wonder Girl, Cassie Sandsmark, Damian Wayne narrowly escapes with his life, largely thanks to his grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul, who has now taken up the mantle of Batman. During their time together, Ra’s tries to persuade Damian to turn 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 when he discovers that Alfred has had the ring since cutting off Hal Jordan’s hand, but has only now decided to use it.
Ra’s and Alfred argue over who is best suited to guide and support Damian on his mission. However, as the two argue, Damian quietly slips away, leaving them behind. Robin is not seen again until he approaches Green Arrow and the human resistance. Believing he will be welcomed as an ally in the common goal of dismantling Barbara Gordon’s vampire empire, Damian approaches Oliver peacefully. However, Green Arrow quickly makes it clear that he doesn’t see them as allies, pointing out that Damian is also a vampire..
The final page of the issue shows Oliver’s people restraining Damian as the archer raises his bow. Pointing an arrow at Damian’s heart, Green Arrow says: “You’ve always been a pain in the ass, 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 would take everything from every vampire we could. I’m sorry, kid. Tell yourself this is a mercy killing if that makes it easier. The comic ends with Robin screaming, “No! Wait!” leaving readers in suspense about the Boy Wonder’s fate. Given that Oliver has already killed a former Robin, the odds don’t seem to be in Damian’s favor.
Green Arrow has already killed a Robin, what else?
Panels come from D.C. vs. Vampires #6 (2021)
Fans of the Rosenberg and Schmidt series will remember that in D.C. vs. Vampires #6, Green Arrow killed former Robin Jason Todd. This issue remains one of the bloodiest, with a high number of deaths among main charactersincluding 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 that his younger brother had already been bitten by Dick, marking the beginning of his transformation into a vampire.
Jason managed to get 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, starting his transformation into a vampire. Before he could completely turn around, Jason demanded that Green Arrow kill him, and the archer complied. So, Oliver Queen has already killed a former Robin. However, if Green Arrow goes through with Damian’s death, it will be a huge betrayal for the Bat-Family, unlike Jason’s death.
Even though Oliver killed Jason in D.C. vs. Vampires #6 This murder didn’t earn him a spot in the infamous Joker movie “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 this as “mercy killing” in his mind, this death would be anything but. Another reason why Damian’s death would be so different is that despite being a vampire, Damian is still a child and a Robin, while Jason was a man and no longer had that title. Therefore, if Oliver goes through with Damian’s death, it will officially mark his entry into the “I killed a Robin” club.
Batman and Green Lantern will stop at nothing to hunt down Green Arrow if he kills Robin
C card stock variant of Stephen Segovia’s cover for D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #4 (2024)
Bruce Wayne will no doubt be rolling in his grave if his childhood friend and brother in arms ends up killing Damian. However, it’s not Batman’s spirit that Green Arrow will need to worry about if he kills Robin. Instead of, Oliver will have to face the wrath of Ra’s al Ghul – the new Batman—and Green Lantern Alfred Pennyworth, who will not allow their grandson’s massacre to go unpunished. In fact, this situation could get even worse, potentially leading Batman to kill Green Arrow. Although Ra adopted Bruce’s mantle, it is unlikely that he adopted the latter’s mantle. “Do not kill” rule.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead as we answer if Green Arrow kills Robin
C card stock variant of the cover by Daniel Bayliss for D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #3 (2024)
Even though Oliver seems primed 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 stop him from releasing the arrow, or that Alfred and Ra will arrive in time to stop Damian’s murder. For fans looking for a more definitive answer about Damian’s survival, read on – but be warned, a spoiler lies ahead. Thanks to the mention of Damian in the synopsis of D.C. vs. Vampires: World War V #6, fans know this robin will survive and even start working with Green Arrow– at least for now.
D.C. vs. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #4 is now available from DC Comics!