Throughout DC comics, there are many characters that fans have been accustomed to. Batman is arguably the most popular of the bunch right next to Superman and a lot of that has to do with his films. With multiple reboots and actors playing the caped crusader, many directors and DC writers have taken their own spin on the character. Whether it was for better or for worse. By far the most popular interpretation of the character is Christian Bale's Batman. Whose Batman practically defined the character for the modern era.
However, in spite of this, there are plenty of differences between the films and the source material. Just as there are plenty of similarities. As such, here are the ways Christian Bale's Batman is incredibly similar to the source material and ways where they are quite different.
10 Same: They Went All Over The World In Order To Become Stronger
When it comes to the origins of Batman, one of the main things that make the character who he is, is the journey that made him become what he is today. A lot of this is thanks to his self-discovery travelling all over the world.
Although Christian Bale's time around the world is far more brief compared to the training regime of his comic counterpart, his version still travelled all over the world in order to discover what it means to beat down the crime of Gotham City.
9 Different: Christian Bale's Training Was Primarily Based On The League Of Assassin's
However, unlike the comics, Christian Bale's training is primarily based on his time with the League Of Assassins. Learning practically everything there from his martial disciplines all the way to the use of stealth. Batman in the comics primarily learned his work from many masters all over the world and even though they both were trained by Henri Ducard, the Ducard in the comics is not related to Ra's Al Ghul. A complete departure to the film who used Ducard as an influence and alter ego of the character. Plus in the comics, Batman's training with Ducard was brief, leaving out of disgust for his brutality.
8 Same: Formidable Fighters
What makes him such a dangerous character from both metahumans and actual criminals is Batman's fighting abilities. Both characters are incredibly formidable, fighting against virtually any type of criminal and villain that comes in their way. His skill in the comics is so great that he is able to contend with some of the greatest martial artists in the world. With Christian Bale's character, very few have been able to beat him with skill alone.
7 Different: Christian Bale's Version Primarily Uses Keysi Fighting Method
A drastic difference between the two Batman lies in their fighting styles. While they are both formidable fighters, they approach things much differently. In the comics, Batman has been specified to master every martial art known to man, while distilling it all in a way that creates an incredibly adaptable fighting style. Meanwhile, Batman from the Dark Knight trilogy primarily uses the Keysi fighting system, which heavily relies on elbows and knees.
6 Same: Multiple Love Interests
It seems that no matter what version of Batman is present in the universe, the character will always have multiple love interests lined up for him. For the comics, this could be Catwoman or Talia Al Ghul. For the Dark Knight trilogy, this could be the movie original character of Rachel Dawes or the two characters already mentioned. Outside of Batman though, this also extends to billionaire Bruce Wayne who is known to always have a bunch of girls with him.
5 Different: Rachel Dawes
As mentioned before, one of the minor differences between the comics and the Dark Knight Trilogy is Rachel Dawes. Although she is primarily a movie only love interest, her influence in both life and death paved the way for Christian Bale's Batman in both motivation and drive.
By the time she died, her death continues to haunt Batman to the point that he still grieved for her eight years later. However, in spite of that, he was able to move on and give up the mantle by the end of the trilogy.
4 Same: Relationship With The Joker
The other side to Batman's justice, the concept of the Joker has always been a thorn on Batman's side. Even though the character was fairly distinct from the comic, the Joker still brought in the chaos that eventually brought Batman to despair. The Joker is one of the only few characters to hit Batman on a more personal level. From killing Jason Todd to killing Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight. It doesn't matter which version of Batman or Joker there is, the dynamic between the two will always be a crucial part of the mythos.
3 Different: No Robin (Technically)
One of the core elements of Batman is his family. Within the comics, there are many members from Nightwing to Red Hood. However, in the Dark Knight trilogy, he is mostly solo with his only confidant being Alfred Pennyworth. He does meet a fellow ally of justice in the form of John Blake, who viewers eventually got to learn has Robin as his first name. In spite of this, he is mostly just a police officer and wasn't really as close to Batman as in the comics.
2 Same: Weary In Their Fight For Justice
Although they are both destined to fight crime to the very end, that doesn't mean that both characters aren't weary of fighting. For the longest time, fighting crime as Batman can really take a toll on his mental spirits.
For the comics, many people he has become close to have been heavily injured or died. The former notably being Oracle and the latter being Red Hood before he got resurrected. Christian Bale's Batman has it arguably just as hard with his loved ones dying like Rachel Dawes.
1 Different: Experience
The biggest differences between the two Batmen don't lie in their personality or equipment. But their experience. Within the comics, Batman has roughly stayed protecting Gotham City for many decades. Long enough to see many of his sidekicks grow up into their own heroes.
Meanwhile, Christian Bale's entire career as Batman really stuck around for about a couple years at most. That doesn't include his eight years of retirement either. Not only that, but this Batman hasn't fought any superpowered beings before.