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dc - Was there ever an Asian Batman?


Given the recent popularity of questions regarding various portrayals of Superman (as Asian or African American), I noticed that I don't remember ever hearing about an Asian Batman.


I know of the popular Bruce Wayne, an African-American one and even a Russian one, but has there ever been an Asian portrayal of the Bat? (Excluding the whole Chinese Justice League which is a more recent addition).



Answer



Yes! There are at least two (and a debatable other).



Robin Annual #3, "The Narrow Path" (1994) features a Japanese Robin trained under a Bat Ninja (not to be mistaken with the 2018 animated Batman Ninja, who's from Gotham). Unfortunately, this ninja only appears (and dies) in this issue, so not much is known of him.


Bat-Ninja


Granted, his armor is more reminiscent of those of the samurai, but he's described as a ninja.



the ninja whose sign is a bat



Batman of Shanghai (2012) would also qualify.


It was made by a Chinese animation studio, Wolf Smoke, and was included in the DC Nation shorts. It also features Chinese Catwoman and Chinese Bane.





It's apparently featured on the new DC universe website, but I can't access it since I'm not in the US.



A bit more debatable, but Damian may qualify. He's born to Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra's al Ghul, who depending on the versions is either Egyptian, or from somewhere in Arabia.



There are a few comics which deal with Damian becoming Batman. Up to oneself to decide if that's "Asian" enough, though it's highly possible that Damian has an US citizenship and not an Asian one. ("officially" speaking)


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