Page 1

Panel 1 The Batcave. Batman sits motionless at the

Batcomputer. He is looking at images.

Caption The Batcave

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(Off panel)

Sir?

Panel 2 We see that Batman is looking at pictures of

Damian.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(off panel)

Sir, you really should eat.

BATMAN

I'm not hungry, Alfred.

Panel 3 Alfred comes into view.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

I miss him too, sir.

Panel 4 Alfred looks on.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narration)

The Anniversary of Master Damian's

unfortunate demise is fast

approaching. In many ways, it is

Master Bruce's greatest loss, even

more than when Jason was murdered.

Page 2

Panel 1 Flashback: Damian meeting Bruce.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

Granted, at first the boy

was...grating.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Father. I imagined you taller.

Panel 2 Flashback: Damian sucker punching Tim

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

Headstrong, violent; a human weapon

at age 10.

DAMIAN WAYNE

You're just a hanger-on. I'm the

real heir! I deserve to be Robin!

Panel 3 Flashback: Batman confronting Damian

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

But in the end, we figured out the

truth. He was a lonely boy,

reaching out to a father he barely

knew.

Panel 4 Flashback: Dick and Damian as the Dynamic Duo

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

Master Richard took in Damian when

Bruce was thought dead. Made him

Robin, showed him greater purpose.

Panel 5 Flashback: Damian confronting Talia.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

And in the end, Damian knew which

side he truly belonged to.

TALIA AL GHUL

Consider yourself an enemy of the

House of Al Ghul

DAMIAN WAYNE

Then I hope to be a good one,

mother.

Page 3

Panel 1 Flashback: Bruce and Damian fighting at each

other's side as Father and Son

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

And when Bruce came back and became

Batman again, he kept Damian with

him.

Panel 2 Flashback: Batman and Damian facing Nobody

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

Soon, their relationship was

tested.

Panel 3 Flashback: Damian killing Nobody

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

But the boy's temper and actions

needed to be reined in. He didn't

need just Batman; he needed his

father. Damian killed a man trying

to kill his father.

Panel 4 Flashback: Bruce and Damian hugging

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

Bruce vowed to help Damian take

control of his anger and skills,

and told him he always loved him

Panel 5 Flashback: Talia as Leviathan

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

Miss Talia, however, declared war

on her beloved, and her son. She

put a bounty on Damian's head.

Panel 6 Flashback: The Heretic kills Damian

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

And in the end, it was another

Damian, his artificially aged

clone, who killed Damian.

Panel 7 Flashback: Damian dies in Batman's arms.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

(narrating)

And thus the bravest boy I've

known, who was truly his father's

son, died long before his time.

Page 4

Panel 1 We return to the present. Batman is still looking

at the pictures

BATMAN

If only I got there sooner.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

Ms. Al Ghul planned out her scheme

well in advance, Master Bruce; it

is likely there was nothing you

could have done.

Panel 2 Batman practically leaps out of his chair in

anger.

BATMAN

I was his father! It was up to me

to protect him from Talia and from

that...THING! He shouldn't have

died! It should have been me.

Panel 3 Batman looks sad, goes quiet.

BATMAN

It should have been me.

Panel 4 Alfred comforts him.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

Damian was a soldier to the very

end, Master Bruce. And he was a

credit to you, sacrificing himself

so others can live. He was truly a

Wayne, and your son.

BATMAN

He was just a boy.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

I know.

BATMAN

I should have been able to save

him.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

I know. But you can't change the

past, or bring back the dead.

Panel 5 Batman turns.

BATMAN

I know! Do you know how TEMPTED I

was to dip him into a Lazarus Pit?

But I didn't; I didn't want to give

her the satisfaction.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

To be fair, Master Bruce, Master

Damian wouldn't want you to put him

in one of those either.

Panel 6 An alarm goes off. Batman goes to check it.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

What's that?

Panel 7 CLOSE UP, Batman's eyes. They are wide in shock.

BATMAN

It's the alarm on Damian's grave.

Panel 8 CLOSE UP, eyes go narrow.

BATMAN

THEY ARE DESECRATING MY SON'S

GRAVE!

Page 5

Panel 1 The Wayne Family graveyard. A large man, Ubu,

stands watch as ninjas belonging to the League of

Assassins digs up the coffin containing the mortal remains

of Damian Wayne.

UBU

Hurry it up, the mistress will not

be pleased if we are late.

Panel 2 A shadow crosses the face of Ubu, who looks up in

shock

BATMAN

(off panel)

Don't worry about her, Ubu...

Panel 3 Batman kicks Ubu in the face

BATMAN

WORRY ABOUT ME!

Panel 4 Ubu staggers backwards as a group of ninja attack

Batman.

Panel 5 Batman punches one ninja and kicks another.

Panel 6 Batman throws a batarang, disarming another

ninja. His other hand is karate chopping the throat of

another.

Page 6

Panel 1 Batman is a whirling dervish, taking on the

ninjas crowding in around him. (Massive panel)

BATMAN

YOU THINK YOU COULD DEFILE THIS

PLACE AND NOT FACE CONSEQUENCES?!

Panel 2 Ubu shoves ninjas away from the grave

UBU

Out of my way, you fools. You shame

the Mistress.

Panel 3 As Batman fights the ninjas, Ubu looks into the

grave.

Panel 4 We see a coffin. On it is a brass tag: DAMIAN

WAYNE, BELOVED SON. TAKEN BEFORE HIS TIME.

Page 7

Panel 1 As Batman fights more ninjas, he sees Ubu taking

the coffin out of the grave.

BATMAN

No...

Panel 2 Batman struggles to fight his way out of the

ninjas.

BATMAN

You won't take him!

Panel 3 Ubu hoists the coffin over one shoulder.

UBU

Come and get him, Detective.

Panel 4 Batman fights towards Ubu as ninjas surround him

BATMAN

YOU WILL NOT TAKE HIM FROM ME

AGAIN!

Panel 5 Ninjas pin Batman down

Panel 6 Ubu puts the coffin onto a truck.

Panel 7 Batman bursts out of the ninjas.

Page 8

Panel 1 Batman glares at the ninja

BATMAN

You-

Panel 2 Batman starts taking down the ninja

BATMAN

Won't-

Panel 3 As he's fighting, Ubu starts the truck

BATMAN

Take-

Panel 4 Batman tosses a bunch of ninja onto the

gravestones

BATMAN

Him-

Panel 5 Batman's too late, the truck is down the road.

BATMAN

Again...

Panel 6 Batman stands silent, surrounded by the

unconscious and fleeing ninjas.

Page 9

Panel 1 Batman kneels

BATMAN

No...

Panel 2 Batman has his head in his hands

BATMAN

She took him from me...again.

Panel 3 The truck drives to a private landing strip

Caption Kane County Private Airport

Panel 4 Talia stands by a plane

TALIA AL GHUL

Do you have him?

Panel 5 Ubu gets out.

UBU

Yes, your highness.

Panel 6 Talia looks at the coffin, her distorted

reflection in the brass

TALIA AL GHUL

Hello my son, you'll be among the

living soon enough.

Panel 7 Talia turns to Ubu

TALIA AL GHUL

Set our course for Nanda Parabat!

UBU

Right away.

Page 10

Panel 1 The spires of Nanda Parabat, a long procession is

walking through the gates. We can see the coffin being

carried, along with another wrapped bundle.

Caption Nanda Parabat, The Shifting City

MONK

(inside the big temple)

You understand, Lady Al Ghul...

Panel 2 The interior of the temple. Talia and a monk look

at the coffin.

MONK

It is not as easy as your dread

father planned.

Panel 3 The decayed remains

MONK

(off panel)

The body is too far gone...

Panel 4 Talia motions to the wrapped bundle

TALIA AL GHUL

That's why we brought this...

Panel 5 It is unwrapped, it is a clone of Damian,

accelerated to age 10...the age he died

TALIA AL GHUL

It will be the vessel to house my

son's spirit!

MONK

An uncanny likeness...

TALIA AL GHUL

A perfect genetic replica...You

will bring him back...

Panel 6 The monk points to the waters of the Fountain of

Essence

MONK

Place them in there.

Page 11

Panel 1 Ubu and more guards place the bodies in.

MONK

Oh Great Goddess...

Panel 2 The bodies are submerged

MONK

Grant life to this one...

Panel 3 Talia is weeping

MONK

Taken before his time

Panel 4 We see a knife in Talia's hand.

MONK

May he rise now with the offering

of blood. Lady Talia...

Panel 5 Talia sacrifices the monk

TALIA AL GHUL

It never specified WHOSE blood.

Your part is done...

Page 12

Panel 1 The monk's blood slips into the water

TALIA AL GHUL

(off panel)

Now you shall aid in bringing my

son back to me.

Panel 2 The bones of Damian crumbles into dust as the

blood touches it.

Panel 3 Talia and Ubu stand back as a light rises from

the decaying bones.

Panel 4 The light enters the clone body in the same spot

where he was killed.

Panel 5 The water bubbles.

Panel 6 The eyes of the unconscuous clone open.

Page 13

Panel 1 FULL PAGE PANEL. The reborn Damian Wayne screams

as he is returned to the living

DAMIAN WAYNE

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Page 14

Panel 1 Damian is freaked out.

TALIA AL GHUL

(off panel)

Damian...

Panel 2 He turns, terrified

TALIA AL GHUL

Come to Mother...

Panel 3 Damian instead runs for the door.

Panel 4 Talia turns to Ubu

TALIA AL GHUL

STOP HIM! BRING HIM BACK!

UBU

Yes, my lady.

Panel 5 Damian runs out the door and sees he's in Nanda

Parabat.

Panel 6 He runs naked through the city, chased by Ubu.

Panel 7 Damian runs out of the warm city onto the icy

glacier.

Panel 8 He runs and runs.

Page 15

Panel 1 Damian stops to breathe.

Panel 2 Ubu cold cocks him

UBU

Sorry, your highness, it is for

your own good.

Panel 3 Ubu picks Damian up from the snow.

Panel 4 Damian wakes up...

Caption Later...

DAMIAN WAYNE

Huh...

Panel 5 Damian sees he's dressed in his old attire, in a

well appointed room that is also his cell.

Caption Location Unknown

DAMIAN WAYNE

Where the hell am I?!

Panel 6 Damian looks down at his gut.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Last thing I remember...

Panel 7 Damian remembers being stabbed by the Heretic!

Page 16

Panel 1 Damian freaks out.

DAMIAN WAYNE

I should be dead! I was killed!

Father held me in his arms!

Panel 2 Realization, the cell door opens behind him.

DAMIAN WAYNE

She must have brought me back.

Panel 3 Talia stands in the door.

TALIA AL GHUL

What else would a mother do for her

son?

DAMIAN WAYNE

You could have respected my

decision.

TALIA AL GHUL

You are my son, and you will do as

you're told.

DAMIAN WAYNE

I want to be returned to Father; I

must be at his side.

Panel 4 Talia confronts her reborn son

TALIA AL GHUL

Out of the question.

DAMIAN WAYNE

You cannot keep me here, Mother. I

am not an Al Ghul, I'm a Wayne.

TALIA AL GHUL

You are the heir to Ra's Al Ghul,

and you will not get out of my

sight again. When you are less

petulent, we will resume your

training from where you left off

before you joined your father.

DAMIAN WAYNE

I'd rather be trained by him!

TALIA AL GHUL

You will NEVER see him again. And

you will sit here until you come to

your senses.

Panel 5 Talia turns to go.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Does Grandfather know that you

brought me back.

TALIA AL GHUL

No.

Panel 6 Damian smirks, Talia looks back.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Wonder how he'll react, once he

finds out.

TALIA AL GHUL

He won't. Now, I will send someone

up with supper in four hours. Think

upon your duties.

Panel 7 Talia leaves, slamming the door.

DAMIAN WAYNE

My duties are with my father. Drake

has probably burned down half of

Gotham without me there to clean up

the mess...And what happened to my

internal dialogue?!

Page 17

Panel 1 Damian sits as the sun sets.

Panel 2 Same location, a now empty plate is beside him as

night is seen outside.

Panel 3 Sunrise. Damian is stock still.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

So bored! Wish I had my katana. At

least now I don't blurt out my

thoughts!

Panel 4 The cell door creaks open.

Panel 5 Damian is suspiscious.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Mother, is this one of your tricks?

Panel 6 He pushes the door furher open

Panel 7 He looks one way down the cooridor.

Panel 8 He looks the other way.

Panel 9 Damian smiles

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

Freedom!

Page 18

Panel 1 Damian runs down the hall.

Panel 2 A security camera catches him

Panel 3 A security guard station. Ubu sees it on the

screens

UBU

His Highness is escaping...

Panel 4 Damian sees a crowd of ninjas waiting for him

UBU

(on PA)

Grab him, and return him to his

quarters. Otherwise, you will face

the Mistress's wrath!

Panel 5 Damian slides under one of the ninja's legs,

kicking him in the groin along the way.

Panel 6 Damian exits through a door as he's being chased.

Panel 7 Damian is now on a balcony.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Whoa.

Page 19

Panel 1 The stretch of Tokyo lies across the bay from the

rocky island fortess that Talia has set up.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Tokyo...haven't been here in a

while.

Panel 2 Damian sees the guards enter the balcony out of

the corner of his eye.

NINJA 1

Please return to your quarters,

your highness.

Panel 3 Damian looks at the harbor and the city.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

It's probably too far to swim to

the city.

Panel 4 He turns and faces the ninjas.

Panel 5 He grins.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

Doesn't mean I won't do it.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Give my farewells to my Mother.

Panel 6 Damian dives in.

NINJA 1

Sir, the boy has dived into the

harbor. What should we do?

UBU

(on comm)

Follow him you fool; a swim across

Tokyo Bay is child's play for the

Mistress's son!

Page 20

Panel 1 Damian climbs onto the docks of Tokyo

DAMIAN WAYNE

Made it.

Panel 2 He glares at an astonished kid.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(in Japanese)

What, you've never seen someone do

a swim that long before?

JAPANESE KID

Yeah, adults!

DAMIAN WAYNE

(*needs no translation)

TT

Panel 3 Damian wanders along the streets

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

I must get home to Gotham...

Panel 4 Damian steals clothes

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

And with Mother's men after me, I

must escape and soon.

Panel 5 Now dressed in more casual clothes, sunglasses

and a baseball cap, Damian walks the streets in a

wealthier part of Tokyo.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

I hopefully still have a hidden

cache with a fake passport around

here. What I need is money.

Panel 6 He sees a young athletic America man with sandy

blond hair wearing athletic clothes and carrying a gym bag

walking along the street.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

An American, probably an ex-pat

living in Japan to learn Martial

Arts. And he's probably wealthy

enough to do that without needing a

living if he lives around here.

He'll be the perfect mark.

Page 21

Panel 1 Damian follows the young man into an alley.

Panel 2 Damian reaches for the pocket containing the

wallet.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(narrating)

Almost...

Panel 3 The young man quickly grabs Damian and pins him

to a wall

YOUNG MAN

(in Japanese)

Who the hell are you?! Don't make

me call the police. I'm willing to

let you off with a warning...

DAMIAN WAYNE

(in Japanese)

Let go of me you creep!

YOUNG MAN

(in Japanese)

Creep?! You're the one trying to

pickpocket me!

DAMIAN WAYNE

(in Japanese)

I'm trying to go home!

YOUNG MAN

(in Japanese)

And where is that?

Panel 4 Damian struggles as the young man takes off his

hat and sunglasses.

DAMIAN WAYNE

(in Japanese)

Gotham!

YOUNG MAN

(laughing, in English)

Gotham?! That would be the-

Page 22

Panel 1 One page panel, the young man looks shocked as

lightning strikes.

YOUNG MAN

Impossible.

DAMIAN WAYNE

What do you mean?

YOUNG MAN

You...you're Damian Wayne. You're

supposed to be dead!

DAMIAN WAYNE

Well, guess you were wrong.

YOUNG MAN

What are you, some impersonator, a

zombie...

DAMIAN WAYNE

No, I'm the real deal; the superior

package.

YOUNG MAN

You? Superior? Look here my little

zombie...

Page 23

Panel 1 Big panel. Ninjas fill the alley now.

YOUNG MAN

Looking for you?

DAMIAN WAYNE

Yep.

YOUNG MAN

Don't tell me you're going to fight

them...

Panel 2 Damian attacks

DAMIAN WAYNE

Well I'm sick of running!

YOUNG MAN

You're going to get yourself

killed.

Panel 3 A ninja attacks the young man

YOUNG MAN

Or me killed.

Panel 4 The young man kicks the ninja away as Damian

breaks a ninja's arm and takes his sai.

Panel 5 Damian disarms another ninja as the young man

tosses a ninja into a dumpster.

Page 24

Panel 1 The young man flips off a wall and onto a ninja's

back. Damian kicks another ninja.

YOUNG MAN

Watch your 5 o'clock!

DAMIAN WAYNE

What are you doing here in Japan?

YOUNG MAN

Training.

DAMIAN WAYNE

For what?

Panel 2 The young man takes one ninja down with a punch

and another with a kick

YOUNG MAN

My health, and none of your

business. Where did you learn how

to fight?

DAMIAN WAYNE

My mother.

YOUNG MAN

Sounds like some woman.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Call her a bitch, I don't mind.

Panel 3 They each take out a ninja.

YOUNG MAN

You kiss your mother with that

mouth?

DAMIAN WAYNE

If you met her, you'd be calling

her worse things.

Panel 4 The alleyway is filled with ninja.

DAMIAN WAYNE

And she is really not giving her

"help" proper instruction.

Panel 5 The young man sees Damian is injured.

YOUNG MAN

You're hurt.

DAMIAN WAYNE

TT I'm fine.

Page 25

Panel 1 The young man kneels down.

YOUNG MAN

No, you're not. Cuts like that need

immediate attention.

DAMIAN WAYNE

What are you, some doctor?

YOUNG MAN

Maybe. Come, I'll take you to my

place.

Panel 2 Damian kicks the young man onto the wall

DAMIAN WAYNE

Keep away from me!

Panel 3 The young man stands up.

YOUNG MAN

I swear on my little brother's head

I will not do such a thing to you!

What do you take me for?

Panel 4 Damian smirks

DAMIAN WAYNE

A so called fighter who needs to

work on his form.

Panel 5 Damian turns serious.

DAMIAN WAYNE

But you did help back there...

Panel 6 The young man holds out his hand

YOUNG MAN

Come on, let's treat that wound.

Page 26

Panel 1 Damian and the young man enter the latter's

house.

YOUNG MAN

(calling)

Brighton!

Panel 2 A large man, obviously ex-military, enters and

looks astonished at his employer and his employer's guest.

BRIGHTON

What is it sir?

YOUNG MAN

Get your medical kit, this kid and

I were attacked. By ninja of all

things. And he's injured.

BRIGHTON

Well, you wanted excitement. And I

want to give you a once over too.

YOUNG MAN

Just hurry.

Panel 3 As Brighton goes to get the medical kit, Damian

turns to the young man.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Who are you anyway?

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

J. Bowden Hapgood, at your service.

DAMIAN WAYNE

TT That's an obvious fake name.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

Well, to protect those I care

about, that's all you're going to

know. Just call me "J".

Panel 4 Brighton enters with the medical kit as the boy

and the young man keep talking.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Five minutes on Google to figure

out who you are, and I'll have your

real name.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

You won't be able to.

BRIGHTON

Sir, I should take a look...

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

FINE!

Page 27

Panel 1 It's after dinner now, and it's obvious that

Damian ate a VERY large meal.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

Well, it's obvious your

ressurection has given you an

appetite.

DAMIAN WAYNE

The food was passable...thank you,

Brighton.

BRIGHTON

It was J who made it.

Panel 2 J looks pissed at Damian's remark

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

Anyways, we can't risk you staying

here; not with your mother looking

for you.

DAMIAN WAYNE

You are not taking me back to her.

Panel 3 Damian points a knife at J's throat. J just

stares him down.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

I know that. Which is why I will

personally take you back to Gotham.

DAMIAN WAYNE

You will?

Panel 4 Brighton looks confused.

BRIGHTON

We will?

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

Well, we certainly can't leave him

alone to die; and they will be

coming after us now that we've

helped him.

Panel 5 Brighton thinks

BRIGHTON

But, your training...

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

I think a few years abroad and

training in many places has been

sufficient.

DAMIAN WAYNE

What are you trying to be, a rich

boy MMA fighter?

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

Better than just lying around doing

nothing. And I'm certain you have

had your fill of that, little

zombie boy.

DAMIAN WAYNE

Don't call me that!

Panel 6 J stands.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

Besides, I'm getting a tad homesick

myself.

Page 28

Panel 1 J looks at Damian.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

So here's what I'm going to do.

Brighton and I will be returning

home, and we will drop you off in

Gotham along the way. However, we

need to make a few stops along the

way.

Panel 2 Damian listens with a sour expression

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

(off panel)

This will also help you as it will

keep your psycho mother guessing.

DAMIAN WAYNE

And what do you get out of it?

Panel 3 J looks right into Damian's eyes

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

The satisfaction of a good deed.

Panel 4 J stands and walks away

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

I will get you back to Gotham, you

little zombie brat, so you will be

safe with your daddy and out of my

hair!

Panel 5 Damian scowls

DAMIAN WAYNE

My father is a great man

Panel 6 J smirks, looking at Damian out of the corner of

his eye.

J. BOWDEN HAPGOOD

I know.

Panel 7 Brighton just sighs.

BRIGHTON

I'll show you to your temporary

quarters, Mister Wayne. After that,

I got to make arrangements.

Page 29

Panel 1 Talia is meditating as Ubu approaches.

TALIA AL GHUL

Yes?

Panel 2 Ubu kneels beside his mistress

UBU

We failed to get him, your

highness.

Panel 3 Talia doesn't move.

UBU

I'm sorry, Mistress

Panel 4 Talia stabs Ubu with a katana

TALIA AL GHUL

I have no pity for failures.

Panel 5 She turns to a screen, seven shadowy figures are

seen.

TALIA AL GHUL

You've seen the price of failure.

You seven will track my son and his

rescuer. You will return Damian

unharmed to me, kill his friend.

Page 30

Panel 1 Full page panel

SHADOWY FIGURE 1

We, The Seven Men of Death, will do

as you ask, Lady Talia.

Panel 2 Inset, Talia's grinning mouth

TALIA AL GHUL

Damian, you will listen to Mommy

before long...

Caption TO BE CONTINUED.