WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers forDC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #3!The sequel to the blood-drenchedElseworldsseries,DC vs. Vampires, seesBatwomanofficially join the fallen members of the Bat-Family as the war between the vampires and Earth-63’s dwindling human population rages on. With now eight core Bat-Clan members dead and at least nine issues remaining, thisElseworldstale is rapidly approaching the highest death toll the Bat-Family has ever faced, with only one other Earth surpassing it.
Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’sDC vs. Vampires: World War V#3 continues the three-sided war between the vampires, the human resistance, and Damian Wayne’s vampire guerrilla fighters, with tensions escalating afterDamian’s assassination of Vampire Queen Barbara Gordonin issue #1.
Among those seeking vengeance against Damian is the queen’s second-in-command, Wonder Woman, who killed Damian’s mother, Talia al Ghul, in issue #2 and nearly delivered the same fate to Alfred Pennyworth. Now in issue #3,Damian’s own second-in-command, the vampiric Kate“Batwoman”Kane, falls victim to the retribution of the other vampires.
Kate Kane Officially Dies In DC Vs. Vampires: World War V #3
Batwoman Sacrifices Herself to Save Robin From Black Adam, Raven, and Wonder Girl
World War V#3 sees Black Adam, Raven, and Wonder Girl Cassie Sandsmark—loyalists of the late vampire queen—set a trap for Robin, leading to a brutal battle between the two factions. The three super-powered vampires quickly gain the upper hand and capture Damian. However, before they can take him back to their headquarters,Batwoman intervenes, telling Robin to“cover up”before triggering a UV flashbang.The blast gives the duo a much-needed reprieve from the attacks of the vampire trio. But it soon becomes clear that Batwoman’s intervention came at an incredibly steep price.
Disoriented and lightly charred from the blast, Damian grumbles about the lack of warning before Batwoman set off the flashbang. He acknowledges, however, that it bought them at least a minute. Grabbing Kate’s hand, Damian urges her to get moving. But as Damian’s fingers close around hers,Kate begins to disintegrate into ash, revealing she was hit by the full force of the blast.The extra minute she bought Robin came at the ultimate cost—her life. Damian witnessing his only constant companion turn to ash in his hands is a heart-wrenching and emotionally grueling moment, making her loss all the more devastating for readers.
10 Saddest Deaths in DC Vs. Vampires (And Why They Should Have Lived)
DC vs. Vampires and its follow-up All-Out War have delivered many heartbreaks; with another sequel coming, here are the 10 saddest deaths so far.
Batwoman & Red Hood Sacrificed Themselves So Robin Could Live
Kate Kane’s Death Matches the Heartbreak of Jason Todd’s Tragic End
Batwoman’s sacrifice for Robin now mirrors Red Hood’sown. Fans who have followed the series from the beginning will remember Jason Todd making a similar choice to save his younger brother. InDC vs. Vampires#6, Damian, grieving Batman’s death, attacks Nightwing—who had just ripped Bruce’s heart out. Dick overpowers Damian, biting him and starting his transformation into a vampire. Despite knowing Robin will become one of the undead, Red Hood returns, battling both Wonder Woman and Nightwing to help Damian escape.The issue ends with Jason getting bitten and asking Green Arrow to shoot him, halting his own transformation and ending his life. In this way, two key Bat-Family members have now given their lives for Robin.
The Bat-Family Faces One of Its Biggest Death Tolls in ANY Continuity
DCeasedKilled Off 10 Core Bat-Family Members–DC Vs. VampiresIsn’t Far Behind
With Batwoman’s death, the toll inDC vs. Vampireshas reached 8, one of the highest for the Bat-Family in a single continuity, second only toDCeased, which had 10 deaths. With at least nine issues remaining, it’s possible the death toll could match or exceed that ofDCeased. So far, Bat-Family members who have died inDC vs. Vampiresinclude Bruce"Batman"Wayne, Tim"Red Robin"Drake, Jason"Red Hood"Todd, Duke"Signal"Thomas, Selina"Catwoman"Kyle, Dick"Nightwing"Grayson, Barbara"Batgirl"Gordon, and Kate"Batwoman"Kane.
The remaining Bat-Family members still alive include Luke"Batwing"Fox, Helena"Huntress"Bertinelli, Stephanie"Spoiler"Brown, Alfred Pennyworth, Damian"Robin"Wayne, and Cassandra"Black Bat"Cain. With plenty of time and characters left, it’s likely this series could surpass the death toll ofDCeased, making it the continuity with the most Bat-Family deaths. Aside from Duke Thomas and Luke Fox, who didn’t appear inDCeased, only Cassandra Cain and Alfred Pennyworth survived to the end of the zombie apocalypse series. Hence, it will be interesting to see who survivesDC vs. VampiresElseworldsand who joinsBatwomanin the grave.
This article focuses on continuities in which Bat-Family deaths play a significant role or occur on-page within the narrative. Hence, it excludesElseworldsor storylines where members' deaths are merely implied or where a blanket statement of death is given for the entire Bat-Family, such as in theKingdom Comecontinuity.
DC Vs. Vampires: World War V #3is available now from DC Comics!
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
