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monition : spoiler forwards forBatman : Urban fable # 8 !
WhileBatmanmay have train a large number of wards over the years , they ’re by and large on equal footing when it comes to combat . While every Robin excels at one particular matter such as deal - to - hand combat or detective work , usually they ’ve had a similar overall competency and amount of power . As ofBatman : Urban fable # 8 , however , DC has revealed one of Batman ’s Ward is probable to grow far more powerful than the respite , and it ’s none other than Duke Thomas , the Signal .
InBatman : Urban Legends # 8 ’s ' The Outsiders : The Fearful ' by Brandon Thomas and Cian Tormey , 30 age have passed after the events ofFuture commonwealth , and Gotham City is an apocalyptical pile lord over by Gothamites drive mad by Scarecrow . As one of the few subsister , the Signal embarks on a quest to fight back his way to the ruins of Arkham Asylum . Having become a knock-down mage since the events ofFuture State , Duke project on using the site of Arkham Asylum to conduct a ritual to broadcast thesoul of Black Lightningback in time to prevent the creation of the Fearful , a metahuman who secretes potent fear accelerator pedal from his pores , and dish as an accelerant to Scarecrow ’s plan to plunge Gotham into fear - drive anarchy . The ritual is successful , and Black Lightning go back in time , regroups with the Outsiders and convinces them to help him in his quest to alter the timeline .
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While already a potent metahuman , Duke ’s office only grows in the yearsfollowingFuture State , as he opens himself up to the mystic arts and thrives under pressure sensation . In this dark time to come , Duke maintain a someone - stealing leaf blade containing the soul of his dear friend , Black Lightning , and manages to learn magic , taking on the powerful demon familiar Teekl as an ally ( and steed . ) Duke also come into possession of something call a“Demon Arm,”which further increase his charming capabilities . Black Lightning himself states when explain his site to the present - 24-hour interval Outsiders that Duke has become“one of the world ’s most powerful mages . ”
The Signal is already being groomed by Batman to take his placeat the headspring of the Justice League , but now it ’s apparent that Duke is one of the most sinewy masses Batman has had the duty of breeding . While the Robins have their strengths and weakness , the Signal is the only one of Batman ’s apprentices who can boast fully - fledge metahuman ability ( his light - ground powers ) , and in the futurity it appear he ’ll add conjuring trick to his already horrendous arsenal . In the darkFuture Statetimeline , Bruce ’s other buddy also rear to the social occasion of a broken Gotham , but none with abilities or importance to rival Duke . While this future will hopefully be averted , illusion in the DC Universe depends on a raw aptitude ( hence whyBatman could n’t take it ) , and the fact that Duke could grow so proficient paint a picture he already has that in abundance .
As clock time passes and various originative team explore the full comprehensiveness and deepness of what the Signal can do , it appear that Gotham ’s aboriginal metahuman has the potential of becoming a Superman - floor hero . While most of Batman ’s proteges spend some as Robin , Duke Thomaswas one of the first under Bruce ’s lineal employment to forgo the red and gullible bird motif . In the closing , it appears thatthe Signalmay be the most herculean member ofBatman ’s family , supplementing his already telling metahuman abilities with charming powers , a lightning - powered Soultaker steel , and a wizard sidekick in DC ’s near futurity .
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