Batman has been considered by many in the comics to have the most unique and recognizable Family members and villains in all of comicdom. The majority of Batman's foes do not possess super powers, being organized crime bosses or insane costumed criminals, but each in their own way have been a thorn in the Dark Knights side for years.
The Bat Family:
First Appearance: Detective Comics #411
Facts: Although a member of her father’s criminal empire, and one of his closest advisors, Talia is often shown to be not as convinced of the goals of his enterprise as he is. Part of this is that her father indicated she should choose Batman as a mate, which led to him having a calming influence on her. My wife, the only one that I let in to share my inner most feelings, although brash at times, I trust her with my life..... Lord Help the person who harms her.....
Real Name: Damian Wayne/Robin:
First Appearance: Batman: Son of the Demon #1
Facts: My son with Talia. He is the current Robin and has been struggling with his more lethal tendencies, which clash with my strict rule against killing, still I trust him with my life. There is no one else I want by my side...... Than my son
Real Name: Tim Drake-Wayne/Red Robin:
First Appearance: Batman #436
Facts: He was the 3rd Robin, and then branched off and became Red Robin. He was officially adopted by myself. He is the current Leader of the Teen Titans...
Real Name: Dick Grayson/1st Robin now Nightwing:
First Appearance: Detective Comics #38
Facts: He is a vigilante in the Batman Family and the original hero known as Robin. Eventually he outgrew this position and was inspired by Superman to become Nightwing. Although we have disagreed on multiple occasions, Dick is and always be the one man I want by my side
Real Name: Jason Todd/Red Hood:
First Appearance: Batman #357
Facts: Jason Todd was the second Robin, brutally murdered by the Joker. He later rose from the grave, turning against me for failing to avenge his death. Now on a path to redemption, Jason uses the skills I taught him as an anti-hero Outlaw under the Joker's former identity: Red Hood.
Real Name: Helena Wayne/Huntress:
First Appearance: DC Super Stars #17
Facts: Helena Wayne is the daughter of Batman. She took up the identity of the Huntress to catch her mother's killer and to protect her identity and the Batfamily. Although she tends to be reckless at times, she has proven time and time again to be a perfect partner, someone I would always trust.....
Real Name: Cassandra Cain/Black Bat:
First Appearance: Batman #567
Facts: The daughter of Assassins David Cain and Lady Shiva. Cassandra left her father at the age of 8 after she killed a man. Sometime later she saved Commissioner Gordon's life and was given the Batgirl costume/mantle by Myself and Oracle (Barbara Gordon). After a brief stint as Batgirl, she headed off to Hong Kong, and took up the mantle of the Black Bat. She has been officially adopted by myself....
Real Name: Barbara Gordon/Oracle/Batgirl:
First Appearance: Detective Comics #359
Facts: Barbara Gordon was the first modern age Batgirl, until she was brutally shot by the Joker, rendering her paralyzed from the waist down. Barbara reinvented herself as Oracle, providing intelligence to the DCU heroes and leading the Birds of Prey. She is a valuable asset to the Bat Family
Real Name: Katherine "Kate" Kane/Batwoman:
First Appearance: 52 #7
Facts: After being dismissed from the military for being a lesbian, Kate Kane would live a directionless party-girl heiress life, until a chance encounter with Batman on a dark night, inspired her to find a new calling in life, later adopting the mantle of Batwoman. I have grown to respect her and she also displayed some more admirable features, such as sacrificing herself for others.
Real Name: Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana:
First Appearance: DC Sampler #1
Facts: A superb samurai, she uses her deadly sword, The Soultaker, to fight evil around the world. The mystic sword contains the soul of every person killed by it and Katana can communicate with those souls. She is currently a member of the Birds of Prey and the body Guard of Bruce Wayne. I trust her with my life
Real Name: Stephanie Brown/Batgirl:
First Appearance: Detective Comics #647
Facts: Stephanie Brown is the Cluemaster's daughter. She becomes the Spoiler to overthrow her father's evil plot. As Tim Drake is forced to give up the mantle of Robin, Steph takes it on and fails. Later, Cassandra Cain decides to pass on the mantle of Batgirl to Stephanie.
Real Name: Helena Kyle/Huntress:
First Appearance: Catwoman Vol. 3 #53
Facts: She is the Daughter of the metahuman Selina Kyle, the legendary "Queen of the criminal underworld" who went by the pseudonym Catwoman. Her Father is the Legendary Vigilante and Billionaire Batman/Bruce Wayne. She inherited Dark/Ferocious powers from her Mother, but also a strong sense of Justice and Loyalty from her Father. Neither Huntress nor Batman knew the other existed until one faithful night brought them together. They tend to disagree with each other, but she is strong-willed and he trusts her.....
Bat Friends:
Real Name: Hal Jordan/Green Lantern Sector 2814:
First Appearance: Showcase #22
Facts: Hal Jordan was chosen to be Green Lantern 2814 by the dying alien, Abin Sur. He is considered by many to be the greatest Green Lantern of all time. Although brash, cocky and arrogant at times I would not want anyone else by my side when it comes to a fight....
Real Name: Clark Kent/Superman aka Kal-El:
First Appearance: Action comics #1
Facts: Rocketed to Earth as an infant from the doomed planet of Krypton, young Kal-El was adopted by the good-hearted Kents and raised in America's heartland. Using his immense solar-fueled powers, he became Superman to defend mankind from tyranny. Championing truth, justice, and the American way, Superman is Earth's greatest protector. And also the best friend I have
Real Name: Dinah Lance/Black Canary:
First Appearance: Flash Comics #88
Facts: Born into a family of crime fighters, Dinah Lance follows in their footsteps, assuming the costume and identity of her mother, the original Black Canary. A Core member of the Birds of Prey, and a trusted friend. She is someone that would do anything to help
Real Name: Alison Le Fay/Elemental Storm:
First Appearance: Rolepages
Facts: Enchantress - High Priestess of the Triple Goddess. Alison comes from an old noble lineage of witches related to Morgan Le Fay, King Arthur's half sister and High Priestess of the Old Religion. They all inherited her gifts, except for a girl of each generation who's chosen to be her doppelganger. This one inherited her beautiful appearance. Alison is the last existing doppelganger of Morgan. A trusted friend, I would die for her....
Real Name: Kara Zor-El/Supergirl:
First Appearance: Superman #123
Facts: The Cousin to Superman/Kal El. She is free spirited and can handle herself in a fight. Sometimes a little pigheaded, but I am glad to call her friend. I consider her to be a niece.....
Real Name: Sandra Woosan/Lady Shiva:
First Appearance: Richard Dragon - King Fu Fighter #5
Facts: Lady Shiva is most likely the deadliest assassin in the DC Universe. She has trained myself along with the third Robin, Tim Drake and her daughter, Cassandra Cain. Even though I am considered to be one of the greatest martial artists in the world, I have on numerous occasions stated that she "may well be the best fighter alive."
Real Name: Oliver Queen/Green Arrow:
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #73
Facts: Green Arrow is the protector of Star City, ex-husband of Black Canary, teacher of Arsenal, father of Connor Hawke, mentor to Speedy, member of the Justice League, fighter for the "little guys", owner of the Queen Industries, billionaire and the finest archer I know....
Real Name: Mia Dearden/Speedy:
First Appearance: Green Arrow #2 - Quiver Chapter Two: Long Time No See
Facts: A former prostitute on the streets of Star City, Mia Dearden picked up the bow and took the name "Speedy", crime fighting student of Green Arrow. Arrow saved her from the streets and has been training her, she is one of the few superheroes with HIV and was a member of the Teen Titans. She has proven herself to me in battle many times, and I trust her to have my back.
Real Name: Selina Kyle/Catwoman:
First Appearance: Batman #1
Facts: Catwoman, the costumed alias persona of Selina Kyle, is a mostly reformed cat burglar, she has had an on-again, off-again, romantic relationship with myself, but no longer. She is shown as a woman who is very strong-willed, independent, and morally conflicted with her past.
Real Name: Kougar Kyle-Tehrror/Catwoman:
First Appearance: Rolepages/Wrealms
Facts: Hailing from a Steampunk Type Planet called Gemiriar, her family was murdered and she was taken away and brought to Earth at the age of six. She was placed in an orphanage and then later adopted by a man that taught her in the ways of thievery. To this very day, she is known as Feline Master Thief! A Foe To Many And A Hero To A Few!
Real Name: Bryn Sánchez Dragonheart/Panthaa:
First Appearance: Rolepages/Wrealms
Facts: Bryn is the newest member of the Justice League. I recruited her after we were involved in a mission with her former SWAT Team Members. She is a Vampiric-Shifter/Were-Panther and lives by the creedo - “Darkness doesn't always equal Evil just as Light doesn't bring Good”
The Rogues Gallery:
The Most Notable Villains That Batman Has Ever Had to Face:
Real Name: Depends on his current psychosis, but we know him as The Joker
First Appearance: Batman #1
Insane Twist: Following the accidental death of his pregnant wife, Joe Kerr falls into a vat of chemicals while being pursued by Batman. The bleached skin and green hair are just the start of the madness.
Crowning Moment: Crippling Barbara Gordon was certainly a hoot, but the greatest Joker moment was when he beat Robin (Jason Todd) with a crowbar and blew him up.
Two events have shaped Batman. The first, of course, is when Joe Chill murdered Bruce Wayne's parents. The second was the death of Jason Todd, an event that, until recently, seemed could never be undone. The death of Robin forever altered the Dark Knight and signaled a change in comics as a whole. Could anyone else have perpetrated such a horrible crime? No, it wouldn't have felt right to have any other villain whack the Boy Wonder. And that's why Joker is the greatest Batman villain of all time.
The Clown Prince of Crime is the mirror opposite of Batman. As much as Batman fights for order, Joker battles for chaos. He's irrational, unpredictable and -- as his creation -- ultimately the responsibility of Batman. If every villain in Batman's Rogues Gallery were to be wiped out and only one could be saved, the Joker would be that one. Any other villain can be replaced, but the Joker is timeless. Without Batman there is no Joker and without the Joker, there's just no humor in Gotham City.
First Appearance: Batman #232
Insane Twist: Believes the only way to save the world is the kill off the majority of humanity and start fresh.
Crowning Moment: After a long courtship, Batman marries Talia Al Ghul and becomes Ra's heir in Son of the Demon. Not only does the Demon's Head gain a son, but Wayne joins his army and even sires a child with Talia.
Ra's is Batman's mental equal, financial superior and surrogate father (though long removed). Sure, Ra's may be "dead" right now, but it won't last -- it never does. Ra's is the only regular Batman villain who threatens the world on a global scale. He and Batman have a deep personal history and are more like family than anything else. Ra's earns Batman's attention quicker than any other, because he is such a threat.
Real Name: Harvey Dent / Two-Face
First Appearance: Detective Comics #66
Insane Twist: When half his face was disfigured by acid, District Attorney Harvey Dent's personality split in two and the monster known as Two-Face was born.
Crowning Moment: There have been many great two-timing moments, but none as satisfying as when Two-Face betrayed and shot Hush.
Harvey is a sympathetic character. He was once a crusader for justice, like Batman. In fact, his obsession with punishing criminals was, at times, more severe than the Bat. But when Dent got the acid bath it opened up his psychosis. None of Two-Faces criminal shenanigans can equal the guilt Batman feels over failing to save Harvey Dent -- that makes for a potent villain.
Real Name: Unknown - We know him as Bane
First Appearance: Batman: Vengeance of Bane#1
Insane Twist: Formerly addicted to the super-steroid Venom, Bane is now merely consumed with gaining power in the world.
Crowning Moment: Breaking Batman's spirit and then breaking his back.
Bane could easily have been #1 on the list, but since his brilliant show of destroying Batman, Bane has turned into a worthless Neanderthal. During "Knightfall" Bane didn't just break Batman's back, he broke Batman's will. While most villains choose chaotic strategies to take out Batman, Bane's plan was simply to unleash ever whacko from Arkham, run Batman ragged, and then face the Dark Knight when he had nothing left. Batman barely had the will to go on living after his battle with Bane.
Real Name: Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow
First Appearance: World's Finest Comics #3
Insane Twist: Scarecrow wants nothing less than everyone in Gotham to be as afraid as he once was.
Crowning Moment: Producing a long-lasting fear in Batman during Dark Victory that turned the Dark Knight into a paranoid loner unable to accept help from anyone.
Few villains have done more with less. The pencil-thing Crane has one of the most effective attacks of the Rogues Gallery. How many other villains have routinely made Batman afraid? Cranes downfall is his own shortsightedness. But as the creepy figure in the night, he helps open up interesting avenues into the Dark Knight's psyche. That's true power.
Real Name: Pamela Isley / Poison Ivy
First Appearance: Batman #181
Insane Twist: Her blood is quite literally toxic, but her pheromone scent is absolutely intoxicating.
Crowning Moment: Forging a truce with Batman that allowed her some control over Gotham City.
It takes true sex appeal to have a name reminiscent of uncomfortable itching but to still have men falling all over you. Some villains strike at Batman's loved ones, some at his partner, but Poison Ivy goes straight for the Bat. Coy, sexy and very deadly, we can see why so many men fall under her spell.
Real Name: Victor Fries / Mr Freeze
First Appearance: Batman #121
Insane Twist: A control-freak who sees his freezing techniques as a way to control an unstable world, he went truly crazy after his love Nora succumbed to a mystery illness.
Crowning Moment: His recent appearance in the "City of Crime" storyline had an utterly delusional Freeze keeping Batman one step away from finding a missing girl.
Though Arnold Schwarzenegger did his best to destroy the image of Mr Freeze, the coldest villain in the DCU remains a favorite. The best villains are those born of tragedy -- similar to the way Batman was born from horrific events. Freeze is cold-hearted, like his name sake. He is forever trapped inside a suit that keeps his body temperature below freezing.
Real Name: Roman Sionis / Black Mask
First Appearance: Batman #386
Insane Twist: Black Mask is a sociopath obsessed with tormenting Bruce Wayne. The mask fused to his face was carved from his mothers grave for an extra splash of creepiness.
Crowning Moment: On his way to taking over Gotham's underworld, he aced Batman's newest Robin, Stephanie Brown.
He's a sadistic bastard who currently has more power in Gotham City than Batman. That says a lot. To top it off, he did kill a Robin, which gets you automatic placement on any villain list. The psychological damage wasn't just to Batman, but also to Tim Drake, Stephanie's boyfriend (and on-again off-again Boy Wonder).
Real Name: Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn
First Appearance: Batman: Harley Quinn #1
Insane Twist: She was the Joker's psychologist, but Joker managed to turn her into an insane groupie devoted to the Clown Prince of Crime.
Crowning Moment: Rejected by Joker, Harley arrived on Poison Ivy's doorstep intent on getting revenge -- what she gets is a major physical upgrade.
Harley could be even higher on this list were it not for her dependence on a certain Clown Prince of Crime. Always beholden to Joker, Harley's true power can never really be released on Gotham. She's deadly -- perhaps even deadlier than the Joker -- and completely bonkers.
The worst of all:
Real Name: Kermit The Frog
First Appearance: Sesame Street
Facts: I hardened criminal known as "The Frog". He has been a thorn in my side for years, and his accomplice Miss Piggy, well let's just say she can be a handful
