Batman: Son of the Demon

Ra's al Ghul Saga #1

by Mike W. Barr, Jerry Bingham (Illustrator)

Box AA

Genres: Comics, Batman, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

80 pages, Comic

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

Mike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels. Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 (Dec. 1974-Jan. 1975), for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man. Another Elongated Man story followed in Detective Comics #453 (November 1975). He wrote text articles and editorial replies in letter columns for the next few years. By mid-1980 he was writing regularly for both DC and Marvel, including stories for Marvel Team-Up, Mystery in Space, Green Lantern, and various Batman titles.

Legion of Super-Heroes #277 (July 1981) saw him take on editorial duties at DC, while writing issues of DC's Star Trek comic, for whom he created the native American character Ensign Bearclaw and a pacifist Klingon named Konom. In December 1982, he and artist Brian Bolland began Camelot 3000, a 12 issue limited series that was one of DC Comics' first direct market projects. In August 1983, Barr created what may well be his most enduring work, the monthly title Batman and the Outsiders with art by Jim Aparo. Barr wrote every issue of the original series, and its Baxter paper spinoff, The Outsiders.

His other comics work includes Mantra and Maze Agency as well as the 1987 OGN hardcover book Batman: Son of the Demon (with art by Jerry Bingham), proceeds from which reputedly "restored DC Comics to first place in sales after fifteen years." This title, and Barr's work on Batman with artist Alan Davis have been cited by Grant Morrison as key inspirations for his recent (2006) run on the Batman title.

In 2007, he wrote a two-part story for the pages of DC's JLA: Classified (#47-48, Jan-Feb 2008), returned to the Outsiders with Outsiders: Five of a Kind—Katana/Shazam #1 (Oct 2007), contributed to Tokyopop's Star Trek: The Manga, and relaunched Maze Agency at IDW Publishing. He has also scripted many of Bongo Comics' Simpsons titles, including a Christmas story for 2010.

In May 2010, the Invisible College Press published Barr's science fiction/fantasy novel, Majician/51, about the discoveries of a scientist working at Area 51.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Son of the Demon is another episode of Batman and his mad in-laws, the Al-Ghul’s. He may get to plow the mega-hawt Talia but he’s gotta put up with his mental father-in-law’s ravings about wiping out humanity over dinner – the things we do to wet our beaks, eh? And what’s that – the pitter-patter of tiny feet? Will Batman finally cheer up??

This one’s actually not a bad comic. The more I read of Mike Barr’s Batman, the more surprised I am that it’s not the absolute garbage I keep expecting. I think I just got off on the wrong foot with him by starting with one of the worst Batman books ever written, Year Poo Two!

Son of the Demon definitely has its flaws. Batman and Ra’s are forced into a contrived alliance because of a forgettable one-dimensional and disposable villain called Qayin (pronounced “Cain”), whose origin was corny and silly. The plot is like a weak James Bond knockoff with the elaborate lairs, squads of hired goons and the doomsday weather machine, while the dead scientist murder mystery subplot was plain crap and pointless. But Batman’s antics make this fairly readable and it was interesting to read the book that years later inspired Grant Morrison to create Damian Wayne.

Jerry Bingham’s art was so impressive and made the book for me. The lines are precise, the pictures are detailed, the layouts are eye-catching, the colours are subtle but effective – Bingham is an enormously talented and skilful artist whose pages are really beautiful. And Talia’s never looked more smokin’ than she does here, all thanks to this dude! The art is by far this comic’s best feature.

Son of the Demon is a decent Batman book, in large part thanks to Jerry Bingham’s exceptional art rather than Mike Barr’s shaky writing. It’s no must-read but not intolerable and might be worth checking out for fans who see it in the liberry.

[marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

brutalia angst you will always be loved by me…

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 stars.
I read this years ago and I’m not surprised I really only remembered the Talia bits.
Definitely didn’t remember the weather controlling satellite!

We see a different Batman here. One who is open to having a wife and a life outside of Gotham.

But alas, with factors outside of the Dark Knight’s control, the life he could’ve had remains just out of reach.

I’m a little disappointed we don’t get any information about the League of Assassins. It would’ve been cool to see BM learn more about the organisation he (briefly) becomes commander of.

The art was good! Although, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I probably should have because I was just trying to get through the story.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman teams up with Ra's al Ghul to stop a James Bond villain named Qayin (pronounced Cain. This drove me nuts.) Batman gets it on with his "beloved", Talia. This comic is where Grant Morrison got the idea of Damian Wayne from. The writing feels a bit dated at times but the art is wonderful. Jerry Bingham draws a great Batman and his wife's subtle use of colors only enhances the art.

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an interesting story concept, whatever the DC editors decide to do with it. But some particulars of the Batman, Talia, and Ra's al Ghul team-up make the character of Batman feel extremely compromised. It doesn't feel right to me when Batman fights alongside guys toting machine guns who mow down the opposition, even if they are just a bunch of flunkies.

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman: Son of the Demon is a story of love and loss, but isn't as touching as it intends to be.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this. My biggest issue with it was my dislike of Talia- it got the point where every time she called Batman 'Beloved' I rolled my eyes. But I liked the rest of it!

[Ｆｒａｎｋｈ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I really did enjoy reading this, to be honest. In reflection, it has everything I liked about a Batman comic book that should make me enjoy it. One, it has Ra's Al Ghul and everything with Ra's is always something I welcome (and more often than not, something awesome always happens with him around). Second, it has Batman/Bruce Wayne dealing with a situation where things are getting personal for him and I have to read him cope with them with the strength and integrity I have always admired about him. Third, these two things are basically the highlights of this eighty-paged story.

How could I ask for more? Let's not forget we also have Talia Al Ghul whom I still do not have any sort of strong attachment to. I don't despise her but I'm not that fond of her either. That means her presence in the story hardly did anything for me--that was until the last page where I sort of respected her more.

Batman: Son of the Demon is unexpectedly a story about families. Sure, the title is an indication but the events that happened within still came as a shock to me. The focal point of the story is to show Batman/Bruce Wayne in more grounded and humane terms where we see him long to form a stronger connection with people--and he found so in the most unlikely places: in the arms of Talia who had always seen him as more than just a man underneath a mask; and her father, his supposedly arch-nemesis, whose ideals might conflict those that Bruce Wayne possess as Batman, but is probably the closest person who can understand best the meaning and message of his own one-man crusade in Gotham City. These two people have always been at odds with Batman but they also admire and respect Bruce Wayne as a person with convictions.

On his part, Bruce is still and will always be that kid who watched his parents' murder, and though he has turned that trauma and grief into something immensely heroic and noble, he knows that it's also for a steep price. While reading this comic book, I truly get the sense that Bruce wants to have a normal life in spite of the obligations that his calling as the Dark Knight entails. And being with the Al Ghuls has given him the opportunity to be a part of that social construct again.

I really liked the approach for this story. I really believed Ra's alliance and friendship with Bruce is genuine and it's quite refreshing to see them work together to track down a common enemy (a villain that served the plot well enough but he didn't stand out to me that much). Talia's interactions with Bruce did not make me cringe or anything. I appreciate the reason for their coupling and affectionate treatment for each other most especially when SPOILER SPOILER she announced that she's pregnant with his child. I was joyous for Bruce at that moment. The possibility of being a parent; to have that chance to be a part of a family again, was something I know Bruce as a man and a human being dreams of, even if his life ever since becoming Batman has been plagued by nightmares.

I'm going to start discussing the resolution of this comic book now so don't proceed unless you wouldn't mind the spoilers.

Grant Morrison created Damian Wayne based from this plot point in Son of the Demon, I believe, but the infant here for this story was left unnamed. Talia also made that heartfelt yet devastating decision to make Bruce believe that she had a miscarriage so she can send off the baby to a couple who will raise him and make him (as Bruce wanted "the happiest child in the world"). Talia knew the complicated life she lives as an Al Ghul, and Bruce's dangerous vigilante lifestyle, and knew that the best chance their child has is to be away from all that madness and violence. It certainly broke my heart and it's probably the most honorable thing Talia Al Ghul ever did on my book. I did enjoy the story for this angle but the plot concerning the villain was really more like a backdrop for me, something to keep the story moving to action-oriented directions while a more personal story is being developed alongside it.

Overall, Son of the Demon is a great story, filled with some lightness and optimism within that one would not expect from a Batman comic book.

RECOMMENDED: 7/10


[DO READ MORE ABOUT MY BATMAN REVIEWS IN http://batman-comics-geek.blogspot.com/]

[Ill D · Rating 2 out of 5]

1987 was a momentous year for the world. Whether it was the Iran-Contra affair, Wrestlemania III, or even the introduction of the Loonie in America’s hat, there was a lot going on. And the goings on of the comic world were no different. For this year saw the publication of the industry’s beloved Michael Barr’s latest Batman yarn, “Son of the Demon.” But does it hold up to its contemporaneous happenings? Probably not.

Striking an uneven balance between atmospheric illustrations that disappointingly only seem to border on the realm of the abstract and character depictions that are generally un-detailed, this mish-mash of the meh and the mediocre well portends the rest of the series as just another forgettable narrative in the Batman mythos.

When a typical terrorist stick-up is broken up by the Caped Crusader, the mystery deepens unto something far more conspiratorial. Yet, only branched out via the mistiest of connectives, we as the audience are unable to piece the story together for ourselves. Completely dependent on the steering of the author, Son of the Demon is a one-sided affair.

So when known-knowns such as Ras and his daughter Talia are brokered unto the tale, we’re unable to create any emotional connection to them. Merely representing their archetypes in a purely holographic fashion, their ensuing, corollary cardboard cut-out-esque neo-villains, such as Q, can barely obfuscate their flimsy characterizations let alone any motivations that are only slightly thicker than the paper thin ink on the pages of which it as been published.

This leaves us with a jumbled mess that is fragmented as it is unpleasant to read. Just like the visuals themselves, the story never finds a solid footing, so its unsurprising when the internal narrative in-cohesively spools from action to pages of boring expository dialogue and back again. Without a smooth flow energy, we can barely surf uponst the choppy waves of the author’s sick design.

We’ve got a real wipe-out here folks.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 stars. A good solid Batman story featuring one of my favorite Batman villains, the immortal Ras Al Ghul. Not the best, but a decent effort and worth the read.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman is the original dark & scary hero. From the beginning, he chose an image intended to strike fear in the hearts of criminals.

So it's natural for writers to experiment a bit, seeing how close to the edge they can take Batman. Dark but never evil... Driven but never crazy... Dangerous but never erratic...

And this is exemplified in the tendency for Batman to fall for female villains. It's strange - he's not going to think that the Joker would make a good person to have poker games with, so why would Catwoman be a good partner for a romance?

Anyways, this book deals with Talia - my favorite of Batman's female "villains" (or is she really a villain?). Her father (Ra's al Ghul) makes a fascinating villain for the same reason: Batman certainly can't condone his tactics, but is Ra's really a villain? You will have to decide for yourself in this book.

But this book is actually not true Bat-canon. Batman doesn't really act like Batman in this book. Batman should never willingly team up with a partner who shoots the common enemy dead. Also, Batman falls for Talia to the extent that it appears he is ready to discontinue his life in Gotham and just be by her side.

One of the most appealing aspects of this book is the doomed nature of Batman and Talia's relationship. Will he realize that he cannot be at his best while part of his mind is worrying about her safety? Or will she? The book deals with that dilemma most effectively, but the rest of the plot is satisfying as well.

Recommended for longtime Batman fans. Newcomers may get a bit confused at Batman's actions and motives throughout this book...

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Batman story. Ras A' Gul is the best Batman villain to me, far surpassing the Joker. Very Recommended

[Dr Rashmit Mishra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well the good ol' silver age of comics , filled with needless panels of over the top violence , sexually suggestive female characters (& this one had a suggestive intercourse panel as well) and of course the way over the top plot with cold war era subterfuge also on display .

This was a 90 pages long book and the first 30 or so pages were simply excellent , the book was good when it displayed Batman fighting goons and doing detective work , but it soon dives into a plot line that saw Batman readily accepting to be part of the league of shadows and just jumping (hehe) on the opportunity to marry Talia

This followed pages upon pages of Batman acting like an self entitled jerk finishing with an very unimaginative final act with a hand on hand fist fight and Batman non regrettably killing someone . Woo hoo

Basically the first third of the book was good , 2nd third was boring and the final act was very uncharacteristic of Batman , even for the time of the book's release . The art was typical of silver age comics and nothing to really write home about . Overall , i didnt enjoy this

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hit and miss, I think, but for the most part, it's a hit with me. The premise is really to set up Batman and his arch-nemesis, Ra's al Ghul as allies in defeating a common enemy, mainly the latter's, known as Qayin.

Meanwhile Ra's' daughter, Talia and Bruce rekindle their romance (such as it is) and consummate their "marriage". Surely enough, Talia is with child soon after, leaving Bruce to consider his true priorities, and giving Talia no other choice but to do as she knows is right.

I'm not exactly repulsed by the Talia/Batman relationship; I can very well see the attraction there is between them, but it's all it is really. Certainly Batman doesn't really consider Talia his equal, not when she's always her father's puppet, and she is constantly torn between her loyalties to her father and to her "beloved". Admittedly it's kind of easy to forget that Bruce isn't a loveless, sexless being—he is a man, after all (but let's not get into the whole arrested development idea). I was happy, albeit wary, that Bruce seemed to have found some comfort and love with Talia. This happiness is short-lived, not surprisingly. It's a rather poignant end.

Anyhow, this is a nice (and dated, if the Cold War overtones are any indication) little story of Batman's relationships with the al Ghuls that has now been retconned in the current canon. The art is easy on the eye too—the sequences flow really quite nicely, better than they usually are now!

[Max's Comic Reviews and Lists · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had heard a little about this story and it’s importance to the Batman Mythos. A lot of people have this story in their top ten lists for Batman. Also after reading this book I will say my favourite part of it was the art. The penciling and colouring done in this book is really spectacular. If I look past the fact that a lot of people love this story and the awesome art, I’m not a big fan. To me this book was kind of like Batman Venom. This isn't better than Venom but it had the same weird and wrong feel to it. While reading the beginning of this book I was loving it. As soon as the book introduces the cartoony-ass forgettable villain the story really went down hill. It’s a quick read so some things feel rushed, and just like venom, Batman changes for the worst. He stays in the Batsuit 98% of the book so that made it awkward, and he was so focused on this one of the main aspects of the story he gotpretty annoying. That aspect of the story isn't good either. Batman changes
so quickly into someone long time Batman writers should know he would
never ever become. No strings attached is something essential for what he does,
but his motivations flip in an instant. One more thing that absolutely baffled me was
a decision Batman makes with Ras Al Ghul that goes against every thing the
character of Batman stands for. Everything. Just like Batman Venom this
book is just a few flaws away from being resented all together. Letter Grade: (-D)

[Ramsey Hootman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Possibly my least favorite Batman story ever. What gets me is the emotional importance of the subject matter - and Barr just ruins every single moment. The action storyline involving some villain who wants to gain control of a weather-making satellite is decent. All the threads come together at the end. But when it comes to the romance between Batman and Talia... ugh, it's just awful. Really, really awful. I have no idea how DC could have taken such a pivotal point in Batman's history (having a child with Talia!) and just tossed it away.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting view on Talia and Batman's relationship as well as his strange relationship with R'as al Ghul. Batman ends up teaming up with R'as and Talia to take down a terrorist who goes by the name of Qayin and has a nasty history with R'as. The focus is definitely on Talia and Batman's on and off again relationship and it really makes you feel for both characters. It's not my favorite Batman comic but I really enjoyed it and it's definitely a must-read for Batman fans.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A random Batman graphic novel from our shelves. It kind of feels like it is showing a bit of age. Not sure what we were thinking when we bought it. Though Talia and Ra's al Ghul is a plus. Basically a James Bond plot, with a weather satellite and everything. Batman and the hostages rings true. Batman and the Demon maybe a little less. Okay art. Decent enough writing. But nothing fantastic.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A bit different take on Batman, which, in 2025, feels dated…although that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

In fact this Cold War-esque tale actually is a decent read as it’s relatively short, well-paced, and shows a side of Batman that we don’t usually see. Aside from the fact that he either indirectly kills bad guys or a doesn’t stop others from doing so, we also get to see Bruce genuinely happy when he finds out he knocked up Talia, daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul…a storyline that would take nearly 20 years to come to fruition with Grant Morrison. (And, full disclosure, even though I hate what Morrison did with Batman’s future son, I give credit to him for going way back in canon to do something different).

I wouldn’t say this one is truly memorable or something that rocked the DC universe (not like Death in the Family anyways), it’s still an interesting piece of Batman lore.

[مصطفي سليمان · Rating 2 out of 5]

حبكة ضعيفة للغاية
احداث مبالغة بها للغاية وتصعيد غير مفهوم و تعاون غير منطقي مع رأس الغول
يمكن الجزء الوحيد المفضل فكرة قصة أصل رأس الغول وحتي تطورها يعني مكنش فيه اي اضافة حقيقة
وبعدين قلبت بقي ب أفورة تماما وسياسة و روس بقي و تحكم بالطقس و اجواء عجيبة الصراحة
الميزة الأكبر الرسم و الالوان

دا أفضل شئ

[Aqeel Khalid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything about Batman feels wrong in this book. This isn't like any incarnation of Batman I've ever read, and that severly hurts the book.

[Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a bad story.
It started as a good one shot with lots of potential, but it didn't live up to it.
2,5 stars

[nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

brutalia they could never make me hate you

[OmniBen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review) 4.25/5
A wonderful testament to the past narrative glories of this fantastic character, and the talented men and women who helped being him to life. A slightly underwhelming third act aside, this could and should be more lauded than The Dark Knight Returns, whose popularity has always somewhat mystified me. Jerry Bingham's artwork is nothing short of sublime. Showing off the former splendor of this medium in a way that makes so much of modern day comics look like chickens scratching in the dirt for errant seed. If there was any justice, this would get a deluxe edition, rather than the endless parade of modern Batman garbage foisted upon us.
Mike W Barr's script is just tailor made for someone of equal talent to turn this into a screenplay. I wouldn't be surprised if it was written with that in mind. Sure, the lack of a Gotham setting may be a strange choice for a Batman movie, but with a few tweaks here and there, don't tell me this couldn't be a spectacular Batman/action thriller. It's also pretty sure the comics code wasn't involved with this one. I'm not sure I've seen Batman so bold and bloody.
A stronger third act would have seen this receive full marks. Given the multiple modern Batman omnibus' I've read recently, which have been monumentally disappointing affairs, Batman: Son of the Demon was the breath of fresh air I sorely needed. After reading this, you will despise how DC have wasted the character of Talia Al Ghul since. Really bloody good stuff. 4.25/5


OmniBen.

[Cosmin Leucuța · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible, not great.
Aveam impresia ca povestea asta trebuia să fie ceva mai intensă de atât. N-a fost.
E doar povestea în care Batman se căsătorește și face un copil cu Thalia Al Ghul. Spre final ea îi spune că l-a pierdut, dar tragedia e răsturnată în cap în ultimele pagini, când un cuplu random se trezește la ușă cu un copil random (wink-wink). Și atât.
În afară de relația (și căsătoria) complet random și bruscă dintre Bruce Wayne și Thalia Al Ghul, rezultând în sarcina femeii, nu-i nimic notabil aici.
Antagonistul e standard, grafica la fel. Nu prea există tensiune... idk, nu m-a dat pe spate.

[Eddie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike Barr earned here the right to be given a second chance. So I'll read his story "Fear The Reaper" and pretend to forget that the marketing people decided to give it the title "Batman Year Two".

[Hális Alves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barr acidentalmente escreveu um roteiro breguíssimo de James Bond para Batman e não deu certo. A parte boa da história se deve às cores incríveis de Bingham.

[Blake Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect read for Batman Day!

I think the relationship Batman has with the Al Ghul's is so interesting. I really need to read more arcs with that trio.

[dmerey · Rating 3 out of 5]

i hate them. i hate them so fucking much. wdym “ive tried to forget you, god knows, but i cant. i never could. i never will.” WDYM STOPP 😭😭😭😭

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good for a dated story.