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This Article Contains Spoilers -
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| “ | I am vengeance! I am the Night! I am. BATMAN! | „ |
| ~ Batman's famous quote. |
| “ | I'm not really a ‘people person’. But when you need help - and you will - call me. | „ |
| ~ Batman joining the Justice League. |
| “ | I care, Joker. About Gotham. About justice. And if it has to end, at least I go out like this: BEING BATMAN! | „ |
| ~ Batman's last words as his Earth gets consumed by Anti-Matter, and Kevin Conroy's final lines as the character. |
Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, is one of the main protagonists of the DC Animated Universe, specifically serving as the titular main protagonist of his own series and movies of the same names. He is a ill-stricken billionaire who became a crime-fighting vigilante after witnessing the murder of his parents.
Shortly after beginning his war on crime, Batman took in an orphaned boy named Dick Grayson as his crime-fighting partner, Robin, who eventually quit the team to lead his own life as the super-hero Nightwing; Batman then replaced him as Robin with Tim Drake. He also fought alongside Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl. He is also one of the founding members of the Justice League. He fought crime for decades until old age and declining health forced him to retire. Years later, he passed on the mantle of Batman to Terry McGinnis.
He was voiced by the late Kevin Conroy, who reprised the role several times, including in the Arkhamverse and Injustice video game series and several DC Animated films. He was also voiced by Josh Hutcherson as a younger version (who also played Sean Anderson in The Journey films, Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games and Nod in Epic) Kyle Alcazar in Justice League Unlimited and Mike Schmidt from the live-action FNAF movie.
Personality[]
| “ | I haven't been a kid since I was eight years old. | „ |
| ~ Batman to Wonder Woman in "Kids Stuff". |
After witnessing his parents' murder, Bruce vowed his entire life to protect Gotham from threats to prevent another child from having to go through what he experienced. He has shown on numerous occasions to put his vigilante crusade above all else, having a great dedication in stopping criminals and threats. While a member of the Justice League, Batman remains professional with his teammates, but revealed his true identity to them.
Due to his cold and distant behavior, Bruce has been described as self-centered and manipulative by his allies such as Nightwing, whom he had a falling out with. However, Wayne was originally somewhat optimistic when he started his crusade, but slowly became bitter and cold as he started to alienate himself from his friends which had led to the falling out he had with Nightwing and later Batgirl and Robin as well as they all left him and the crime-fighting life behind.
He has a highly secretive nature, which can be helpful to outwitting enemies, however, he can unintentionally antagonise his allies. When he was still Robin, Dick Grayson began to consider Batman's tactics to be too violent and traumatic to family members of criminals; however, Batman didn't reveal that as Bruce Wayne, he actually helps numerous criminals begin the process of rehabilitation, which had he been clear, some of the trouble may have been avoided. Part of Grayson's animosity was possibly fueled by jealousy, since his girlfriend at the time, Barbara Gordon, had become Batgirl without Grayson's knowledge, plus Barbara had once had a crush on Batman.
Despite his dark, brooding nature, Batman had an extraordinary capacity for compassion. Many villains he faces, he sympathizes with them when they had been driven into crime out of desperation, or had suffered so much that their sanity was broken. Bruce considered Harvey Dent as a good friend, so was devastated when he became the criminal, Two-Face; even though Batman fought Two-Face many times, he always tried to appeal to Harvey's original good side. Baby Doll, driven mad by both her loss of career and fame, but also the fact that her medical condition trapped her forever in the body of a small child; despite her actions, Batman treated her with kindness. Similarly, his first few fights against Mr. Freeze, Batman was sad to learn his involuntary transformation and the illness of his wife. While generally frustrated by her antics attempting to appease the Joker, he often treated Harley Quinn with sympathy, as he understood the Joker's manipulative talents had broken her into a criminal.
There were supervillains that he didn't feel sympathy for nor mercy. When they are perfectly aware of how evil and cruel their actions are, yet still do them anyway, Batman holds them in contempt. The likes of Penguin, Rupert Thorne, Scarecrow, and Roland Daggert are faced with fury from Batman, with the only restraint being he won't kill. It is more complicated with Ra's al Ghul, as despite his methods involving mass murder, the terrorist's end goal being noble for the majority of their conflicts make their rivalry less clear. Akin with Poison Ivy, whose goals of saving the environment are justified, but her tactics always rely on death and mayhem; although, sometimes Batman ends up arresting one of her targets, as they are often criminals. The one enemy that Batman detests the most the Joker; while beginning as a nuisance, the scale and cruelty of Joker's crimes increased to disastrous levels, result in him becoming one of the few genuine struggles Batman has with his oath of no killing.
Batman's indomitable will made him capable of fighting crime, no matter what form it took. His strength of character also made him a pivotal member of Justice League; despite being the only one without superpowers, he would often play key roles in defeating villains. He was never intimidated by any enemy, however, he didn't allow his fearlessness to make him underestimate his opponent, as even when he despised them, he understood the threats they posed.
Bruce initially forsook any hope of romance, however, during his years of acquiring skills, he became apprentice to magician, Giovanni Zatara, during which Bruce built a rapport and mutual attraction with his daughter, Zatanna; his commitment to avenging his parents made him avoid pursuing a relationship with her, although unlike most former lovers, he eventually established a strong and intimate friendship with her. After Bruce's pilgrimage, right before he became Batman, he met Andrea Beaumont; Bruce and Andrea fell in love. Their relationship progresses to the point that he proposes. Due to not wanting to leave a bereaved love, Bruce tried to beg his parents at their grave for their "permission" to change his war on crime to instead of him directly, it be undertaken by police with a vastly greater budget thanks to him. Unfortunately, Andrea fled Gotham with her father, with a vague note about not being ready for marriage. Bruce's heartbreak pushed him into accepting his destiny as Batman. Many years later, Andrea returned, and despite his bitterness, he was tempted to restart their relationship; this was not to be, as it was revealed that the new murderous vigilante, the Phantasm, was actually Andrea wanting revenge on the mobsters who killed her father. Despite Batman's pleas, she surrendered herself to vengeance.
Despite being jaded by Andrea, Batman did have numerous other love interests. He had a few casual acquaintances as Bruce Wayne, but they were merely to act as proof of his civilian cover. Barring a robot and plant person, with the former involving deception, and the latter involving brainwashing, Batman had only two love main interests during both Batman: The Animated and New Animated Series, who were Selina Kyle/Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul. While he was emotionally and physically attracted to both, extenuating circumstances divided them; Catwoman's inability to cease her repeated burglaries, and Talia's loyalty to her father and the League of Assassin's noble, but ruthless causes. While he didn't love her, Batman felt pity for Harley Quinn, but he is willing, if reluctant, to accept her help, and after one such time, Harley was touched by his kindness, so kissed him once, then a second time with relish - Harley enjoyed it, while Batman smiled it off with a gentle joke. (Another example, according to Batman Beyond, he and Barbara once had a relationship that lasted until Joker's kidnapping and torture of Tim Drake)
During the Justice League and JL Unlimited animated series, Batman seemed uninterested in love, but his detective skills allowed to easily understand someone's personality, plus his exceptional charisma, thus he was a master at seduction. When imprisoned by the Injustice Gang, Batman was able to seduce Cheetah, even enticing her enough for her to kiss him; this manipulation is perhaps callous, but it was a tactic to undermine a criminal group. Similarly, when Wonder Woman was turned into a pig by the witch Circe, Batman sought help from Zatanna, as she was both a master magician and someone he trusted implicitly; they learned in order to return Wonder Woman to normal, he had to sacrifice his dignity; he was able to sing so beautifully, that Circe was moved to reverse her spell, but allowing the singing to continue to the delight of her, Zatanna, and the small audience (thus showing that regardless of being happy to friends, Zatanna did still carry a flame for him).
Batman, even though he was sceptical and cautious about his fellow Justice League members, he generally trusted them. He was particularly fond of Superman and Wonder Woman; although, his skeptical nature made him wary of Superman's powers should he go astray, which had happened before they were teammates, due to Darkseid's brainwashing. Even so, Batman was angered by government schemes to undermine or even destroy the League; he held corrupt and unethical groups like Cadmus with as much disdain as did the supervillains they fought on behalf on humanity.
In the Justice League, Batman that in spite of reclusive nature, built connections of sorts to the other League members; yet he became especially close to Dianna Prince/Wonder Woman. He held a strong admiration of Dianna's compassion, her skills, her physical and mental fortitude, her belief in justice, and her goddess-like beauty; she likewise respected his commitment to justice, strength of will, kindness, intelligence, and being handsome helped. During the Thanagarian invasion, they had to pose as lovers to avoid notice; this sparked their underlining attraction to each other, bringing it to the surface. Yet Batman refused to ever enter a relationship with Wonder Woman, using irrational arguments like how his enemies would exploit his weakness of having a loved once, even though she could could easily best any of his rogues. Despite initial rejection, Wonder Woman was persistent in persuading him to relinquish self-control for once by dating her. Batman's continued obstinance could be credited to a number of potential factors: his earlier heartbreaks made him fearful of another; his fear was not that Dianna would be a weakness that his enemies would exploit, but rather HE would be the weakness that Dianna's exploit to get to her; and a more tragic reason that he wants to avoid happiness out of some belief it would make him less effective, or that he feels he doesn't deserve to happy.
Batman's commitment to fighting crime seemed to border, if not fall into, obsessive measures. In Batman Beyond even as he aged, he continued to battle crime in Gotham; his significant intellect allowed him ways to compensate for his weakening body and ailing health, such as the invention of his final Batsuit, which had cybernetic enhancements, flight capability, and reactive armor. Yet it was eventually insufficient, as his declining skills in one dramatic crime forced him to use a perp's gun to stop them; this act disgusted and horrified Bruce so much that he retired from crime-fighting. His shame in both using an instrument that killed his parents and feeling of failure in stopping Gotham's decay, drove him into a reclusive lifestyle. Since Alfred had passed away years ago, Bruce lived alone, the guilt of Tim Drake's suffering still in him, plus the sense of failing the city, preventing him from even trying to reconnect with the many people who were his friends throughout his life. The one exception was a Great Dane he named Ace, quite possibly after the poor girl who had been experimented on and abused into being a slave to Joker's Wild Card Family, with whom Bruce sympathized and comforted as she died from her powers.
Bruce's trauma from Tim Drake's torture made him outright refuse Terry McGinnis' attempt to adopt the mantle of Batman; it was only through luck and Terry's own resilience that convinced Bruce to finally adopt and train a new protege. In his old age, Bruce's prior negative traits, like grouchiness, stubbornness, and secrecy were increased; nevertheless, Terry was able to reach the old man, pushing him to finally reconnect with old friends, like Barbara and Clark, albeit still in small doses; On that note, he couldn't bring himself to patch his relationship with Tim until the fallout of the Joker's final gag. Once he mustered up the courage, however, Tim welcomed Bruce back into his life with open arms.
Powers and Abilities[]
| “ | Oh, I have one, Johnny. I never give up. | „ |
| ~ Batman to Dr. Destiny on him having no super powers. |
Batman is highly trained in multiple forms of martial arts, as demonstrated in Justice League.
Through intense training, specialized diet and meditation, Batman represents the absolute pinnacle of human physical prowess. His physical attributes is at the natural limits far above than that of an Olympic-level athlete that has ever competed. His strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, senses, healing and endurance are at the peak of human potential and perfection. Batman began his physical and mental conditioning when he was 10 and then intense physical training and weight lifting at age 12.
Bruce Wayne/Batman dodges Darkseid's Omega Beams, a feat previously thought impossible due to its homing effect.
This also allowed him to just disappear from allies in mid-sentence, a habit that frequently annoyed the likes of Commissioner Gordon ("one of these days I'm gonna nail his feet to the ground") and Harvey Bullock ("I wonder how the Commish puts up with that"). Batman was capable of incredible feats of agility. During the Second Apokolyptian invasion, Darkseid commented with much surprise that Batman had been the first one to dodge his Omega Beams. With his martial arts prowess, occasionally augmented by technology, Batman was usually more than a match for any foe he encountered, human or otherwise.
He is also capable of being crafty with situations such as ventriloquism to distract Scarface, he can also speak different languages, being fluent in Kasnian when interrogating individuals.
Equipment[]
As the head of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne has access to cutting edge technology and Batman makes good use of it in his field equipment.
- Batsuit - Standard as well as heat-resistant, cold-resistant, and underwater versions.
- Batarangs - Of differing size and effect. These ranged from standard, to explosive, electric, remote, etc.
- Grapple-gun - This item assisted Batman in scaling the various buildings of Gotham City.
- Utility Belt - Batman's Utility Belt has compartments to hold several items, the contents of which change according to his needs, and often include items such as flashlights, laser cutters, underwater rebreathers, binoculars, a fingerprinting kit, flashbangs, remote controls for his vehicles, acid/base compounds, anti-toxins, mini-computer, and smoke pellets.
Vehicles[]
Batman has used several vehicles in the course of his crimefighting career, including the Batmobile, the Batwing, the Batcycle, and the Batboat.
Quotes[]
| “ | Left with dad.. Need time?!, forget about me. | „ |
| ~ The three sentences from Andreas farewell letter to Bruce, spiralling him into becoming a vigilante |
| “ | Catwoman: I can't deny there's something between us Batman: you're right, and I'm afraid it's the law. |
„ |
| ~ Batman to Catwoman |
| “ | Red Claw: Is there something wrong? Batman: Not at all! I’m an equal opportunity crime fighter |
„ |
| ~ Batman asserts to Red Claw upon fighting her |
| “ | Man or women, a sick mind is capable of anything. | „ |
| ~ Batman to Ivy |
| “ | Too late Dirtbag. | „ |
| ~ Batman to goons who attacked Lucius Fox |
| “ | Stop shooting you lunatic!, We’re sitting on a powder Keg! | „ |
| ~ Batman warning Joker about the explosive truck |
| “ | I don't pass sentence, that's for the courts, but this time... This time I am sorely tempted to do the job myself! | „ |
| ~ Batman explaining why he saved the Sewer King despite his heinous acts |
| “ | Goodnight Humanitarian | „ |
| ~ Batman to Ferris Boyle for his actions towards Freeze |
| “ | It's gonna be one of these nights. | „ |
| ~ Batman while hearing the Condiment king's start of crime. |
| “ | so what are you dreaming tonight Harvey? Peaceful dreams? And nightmares, both at once, sleep well my friend, wherever you are, whatever you become.. I Will Save you | „ |
| ~ Bruce feeling guilt for Dent’s transformation and desires to make him better again |
| “ | I know, you keep thinking if only I'd done something differently if only I could have.. warned them, but the ere isn't anything that you could have done, there isn't anything either of us could have done. | „ |
| ~ Bruce comforting a young Grayson after suffering the mirrored fate of his parents' deaths |
| “ | Grayson: does the pain go away? Batman: I wish I could say yes, but it will get better in time, for you, that I promise |
„ |
| ~ Bruce promises to raise Grayson and help him move past the pain |
| “ | I’m gonna need a longer grapple | „ |
| ~ Batman witnessing New Genesis |
| “ | I’m not really a people person, but if you need me and you will, call me. | „ |
| ~ Batman agreeing to join the justice League |
| “ | It doesn't mean I don't care anymore, I don't want to let you down honest, but it just doesn't hurt so bad anymore, you can understand that can you? Look I can give money to the city, they can hire more cops, let someone else take the risk but it's different now | „ |
| ~ Batman talking to his parent's graves |
| “ | I don’t like guns. | „ |
| ~ Batman rejecting Luthor’s partnership |
| “ | I chose this life, I used the night, I became the knight, sooner or later I’ll go down. It might be The Joker or Two-Face, or just some punk who gets lucky, my descition: no regrets, and I can’t let someone pay for my mistakes | „ |
| ~ Batman to Dick over his exemplifies of his path of Heroism |
| “ | my brain’s not a nice place to be | „ |
| ~ Batman to Doctor Destiny |
| “ | I’ll break you in Two!! | „ |
| ~ Batman snaps at the Joker for lobotomizing Tim Drake into Insanity |
| “ | Very good then, Mr. McGinnis. Welcome to my world. | „ |
| ~ Bruce passing the mantle of Batman on to Terry McGinnis |
| “ | I can't believe I was ever so green, this is how you interrogate someone | „ |
| ~ Future Bruce to his vast self as they confront Ghoul |
| “ | Bruce: And what are you? Payback:You’re worst Nightmare |
„ |
| ~ Bruce unfazed at The Vigilante’s threats |
Trivia[]
- He is the only character to appear in every DCAU show.
- He was born in the 1960s and retired as Batman in 2019; making him around mid 70s in Batman Beyond (which is 20 years after his last mission)
- If Justice League Unlimited ended in 2006 in-universe as it did IRL, it meant Bruce remained active for another 13 years.
- He is the first member of the original Justice League to appear in the DCAU.
- His costume's design has changed multiple times over the years, moreso than any other character in the DCAU:
- His first costume in the flashback sequences of "Robin's Reckoning", "The Mechanic" and in the animated feature, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, bears a striking resemblance to Batman's costume in the Golden Age comics.
- His second costume in Batman: The Animated Series resembles Batman's costume from the late 80s and early 90s prior to Batman's back injury in Batman: Knightfall.
- His third costume in The New Batman Adventures resembles Batman's costume from Batman: Year One.
- His fourth costume in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited is a combination of his last two costumes, the same costume from The New Batman Adventures with the color scheme of the Batman: The Animated Series costume and the long ears to foreshadow his fifth and final costume in the prologue of Batman Beyond.
- Due to appearing in more installments than anyone else, he's often considered the main protagonist of the entire DC Animated Universe.
- It has been reported that, despite his death in 2022, Kevin Conroy recorded his lines for a cameo appearance of this Batman in the upcoming Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three crossover animated film adaptating the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, set for a release in 2024 alongside its first two parts. Due to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, another DC project he voiced Batman in, being released prior to this film, his reprisal will mark Conroy's final performance as Batman, essentially bringing his history voicing the character to a full circle.
- This Batman appeared in an approximately 40 second scene in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three as a wave of Anti-Monitor antimatter annihilates his world. The film itself is dedicated to Kevin Conroy's memory.
- Despite the DCAU timeline reaching the future of Terry McGinnis becoming an adult, the Anti-Monitors unleash an antimatter wave that reached the DCAU - judging from character designs - shortly after the events of Justice League Unlimited, erasing the entire universe, therefore preventing the future from ever existing.
External Links[]
- Batman on the Batman Wiki
- Batman on the DC Database Wiki
- Batman on the DC Animated Universe Wiki
- Batman on the Inconsistently Admirable Wiki
- Batman on the VS Battles Wiki
- Batman on the DC Movies Wiki
- Batman on the Batman: The Animated Series Wiki
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Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures Superman: The Animated Series Batman Beyond Static Shock The Zeta Project Justice League and Justice League Unlimited | ||
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