The second problem of Batman vs. Robin landed in comedian retailers on Tuesday, fleshing out the DC universe in some really unparalleled methods. Whereas the e book may have simply been presumed to solely concern the battle between Bruce Wayne / Batman and Damian Wayne / Robin, the primary two points have as an alternative proven a weirder and extra expansive story altogether. That story has weaved in a stunning variety of magic customers from the pages of DC’s comics, starting from Golden Age baddies to newer fan-favorites to some staples of The Sandman.
With Batman vs. Robin already confirmed to be spinning out into subsequent yr’s Lazarus Planet occasion, the notion of those character returns is especially fascinating — so this is what you have to find out about them. Spoilers for Batman vs. Robin #2 from Mark Waid, Mahmud Asrar, Jordie Bellaire, and Steve Wands under! Solely look if you wish to know!
Tannarak
(Picture: DC)
Initially debuting in 1970’s The Phantom Stranger #10, Tannarak is a harmful, near-immortal alchemist who goes toe-to-toe with the Phantom Stranger numerous occasions over. He later turned a member of the Lords of Chaos and an occasional foe of Zatanna and John Constantine. He has largely been lacking in motion for the reason that New 52 run of Constantine.
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Jinx
(Picture: DC)
Whereas she’s develop into ubiquitous amongst some followers due to her appearances within the Teen Titans animated collection (and shortly, HBO Max’s live-action Titans present), Jinx has a magical historical past all her personal. Initially debuting in Tales of the Teen Titans #56, Jinx has served as a member of the Fearsome 5, Villainy Inc., and the Crime Syndicate’s Secret Society of Tremendous Villains. Exterior of some Elseworlds appearances, Jinx’s most up-to-date distinguished look was in two problems with the Rebirth runs of Titans and Justice League.
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Klarion
(Picture: DC)
One other fan-favorite due to the world of animation (significantly Young Justice), Klarion the Witch Boy is revealed to be a part of the problem’s magical cabal, and even violently stole Ragman’s rags from his physique. Whereas Klarion has sporadically appeared all through current DC lore, together with his personal six-issue solo collection, this problem marks his first look in a Batman title in fairly a while.
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Zor
(Picture: DC)
Zor, also referred to as Zachary Zor, originated all the best way in 1940’s Extra Enjoyable Comics #55 as an antagonist of The Spectre. A member of a secret group of angels tasked with mantaining the material of actuality, Zor rebels and creates the Sheeda, a foe of the Seven Troopers of Victory. Zor has not prominently appeared in DC Comics for nearly 20 years, for the reason that Seven Troopers: Zatanna collection.
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Nezha
(Picture: DC)
One key participant within the problem finally ends up being The Satan Nezha, a Chinese language warlord whose immortality has stored him alive for generations, and whose machinations are finally possessing Damian and different individuals near Bruce to do evil issues. Nezha is a comparatively new addition to the DC mythos, originating on this yr’s Detective Comics #1050 earlier than changing into the villain of Waid and Dan Mora’s Batman/Superman: World’s Best.
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Mom Soul
(Picture: DC)
One other key participant within the problem is Ruh al Ghul / Mom Soul, the also-immortal mom of Ra’s al Ghul who has mastery over the League of Lazarus and the very resin that makes up the Lazarus Pits. Debuting in 2021’s Robin #1, Mom Soul turned a staple of that e book, in addition to the Shadow Conflict occasion.
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Black Alice
(Picture: DC)
In Nezha and Mom Soul’s first scene within the problem, they’re torturing Lori Zechlin / Black Alice, attempting to make the most of her magical leeching skills to additional energy the Helmet of Destiny. Initially debuting in 2005’s Birds of Prey #76, Black Alice began out as a teenage lady who crossed paths with the Birds of Prey, and later turned an ally of the Secret Six and Raven’s Night time Pressure.
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Felix Faust
(Picture: DC)
One of many problem’s coolest moments pays tribute to Justice League of America #10, a Silver Age problem through which Felix Faust fought the tremendous group. Specifically, his magic created the picture of miniature variations of the Justice Leaguers actually being trapped on his fingertips — one thing that Batman vs. Robin pokes at, by having Faust be haunted by full-sized variations of the League grotesquely escaping his physique.
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Cain & Abel
(Picture: DC)
After crossing paths with Faust, Batman and Alfred journey into the Home of Secrets and techniques and the Home of Thriller — and meet the brothers, Cain and Abel, who preserve them each. Initially debuting in DC within the Sixties because the de facto narrators of Home of Thriller and Home of Secrets and techniques, the duo are actually finest identified for his or her memorable stints in The Sandman, in addition to its current Netflix adaptation.
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The Kindly Ones
(Picture: DC)
The problem options one other tie to The Sandman within the type of The Kindly Ones, a trio of witches who share some lore with the three-headed witch the Hecateae. Additionally identified by their names of Cynthia, Mildred, and Mordred, the trio originated in 1969’s The Witching Hour #1, and have had weird and unsettling appearances ever since.
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