It’s often been said that Batman has the most impressive rogues gallery in all of comics. Indeed, that notion is hard to argue when villains like the Joker, Penguin, Ra’s Al Ghul and the Riddler constantly wreck havoc on Gotham on a nightly basis.
What people don’t talk about often is how impressive Batman’s “family” of sidekicks and colleagues are within the Bat-brand of comic books DC have sold over the years. Scratch that, Batman has the most badass support group in the entire DC Universe, period. This list is about my five favorite members of the Bat-family.
5. Batwoman
Batwoman, real name Kate Kane, is a relatively new member of the family. Although having already existed since the 1950’s, she mostly operates by herself. During writer James Tynion IV’s run with Detective Comics for DC’s Rebirth initiative, he incorporated Batwoman into the Bat-family. Tynion IV’s Batwoman stories revolve around her being the family’s trainer of sorts. Batman chose her for this role because of Kane’s military background.
4. Alfred Pennyworth
Really, how can you not like good ol’ Alfred. He’s Batman’s most loyal friend, and trusted ally. While many know him as the Wayne family butler, Alfred is actually ex-medic in the British armed forces. This skill has proved invaluable to Master Bruce’s crusade against crime. Alfred’s patched up the Dark Knight more times than he certainly would have liked. Of course he prefers to serve tea than pulling out a bullet off of Batman’s back.
3. Robin (Damian Wayne)
The third and current Robin, Damian Wayne, biological son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul. Damian took up the mantle of Robin and has been fighting with his Dark Knight father for some time now. The major difference between Damian and the first two Robins (Dick Grayson and Jason Todd) is that the former was trained since his childhood by the League of Assassins. Yessir, Damian’s grandfather is the League’s head, Ra’s Al Ghul. This training, along with being taught assassin core values often brings Robin at odds with Batman, although the younger Wayne has shown an effort to stick to his father’s ideals.
2. Nightwing
Dick Grayson, the other half of the original Dynamic Duo, became Nightwing after he outgrew his Robin persona (what teenager would wear that Robin costume eh?). Dick briefly left Batman and Gotham city to protect neighboring city, Blüdhaven. Nightwing made a name for himself there, no longer remembered as “Batman’s first sidekick”, but as a legit hero in his own right. He would eventually return to Gotham city and resumed his relationship with the Dark Knight and forming a bond with the other Robins.
1. Batgirl
Batgirl is on the top of my list for a number of reasons. Her history is one of my favorites. The girl behind the mask, Barbara Gordon, daughter of police commissioner James Gordon, was shot and paralyzed by the Joker in an effort to drive the elder Gordon to insanity. Barbara retired as Batgirl and became the the DC Universe’s top information broker, codenamed Oracle. Barbara would eventually recover from her paralysis, and while still dealing PTSD, she resumes her career as Batgirl, helping Batman fight crime in Gotham.
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