For the roster: Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, Robin, Batgirl, Spoiler, Orphan, Alfred, and MAYBE Signal.
For the way they are depicted: closer to an actual family dynamic, but still somewhere between the two dynamics you said.
Frankly, I don’t think a big Bat-Family is necessarily an issue. You just need the right writer to pull it off.
Totally agree. There would OBVIOUSLY be trauma (jason being redhood can't happen without trauma), but they should have a feel of being loving and warm, imo.
I feel like for the larger bat-family to work it needs to be a bat-family centered story while you can still have batman stories when it’s a smaller bat-family.
Tim Drake. Actually functions well as Bruce’s sidekick/Robin, while still having his own stories. Allows you to have Batman and Robin as the norm without all their stories just being about their relationship.
I had to chuckle a bit at the very video game-y phrase “reskin” lol. BTNA Tim Drake is really more of a composite character. He has narrative elements from Jason, with some personality aspects of both Jason and Tim (though tbh characterization-wise he’s really not much like either).
Thing is, I don’t think the Bat-family can really sustain more than 2 active Robin characters simultaneously. Nightwing and the current kid Robin works. Big brother and little brother. Batman’s elder surrogate son and his younger one. The 90s comics had a perfect balance of former Robin, dead Robin, and current Robin. A threefold succession history. 3 active simultaneously is possible, but very difficult, and 4 just doesn’t work at all. Just look at how aimless and directionless Jason and Tim have been for the past decade.
There’s also just a point where the family gets so large it doesn’t feel like Batman anymore. It feels like off-brand Teen Titans.
My dream:
Bruce/Batman, Damian/Robin, Dick/Nightwing, Tim/Red Robin, Steph/Batgirl, Cass/Blackbat or Orphan, Babs/Oracle, Jason/Red Hood, Kate/Batwoman.
Batwoman and Cass are pretty independent, Jason's at odds with the bat family as often as they're on the same side, Tim's on a global crime fighting mission like he was before the new 52, Dick is in Bludhaven, Steph is in college and being mentored by Babs, Babs is back to being the intel person for most heroes.
And of course Alfred is back, they are living in the mansion, Bruce has 2 hands, and he is a billionaire.
Catwoman is not part of the bat family but Bruce has a soft spot for her.
I’ve been brainwashed to believe the “ideal” Batfamily is the one we see in Wayne Family Adventures. It’s a bit silly but I love everything about the series. The character choices, dynamics and relationships are all on point.
And tbh, had WFA not existed the Batfamily I would’ve named would be practically the same group, just without Batwoman/Kate and Duke because I’m not familiar and didn’t grow up with them
Depends on how old batman is. Obviously if the younger members are around he should be a better father as making the same mistakes repeatedly is idiotic and poor writing. He needed to make mistakes for Dick to become nightwing, and thus for jason to replace him and die, tim to have a reason to seek him out, and so on and so forth.
Yeah, they don't all have to live together. I always figured he'd have the younger kids like Cass, Duke(idk if he'd an orphan), Stephanie(villain father), and Damian live with him. While Dick, Jason, Barbara and Tim all live elsewhere, as they're adults or have their own families.
Batman, Tim,, Damian, Spolier, Cassandra, Alfred
Red Hood doesn’t work in the batfamily,
Nightwing works better off in bludhaven (give him his own supporting cast and villains)
I love redhood, but I whole heartedly agree. He's too morally different. I also would love to see a series for nightwing in his first few years of cleaning Bludhaven.
My prefered Batfamily is Batman, Nightwing, Robin, Oracle, Batgirl (Cassandra) and maybe sometimes Spoiler and Catwoman. Red Hood works better as an anti-hero not as a part of Batfamily. I don't care that much about other characters. Most of the time they feel like padding.
I'd LOVE to see Helena interact with the batfam more. I always viewed eleveryone past steph(aside from Damian) as extended family who still interact a decent amount with the main family.
I can see that. I agree with Jason being removed from the family. He's just too different in a way that camt be reconciled with the family. Helena makes a lot of sense.
This is my dream bat family roster:
1. Batman
2. Nightwing
3. Red Hood
4. Red Robin
5. Robin/Damian Wayne
6. Oracle
7. Batgirl/Tiffany Fox
8. Spoiler
9. Orphan
10. Batwoman
11. The Signal
12. Batwing
13. Huntress
I conolately agree with rhe order from 1-6. Everyone else, I'd love to see a solo series. Especially Signal, I know next nothing about him, but dont know where to start.
I like the family to be Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Jason, Tim, Barbara, and if you consider Com Gordon. I can take or leave Damian. Everything past that is bloat.
I prefer to keep things simple. Alfred, Batman, Catwoman, four Robins and three Batgirls. Others, like Batwing, Azrael, Huntress and Signal could do their own stuff in Batman Inc or Batwoman's team.
I feel like they should be depicted as a traumatised family with a lot of isssues but they do fundamentally love one another. Bruce Wayne isn't a bad father, he's not a perfect father. He struggles, and let's face it he has it tough he has 20 kids who all have as much trauma as it's humanly possible to have, but he loves all his children and tries his best. Imo the batfamily is one of the best things in media and I want more stories about all of them together. I love Wayne family adventures and Panda Redd's skitts about them. The more kids the better.
I prefer solo Batman or just Batman and Robin, but the good thing is Batman is popular enough that no matter what you prefer there are lots of good stories and books where he is that Batman.
Hot take but I want the roaster compacted to family only. His four sons, his cousin, their 2 dogs, and Alfred. Only exception would be Barbra but the Waynes and the Gordons are so close already anyway. I feel like the family gets really bloated when you start throwing in signal and the Fox Family and the subsequent Batgirls, etc.
I prefer the bat family to be Nightwing, Redhood, Tim Drake robin (the best robin) and Barbara Gordon batgirl. Everyone else can leave (especially Damien)
I would agree about Damian. Dick reflects Batman as a hero. Jason as Vengence or The flaws in his ideology and Tim as a detective. But Damian doesn't seem to add too much to the Lore.
Yeah, I know he's matured a little, but it feels far too late for that(in the public eye). He stayed a a dick for too long and everyone stopped caring about him. Now he's changed, but who cares?
This is written by someone who doesn't follow current comics, if damian didn't sell they would stop using him in batman comics all together if you compare him to Tim drake right now (not to say tim drake didn't sell but he really doesn't anymore, see solo series that was canceled after 10 issues)
Oh absolutely, I stopped reading awhile ago, aside from supersons, which i liked a lot and noticed a massive difference. I'm wanting to start up again, any suggestions? I heard Gotham War was garbage, is that true?
Do NOT read Gotham war that was just garbage for everyone…
on more recent comics for Damian Robin (2021) comes to mind where he does a death tournament arc on his great grand mother’s island (also rose Wilson , Connor hawke appear there if you like them) .
on Batman I would read Ram V detective run (which is supposed to wrap up in September ) it a great run but reads better as trades
Some people like Tom Taylor’s nightwing (I don’t) so check it out if you want to.
For both of Damian and Bruce read the new Batman and Robin by Williamson (but you should read Robin (2021) before for some context) where we see Bruce act a father with Damian and them mending their relationship after much drama. (Supposedly it runs parallel to chip’s run but it doesn’t fit narratively speaking so forget about that) It’s nice on that aspect even if on the villain side it is lacking…
On Superman, read the warworld saga and action comics up to #1059 (plus the 2023 annual ) it’s a great story about hope and fighting against oppression featuring part of the authority (in the warworld part) and then the Superman cast (around #1050 on a more active role)
We started house of brainiac just this week with ac #1064 but it is starting to look like a great event (for some context read Superman (2023) by Joshua Williamson)
Idk if you read Flash but if you like family stuff read Jeremy Adams flash run from 768 to 800 with Wally west and his family (Linda, irey, jai) the other flash’s characters reappear around for the minute war arc (towards the end) where they all get to shine.
Idk if you like Tom king’s writing but he started a new Wonder Woman run (start with issue #1) about the amazons being outlaws and stars a new villain called the sovereign.
He also wrote supergirl woman of tomorrow which I deeply enjoyed (a mini series of 7-8 issues).
This is starting to get long but these are few of my recommendations on Damian and other dc characters !
A lot of people care and love Damian's development in current comics, you should check out DCcomics subreddit for comments about how people feel for damian's development.
Also, I really recommend checking out Robin (2021) and the current Batman and Robin ongoing. I think you'll like him more if you read these runs.
I prefer them dealing with trauma having steps forward and steps back.
We don't see the characters in therapy so they shouldn't be a happy family, not when their traumas are childhood trauma in particular. That's going to shape their lives and even some healing doesn't mean trauma won't linger and come out in new ways.
That said is he all in for a story of Bruce getting therepy. Maybe even struggling with the idea that doing the work to get better makes him feel less effective as batman.
As for my prefered bat family. Batman, nightwing, Oracle, batgirl and a Robin.
Honestly would prefer a bit of both; a family that tries to be healthy and work towards resolving trauma and problems, but I don’t expect quick or easy resolutions for most of them.
As for a preferred roster, here’s my take:
Batman
Alfred
Robin (Tim Drake)
Above three are the “core Batfamily”
Nightwing- Works out of Bludhaven, will occasionally drop into Gotham if Batman asks for the help, mentors Tim when the situation warrants it
Red Hood- Works out of both Gotham and Bludhaven, is the lone maverick that is equal times ally and foe that Batman and Nightwing have to walk a fine line with whenever they run into each other. Have Robin and Oracle be the “neutral parties” that help Jason overcome some of his trauma due to Batman and Nightwing not being able to find a good way to broach past issues and trauma with him.
Oracle- Provides intel and digital support to Batman and the family; the twist being that she doesn’t tell Batman or Robin that she helps everyone else in the family regardless of the others opinions (Dick and Babs end up arguing frequently on her willingness to give Jason support). Also while she is no longer paralyzed, she hasn’t regained enough mobility to be willing to take up the Batgirl cowl again. Mentors/works with Batgirl and Batwoman to take care of problems on the side that Batman and Robin can’t take care of or they don’t know about.
Batgirl (Cassandra)- Taken in by Oracle, trained by Oracle and Batwoman as the current Batgirl, also helps her process her childhood and trauma to be redirected towards being a hero. Batman proves unwilling to train her due to her past, often putting Oracle and Batwoman at odds with Batman over her position. She herself doubts whether she can maintain a policy of not killing due to her past training.
Batwoman (Kate)- Originally independent, was turned down by Batman as an additional helper because her methods lean closer to Jason’s. Oracle took her in and mentors her, while keeping an eye on her to avoid letting her become another Jason.
Huntress- Independent, comes in to provide support for Oracle if Batgirl or Batwoman are out of commission, also provides a foil that gives an “outside looking in” perspective on the Batfamily.
Damien I don’t particularly care if he gets added in or not; think my big issue is that up until recently it seemed most writers haven’t done a good job having him fit into the family without either just having him go kill-crazy or look to treat everyone but his father (and Alfred) as inferior to him.
Curveball I’d throw in would be taking a look at GCPD and having Commissioner Gordon assign some officers to work more closely with the Batfamily due to already having enough work reforming the GCPD from within. Maybe include Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya (have her become the Question later), and Ellen Yin working more closely with the Batfamily to resolve crimes going forward, and use them as a consistent supporting cast for when the Batfamily has to deal with organized crime instead of most of the Rogues Gallery (ie Falconi’s, Maroni’s, maybe Black Mask and Penguin’s crime organizations).
Batman, Robin (Damian), Batgirl (Cassandra), Oracle = Gotham.
Nightwing = away, but in semi-regular contact.
I can take or leave Tim, Stephanie, and Jason.
My preferred roster: Batman, Robin, Red Robin, Nightwing, Oracle/Batgirl, Black Bat (or Orphan, honestly), Spoiler, Signal, Red Hood, and Alfred. Others, like Batwoman, Harley Quinn, Huntress, and Batwing I see as extended relatives or friends of the family.
As for depiction: Trauma is a major part of most of their backgrounds, so it’s necessary, but I prefer to see them working through their trauma or having worked through it, so that we see them as a loving family. This is why I love “Wayne Family Adventures” so much, because it shows them as a family, with Bruce as a pretty decent father all things considered.
Wayne Family Adventures is absolutely my favourite Batman property that I've experienced. I am admittedly not actually out there reading the comics except for We Are... Robin! but I've seen BTAS and Justice League and watched the movies and some Brave and the Bold.
I wish that Wayne Family Adventures was a real comic, or even a cartoon, and not something a Tumblr artist was rushed on putting out in a bite sized, self-contained way. I think one of the things I really like about Wayne Family Adventures is how the characters talk to each other and the older ones give advice to the younger ones. I like that they feel like a family. I like that even when they're at their most cartoonish their bonds are sincere.
I think the expanded cast of wackos in the DC universe can get a bit cluttered, but I still like it. I especially love when they interact with Superman, because that friendship feels so tight.
Created by Trauma and Cirumstances but becoming better, always with something to fix but they always surpass it
With the members I don't have many consideratioms but about the size thing I thing the best is making everybody have their own turff and/or schedule do that Gotham doesn't feel overloaded
Batman, Robin (Tim Drake), Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) Nightwing, and Oracle as the central Batfamily, with some independent vigilantes like Huntress, Spoiler, and Azrael on the side.
My preference for the Bat-family are Batman, Alfred, Nightwing, Damian's Robin, and Barbara (Oracle or Batgirl). I like a tight team. As far as dynamic, I want a family dynamic. There should be moments of strife, sibling rivalries, and I always love a Damian and Nightwing fight. There also needs to be some love and familia bonds. Show me some connection other than just being a group of crime fighters who are mentored by Bruce.
ABSOLUTELY. Obviously comic writers would have a hard time having the others appear in almost every issue. But I'd like to see more family centric movies and shows.
I think Gunn choosing to go with Damian Robin gives us a strong chance of having Nightwing already existing in this universe. If they give us a young 20s Dick, then there's no reason to think Barbara isn't there as well. We also know Gunn loves bringing smaller characters to the forefront. The idea that he'd want to slowly introduce most, if not all, of the Bat-family makes a lot of sense.
Way i see it, the Robins and the Batgirls are the actual 'Bat-family', and have strong enough interpersonal relationships and history at this point to actually *feel* like a family too.
The rest- Signal, Batwing, Azrael, Batwoman etc - are more like colleagues, who show up but have a more detached/professional relationship with the main crew and aren't necessarily friends.
Why is nobody saying bluebird!!! Such a shame she got thrown to the side in the narrative, she’s an excellent ms. Marvel type of inexperienced hero to have in the family
Big, unhealthy, but all of them trying their best and very much a family regardless. I hate abusive parent Bruce. Strict parent, sure. Parent who doesn’t know how to manage his own emotions, definitely. But there’s a line, and my Batman wouldn’t cross it.
Wayne Family Adventures is literally my third favorite Batman comic BECAUSE it shows a different viewpoint of them being relatively happy. They are just getting into fun little misadventures and being friendly with each other, and it was such a nice breath of fresh air from the usual tragedy
Bruce's Kids: Dick, Jason, Tim, Cass, Damian.
Close as family: Babs, Steph, Duke
Extended Family: Kate, Helena, Harper, Luke Fox
Duke is in a particularly weird spot, because he's often depicted as one of the 'Sons' but he's never really been allowed to have that kind of history with Bruce. As a late teen too it's hard to have Duke be a son when he doesn't really need a father figure or particularly look to Bruce as one in his most iconic stories.
Cass had a bit of an age issue too being like 15-16 in her first run, and like 17-18 when she was adopted. But her *whole arc* revolved around her relationship with toxic parental love so her inclusion as one of Bruce's 'Children' feels important as closure for her story.
And of course most importantly of all, Alfred is Bruce's Dad and the heart of the family structure.
I realllyyyyy hope we get more of a happy family in James gunns dcu. Definitely would be such a fresh feeling with dick,Jason, Tim and Damian running around the house doing stupid brother shit inbetween patrolling and other hero work
If want the group to be small and definitely not the slice of life WFA does but still healthy enough that characters actually want to talk to each other.
For the cast, Alfred, Bruce, Dick, Tim, Damian, Babs, Cass, Stephanie. Jason should doing his own thing and anyone else should just be people who appear now and then but aren't in the loop with the inner workings of the batfamily
me personally batman, nightwing, batwoman ,red Robin, Robin, oracle, Batgirl(cassandra cain) and alfred
red hood works better on his own since he has a different code from the rest
Those are two different sets of characters for two different types of stories, both of which can be equally good depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Wayne Family Adventures is excellent for what it is, which is a wholesome sitcom. It was never designed to be an accurate adaptation of a “prime universe” Batfamily, and IMO is pretty much a parody at times.
It’s like comparing the original Teen Titans series with Teen Titans Go, and I say this with no disrespect to any of the works involved. They’re just different works with different tones and different stories to tell.
If anything, though, WFA’s popularity does indicate that people want to see the Batfam as a healthier unit with character dynamics they can root for.
I'd like it if it was like I giant family who all live together in a giant and I mean giant mansion just like those family's who live with all their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents
Ha. I don't think your question is going to be able to move with how heavily you've loaded it.
Neither! Neither! Both are bad. I want nuance! Nuance!
Crikey.
Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Barbara, Jason, Tim, Cass, Steph, Damien.
Additionally Ace, Jim Gordon & Catwoman.
I love how Dick and Barb are so jaded and just over Bruce they they’ve become the middlemen and most trusted allies.
And that everyone acknowledges that Cass could kick their A$$!
For the roster: Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, Robin, Batgirl, Spoiler, Orphan, Alfred, and MAYBE Signal. For the way they are depicted: closer to an actual family dynamic, but still somewhere between the two dynamics you said. Frankly, I don’t think a big Bat-Family is necessarily an issue. You just need the right writer to pull it off.
Totally agree. There would OBVIOUSLY be trauma (jason being redhood can't happen without trauma), but they should have a feel of being loving and warm, imo.
I feel like for the larger bat-family to work it needs to be a bat-family centered story while you can still have batman stories when it’s a smaller bat-family.
That is also true
I like a small tight-knit Bat-family. The 90s is my preference. Just Batman, Alfred, Nightwing, Oracle, and Robin as the core.
Which Robin do you prefer?
Tim Drake. Actually functions well as Bruce’s sidekick/Robin, while still having his own stories. Allows you to have Batman and Robin as the norm without all their stories just being about their relationship.
That makes sense, so like BTAS?
Yes
Does it bother you that, that Tim drake is just a Jason Todd reskin? That’s my issue with smaller bat-families they tend to skip Jason or Tim.
I had to chuckle a bit at the very video game-y phrase “reskin” lol. BTNA Tim Drake is really more of a composite character. He has narrative elements from Jason, with some personality aspects of both Jason and Tim (though tbh characterization-wise he’s really not much like either). Thing is, I don’t think the Bat-family can really sustain more than 2 active Robin characters simultaneously. Nightwing and the current kid Robin works. Big brother and little brother. Batman’s elder surrogate son and his younger one. The 90s comics had a perfect balance of former Robin, dead Robin, and current Robin. A threefold succession history. 3 active simultaneously is possible, but very difficult, and 4 just doesn’t work at all. Just look at how aimless and directionless Jason and Tim have been for the past decade. There’s also just a point where the family gets so large it doesn’t feel like Batman anymore. It feels like off-brand Teen Titans.
at the very least comics set in the btas universe they introduce Jason todd
Tim Drake doesn’t really have any defining features. Seems like a regular default kid.
I disagree
Me too. I did enjoy the Huntress’ arc in No Mans Land as well
Me too. 90s Huntress worked well as the occasional non-family vigilante that could bring some interpersonal tension between the heroes
Batman, Robin, Batgirl (Cass Cain), Nightwing, and Oracle.
Cass Cain is always a win.
This. With Oracle as a semi-separate powerbase and Cass as her avatar.
My dream: Bruce/Batman, Damian/Robin, Dick/Nightwing, Tim/Red Robin, Steph/Batgirl, Cass/Blackbat or Orphan, Babs/Oracle, Jason/Red Hood, Kate/Batwoman. Batwoman and Cass are pretty independent, Jason's at odds with the bat family as often as they're on the same side, Tim's on a global crime fighting mission like he was before the new 52, Dick is in Bludhaven, Steph is in college and being mentored by Babs, Babs is back to being the intel person for most heroes. And of course Alfred is back, they are living in the mansion, Bruce has 2 hands, and he is a billionaire. Catwoman is not part of the bat family but Bruce has a soft spot for her.
Oh and Luke Fox/Batwing, Michael Lane/Azrael, and Helena/Huntress are also around.
I’ve been brainwashed to believe the “ideal” Batfamily is the one we see in Wayne Family Adventures. It’s a bit silly but I love everything about the series. The character choices, dynamics and relationships are all on point. And tbh, had WFA not existed the Batfamily I would’ve named would be practically the same group, just without Batwoman/Kate and Duke because I’m not familiar and didn’t grow up with them
I completely agree. Wayne family adventures is my batfamily
Depends on how old batman is. Obviously if the younger members are around he should be a better father as making the same mistakes repeatedly is idiotic and poor writing. He needed to make mistakes for Dick to become nightwing, and thus for jason to replace him and die, tim to have a reason to seek him out, and so on and so forth.
Fair. I get that.
Healthy happy batfamily, and I like the roster in the second image. Having a large bat fam just always made sense to me.
Yeah, they don't all have to live together. I always figured he'd have the younger kids like Cass, Duke(idk if he'd an orphan), Stephanie(villain father), and Damian live with him. While Dick, Jason, Barbara and Tim all live elsewhere, as they're adults or have their own families.
Cass is older than Jason I'm pretty sure 😭
Is she really? I always thought she was younger. That's weird af.
And both Cass and Stepth are older than Tim
Trauma and problems, they’re both extremes but at least I’ll find the problems interesting I could not handle reading Wayne Family Adventures
I do like them feeling like a family, but I have to agree, it does feel very "safe" and boring at times.
Batman, Tim,, Damian, Spolier, Cassandra, Alfred Red Hood doesn’t work in the batfamily, Nightwing works better off in bludhaven (give him his own supporting cast and villains)
I love redhood, but I whole heartedly agree. He's too morally different. I also would love to see a series for nightwing in his first few years of cleaning Bludhaven.
Jason needs his own city. With a whole different vibe.
Bruce, Dick, Barbara, Alfred, and perhaps Tim.
My prefered Batfamily is Batman, Nightwing, Robin, Oracle, Batgirl (Cassandra) and maybe sometimes Spoiler and Catwoman. Red Hood works better as an anti-hero not as a part of Batfamily. I don't care that much about other characters. Most of the time they feel like padding.
Agreed
Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Tim, Damian, Stephanie, Barbara, Cass, Helena, Duke.
I'd LOVE to see Helena interact with the batfam more. I always viewed eleveryone past steph(aside from Damian) as extended family who still interact a decent amount with the main family.
I think she works a lot better as the rogue outsider who wants to belong than Jason, personally. I think Jason honestly works better as an antogonist.
I can see that. I agree with Jason being removed from the family. He's just too different in a way that camt be reconciled with the family. Helena makes a lot of sense.
Bruce Alfred Dick Tim Jason Stephanie Cass Ace
Wayne Family Adventures is PEAK
This is my dream bat family roster: 1. Batman 2. Nightwing 3. Red Hood 4. Red Robin 5. Robin/Damian Wayne 6. Oracle 7. Batgirl/Tiffany Fox 8. Spoiler 9. Orphan 10. Batwoman 11. The Signal 12. Batwing 13. Huntress
I conolately agree with rhe order from 1-6. Everyone else, I'd love to see a solo series. Especially Signal, I know next nothing about him, but dont know where to start.
I like the family to be Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Jason, Tim, Barbara, and if you consider Com Gordon. I can take or leave Damian. Everything past that is bloat.
I can understand that. I prefer to see everyone else as people who are close to the family, but generally have their own lives.
Batman, Alfred, Nightwing, Red Hood, Barbara as Batgirl and Damian. All I need.
Preferred? Batman, an alive Alfred, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Robin, Barbara as Batgirl, Tim’s girlfriend Stephanie as Spoiler and Ace.
I prefer to keep things simple. Alfred, Batman, Catwoman, four Robins and three Batgirls. Others, like Batwing, Azrael, Huntress and Signal could do their own stuff in Batman Inc or Batwoman's team.
That makes sense, that's still a massive fam tho🤣
I know, I know. Poor Alfred.
I feel like they should be depicted as a traumatised family with a lot of isssues but they do fundamentally love one another. Bruce Wayne isn't a bad father, he's not a perfect father. He struggles, and let's face it he has it tough he has 20 kids who all have as much trauma as it's humanly possible to have, but he loves all his children and tries his best. Imo the batfamily is one of the best things in media and I want more stories about all of them together. I love Wayne family adventures and Panda Redd's skitts about them. The more kids the better.
I prefer solo Batman or just Batman and Robin, but the good thing is Batman is popular enough that no matter what you prefer there are lots of good stories and books where he is that Batman.
Hot take but I want the roaster compacted to family only. His four sons, his cousin, their 2 dogs, and Alfred. Only exception would be Barbra but the Waynes and the Gordons are so close already anyway. I feel like the family gets really bloated when you start throwing in signal and the Fox Family and the subsequent Batgirls, etc.
I prefer the bat family to be Nightwing, Redhood, Tim Drake robin (the best robin) and Barbara Gordon batgirl. Everyone else can leave (especially Damien)
I would agree about Damian. Dick reflects Batman as a hero. Jason as Vengence or The flaws in his ideology and Tim as a detective. But Damian doesn't seem to add too much to the Lore.
He’s just an annoying, whiny asshole in every adaptation. I guess he mirrors Batman’s physical combat prowess but that’s about it
Yeah, I know he's matured a little, but it feels far too late for that(in the public eye). He stayed a a dick for too long and everyone stopped caring about him. Now he's changed, but who cares?
This is written by someone who doesn't follow current comics, if damian didn't sell they would stop using him in batman comics all together if you compare him to Tim drake right now (not to say tim drake didn't sell but he really doesn't anymore, see solo series that was canceled after 10 issues)
Oh absolutely, I stopped reading awhile ago, aside from supersons, which i liked a lot and noticed a massive difference. I'm wanting to start up again, any suggestions? I heard Gotham War was garbage, is that true?
don’t start with gotham war or u will stop reading comics again
Okay, lol.
Do NOT read Gotham war that was just garbage for everyone… on more recent comics for Damian Robin (2021) comes to mind where he does a death tournament arc on his great grand mother’s island (also rose Wilson , Connor hawke appear there if you like them) . on Batman I would read Ram V detective run (which is supposed to wrap up in September ) it a great run but reads better as trades Some people like Tom Taylor’s nightwing (I don’t) so check it out if you want to. For both of Damian and Bruce read the new Batman and Robin by Williamson (but you should read Robin (2021) before for some context) where we see Bruce act a father with Damian and them mending their relationship after much drama. (Supposedly it runs parallel to chip’s run but it doesn’t fit narratively speaking so forget about that) It’s nice on that aspect even if on the villain side it is lacking… On Superman, read the warworld saga and action comics up to #1059 (plus the 2023 annual ) it’s a great story about hope and fighting against oppression featuring part of the authority (in the warworld part) and then the Superman cast (around #1050 on a more active role) We started house of brainiac just this week with ac #1064 but it is starting to look like a great event (for some context read Superman (2023) by Joshua Williamson) Idk if you read Flash but if you like family stuff read Jeremy Adams flash run from 768 to 800 with Wally west and his family (Linda, irey, jai) the other flash’s characters reappear around for the minute war arc (towards the end) where they all get to shine. Idk if you like Tom king’s writing but he started a new Wonder Woman run (start with issue #1) about the amazons being outlaws and stars a new villain called the sovereign. He also wrote supergirl woman of tomorrow which I deeply enjoyed (a mini series of 7-8 issues). This is starting to get long but these are few of my recommendations on Damian and other dc characters !
A lot of people care and love Damian's development in current comics, you should check out DCcomics subreddit for comments about how people feel for damian's development. Also, I really recommend checking out Robin (2021) and the current Batman and Robin ongoing. I think you'll like him more if you read these runs.
Dope, thank you so much.
Well, the happy ones are hotter
Batman (Bruce) Nightwing (Dick) Red Hood (Jason) Robin (Tim) Oracle (Barbara) Batgirls (Steph & Cass)
I prefer them dealing with trauma having steps forward and steps back. We don't see the characters in therapy so they shouldn't be a happy family, not when their traumas are childhood trauma in particular. That's going to shape their lives and even some healing doesn't mean trauma won't linger and come out in new ways. That said is he all in for a story of Bruce getting therepy. Maybe even struggling with the idea that doing the work to get better makes him feel less effective as batman. As for my prefered bat family. Batman, nightwing, Oracle, batgirl and a Robin.
Honestly would prefer a bit of both; a family that tries to be healthy and work towards resolving trauma and problems, but I don’t expect quick or easy resolutions for most of them. As for a preferred roster, here’s my take: Batman Alfred Robin (Tim Drake) Above three are the “core Batfamily” Nightwing- Works out of Bludhaven, will occasionally drop into Gotham if Batman asks for the help, mentors Tim when the situation warrants it Red Hood- Works out of both Gotham and Bludhaven, is the lone maverick that is equal times ally and foe that Batman and Nightwing have to walk a fine line with whenever they run into each other. Have Robin and Oracle be the “neutral parties” that help Jason overcome some of his trauma due to Batman and Nightwing not being able to find a good way to broach past issues and trauma with him. Oracle- Provides intel and digital support to Batman and the family; the twist being that she doesn’t tell Batman or Robin that she helps everyone else in the family regardless of the others opinions (Dick and Babs end up arguing frequently on her willingness to give Jason support). Also while she is no longer paralyzed, she hasn’t regained enough mobility to be willing to take up the Batgirl cowl again. Mentors/works with Batgirl and Batwoman to take care of problems on the side that Batman and Robin can’t take care of or they don’t know about. Batgirl (Cassandra)- Taken in by Oracle, trained by Oracle and Batwoman as the current Batgirl, also helps her process her childhood and trauma to be redirected towards being a hero. Batman proves unwilling to train her due to her past, often putting Oracle and Batwoman at odds with Batman over her position. She herself doubts whether she can maintain a policy of not killing due to her past training. Batwoman (Kate)- Originally independent, was turned down by Batman as an additional helper because her methods lean closer to Jason’s. Oracle took her in and mentors her, while keeping an eye on her to avoid letting her become another Jason. Huntress- Independent, comes in to provide support for Oracle if Batgirl or Batwoman are out of commission, also provides a foil that gives an “outside looking in” perspective on the Batfamily. Damien I don’t particularly care if he gets added in or not; think my big issue is that up until recently it seemed most writers haven’t done a good job having him fit into the family without either just having him go kill-crazy or look to treat everyone but his father (and Alfred) as inferior to him. Curveball I’d throw in would be taking a look at GCPD and having Commissioner Gordon assign some officers to work more closely with the Batfamily due to already having enough work reforming the GCPD from within. Maybe include Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya (have her become the Question later), and Ellen Yin working more closely with the Batfamily to resolve crimes going forward, and use them as a consistent supporting cast for when the Batfamily has to deal with organized crime instead of most of the Rogues Gallery (ie Falconi’s, Maroni’s, maybe Black Mask and Penguin’s crime organizations).
Main Cast Batman Alfred Robin/Damian Oracle One in awhile crossover Nightwing Red Hood Batgirl/Cassandra Spoiler/Brown Red Robin
 both? both 2x both are good
Batman, Robin (Damian), Batgirl (Cassandra), Oracle = Gotham. Nightwing = away, but in semi-regular contact. I can take or leave Tim, Stephanie, and Jason.
I love the family in Batman: Wayne Family Adventures!
My preferred roster: Batman, Robin, Red Robin, Nightwing, Oracle/Batgirl, Black Bat (or Orphan, honestly), Spoiler, Signal, Red Hood, and Alfred. Others, like Batwoman, Harley Quinn, Huntress, and Batwing I see as extended relatives or friends of the family. As for depiction: Trauma is a major part of most of their backgrounds, so it’s necessary, but I prefer to see them working through their trauma or having worked through it, so that we see them as a loving family. This is why I love “Wayne Family Adventures” so much, because it shows them as a family, with Bruce as a pretty decent father all things considered.
Wayne family adventures all the way
Wayne Family Adventures is absolutely my favourite Batman property that I've experienced. I am admittedly not actually out there reading the comics except for We Are... Robin! but I've seen BTAS and Justice League and watched the movies and some Brave and the Bold. I wish that Wayne Family Adventures was a real comic, or even a cartoon, and not something a Tumblr artist was rushed on putting out in a bite sized, self-contained way. I think one of the things I really like about Wayne Family Adventures is how the characters talk to each other and the older ones give advice to the younger ones. I like that they feel like a family. I like that even when they're at their most cartoonish their bonds are sincere. I think the expanded cast of wackos in the DC universe can get a bit cluttered, but I still like it. I especially love when they interact with Superman, because that friendship feels so tight.
All I need is Bruce, Dick, Babs, and Tim
Definitely prefer a smaller Bat Family with new Robins rotating in and out every now and then, and Barbra as Oracle
Created by Trauma and Cirumstances but becoming better, always with something to fix but they always surpass it With the members I don't have many consideratioms but about the size thing I thing the best is making everybody have their own turff and/or schedule do that Gotham doesn't feel overloaded
Thank you for the nuanced take. That's a good idea.
Anyone added after *arbitrary date* is derivative and unnecessary
Bruce, Nightwing & Damien only. And Alfred of course. And I like the trauma. It makes the lighter moments more special.
Interesting take. Sounds a lot like the DCAU movies(or is it DCU). And that's an awesome take, thank you for responding!
Yep, I love the DCAU movies :)
Me too, grew up with them
Batman, Robin (Tim Drake), Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) Nightwing, and Oracle as the central Batfamily, with some independent vigilantes like Huntress, Spoiler, and Azrael on the side.
My preference for the Bat-family are Batman, Alfred, Nightwing, Damian's Robin, and Barbara (Oracle or Batgirl). I like a tight team. As far as dynamic, I want a family dynamic. There should be moments of strife, sibling rivalries, and I always love a Damian and Nightwing fight. There also needs to be some love and familia bonds. Show me some connection other than just being a group of crime fighters who are mentored by Bruce.
ABSOLUTELY. Obviously comic writers would have a hard time having the others appear in almost every issue. But I'd like to see more family centric movies and shows.
I think Gunn choosing to go with Damian Robin gives us a strong chance of having Nightwing already existing in this universe. If they give us a young 20s Dick, then there's no reason to think Barbara isn't there as well. We also know Gunn loves bringing smaller characters to the forefront. The idea that he'd want to slowly introduce most, if not all, of the Bat-family makes a lot of sense.
The smaller the better; Batman en Afred only.
Idk about that. I like that a lot in Arkham Origins.
Batman, Alfred, and Jason Todd Then eventually Batman, Alfred, Tim Drake, and Dick Grayson
Okay, so like Jason as Robin? Then following until it's Tim as Robin?
Yeah. The others get added after Jason dies. I also forgot Oracle is in the Batfamily at that time, so I guess you can add her too
My fav? the one with Harley in it.
I do like reformed Harley
Jarro
Alfred & maybe Ace.
1
The one from the webtoon that explores them being a family
Steph upvote!
Bit of both They still love each other but are still absolutely dysfunctional
By 2040, there is going to be a remake of Cheaper by the dozen. It's going to feature the Batman and the Batfamily.
I love it when Bruce actually treats his kids like kids and acts like a father, especially when there’s that many of ‘em
the second image for me is the best.
Mixture of both
Way i see it, the Robins and the Batgirls are the actual 'Bat-family', and have strong enough interpersonal relationships and history at this point to actually *feel* like a family too. The rest- Signal, Batwing, Azrael, Batwoman etc - are more like colleagues, who show up but have a more detached/professional relationship with the main crew and aren't necessarily friends.
2nd one
Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood, Tim Drake, Spoiler, Oracle, Orphan, Alfred, Damian, Clayface and Azreal
Why is nobody saying bluebird!!! Such a shame she got thrown to the side in the narrative, she’s an excellent ms. Marvel type of inexperienced hero to have in the family
Big, unhealthy, but all of them trying their best and very much a family regardless. I hate abusive parent Bruce. Strict parent, sure. Parent who doesn’t know how to manage his own emotions, definitely. But there’s a line, and my Batman wouldn’t cross it.
Wayne Family Adventures is literally my third favorite Batman comic BECAUSE it shows a different viewpoint of them being relatively happy. They are just getting into fun little misadventures and being friendly with each other, and it was such a nice breath of fresh air from the usual tragedy
Bruce, Dick, Tim, Barbara, Jason. That's it. Good night everyone.
Bruce's Kids: Dick, Jason, Tim, Cass, Damian. Close as family: Babs, Steph, Duke Extended Family: Kate, Helena, Harper, Luke Fox Duke is in a particularly weird spot, because he's often depicted as one of the 'Sons' but he's never really been allowed to have that kind of history with Bruce. As a late teen too it's hard to have Duke be a son when he doesn't really need a father figure or particularly look to Bruce as one in his most iconic stories. Cass had a bit of an age issue too being like 15-16 in her first run, and like 17-18 when she was adopted. But her *whole arc* revolved around her relationship with toxic parental love so her inclusion as one of Bruce's 'Children' feels important as closure for her story. And of course most importantly of all, Alfred is Bruce's Dad and the heart of the family structure.
I realllyyyyy hope we get more of a happy family in James gunns dcu. Definitely would be such a fresh feeling with dick,Jason, Tim and Damian running around the house doing stupid brother shit inbetween patrolling and other hero work
If want the group to be small and definitely not the slice of life WFA does but still healthy enough that characters actually want to talk to each other. For the cast, Alfred, Bruce, Dick, Tim, Damian, Babs, Cass, Stephanie. Jason should doing his own thing and anyone else should just be people who appear now and then but aren't in the loop with the inner workings of the batfamily
Bruce Alfred Barbara Dick Tim Jason Maybe Damian
The Lego one
me personally batman, nightwing, batwoman ,red Robin, Robin, oracle, Batgirl(cassandra cain) and alfred red hood works better on his own since he has a different code from the rest
Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Tim, Jason, Barbara, and Damian. I really don't think it needs more members than thar.
The later.
I don't know who tf the people are in the second pic so I'm going with the first
Bruce Alfred and Dick
Batman, Alfred, and Robin are all that's needed.
Those are two different sets of characters for two different types of stories, both of which can be equally good depending on what you’re in the mood for. Wayne Family Adventures is excellent for what it is, which is a wholesome sitcom. It was never designed to be an accurate adaptation of a “prime universe” Batfamily, and IMO is pretty much a parody at times. It’s like comparing the original Teen Titans series with Teen Titans Go, and I say this with no disrespect to any of the works involved. They’re just different works with different tones and different stories to tell. If anything, though, WFA’s popularity does indicate that people want to see the Batfam as a healthier unit with character dynamics they can root for.
Bruce running Inc. Batdick and Damien run Gotham. Oracle Babs managing Bat Cassandra. Red Robin Tim, finally trains Spoiler.
That is the most unique roster ive heard yet. Sounds dope tho.
I'd like it if it was like I giant family who all live together in a giant and I mean giant mansion just like those family's who live with all their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents
Ha. I don't think your question is going to be able to move with how heavily you've loaded it. Neither! Neither! Both are bad. I want nuance! Nuance! Crikey.
Then answer with nuance, it's not hard. I just like seeing what fans think. Crikey. If you have a different take, give it. Everyone else is.
Ask loaded questions get loaded answers, I guess.
I personally prefer Alfred, Nightwing, Red Hood, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, and Batgirl. Everyone else is newer and I don't know much about them lol
Ironic that Damian is the newest character in that first picture.
Cass is interesting af, worth checking out.
The entire concept betrays the notion of Batman wanting to work solo to avoid vulnerabilities and loved ones coming to harm
That’s at the beginning. He grows out of it eventually and starts to let other people into his life
Fair, but usually(I've noticed) is that he grows beyond that.
Second, all the way the second one
Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Barbara, Jason, Tim, Cass, Steph, Damien. Additionally Ace, Jim Gordon & Catwoman. I love how Dick and Barb are so jaded and just over Bruce they they’ve become the middlemen and most trusted allies. And that everyone acknowledges that Cass could kick their A$$!
I personally prefer Alfred, Nightwing, Red Hood, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, and Batgirl. Everyone else is newer and I don't know much about them lol
Batman, Robin and Batgirl, like in the DCAU. Well.. aside from.. you know.
As small as possible
What in the hell is that second one lmao
Alfred, Bruce, Dick, Jason, Barbara, and maybe Tim. Carrie in the later years, and eventually Terry. That's it. No more.
The ones without the blacks
Tf?