Warning: SPOILERS for DC vs. Vampires #10Having been raised by Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins, Damian Wayne had a much different path to heroism than Batman's other Robins. Though Damian often comes under fire for his more violent tendencies, the would-be assassin's dark past actually makes him one of the Bat-Family's most valuable members.
Damian Wayne has had a turbulent history when it comes to being a killer. From his first introduction, the character had no qualms with murdering the criminals he saw to be deserving of punishment. This trait was worked out of him by his father over the years, as Bruce urged his son that Batman's rule against killing separated the heroes from the villains. Damian largely took to this way of thinking over time, looking to right the many wrongs he'd created in his wake. Still, the young Robin struggled over the years with putting his violent tendencies to rest. Following Alfred's death, Damian attempts to kill KGBeast as revenge for the villain shooting Nightwing in the head. Damian's recent stay on Lazarus Island in Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov's Robin series also allowed the hero to blow off some steam by killing his foes without guilt on an island with resurrection capabilities.
DC vs. Vampires #10 by James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt brings Damian back to roots by showing how his killing, at times, can be an asset. The issue sees the rebellion team of Damian, Batgirl, Black Canary, Harley Quinn and Frankenstein captured by a vampiric Punchline, now the ruler of Gotham's black market without the Joker around. Punchline tells the team she'll let them resume their mission to kill the vampire king Dick Grayson on one condition: one of them has to kill the still-human Two-Face. Batgirl tries to say nobody on their team would cross that line before realizing her error: "You're wasting your time. They won't either... Dammit, Damian."
Sometimes, the Bat-Family Needs a Killer
When Damian presents her with Harvey Dent's head, Punchline allows the rebel group to go and take on the vampiric Nightwing with no interference. Though against the Bat-Family's usual code of conduct, Damian's solution makes him a clear asset to his (and any other) team's effort. Though Harley staged a breakout of her replacement's prison cell, she likely would've been overpowered had Damian not opened the door to their group walking free. Without him, they probably would've been stuck in Punchline's prison in a good while or used as a bargaining chip by the villain. Damian's willingness to cross Batman's line - ending the life of one villain to possibly save the remainder of the human race - may not be the most heroic situation, but it will likely prove to be a worthwhile one. The Bat-Family's rule shows nobility, but Damian helped end the suffering of countless others by killing one of Gotham's most notorious villains.
Even fellow Bat-Family member Jason Todd, also a known killer, is often regarded as the "emotional" Robin. Though he at times also flies off the handle, Damian largely kills out of instrumentality, valuing the lives of countless others over the potential rehabilitation of one. It's a rare instance that Damian Wayne's killing can be viewed as an act of heroism, but Batman's son being willing to break his greatest rule allows him to do what his fellow heroes will not, committing a necessary evil in the name of the greater good.
DC vs. Vampires #10 is available from DC Comics now.