John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
The following contains major spoilers for Batman #5, on sale now from DC Comics.
Damian Wayne just ruined his father's latest date and both of their secret identities.
When what should have been a pleasant semi-work-related evening out with Doctor Annika Zeller turns into a series of increasingly violent confrontations in the pages of Batman #5 (by Matt Fracion, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles), Bruce Wayne finds himself staring down the superpowered assassin known as the Ojo. Fortunately, it isn't long before Robin shows up to lend him a hand, and while the young Caped Crusader is perfectly capable of winning the fight, he is utterly incapable of not using the term "father" to disastrous results.
Batman #5
- Written by MATT FRACTION
- Art by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
- Colors by TOMEU MOREY
- Letters by CLAYTON COWLES & JORGE JIMÉNEZ
- Main cover art by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
- Variant covers by JIM LEE, SCOTT WILLIAMS & ALEX SINCLAIR; JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO; LEIRIX; JORGE JIMÉNEZ; DAVID AJA; and MITCH GERADS
The official solicit synopsis for Batman #5 from DC Comics reads, "A night out with Bruce Wayne goes off the rails immediately for Dr. Annika Zeller — it seems her experimental Crown of Storms has her marked for death. And if they survive the legendary 000 Gang, they'll still have to confront the sinister assassin known as The Ojo!"
While Damian Wayne was first glimpsed back in 1987's Batman: Son of the Demon by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham, it wasn't until nearly two decades later that the character was introduced to the DC Universe proper. The son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne has taken a long and difficult road from his beginnings as a child assassin to the teenage antihero fans know today.
Whereas Damian was initially reticent to open up to anyone, let alone his father, back when he made his modern debut in 2006's Batman #655 by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert, he and Bruce share a truly unshakable bond today. That being said, there have still been plenty of events that have driven a temporary wedge between them, with Damian's recent unveiling of Bruce's secret identity already looking to be the next.
Doctor Annika Zeller was introduced in 2025's Batman #1 at the outset of writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jiménez's run on the title. An employee of Wayne Enterprises who works as a doctor and researcher at Arkham Towers, Zeller has proven instrumental in helping the likes of Waylon Jennings, better known as Killer Croc, shed their former selves, so to speak, and seemingly regain control of their baser instincts altogether.
One of Zeller's greatest accomplishments was the development and creation of her Crown of Storms, a unique device that purportedly monitors and regulates electrical patterns within the brain to help patients recover from various mental traumas. While Zeller has drawn heavy criticism from the likes of Doctor Hugo Strange, her use of the device on Arkham Towers patients has also drawn the attention of both Bruce Wayne and his shadowy alter ego.
Batman #5 is on sale now from DC Comics.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane
First Film Batman: The Movie
Upcoming Films The Batman – Part II
English (US) · 