References: Son of Batman (Movie)

Son of Batman (Review) is the second movie set entirely within the DC Animated Movie Universe and the first movie in the Batman series of movies. Though it takes place after the events of Justice League: War (References), it does not reference any other movie in the DC Animated Movie Universe. The events of this movie directly lead to the “Nightwing and Robin” animated short and the Batman vs. Robin movie.

The majority of this movie is based on the Batman and Son (Review) comic book story arc. Besides this, only small references are made to other comics.

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DC Animated Movie Universe References

• Though this movie takes place sometime after Justice League: War (References), Son of Batman does not make any references to other movies in the DC Animated Movie Universe.

Comic Book References

• This entire film is loosely based on Batman #655-658. These issues reveal that Damian exists, depict his first meeting with Batman, and hint at his role in the legacy of the al Ghul family. However, the events of these comics are dramatically changed for this movie.
• Batman and Talia’s meeting references the night Damian was conceived. This event has been referenced and altered throughout DC Comics history. It started as an alternate-universe story from Batman: Son of the Demon, which depicted the event as consensual. It was incorporated into the main DC Universe and retconned to be nonconsensual in a flashback from Batman #656. Finally, it was retconned and made consensual once again in the Robin Rises: Omega special issue, collected in Batman and Robin Vol. 6: The Hunt for Robin (Review). These alterations are likely why the movie is unclear about what happened on that night.
• Killer Croc’s advanced stage of mutation is somewhat similar to his character’s role in Batman #608 and #610, collected in Batman: Hush.
• Other elements from this movie, such as Damian’s growing empathy, his developing friendship with Dick Grayson, and his ascension to the mantel of Robin are mostly seen in the Batman and Robin series. This series began with Batman and Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn.

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