Something absolutely huge happens to Damian Wayne in today’s issue of Batman Incorporated! And I know people throw around terms like ‘finest hour’ all the time, but this issue really is Damian Wayne’s finest hour! And not just because he punches children.

Take that, children!

I’m not going to spoil the big surprise here in the opening, even if it’s been spoiled everywhere else. You can click the jump to find out what happens. But for now, I just want to say that Batman Incorporated #8 is a fantastic issue! I’ll review it like normal in my Hench-Sized Reviews, but since this is Robin Week, I wanted to do something special so that everybody could share in the awesomeness that is Damian Wayne’s Finest Hour.

Join me after the jump. There are full spoilers for Batman Incorporated #8!

I never liked Damian Wayne. He was arrogant, snotty and stank too much of being Grant Morrison’s pet character. He also shoved Tim Drake out from being Robin, and Tim was my favorite Robin. So I pretty much hated Damian Wayne right from the start. But I will admit that the little punk has grown on me. He’s clearly got a good heart, and when he was teamed up with Dick Grayson as Batman, they were a really amazing Dynamic Duo.

And sure enough, wouldn’t you know it, but I have never liked Damian Wayne more than in his final appearance in Batman Incorporated #8.

Damian dies a hero, defending the helpless and his fellow Robins from the evil henchman of his mother, Talia al Ghul.

All children will suffer at the hands of Damian Wayne!

But seriously, Damian is just awesome in this issue. It starts with the picture I posted at the top, of Damian in his Rocket Robin costume racing to the rescue. He defeats the forces of Leviathan and takes out the armed guards in the lobby of Wayne Tower. He even beats up more children. They were trying to kill Red Robin and the poor receptionist Ellie.

From there, Damian has an absolutely stellar scene with Nightwing when he shows up to lend a hand.

Why did Bruce Wayne have to come back?

Damian just wants to help. Batman is being held prisoner by Talia, who is busy taunting the Dark Knight while her minions prepare a bomb down in the lobby of the building. Batman told Robin to stay back at the Batcave, but Damian disobeyed orders and leaped into the fray, because he wants to help and he thinks he can reach his mother, get her to stop all of this.

Unfortunately, Talia is too busy with Batman, and Damian is confronted by her henchman – who just happens to be an adult clone of Damian. Comics, amiright? Anyway, Damian faces off against his clone after the villain has already knocked out Nightwing. Damian is the only one standing in his way…and it does not go well for our hero.

The fight is brutal, but it gives Ellie a chance to grab the bomb and sneak away.

Batman is finally able to break out of Talia’s clutches, but he’s too late…

Much too late.

Just waiting for a Darth Vader style ‘NOOOOO!’

Oh man. Sadness! I never thought I’d actually mourn Damian, but he was amazing in this issue!

What did you guys think of Damian? What did you think of this issue? Let me know in the comments!