WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Robin #1, by Joshua Williamson, Gleb Melnikov and ALW's Troy Peteri, on sale now.
In the new Robin series, the Boy Wonder is engaged in a deadly tournament organized by the mysterious League of Lazarus. The tournament features a lineup of some of the DC Universe's greatest fighters. Here is what we know about every fighter so far.
Robin
Created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert, Damian Wayne has gone from the uncontrollable Heir of the Demon to Robin: Son of Batman. Having run from both of those legacies recently, Damian seeks the League of Lazarus and why both his parents kept its existence from him.
Flatline
Created by Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov for this series, Flatline claims she was trained by "the greatest fighters to ever die", as her powers allow her to absorb the experiences of those she's killed, taunting Robin that failure is the best teacher. Having added Damian Wayne to the list of those she's made flatline by the issue's end, Robin now knows better than to underestimate her.
Respawn
Also created for this series by Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov, Respawn's persona has the obvious influence of the fearsome fighter Deathstroke. However, whether or not Respawn was trained by Slade remains to be seen. Respawn's name may suggest a theme of resurrection in the tournament, which would explain why its organizer is named for the Lazarus pits.
Tigress
While the original Tigress was created by Fred Guardineer, this version, Artemis Crock, was created by Roy Thomas and Todd McFarlane in Infinity Inc. #34. Although known in the Young Justice animated series for being a hero, the character in the comics is a villain. The Secret Society of Supervillains helped get her into the tournament, having avoided Lady Shiva and only taking down Richard Dragon to get to Lazarus Island.
Raptor
Created by Tim Seeley and Javi Fernandez in Nightwing: Rebirth #1, Raptor was an agent of the Parliament of Owls that worked with Damian's former partner, Dick Grayson. Having developed Leprosy as a child, enduring the disease made the skin all over his body harden with callouses and caused his nerve endings to go numb, meaning that as he fights he feels no pain.
Nite-Wing
Created by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel in Nightwing #21, Nite-Wing is another character connected to Dick Grayson. Having read many comics as a child in Blüdhaven, Nite-Wing decided to become a vigilante like the real Nightwing. A brutal street fighter, Nite-Wing fights rough and looks for even the smallest reason to dish out his most punishing moves.
Battleaxe
Created by Mike W. Barr, Tony Bedard and Kevin Sharpe in Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana #2, Battleaxe's name gives away her weapon of choice. Specializing in close combat and reliant on her namesake, her two-headed axe, Battleaxe's style of fighting is one of the most vicious amongst these fighters. Having last been seen losing her head (literally) with the Suicide Squad, this may be another hint at the League of Lazarus's resurrection capabilities.
Lady Vic
Created by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel in Nightwing #4, Lady Vic is a ruthless and skilled fighter from a long line of soldiers and mercenaries. Her athletic prowess and martial arts skills put her above her fellow mercenary comrades, even having almost bested Nightwing before.
Ravager
Created by Marv Wolfman and Art Nichols in Deathstroke #15, Ravager has a closer connection to Deathstroke than the previously mentioned Respawn. As the daughter of Slade, Rose Wilson has had the chance to learn from one of the world's deadliest mercenaries as well as the Teen Titans, her former teammates. Possessing the same super serum in her veins as her father, Ravager is one of the tournament's toughest opponents. Like Damian, Rose has walked away from both her father and the Teen Titans, making her perhaps the only person in the tournament in the same position as Robin.
Double Dare
Created by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel in Nightwing #32, these sisters are a pair of former acrobats who have previously caused trouble on the streets of Blüdhaven. After leaving the circus behind, they moved from stealing for fun to killing for fun. This desire for more and more depraved forms of entertainment most likely explains their motivations for entering the Lazarus tournament.
Constantine Drakon
Created by Judd Winick and Phil Hester in Green Arrow #27, Drakon is a longtime foe of Green Arrow and considered to be one of the best martial artists in the world. He's previously bested fellow participant Connor Hawke in battle as well as Green Arrow. Having previously proven himself to be an unrelenting opponent to the Arrow Family, he's one of the tournament's most fearsome competitors.
Brutale
Created by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel in Nightwing #22, Brutale's history as an interrogator for Hasaragua's secret police has given him an unnerving proficiency in all forms of knives and blades. Having an arsenal of assorted sharp objects on his person at all times, he can deploy them in a variety of ways to ensure his victims face an all too painful defeat.
Black Swan
Created for this series by Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov, little is known about Black Swan at this time. With a Black Swan also meaning an unpredictable event with extreme consequences, the full extent of her skillset may come as a shock to her opponents.
Batman of Japan
Created by Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette in Batman Incorporated #1, Jiro Osamu was Batman's pick to become Mr. Unknown, the next Batman of Japan. The last that was seen of Jiro, he was still acting as part of Batman Inc. alongside the Dark Knight. Taking part in a tournament that involves fighting to the death may suggest a fall from grace for this international Batman.
Connor Hawke
Created by Kelley Pucket and Jim Aparo in Green Arrow #0, Connor Hawke is the son of Oliver Queen and a character who has been missing from the DCU since Flashpoint's universal reboot in 2011. His re-emergence in this series shows him working with the League of Shadows, who wish to use Connor as their champion to win the tournament and force the League of Lazarus to rejoin their ranks. Also the son of a billionaire vigilante, Connor is the mirror image of Damian in this tournament, although training with the League of Shadows may have made this former Green Arrow more brutal than the Boy Wonder.