Swamp Thing gave Damian Wayne a new nickname while they bonded over Jason Todd’s death in DCeased Dead Planet #6.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for DCeased: Dead Planet #6 by Tom Taylor, Trevor Hairsine, Gigi Baldassini, Tom Derenick, Rain Beredo& Saida Temofonte, on sale now
In the world of DCeased, the Justice League has their hands full trying to solve the Anti-Life equation and stop Trigon from destroying the planet. Our heroes have discovered that Cyborg has the Anti-Life equation within him and Batman sets out to create a cure.
Batman has already hatched a plan to create a cure for the Anti-Life Equation using Swamp Thing’s unique connection to The Green, but it requires him to enlist the aid of the enigmatic creature. This is when Batman and Swamp Thing have a small but endearing bonding moment and Swamp Thing gives Damian a new nickname — “Little Batman.”
Batman approaches Swamp Thing and Swamp Thing offers his condolences about Jason Todd’s death while addressing him as “Little Batman.” Oddly enough, Bruce Wayne’s prodigal son doesn’t react in the abrupt and harsh manner that has become a staple of the character. Damian Wayne has a complicated past with the Bat-Family and has left on several instances to form his own path and leave the legacy of the Bat-Family behind. In the future world of Batman Beyond, Damian has even left the Bat-Family altogether in favor of leading the League of Assassins. Even though his demeanor and attitude suggest that he would not take kindly to being called “Little” anything, there are several factors that may indicate why Damian chose to not take the name as an insult.
First of all, there are bigger things at play. With Trigon on the way and the Anti-Life equation wreaking havoc, definitive action needs to be taken quickly for the sake of the world. There’s simply no time bicker about nicknames. Additionally, Swamp Thing’s expression of remorse regarding Jason Todd’s death seems to reassure Batman that the nickname is meant to comfort him after the tragedy. Damian sincerely regrets that he didn’t get to spend time more time with Jason and the man he became, and it is this great feeling of loss that gives Damian the push he needs to devise a plan to stop the plague unleashed by the Anti-Life Equation once and for all.