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{{Infobox comics character
| character_name = Duke Thomas
| image          = Duke_Thomas_(The_Signal)_Character_Model,_Jan_2018.png
| converted      = y
| caption        = Duke Thomas as depicted in ''Batman and The Signal'' (January 2018). Art by Cully Hamner.
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = '''As Unnamed Child:'''<br/>''Batman'' (vol. 2) #21 (New 52)<br/>(March 2014)<br/> '''As Duke Thomas:'''<br/>''Batman'' (vol. 2) #30 (New 52) <br/>(October 2014) <br/>'''As Robin:'''<br/>''[[We Are... Robin]]'' #1<br/>(May 2015)<br/>'''As The Signal:'''<br/>''Batman and The Signal'' #1<br/>(March 2018)
| creators       = [[Scott Snyder]] (writer)<br/>[[Greg Capullo]] (artist)
| full_name     = Duke Thomas
| alliances     = [[Batman supporting characters|Batman Family]]<br/>[[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]]<br/>[[Justice League]]
|species = [[Metahuman]]
| aliases       =  [[Robin (character)|Robin]]<br/>The Signal, Thomason 
| partners      = {{Unbulleted list|'''Batfamily partners:'''|[[Batman]]|[[Dick Grayson]]|[[Jason Todd]]|[[Damian Wayne]]|[[Cassandra Cain]]|'''Other hero partners:'''|[[Black Lightning]]|[[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]]|[[Hal Jordan]]|[[Lady Shiva]]}}
| powers        = {{collapsible list
| titlestyle     = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
| title = ''See list''
|
* Photokinesis
* Umbrakinesis
* Photokinetic Vision
* Advanced electromagnetic spectrum vision
* Telescopic vision
* Microscopic vision
* X-ray vision
* Retrocognition
* Precognition
* Invisibility 
* Rapid healing
* Skilled hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist
* Genius-level intellect
* Expert detective
* Skilled computer hacker
* Utilizes high-tech equipment and weapons
}}
| cat = super
| subcat        = 
| hero          = y
| sortkey       = 
}}
'''Duke Thomas''' is a fictional character appearing in comics published by [[DC Comics]]. He was created by [[Scott Snyder]] and [[Greg Capullo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsarama.com/24633-bermejo-brings-we-are-robin-kids-to-gotham-streets.html|title=WE ARE ... ROBIN: Reinventing the Sidekick Concept|website=Newsarama|date=15 July 2023 }}</ref> He was introduced as a [[Batman supporting characters|supporting character]] of [[Batman]], his first appearance being in 2013 in ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #21,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=308}}</ref> before later leading a youth vigilante movement inspired by [[Robin (character)|Robin]], in the comic book ''[[We Are... Robin]],'' in May 2015. He officially became Batman's newest partner and joined the Batman family in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/batman-rebirth-new-robin-duke-lark/|title=Batman: Rebirth Reveals The Dark Knight's New Sidekick|date=June 2, 2016|website=ScreenRant}}</ref>

The character would be a staple in Batman comics and ''[[Detective Comics]]'', and went on in a new role as Gotham's daylight protector, '''The Signal'''.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.freaksugar.com/tony-patrick-batman-and-the-signal-interview/|title=Tony Patrick on an Emerging Hero in BATMAN AND THE SIGNAL|first=Jed W.|last=Keith|date=February 23, 2018|website=Freaksugar}}</ref>

Duke made his animated debut as [[Robin (character)|Robin]] in the animated series ''[[Batwheels]]'', voiced by AJ Hudson.

==Publication history==
Duke Thomas first appeared as an unnamed child in ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #21<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicosity.com/interview-snyder-capullo-batman/|title=Interview: Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Revisit Batman's ZERO YEAR|date=August 22, 2013}}</ref> (March 2014), being saved by Batman. His first official named appearance was in ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #30, revealing they had met before his prior appearance, as his parents saved Bruce Wayne's life.

He did not appear in comics again until ''[[Batman: Endgame]]'' (October 2014), where the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] abducted him and his parents in an attempt to psychologically torture Batman. He returns as a staple in [[DC Comics]] in ''We Are... Robin'', joining the teen vigilante group and being trained by previous official Robins during [[Robin War]]. His official debut as a part of the [[Batman supporting characters|Batman family]] occurred in 2016, with [[List of Batman comics#DC Rebirth Batman|''Batman: Rebirth'']] #1. He later makes a new mantle "The Signal" in the mini series ''Batman and The Signal''.<ref name="auto2" />

He is currently a staple in Batman comics and comics featuring [[Outsiders (comics)|The Outsiders]].

==Fictional character biography==
===''Batman: Zero Year''===
{{Main|Batman: Zero Year}}
Duke's first appearance is as an unnamed child, fishing in the derelict [[Gotham City]]. He is approached by thugs wanting to take his food, who are stopped by the sudden appearance of Batman. Duke tells him that the [[Riddler]] claims that he is dead, to which Batman replies that it means he will not see him coming.<ref>''Batman'' (vol. 2) #21</ref>

A later issue shows a flashback, revealing that Duke's parents saved Bruce Wayne in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane caused by the Riddler.<ref name="auto1">Scott Snyder, ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #30 (June 2014), DC Comics</ref> Duke tells him that he is training his mind to be able to make an unsolvable [[riddle]] that will set the city free, showcasing his heroic nature.

===''Batman: Endgame''===
{{Main|Batman: Endgame}}
The Joker releases a deadly pathogen on Gotham City, which mimics his laugh gas on a much larger scale. In the ensuing pandemonium, he kidnaps the Thomas family due to their connection with Bruce Wayne. He sets up an elaborate stage on which to reenact the night the Waynes died, even going as far as to use an infected [[Joe Chill]], the man who originally killed his parents, to emotionally torture Bruce. Duke is narrowly saved by Batman, but forced to leave his parents behind to an infected mob.<ref>''Batman: Endgame'' #3</ref>

===''We Are... Robin''===
{{Main|We Are... Robin}}
Several months later, Duke is in the foster care system. He rebels as he feels frustrated by the lack of care and empathy the city has been granting to the Joker's victims, resulting in his parents still being missing. Alongside this, Gotham City appears to have been abandoned by Batman. However, [[Alfred Pennyworth]] in disguise has been supplying teens fighting back against crime and corruption with Robin insignia and instructions via an app called "The Nest", starting the group known as We Are Robin.

After assisting the group, Duke is approached by Alfred, disguised as a police interrogator. He encourages Duke to take his life into his own hands and to fight for the fate of the city, offering him help finding his parents if he helps stop a cult from detonating bombs around the city. Duke accepts, making him an unofficial Robin. He leads part of the group to the bombs inside a train station. While the rest of the group is above ground fighting off the cultists, they are able to defuse one bomb. As they debate about how to defuse the second, they are sent a message from the nest, telling them to give up and get on the next train. Meanwhile, above ground the GCPD reveals a "new" Batman, who is simply [[James Gordon (comics)|Jim Gordon]] in a robotic suit. He is instructed to treat the Robins as criminals. One member, Troy, stays behind, and attempts to defuse the bomb in the same manner as the first one, causing it to detonate and kill him. Duke and his new friends are devastated, and become suspicious of The Nest, until Alfred provides them gear, and draws on their individual experiences to encourage them to keep fighting for their city.

After the events of ''[[Robin War]]'', most Robins go back to their normal lives.<ref>''We Are Robin'' #8</ref> Duke resumes his search for his parents, and finds them in a temporary shelter, where they have been permanently damaged by the Joker virus. Meanwhile, John "Smiley" Bender Jr., a teen with [[Möbius syndrome]], whose parents forced him into surgery that left him with a permanent smile, kills them after getting out of juvie. Holding the Joker as an idol, he starts a gang and begins terrorizing Gotham. Smiley invades Duke's school, forcing him and his friends to take action. After taking him down, they are approached by Alfred once more, where they officially renounce being Robins, instead deciding to rely on themselves and each other.

===''Robin War''===
{{Main|Robin War}}
Shortly after Troy's death, a Robin outside of Duke's group accidentally kills a robber and police officer. Combining the two with public push, the Robin laws go into effect, making it illegal for teens to wear the Robin colors and insignia. It is quickly revealed that this is the result of manipulations by the [[Court of Owls]], as the councilwoman who headed the legislation, Noctua, wishes to earn a place in the society.<ref name="auto">{{Cite book|last=Bermejo|first=Lee|title=Robin War|publisher=DC Comics|year=2016|isbn=9781401269456}}</ref>

Duke hosts a meeting of the remaining Robins, calling for whoever accidentally committed the crime to come forward. However the real Robin, [[Damian Wayne]], crashes the meeting. Objecting to the use of his title while he was away, he challenges the Robins to prove themselves in a fight against him. The commotion is noticed by the GCPD, who send "Batman" to deal with them. He is quickly struck down by Damian, but before the fight can resume, [[Jason Todd|Red Hood]] and [[Tim Drake|Red Robin]] put a stop to it. They calm Damian down and call the first Robin, [[Dick Grayson]].

Afterwards, Travis, one of the Robins, tells Duke that he was the one who killed the officer and robber. Duke seeing that it was an accident and that Travis is burdened by the guilt, encourages him to turn himself in and Travis agrees. While on his way, Travis is killed by a [[Talon (DC Comics)|Talon]] to sow more public unrest. The official [[Robin (character)|Robins]] train the group. Despite having faked his death and using a face changer, Duke recognizes Dick Grayson and reveals this during a training session. Duke and his friends are chosen as the best of the group, and are taken on a mission to try and get information. However Dick has been feeding information to the police, as to have the Robins arrested and safe from the Court of Owls.

The original Robins, with help from Duke and his friends, manage to break out and free the rest of the Robins. They tell the others to go home, as the Court of Owls is too deadly of an enemy for them. Thanks to information from Duke's friend Riko, they make their way to Gotham Academy. On the way, Damian sneaks away and is manipulated into joining the court to protect Gotham. He, alongside several Talons, fight against the others once they reach Gotham Academy, seeming to take them out with ease. Duke refuses to believe that Damian has genuinely joined the court, getting back up to continue fighting him. He calls Damian by name, saying that he knows of Bruce Wayne's amnesia as the result of sacrificing himself, and how Damian does not need to live up to that. This causes Damian to snap out of the Court's manipulations. The Robins that went home see the destruction throughout the city, they decide to rally once more and the tides turn against the Court, temporarily sending them back underground.

===''Batman Vol 9: Bloom''===
After ''Robin War'' a new threat arises in a man who is doling out devices that give powers, however, they are experimental and are just as likely to kill their host. He calls himself Mister Bloom.

After overhearing a conversation between Bruce and Jim Gordon, Duke becomes drawn to the mystery. He steals a neutralized device given to Bruce, as Bruce is reluctant to be involved in the case. He first shows the device to his older friend Daryl Gutierrez, a tech genius working as an engineer for the [[Gotham City Police Department|GCPD]], who is unable to identify it.

Duke turns to other sources, tracking a trail to the [[Penguin (character)|Penguin's]] [[Iceberg Lounge]]. He finds a book containing information on Penguin's own investigations on Bloom. The Penguin and his gang find Duke in the study, nearly capturing him. He barely escapes, only to be seemly apprehended by guards outside. Until Bruce Wayne takes them down. Bruce had discovered the device missing, and since Duke had used the Fox Center's computers for his research, was able to deduce what he was doing and follow him.

He expresses concern for Duke, he continues to press when Duke tries to avoid the conversation, asking why Duke has treated him coldly. Duke becomes upset, as he is aware of Bruce's former identity as Batman while Bruce is not. He tells Bruce that he does not take a real look at his life, saying that his denial is based in selfishness. He tells Bruce that anyone can be who he is now, but in his old life only he could be him, and that he used to inspire the whole city. He continues with his speech, causing a spark in Bruce's memory when he saves Duke from an incoming train. Duke, feeling no better, tells Bruce to stay away.

After a text from Daryl, he visits his parents. Devastated by their mental state. Afterwards he sneaks onto the GCPD blimp Daryl was piloting, he informs Daryl of their condition.

He tells Daryl that it almost made him give up hope and vigilantism entirely, however, he went over the evidence he stole from the Iceberg Lounge one last time, and noticed that it contained the names of the nominees for the grant that Daryl won years before. He asks Daryl what is going on, Daryl snaps and his form begins to mutilate to where he looks eerily similar to Bloom. He reveals that he was the "original" Bloom, having initially created the devices after [[Batman: Zero Year|Zero Year]]. Believing that with powers people would band together to protect each other. But his first test with his cousin yielded fatal results. Which made Daryl burn the remaining devices.

After Batman's disappearance following [[Batman: Endgame|Endgame]], he turned towards his experiments again. This time using unidentified and near death patients. There was only one success, who became horrifically deformed, and slaughtered the other patients. The patient somehow recognized Daryl as the source of what happened to them, and decided to take the Bloom moniker, along with the rest of the devices.

Daryl insists that he can stop Bloom and perfect the devices. Duke tries to reason with him, saying that powers are not necessary and all you need is good people. Daryl mocks him and the [[We Are... Robin|Robin]] movement. He moves to take and dispose of a Robin pin that Duke gave him, but Duke takes advantage of his distraction to incapacitate him and take control of the airship.

During Daryl's confession, Bloom has begun widespread havoc across the city. Introducing handpicked convicts they have used the devices on. They inform the populace that they have hidden devices all over the city, and that they now have a programmed thrall to encourage their use, as the use of them makes Bloom stronger. Along with sabotaging the GCPD's atom collider, which could cause a black hole.

Duke directs the airship to where Bruce, having remembered being Batman, is struggling to hold them off. Duke uses the high powered magnets in the ship to grab onto Bloom. The more Bloom struggles, the stronger the magnets get, this also disables the thrall, leading to people removing their devices and diverting power from Bloom. Gordon uses a dampener on the collider, and the resounding shock wave kills Bloom. Leaving Gotham in peace once more.

Afterwards, Duke is approached by Bruce, who offers to train him as an official vigilante.

===''All-Star Batman''===
Duke becomes an official member of the Batman Family. After accepting Bruce's offer to train under him, Duke moves into Wayne Manor and begins working alongside all of Gotham's vigilantes. He is a heavy feature in ''All-Star Batman'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/23413-duke-all-star-batman-scott-snyder-rebirth|title=Scott Snyder Says Duke Will Get His Own Name in 'All-Star Batman'|first=Eric|last=Francisco|website=Inverse|date=8 November 2016 }}</ref> assisting Bruce in dealing with [[Two-Face]], [[Victor Zsasz]], [[Hugo Strange]], and [[Mr. Freeze]].

===''Dark Days: The Road to Metal''===
{{Main|Dark Nights: Metal}}
Leading into the events of ''Dark Nights: Metal'', while Batman was on a mission related to the mysteries surrounding Nth Metal, Duke was tasked to guard the Batcave. This led to a confrontation with the Green Lantern, [[Hal Jordan]], who had been sent by The [[Guardians of the Universe]] to investigate sinister cosmic omens pointing to that location. Duke joined the investigation and together they found a secret level of Batcave. In the hidden level were various clues that Batman had collected and stored over the years related to Nth Metal, as well as a prison holding the Joker.<ref>Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, ''Dark Days: The Forge'' #1, (June 2017), DC Comics</ref>

The Joker taunts the heroes into freeing him using the secrets he has learned from the cave. He reveals the origins of metahumans, and that Batman recruited Duke because Duke and his mother are metahumans who are connected to a "Dark Crisis". In the chaos of their fight, The Joker destroyed Batman's machines before escaping the two heroes and vanishing from the cave entirely. Batman arrives and confirms there is some truth to what the Joker said. Duke's powers begin to manifest, and using a Green Lantern ring and the power of the Shazam's dagger, the trio unknowingly set off the chain of events leading to the invasion of [[Barbatos (comics)|Barbatos]] and the Dark Multiverse.<ref>Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, ''Dark Days: The Casting'' #1, (July 2017), DC Comics</ref>

===''Batman & The Signal''===
After studying under Batman for over a year, Bruce surprised him with his very own base of operation and an upgraded suit; congratulating him for completing his training. Duke took the codename '''''The Signal''''' and began his mission as the daylight protector of Gotham, recruiting his former Robin gang teammates Riko Sheridan and Izzy Ortiz for technical support.

Duke's first solo mission as The Signal was to investigate the sudden spike in dead metahuman bodies being discovered all throughout The Narrows. This led Signal into conflict with The Null, a metahuman from the Arkham Juvenile Detention Center aka "Juvie Arkham". After defeating Null, Signal decided to investigate further into Juvie Arkham, which had once been the old Gotham solarium before being reworked to house metahuman delinquents. Duke used his Ghost Vision to infiltrate Juvie Arkham and walked straight into an ambush.<ref>Tony Patrick ''Batman & The Signal'' #1 (January 2018), DC Comics</ref> Luckily, Detective Aisi arrived just in time to help Signal make a narrow escape.

Later, The Signal met up with Detective Aisi to compare notes. Using his photokinetic sight to examine a tissue sample from one of the dead metahumans, Signal discovered trace amounts of Nth metal embedded in the skin of the sample. The metal and the sample appeared to be react Duke but also to something in the air. That is when Signal noticed a strange solar pattern radiating from the Gotham Proper housing project. Signal theorized someone must be using Gotham Proper to direct supercharged solar energy toward different sections of the city like a sundial, creating unstable metahumans across The Narrows.

Duke returns to the Batcave to bring his new theory to Bruce when the bat-computer is hijacked by someone calling himself Gnomon. He shows them a live broadcasts of The Narrows overrun with innumerable metahumans, all chanting Duke's name, as they wreak havoc across the city. Gnomon reveals that he is the one creating the metahumans. Gnomon claimed to have created the metahumans for Duke as a gift, asking Duke to join him. Duke and Bruce head out as Batman & The Signal to stop the villain.<ref name=":5">Tony Patrick ''Batman & The Signal'' #2 (February 2018), DC Comics</ref>

When Batman and The Signal arrive on the scene the Batfamily are spread thin. The duo split up, with Duke making his way to confront Gnomon at Gotham Proper. Signal arrived at Gotham Proper just as Detective Aisi and the GCPD cleared the area, and the two enter the building to confront Gnomon together. In the solar observatory, Gnomon reveals he is Duke's father and that years ago his mother, Elaine, fled to Gotham to hide Duke from him. Signal can sense everything Gnomon says is true due to their genetic connection but summons the resolve to stop Gnomon anyway. Signal, with the help of Detective Aisi, manages to defeat Gnomon, who manages to escape capture.

The next day, after a breakfast with the Batfamily, Bruce congratulates Duke on a successful first day before Duke goes to see his still jokerized parents. Duke then meets up with Detective Aisi, ready to start a new day and get back on the job as the Signal.<ref name=":7">Tony Patrick ''Batman & The Signal'' #3 (April 2018), DC Comics</ref>

===''The Outsiders''===
Some time after the events of '''[[New Justice|''Justice League: No Justice'']]''', the villain Karma lured Duke into a trap that blew up a building, killing a civilian, in the process. This attack left Duke in critical condition and kicked off a series of terrorist attacks by the villain to isolate Batman him from his allies. Batman responded by re-forming The Outsiders and conceded leadership of the group to Black Lightning, fearing he might compromise the team. Enlisting the help of Katana, Cassandra Cain, and a recovered Duke, the Outsiders took down Karma and officially forming the newest iteration of '''The Outsiders'''.

Still traumatized from the Karma attack, Duke and the Outsiders find themselves in a proxy war between Batman and [[Ra's al Ghul]] over the metahuman Sofia Ramos. Ra's manipulates the Outsiders, planting the cyborg Kaliber in their ranks to get to Sofia to keep them busy and disrupt their team.

With Katana and Black Lightning preoccupied by Sofia Ramos and Kaliber, Duke was captured by Ra's' acolyte, Ishmael.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hill|first=Bryan|title=Batman & the Outsiders Vol. 1: Lesser Gods|publisher=DC Comics|year=2020|isbn=978-1401291785}}</ref> Ishmael reveals he was reborn in the Lazarus Pit, changing his initial ability to steal metahuman powers into the ability to evolve and change metahuman powers. Ishmael and Ra's see potential in Duke and plan to use Ishmael's powers to evolve Duke's powers for Ra's ends. Ishmael chained, beat Duke and modifies his metahuman from his light to dark. Cassandra Cain tracks down Ishmael, defeating him in single combat, and rescuing her partner. Duke tells her he is no longer able to see the light and all he can see is darkness.

Following the transformation of his powers, Duke would defy Batman's instruction and test his new abilities on his own until Lady Shiva joined the team. taking Duke under her wing, Shiva would begin to oversee his and Cassandra's training.<ref name=":1" /> The Outsiders re-group and eventually defeat Ra's before pairing off and each going their separate way. Duke and Cassandra head back to Gotham together.

===''Death Metal''===
{{Main|Dark Nights: Death Metal}}
During the events of ''Death Metal'', Prime Earth is destroyed and rewritten by the super celestial Perpetua following the defeat of the [[Justice League]] in the ''Justice/Doom War''. As she destroys the rest of the Multiverse to remake it in her own image, [[The Batman Who Laughs]] and his army of Dark Multiverse Batmen enforce her rule. All resistance was crushed and the surviving heroes of Prime Earth were either been forced into servitude or imprisoned on New Apokolips. Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman eventually manage to free the heroes and stormed Castle Bats (formerly Gotham City) to obtain the power necessary to restore the Multiverse; just as the Batman Who Laughs usurps Perpetua as the supreme being and becomes [[The Batman Who Laughs|The Darkest Knight]].

While Wonder Woman's team enacted her plan, The Signal, Orphan, Spoiler, and Red Robin fought to reclaim the section of Castle Bats that was once The Narrows. Guarding the area was Quietus, an evil Lazarus Pit infused amalgamation of Duke Thomas, Ra's al Ghul, and Batman. Quietus initially overpowered Duke and his team, using the waters of the Lazarus Pits to torture Duke with twisted visions of his history from the Dark Multiverse. Duke persevered, embracing both the light and dark powers and tapping into a new level of powers. With his newfound strength, and the aid of his team, Duke defeated Quietus and successfully reclaimed The Narrows for Gotham.<ref name=":2" />

After The Darkest Knight kills Perpetua the final showdown between Woman Woman and the heroes of the Multiverse vs The Darkest Knight and his nightmarish Last 52 multiverse began. Signal was at ground zero and is the first of the heroes to witness the arrival of the earths from the dark multiverse carrying The Darkest Knight's armies. He is seen fighting a Dark Multiverse Martian Manhunter, Evil Robins, and even a variant of the Murder Machine. Ultimately Wonder Woman defeats The Darkest Knight and Omniverse is restored. The Signal is seen among the heroes at the Hall of Justice listening Superman's speech celebrating their victory.

===Infinite Frontier===
Following ''Death Metal'', Duke returned to Gotham and resumed his duties as its daytime protector. He was among the heroes who fought [[Pariah (character)|Pariah]]'s army during ''[[Dark Crisis]]''.

==Powers and abilities==
Duke's powers come from the metagene, a genetic variation caused by naturally occurring traces of [[Hawkman#Powers and abilities|Nth metal]] in the bloodstream.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Dark Days: Road to Metal|publisher=DC Comics|year=2018|isbn=9781401284114}}</ref> Duke inherited this genetic trait from both parents, Elaine Thomas and Gnomon, and his powers are photokinetic in nature. Gnomon has claimed that Duke possesses his immortal blood, implying Duke may possess similar immortality.<ref name=":7" /> His powers were originally limited to manipulating the way he processes light, but, after experiencing the touch of [[Ishmael (character)|Ishmael]],<ref>Bryan Hill, ''Batman & The Outsiders''  #7 (November 2019). DC Comics.</ref> they have "evolved" into manipulating light and darkness in more abstract ways. Metahumans also appear to react on a cellular level to Duke's presence, their powers increasing in close proximity to him. It is unclear, however, to what extent he affects their actual powers.

===Powers===
'''Photokinesis:''' Duke is a [[metahuman]] with the photokinetic ability to absorb, redistribute, and manipulate both light and darkness. Duke's most notable ability is his "Ghost Vision", the ability to perceive the "ghosts" of where light has been to effectively see a few minutes into the past. He can also glimpse into the future by sensing the "ghosts" of where light will be.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Patrick|first=Tony|title=Batman and The Signal|publisher=DC Comics|year=2018|isbn=9781401284091}}</ref> Duke's photokinetic vision is not limited to his Ghost Vision, his eyes possess a superior sensory array compared to normal humans and can detect changes or variations in light invisible to the naked eye. He can process light faster than humanly possible to the point that he can track the movement of light.<ref name=":0">Steve Orlando, ''The Unexpected'' #4 (Sept. 2018), DC Comics.</ref> he can also manipulate the light around him to radiate light, illuminate reflective surfaces (such as his chest plate)<ref>Batman & The Outsiders #6</ref> and even render himself completely invisible. Duke can also manipulate the way he processes light absorbed through his eyes to perform a variety of visual tasks, such as:

* '''Cosmic perception:''' Duke's vision can expand to perceive the entirety of, and even beyond, the known [[electromagnetic spectrum]]. He can perceive and interpret light originating from across dimensional and temporal boundaries and see into the history of a previous universe; under the right conditions.<ref name=":0" />
* '''[[X-ray vision]]:''' Duke can detect and track someone through walls, ceilings,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hill|first=Bryan|title=Detective Comics Vol. 8: On the Outside|publisher=DC Comics|year=2018|isbn=9781401285289}}</ref> smoke<ref>Bryan Hill, ''Batman & The Outsiders'' #3 (April 2018), DC Comics</ref> and most other materials.
* '''Telescopic vision:''' Duke can focus his vision to see things at great distance, even at high speeds.
* '''Microscopic vision:''' Duke also has the ability to see extremely small objects down to the [[subdermal]] level.<ref name=":5" />

'''Darkness manipulation:''' Duke's photokinetic powers include the ability to manipulate shadows and darkness. Duke can absorb darkness in the same way he absorbs light, describing his dark powers as "behaving like a tide" that pushes and pulls shadows toward himself.<ref>Bryan Hill, ''Batman & The Outsiders'' #8 (Dec. 2019), DC Comics.</ref> Duke can pull shadows into himself, revealing more light, or expel shadows from himself, enveloping everything in a wave of darkness,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hill|first=Bryan|title=Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 2: a League of Their Own|publisher=DC Comics|year=2020|isbn=9781779502865}}</ref> as well as shape and manipulate darkness to terrify and ensnare enemies<ref>Bryan Hill, ''Batman & The Outsiders'' #15 (Oct. 2020), DC Comics.</ref> or to augment his melee combat.<ref name=":1">Bryan Hill, ''Batman & The Outsiders'' #13 (June 2020), DC Comics.</ref> Duke can also travel using shadows, which he can use to coordinate attacks with his allies or to make hasty escapes. Duke can also charge his darkness before sending it at his opponent. when charged, the darkness Duke generates spark with a photoelectric effect.<ref name=":2">Tony Patrick "The Quiet Ones"; ''Dark Nights: Death Metal Robin King'' #1 (Oct. 2020), DC Comics</ref>

'''Photo-Umbrakinetic movement:''' By combining all of his photokinetic abilities, Duke can envision a path then move using light and shadows to near instantly traverse that distance. When using this ability everything around Duke appears to slow to a standstill.<ref name=":6">Tony Patrick; ''Batman: Secret Files - The Signal'' #1 (Jul. 2021), DC Comics</ref>

'''Healing Factor:''' Gnomon, Duke's biological father, claims to be an immortal of over a thousand years and that Duke possess his "infinite blood", implying Duke may possess similar immortality.<ref name=":7" /> This claim is supported when it is discovered that Duke's powers allow him to heal rapidly in dire situations.<ref name=":6" />

===Skills and training===
Duke's greatest asset is his intellect and his ability to lead. As a child, he mentally trained himself with riddles and [[puzzle]]s, in an attempt to one day be able to give the [[Riddler]] a riddle he could not solve.<ref name="auto1" /> Duke was a child prodigy, going on to compete for a [[Genius Grant|Genius grant]] against the likes of gifted engineer Daryl Gutierrez ([[Mr. Bloom]]) at age 12.<ref>Scott Snyder, ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #50 (March 2016), DC Comics</ref> His quick-wit makes him a talented detective, figuring out the identities of [[Bruce Wayne]] as Batman, [[Dick Grayson]] as Agent 37, [[Damian Wayne]] as Robin, and [[Alfred Pennyworth|Alfred]] as "The Nest" behind the "We Are Robin" movement. He has also developed into a charismatic leader, able to regularly gain the trust and loyalty of others, and persuading them over to his cause. Under his leadership, Duke's faction of the Robin gang rose above any others and were the driving force behind the entire "We Are Robin" movement. His ability to coordinate and rally those under his command makes him a formidable field commander, even when working with other, more experienced, Bat-family members.<ref name=":2" /> Duke's knack for leadership has been recognized by Batman, who has actually been training Duke for [[Justice League]] level leadership.<ref name=":6" />

Duke's a highly skilled and relatively seasoned hand-to-hand combatant. As a civilian Duke demonstrated considerable fighting skills, able to hold his own against multiple opponents at once even without training.<ref>Lee Bermejo, ''We Are Robin #1'' (June 2015), DC Comics</ref> As part of the "We Are Robin" gang, Duke became proficient in the use of [[nunchaku]] and went on to receive training from [[Dick Grayson|Agent 37]], [[Red Hood]], [[Tim Drake|Red Robin]], and [[Damian Wayne|Robin]] during the events of ''Robin War''.<ref name="auto" /> After leaving the Robin movement Duke went on to receive training from Bruce Wayne, studying every discipline Bruce studied to become Batman; including training in various martial arts<ref>Tom King, ''Batman: Rebirth #1'' (June 2016), DC Comics</ref> and gaining access to [[Hard disk drive|drives]] that contained all of Batman's contingency plans, journal entries, and personal insights over the years. Duke's precognition and enhanced visual senses make him uniquely perceptive in a fight, able to detect weak points, and react to attacks faster than normally possible by slowing down his perception. He can even slow his perception down enough to catch flying projectiles. Since joining the Outsiders, Duke's training has been overseen by both [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]] and [[Black Lightning]] and he spars with both as well as [[Cassandra Cain|Batgirl]] and [[Metamorpho]] on a regular basis.<ref name=":1" />  During his time on Outsiders [[Lady Shiva]] personally took an interest in Duke's development, mentoring Duke to better utilize his new powers. At this time. Duke demonstrated the ability to use his shadow powers in tandem with his martial arts to augment his melee combat.

'''Creative writing''': 
Duke is a talented writer, specifically with [[poetry]], although he would never admit it.

==Other versions==
* An alternate universe incarnation of Duke Thomas who became Robin following Damian Wayne's death appears in ''[[The New 52: Futures End]]''.
* An alternate universe incarnation of Duke Thomas appears in ''[[Batman: White Knight]]''. This version is an ex-special forces soldier who runs a youth group and united several local gangs under his guidance to protect Gotham's Backport sector.
* '''Quietus''', a fusion of Signal, Ra's al Ghul, and Batman from the Dark Multiverse, appears in the ''[[Dark Nights: Death Metal]]'' tie-in ''Robin King''.<ref>''Dark Nights: Death Metal - Robin King'' (December 2020). DC Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe incarnation of Duke Thomas appears in ''[[Tales from the Dark Multiverse]]''. This version killed Barbatos and forged his body into armor before devoting himself to fighting the monsters of the Dark Multiverse using the Parall-Axe, an axe that can harness the [[Power ring (DC Comics)|Emotional Spectrum]].
* An alternate universe incarnation of Duke Thomas appears in ''[[Future State]]''. This version is part of a resistance against the Magistrate that rules Gotham and wields the Soultaker sword, which houses [[Black Lightning|Jefferson Pierce]]'s cursed spirit.

==Supporting characters==
Duke has a number of supporting characters such as Detective Aisi, Izzy Ortiz, Riko Sheridan, and the rest of his former We Are Robin gang.

===Family===
Duke's family, particularly his mother Elaine Thomas, are key to his character. Elaine's mysterious past, and Duke's biological father being revealed to be Gnomon, have made Duke a person of interested to various immortals throughout the DC Universe, such as [[Talia al Ghul]], [[Ra's al Ghul]] and [[The Immortal Man]].<ref name=":3" /> Duke eventually moved to The Narrows to live with his cousin Jay, after training under Batman and living at Wayne Manor as a [[Ward (law)|ward]].<ref name=":4" />

===Enemies===
The Signal's rogues' gallery consists of:

* '''Mr. Bloom (Daryl Gutierrez)''' - Duke's childhood friend and former GCPD engineer turned biokinetic villain. Bloom became obsessed with the mystery of Duke's genetics after the events of Superheavy.
* '''Gnomon''' - Duke's seemingly immortal biological father. Gnomon was using the sun to create metahumans across Gotham in Duke's name, including the metahuman delinquents of Juvie Arkham.
** '''The Null''' - The lead Juvie Arkham delinquent with the ability to create negative space, fill it with nullifying energy, and then wield it like a weapon.
** '''Palette''' - A delinquent with the ability to convert particles into black holes to create miniature universes in the form of weaponized finger paint.
** '''Killjoy''' - A delinquent with the ability to produce knives from her metallic skin and throw them with great accuracy.
* '''Ra's al Ghul''' - Ra's and Talia al Ghuls refer to Duke as a "potential" and have taken a particular interest in Duke's metahuman abilities. Ra's was the main antagonist during Duke's initial run with the Outsiders, even sending Ishmael to capture Duke to make him into one of his acolytes.
** '''[[Ishmael (character)|Ishmael]]''' - Ra's' metahuman enforcer and loyal acolyte. Ishmael has the ability to steal or modify powers of other metahumans.
* '''Quietus''' - A Dark Multiverse amalgamation of Duke Thomas, Batman, and Ra's al Ghul.

==Collected editions==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! width="32" |Title
! width="45%" |Material collected
! width="5%" |Pages
! width="20%" |ISBN
|-
|''We Are Robin Vol. 1: Vigilante Business''
|''We Are Robin'' #1-6; ''DC Sneak Peek: We Are Robin'' #1.
|127
|{{ISBNT|978-1401259822}}
|-
|''We Are Robin Vol 2: Jokers''
|''We Are Robin'' #7-13
|154
|{{ISBNT|978-1401272791}}
|-
! colspan="4" |Limited Series
|-
|''Batman & The Signal Vol. 1''
|''Batman and The Signal'' #1-3; ''All-Star Batman'' #1-4, #6-9; ''New Talent Showcase 2017'' #1
|164
|{{ISBNT|978-1401279677}}
|}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401279677}}
|''DC POWER 2024.''

==In other media==
===Television===
* Duke Thomas appears in a photograph depicted in the ''[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]'' episode "Barbara Gordon".{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
* Duke Thomas as Robin appears in ''[[Batwheels]]'', voiced by AJ Hudson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=September 13, 2021 |title=Cartoonito Sets Voice Cast for 'Batwheels' and 'Naked Mole Rat' Rock Opera, Greenlights 'Tom and Jerry' Series as Preschool Block Launches |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/cartoonito-batwheels-naked-mole-rat-gets-dressed-rock-opera-tom-and-jerry-1234832281/ |access-date=September 13, 2021 |website=Deadline}}</ref>

===Webtoons===
* Duke Thomas appears in the [[webtoon]] ''Batman: Wayne Family Adventures''. This version initially refused to use his powers in crime-fighting in an attempt to prove himself and fit in with the powerless Bat-Family, although he improves after being motivated by [[Batwing (DC Comics)|Luke Fox]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=CRC |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Batman: Wayne Family Adventures - (S2) Ep. 75 - Worthy (Part 1) |url=https://www.webtoons.com/en/slice-of-life/batman-wayne-family-adventures/s2-ep-75-worthy-part-1/viewer?title_no=3180&episode_no=75 |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=www.webtoons.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=CRC |date=March 15, 2023 |title=Batman: Wayne Family Adventures - (S2) Ep. 76 - Worthy (Part 2) |url=https://www.webtoons.com/en/slice-of-life/batman-wayne-family-adventures/s2-ep-76-worthy-part-2/viewer?title_no=3180&episode_no=76 |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=www.webtoons.com |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Batman characters}}
{{The Outsiders}}

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