Review of Son of Batman (2014) by Maruf H — 15 Apr 2014

Maybe it's the fact that it's the Damian show and not the Batman show that forces the audience to approach this film differently than something like The Dark Knight Returns or Year One, but Son of Batman tells a tale worth visiting. As always, a welcomed Nightwing cameo is granted, along with a large Talia presence that provides us with the means to accept Batman is still human.

However, the main focus is the pair's love child, who begins as a mini Ra's before taking up the mantle of the title. It's incredible to see how Damian is more than a match for the skilled Deathstroke (although Batman beats him in < 90 seconds), simply due to being trained by the League of Assassins from birth - it's amazing to think how Bruce would've turned out given the same situation.

Although Kevin Conroy is missed from the voice of the Dark Knight, Jason O'Mara sells this version as both a young father figure and darkly comedic. This contrasts well with the hotheaded conviction Stuart Allen gives Damian, particularly in a dialogue face-off with Sean Maher's Dick Grayson.

All in all, it's comforting to see that where DC fails in live-action films, they succeed in their animated efforts with strong contenders, such as Son of Batman.