Warning! Spoilers ahead for Robin #4

In the latest issue of DC's Robin, Damian Wayne is training with one of his father Batman's chief nemeses: Ra's al Ghul, the Demon's Head and Damian's own grandfather. In the midst of the former Robin's preparations for the upcoming Lazarus Tournament, Damian has found himself on the same island where al Ghul has been in self-imposed exile, seeking to learn from his recent failures at the hands of Batman and the Outsiders. However, it seems as though the Demon's Head is keen to train his grandson in the ways of the mind, helping Damian to let go of his personal limitations that have been holding him back from being the best warrior he can be.

In previous issues of Robin, Damian lost a fight with his primary competition Conner Hawke, the son of the Green Arrow, in the Tournament's preliminary duels. However, Damian was saved by his old friend and pet dragon bat Goliath who took him to a nearby island where none other than his grandfather Ra's al Ghul was residing, offering to provide his grandson with new teachings in the new issue from writer Joshua Williamson and artist Jorge Corona.

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Not having much of a choice due to his body needing time to heal, Damian soon begins learning from Ra's al Ghul on how to better train his mind for battle, despite his grandfather's recommendation that he stay far away from the League of Lazarus and their Tournament. However, Damian is stubborn and determined to learn about this group that has been hidden from him for his entire life. As a result, the Son of Batman begins learning from the Demon's Head, one of the Dark Knight's greatest foes. That being said, al Ghul's teachings seem to be quite beneficial for the former Robin.

Robin-4-Mind-Demon-Training

Not only that, but Damian's grandfather reveals some key information about himself, including the valuable perspective that he doesn't see Batman as his greatest enemy. Instead, Ra's al Ghul's greatest opponent is Ra's al Ghul, believing himself to be his own worst enemy. He also sees the same inner conflict within his grandson Damian as well, and this is apparently the most important lesson he wants Damian to learn.

Given Damian's dual identity as the son of Batman and the heir to the Demon, combined with his current struggle for identity and estrangement from his father, it does seem as though Ra's al Ghul's teachings are fairly critical for Damian's future as he decides what kind of person he wants to become. In any case, Damian finds himself on Corto Maltese at the issue's end, investigating further into the dealings of the League of Lazarus just before the Tournament begins in earnest. Hopefully, Damian will remember the tutelage of Ra's al Ghul, who actually has valuable lessons to teach that will hopefully make the former Robin the best he can be in the DC Universe.

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