Who Is Batwing? DC Comics’ Bat-Family Character Explained

The Bat-Family is an ever-growing group of some of the most highly trained heroes in all of DC Comics. Headlined by the Dark Knight himself, it seems like Batman has recruited more heroes to his cause than the past few Justice League rosters combined. But while characters like Batgirl and Robin are popular enough to be well-known even by casual fans, some – like Batwing – get ignored, even when they bring a lot more to the table.

But who is Batwing, how did he become a vital part of the Bat-Family, and how do his powers, gadgets, and methods differ from his Gotham colleagues? More importantly, who was the original man behind the armored cowl, and who is the current version of what many call the Batman of Africa?

Springing from the events of the Grant Morrison penned series, Batman Incorporated, the original Batwing, David Zavimbe, hailed from the Democratic Republic of Congo and was recruited as the Batman of Africa by a Bruce Wayne who was looking to expand the reach and success of his war on crime across the globe. Coming from a harsh childhood that saw David lose both of his parents at a young age, he and his brother were roped into the violent reality of the world around them and were recruited into a vicious militia called the Army of Dawn as child soldiers. Though highly effective in his forced role as a soldier, David eventually accomplished the impossible, and was able to escape the brutal twist of fate thrust on him, soon taking up arms on the other side of the law as a police officer in the city of Tinasha.

When Batman announced his plans to install a trained Batman in as many places around the world as possible, David jumped at the chance and became the first black Batman, codenamed “Batwing.” While David did a commendable job protecting his city from the evil that sought to constantly destroy it, he eventually resigned from the position for personal reasons, allowing Luke Fox, son of Lucius Fox, to take up the mantle and improve on an already iconic character. Fans will remember Lucius Fox as the inventor who supported Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight film trilogy, played by Morgan Freeman, but he’s also the longtime CEO of Wayne Enterprises and a vital ally in Batman’s war on crime.

Now in the driver’s set of the new and improved high-tech Batwing armor – complete with limited gliding capabilities, invisibility-esque visual masking, infrared “Detective Vision” and more – Luke’s natural smarts and discipline in MMA fighting allowed him to continue David’s mission in Africa, eventually returning to Gotham City as a full member of the Bat-Family during the events of Batman Eternal and James Tynion IV’s Bat-Family-centric run on Detective Comics. In between his Batwing obligations, Luke juggles running his company and has even had a romantic entanglement with Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl.

Whether it’s the original Batwing, David Zivambe, or the second and current Batwing, Luke Fox, under the shiny metal armor of the Bat, Batwing is a unique and inspiring hero not just because the mantle is synonymous with being the first iteration of a black Batman, but also because of both wearers’ ability to efficiently and effectively carry out Batman’s mission in high-tech fashion. So while David might be retired and Luke still coming into his own, the mantle of Batwing will always be there for the right person to take up the fight.

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