Batman’s biological son seemed destined to become a villain not a hero, when he first arrived in the DC Universe. But that has all changed, now that Damian Wayne’s future has been revealed, giving him a new Batsuit that rewrites history forever.

Trained to be a killer by his mother and grandfather, Talia and Ra’s Al Ghul, Damian has battled a reputation as an unfit successor to the role of Batman ever since. Not only is the new Batsuit worn by Damian Wayne in DC’s future a massive change from his former future, but a design that may instantly be named one of Batman’s best designed suits, ever.

Damian Wayne Finally Gets A Batsuit As DC’s Future Batman

The New Batsuit Design Proves How Far Batman’s Son Has Come

Following the death of Batman in DC K.O.’s opening battle, Bruce Wayne’s consolation prize is a chance to meet all his former Robins, all grown up into the Batmen who one day replace him.

With artist Dan Mora’s designs for all four Batmen coming to DC K.O. Knightfight now unveiled, it’s Damian Wayne who delivers the biggest surprise.

When the modern Damian Wayne was introduced by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert in 2006, it wasn’t long before the aptly-numbered Batman #666 revealed the horrific future in which Damian claimed the mantle of Batman to save Gotham. The story, like Damian’s trench coated costume, was unforgettable.

The lack of a formal Batsuit was to be expected at the time, as well as the nightmarish events and deaths that would see Damian actually follow in Bruce’s footsteps. But much has changed in the nearly 20 years since then, with Damian slowly being shaped by the positive aspects of the Batman Family.

That altered, dare we say ‘improved’ destiny seems to be reflected in Damian’s new suit: keeping and highlighting the shoulder-based Bat insignia of his trench coat, adapted to a Batsuit more befitting a man without deep-seated hatred for the Batman legacy.

But even as this Mora design leaves questions about this specific Damian future, it also confirms that comparisons or connections to Batman v Superman‘s most shocking movie Batsuit can finally be finished, once and for all.

The Trench Coat Batsuit Now Belongs To Ben Affleck’s ‘Knightmare’ Alone

The Snyder Batsuit Was So Iconic It Was Brought Into The Comics, Too

There is no question that Damian Wayne technically incorporated a trench coat as a signature part of his Bat-uniform first, donning it a full decade before Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman attempted its own spin. Yet comparisons were unavoidable and, unfairly, saw Ben Affleck’s costume gain the advantage in their battle.

How else would you explain the Batman comics literally dressing Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman‘s Batsuit with their own explanation? And even Damian has seen his once-demonic trench coat opened to more closely resemble the Affleck version in the pages of Batman: Urban Legends (above).

Whether it is Mora’s intention, or that of DC editorial, introducing a new Batsuit achieves two major steps forward for the character. First, acknowledging that the question of “how Damian Wayne could become Bruce’s successor” has changed for the better. And second, giving him a new costume, evolved from his original, but entirely his own.

DC K.O. Knightfight #1 arrives on November 5, from DC Comics.