Sidekicks and legacy characters have been a part of Batman comics since the 1940s, when Robin was first introduced as the caped crusader's ward and partner. Since then, Batman built an entire family of supporting characters who aided him in his war on crime. From the daughter of a police commissioner to a secret son, Batman took several young heroes under his leather wing.
Each of Batman's children — adopted or directly related — has played a significant role in his life. Some of them have even carved their own paths away from Gotham, leading teams and taking on new heroic mantles. All of them are great in their own right, but some of them are more trained and accomplished while others still have some growing to do.
10 Helena Wayne Became Gotham's New Guardian
Helena Wayne debuted back in 1977 and appeared in DC Super Star #17 by Dennis O'Neil, Mike Grell, Bruce D. Patterson, Liz Berube, and Ben Oda. On Earth-2, she's the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, became Huntress, and stepped up as Gotham's new protector.
Hailing from another Earth, Helena Wayne hasn't had much attention outside of Earth-2 stories. However, she's proven a very capable hero and successfully filled the void Batman left behind. As a member of the Justice Society of America and one of the few biological children Batman had, crime fighting truly runs in Helena's blood.
9 Stephanie Brown Is Passionate And Headstrong
Stephanie Brown has gone through a few different crime-fighting personas over the years, taking the mantles of Robin, Batgirl, and Spoiler. Through it all, she's become an iconic and integral part of the Bat-family.
The daughter of the criminal known as Cluemaster and having died at one point in the comics, Stephanie Brown has been through a lot. However, Stephanie has grown far beyond just being Tim Drake's girlfriend. She's a capable martial artist and has solidified her position among the Bat Family, becoming a fan favorite Batgirl.
8 Jason Todd Is Ruthless On Crime
Jason Todd hasn't had an easy road in the comics. He wasn't very popular as a Robin, eventually being killed off in the iconic Death in the Family storyline by Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo, and Mike DeCarlo. It wasn't until his later resurrection that he became one of the most ruthless anti-heroes in the DC universe.
Returning to Gotham under the moniker of Red Hood, he took over Gotham's underworld and challenged Batman in a way unlike anyone had before. Trained by assassins like Lady Shiva, Red Hood even went up against major villains like Black Mask. He can be a bit of a hothead, but he's a great fighter and a valuable asset to Batman when he's needed.
7 Terry McGinnis Successfully Succeeds Bruce Wayne
Unlike other members of the Bat Family, Terry McGinnis didn't debut in comics. Terry was introduced as Bruce Wayne's successor in Batman Beyond, a series created by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett. Set in a futuristic Gotham City, Terry donned the cowl after Bruce retired, becoming Gotham's newest Dark Knight.
Other heroes have taken on Batman's mantle, and while some have potential, none have had the impact Terry had. With the help of a powerful new bat suit, Terry's proven to be a worthy successor to the original Batman, even catching the eye of the Justice League. Having gone up against villains like Blight and Shriek, Terry is doing the mantle justice.
6 Tim Drake Is The Smartest Robin
Often criminally underrated, Tim Drake has gotten a lot of love from fans as of late. After beginning a romance with Bernard Dowd, he's gotten his own series. While some overlook him for other Robins, Tim Drake isn't to be underestimated.
Tim Drake is arguably the smartest of all the Robins. Deducing Batman's identity all on his own, he's a brilliant detective, a skilled tactician, and an adept fighter. He's also a good leader, having led both the Teen Titans and Young Justice. His loyalty and passion for the role make him one of the best heroes Gotham has to offer.
5 Damian Wayne Was Trained By The League Of Assassins
The idea of Batman having a child had been explored before, but it wasn't until 2006 that Damian Wayne got a proper introduction. The child of Talia al Ghul and Bruce Wayne, he eventually took the mantle of Robin and fought by his father's side.
Damian fought his heritage for years, constantly tempted by his assassin family. While certain struggles tend to get the better of him, he's an excellent fighter, having even bested some of his brothers, including Tim Drake. Damian established a reputation as a fearsome enemy who's ruthless to those who deserve it.
4 Barbara Gordon Has Supported Multiple Teams
The daughter of the iconic Commissioner Jim Gordon, Barbara Gordon is the most iconic Batgirl of them all. She's one of the best fighters in the Bat Family and is one of their most experienced members. However, she hasn't only proven herself as Batgirl, she's also proved her proficiency as Oracle.
After a gunshot from Joker affected her mobility, Barbara Gordon shifted gears and became Oracle, taking on an even bigger role than she had as Batgirl. She formed and led the Birds of Prey, helped the Justice League on several occasions, and cemented herself as an important hero to her friends and family.
3 Duke Thomas Actually Has Superpowers
Duke Thomas got his first official introduction in Batman #30 by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia, and Steve Wands. After leading a street vigilante group, Duke would eventually become the vigilante known as Signal and train under Batman.
Duke is the only one of Batman's proteges with superpowers. Duke has various photokinetic abilities, manipulating light and darkness and seeing into the past with his "ghost vision." This, on top of his street smarts and training, makes him a powerful addition to the team.
2 Dick Grayson Is An Inspiring Leader
Dick Grayson is the first Robin. His character is almost as old as Batman himself. With so many years of history to his name, it's no surprise that Dick Grayson has become one of the greatest DC heroes. Grayson is a talented acrobat, martial artist, and skilled in stealth. He's a hero of both Gotham and Bludhaven with his own rogues gallery.
On top of all of this, Dick Grayson is also a natural leader. Being a founding member of the Teen Titans, he's led his teammates against powerful villains like Trigon and Deathstroke and has seen his way through multiversal crises. Grayson remains an inspiration to almost everyone he meets, giving hope and fighting for the innocent with a smile on his face.
1 Cassandra Cain Is One Of The Best Fighters In The DCU
Cassandra Cain first appeared in 1999 in Batman #567 by Kelley Puckett, Damion Scott, John Floyd, Gregory Wright, and Todd Klein. She would soon become Batgirl and a big part of many Batman stories, including the No Man's Land storyline. One of the best fighters in the DC Universe, Cassandra surpassed even Batman.
Cassandra went up against some of the most infamous killers in continuity. She's bested her mother, Lady Shiva, and fought Deathstroke and David Cain. With her heritage, she faced a similar dilemma as Damian, but she overcame her struggles and became a valued member of the Bat Family.