Warning: contains spoilers for Superman: Son of Kal-El #14!
The latest Robin has finally defeated his own father Batman in the greatest Bat-trick in DC Comics history: appearing in the one place not even Superman could expect. The Dark Knight has a reputation for spontaneously appearing in alleyways and hidden bases - usually right behind criminals - in nigh-impossible situations, and the many members of the Bat-Family are also adept at the trick. But in Superman: Son of Kal-El #14, Bruce Wayne's son Damian Wayne surprises heroes, villains, and even his own partner by announcing his presence inside a submarine - with absolutely no indication of how he arrived onboard.
The new Superman: Son of Kal-El series by Tom Taylor chronicles the adventures of Jonathan Kent, Earth's new Superman; his more famous father has passed the title to him while on a mission in deep space. Superman's son Jonathan Kent tackles problems that his strength alone cannot solve: an immigration crisis, news cycle manipulation, and homophobia and bigotry. On the island nation of Gamorra, the evil dictator President Bendix works with Lex Luthor not simply to destroy Superman, but to discredit him - first by turning the media against him, and then by framing him for murder.
In Superman: Son of Kal-El #14, written by Tom Taylor with art by Cian Tormey, Superman gathers with other metahumans called the Revolutionaries aboard their submerged submarine headquarters. Some members advocate for killing their enemies (who have killed in the past), but Superman doesn't want to kill, and stresses that even killers deserve mercy. "I'm his best friend and I used to be an assassin," a voice says from above. It's Damian Wayne - who is somewhat upset that his friend wanted to lead an assault on a dictatorship without him (Superman has an excuse: he saw Damian die in a prophetic dream). As the two embrace, Wink is shocked. "Where the hell did you even come from?" she says. "We're on a submarine!"
Batman is well-known for appearing spontaneously - but Damian Wayne is the best of all the Robins when it comes to his father's greatest ninja tactics. This is appropriate, considering Damian was raised by assassins to become an assassin himself; his life took a different turn when he became the latest in a long line of Robins. Earlier issues have featured Batman appearing in the Kent's house some time after Jonathan and Martha's old homestead was destroyed - and Robin has evidently learned the same methods.
Damian never actually reveals how he got onboard the Revolutionaries' submarine, and Jon knows better than to ask. Batman's (and Robin's) methods of appearing and disappearing in seconds boarders on superhuman; Batman has no powers, but it sure looks like he does to the casual observer. The fact that Robin was able to sneak up on Superman, even with his enhanced senses, proves that Damian Wayne is the closest one has ever come to becoming Bruce Wayne's Batman.