The is an informal name for a group of DC Comics Superhero es associated with the costumed crime fighter Batman . These characters are generally masked vigilantes who were trained by Batman and/or operate in his home of Gotham City with at least his tacit approval.
The Batman family rarely operates as a proper superhero team, but more like a network of similarly-minded superheroes with Batman as its head. Although some of them occasionally resent Batman’s intrusion in their lives, the Batman family members consider themselves his friends and try to guide and help him as well. For example, in a 2002 storyline in which Batman’s Secret Identity , Bruce Wayne, was accused of murder, they gathered together to prove his innocence. Many Batman writers have implied that this network keeps Batman from turning into a merciless vigilante.
It was also the title of a comics series from 1975 to 1978, running some twenty issues, featuring Batman allies, including the likes of Robin, Batgirl, Man-Bat and others.
Superman and other members of the JLA , while allies of Batman, are not usually included, because each has a Mythos outside that of Batman.
Aside from Batman, current members include:
- is Batman’s butler and confidante, and the man who raised him after his parents were killed.
- , Dick Grayson, was an orphaned child Acrobat who originally served as Batman’s Sidekick Robin and became Bruce Wayne's ward. As an adult, he took up the identity of Nightwing, and served as Blüdhaven ´s protector, Gotham's ugly sister city to the north, until he left due to a crisis of conscience.
- , Barbara Gordon, is the daughter of Gotham police commissioner James Gordon who was the original Batgirl. After she was left Paraplegic by the Joker, she became Oracle, Batman’s research assistant.
- , currently Tim Drake , is another teenaged crime fighter who took-up the mantle of Robin to assist Batman.
- is the police commissioner of Gotham City and long-time ally of Batman. He recently returned to action between the events of '' Infinite Crisis '' and the '' One Year Later '' event.
- is Hiro Okamura, a 13 year old genius from Japan. He was recruited by Superboy and Robin (Tim) after he successfully created the composite Superman/Batman ship that saved Earth. He now works with Batman to create custom-equipment and weapons, replacing Harold (see below).
- was hired by the Dark Knight after ''Infinite Crisis''. He is Batman's daytime liaison.
- , Jean-Paul Valley, was the genetically modified assassin Azrael, who once replaced Bruce Wayne as Batman when he was badly injured by Bane. Valley defeated Bane, but grew increasingly paranoid and violent. Bruce was forced to reclaim the mantle of the Bat. Valley returned to the Azrael identity and attempted to regain Batman's trust. After many years he did just that and served as an "Agent of the Bat" until his death. His body was never found.
- , Stephanie Brown, was the daughter of the criminal Cluemaster and became a teenaged superhero. She was Tim Drake’s love interest but was a callow and reckless crimefighter–traits that eventually lead to her death.
- was formerly a member of the GCPD and took up the Orpheus identity after a scandal that cost his badge. He became one of Batman's agents and posed as a crime boss; he was later killed by Black Mask.
- , Kathy Kane was a wealthy heiress who became a superhero, emulating her idol Batman, until her death by the assassin Bronze Tiger . In current continuity, she is the aunt of the current Flamebird , Bette Kane. Her time as Batwoman was erased, but the event of her murder has remained.
- , Harold was an aide of Batman's who helped design, make, and repair much of his gadgets. Harold was later killed by Hush .
- was apprehended by Batman while attempting to steal the tires off the Batmobile . Recognizing promising skills in the troubled youth, Batman took Jason in and trained him to become the second Robin . He later was killed by the Joker on a quest to find his mother. Years later, he was resurrected and adopted the identity of the second Red Hood , which the Joker held prior to the incident that transformed him from failing comedian into the Clown Prince of Crime. Currently, Todd is in New York City, using the persona of Nightwing.
- (a.k.a. Catwoman) was one of Batman's early adversaries. She severed contact with Batman after Zatanna informed her that her mind was being manipulated along with the rest of the Secret Society . Apparently, this was why she had given up her life of crime to align herself with Batman and the Batman Family. One Year after Infinite Crisis , she retired and gave birth to a baby girl and is again friends with Batman. A new Catwoman has surfaced, Holly Robinson, whose allegiance is unknown.
- , Helena Bertinelli, is the daughter of a Mafia boss who rejected crime and took to patrolling Gotham as a Anti-hero ine.
- , Cassandra Cain , is a Martial Art s Prodigy and daughter of the Assassin David Cain . Batman and Oracle trained her as the next Batgirl. As of the last issue of ''Batgirl'', she has given up the Batgirl mantle.
- , who is Bruce Wayne's former bodyguard. She is now working with government organization called Checkmate .
- was Orpheus' bodyguard and protector. She took up his position as gang leader after Orpheus' death. A bond has developed between Onyx and Cassandra Cain (Batgirl). After the events in '' Infinite Crisis '', she has not been seen in Gotham and her whereabouts are unknown.
- was the former District Attorney, and previously known as the villian Two-Face. He was deemed cured after his facial reconstruction surgery by Dr. Thomas Elliot . Dent was requested by Batman to watch over Gotham City during his One Year Absence with Robin. Dent's style of justice has been more brutal that Batman's precision style vigilantism. Upon Batman's return to Gotham, there has been a series of grisly murders of several members of Batman's rogue gallery, and almost all evidence points to Dent. When confronted by Batman, Dent blew up his apartment.
- All DC Comic Books , both unlimited series and Limited Series , related to Batman are occasionally called the Batman family of series. Most of these series feature the characters described above, but some feature Villains and general concepts from the Batman mythos.
- Two Comic book series have used the title ''Batman Family''. The first was an ongoing series that ran 20 issues from 1972 to 1975. This was an anthology title that featured members of the Batman Family, predominantly Batgirl and Robin. Batman himself rarely appeared. After this title ended, similar stories were included as backup stories in an expanded version of '' Detective Comics '' for a few years before the comic was reduced back to a regular size. In 2002 an eight-issue Limited Series titled ''Batman: Family'' was published featuring the Batman family.
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