Batman once believed that being in a committed, loving relationship would make him less effective as The Dark Knight, and so he pushed others away to keep himself focused on the mission. But various couples in the Bat-Family have proven time and time again that a healthy romantic partnership can make a character better as an individual, a teammate, and as a superhero.
As in real life, the couples in Batman have their fair share of challenges, some of which are universal and some are unique to the particular pairing. But part of what makes these couples feel realistic and narratively compelling is their ability to handle both internal and external conflict productively.
10 Thomas And Martha Wayne Started It All
Most comics focused on the Wayne family's history portray young Thomas Wayne and Martha Kane as wild, party-hopping socialites. Upon meeting one another, though, the two realize they have found the real thing and settle down together.
While their parenting styles are different, the love the Wayne parents feel for their son is very real, as is the love between them. Bruce was young when he lost them, but even as an adult he looks up to his parents both for the good they intended to do for Gotham, and for their partnership.
9 Lucius And Tanya Fox Are Still In Love Even Though Their Life Together Is Chaotic
There is no doubt that the Fox family must deal with a lot of stress as a result of their involvement in Bruce Wayne's extracurricular activities. Both Lucius and Tanya are burdened not only with Wayne's secret, but with its day-to-day technological and financial demands.
Only a communicative and loving partnership could weather the challenges of life in the extended Batman family. Lucius and Tanya have faced many challenges, especially since their children often end up involved in Batman's crusade, yet they are still together.
8 Ivy And Harley Prove Growth Is Possible
Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn met when Harley was still hung up on her "Puddin.'" Eventually, with the help of Poison Ivy, Harley came to recognize how abusive the Joker is and stops returning to him.
Once Harley has left "Mista J" behind, her relationship with Ivy could and did blossom into more than friendship. The two still usually lead an unconventional life of anti-heroism together, but these days it seldom involves harming people. Harley even talks "Pammy" out of a global mind control operation in Batman #43 that Ivy concocted to undo the harm perpetrated during the "War of Jokes and Riddles," proving that their love has helped them both heal.
7 Alfred And Dr. Thompkins Are The Support System They Both Deserve
Alfred Pennyworth and Dr. Leslie Thompkins play the parental roles to Bruce that he lost following his parents' murder. While Leslie is more resistant to Bruce's propensity for including children in his crime-fighting, she is still there to help keep his proteges safe and sane, since Batman is not an especially nurturing presence.
For all the emotional labor they do on behalf of the Bat-Family, Leslie and Alfred deserve a support system, too. Luckily, many of their incarnations see them turn to one another for the care they so dutifully bestow on everyone around them.
6 Tim And Stephanie Will Always Love One Another, Even If They Aren't Together
The world put many obstacles in the way of Tim Drake and Stephanie Brown's relationship, like Batman instructing Spoiler to impede Robin's search for the Caped Crusader in the "Batman R.I.P." storyline. Nonetheless, the two worked through these challenges together.
As often happens with teenage couples, what once seemed like true love ended when Tim came to accept his bisexuality and came out to Steph, revealing his feelings for another man. While the two may not be a couple any longer, they still care deeply for one another.
5 Kate And Renee Have A Very Normal Relationship Considering Their Vigilantism
Batwoman and the Question might come from very different socioeconomic backgrounds, but they share a great deal in common. They are both deeply moral, self-sufficient and ambitious women. Still, where Kate Kane is very flirtatious and outgoing, Renee Montoya is more reserved and pragmatic.
Their complementary personalities make Renee and Kate a good vigilante team. Given their complicated work lives and personas, one might expect their romance to follow suit. In fact, the same traits that make them a good professional team also make them romantically compatible, and while they may have broken up, there is little doubt they will come back together.
4 Jason And Artemis Are Mutually Good Influences
Being an antihero is hard. Being a lonely antihero is even harder. And being a lonely antihero harboring animosity towards a former mentor and one of the Trinity of the Justice League might be the hardest.
It's a good thing, then, that Artemis and Red Hood found each other. Not only do their shared experiences help them feel less isolated, but they also encourage one another to listen to their better angels. They both put the "hero" in "antihero" when they are in each other's presence.
3 Duke And Izzy Are High School Sweethearts Going Strong
The Signal and Robina have been together for a while. The two met when they joined the We Are Robin movement, but only started dating after Duke left the team to work with Batman.
Duke's adoption by Bruce Wayne (and by extension, the Batman Family) following his parents' death means he spends most of his time at Wayne Manor. Still, Izzy was among the first to support Duke when his folks disappeared, and their relationship is already several years old, though they are both still young.
2 Barbara And Dick Have Always Been Close
Many argue that the best romantic relationships are built on friendship. If this is true, then Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon's romance has been a long time coming in DC's main continuity. Since their earliest interactions on the pages of Detective Comics #359, Robin and Batgirl have shared a closeness (even when he doubts her heroic abilities) rivaled only by Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon's, with Dick working as Barbara's aide during her tenure as a congresswoman.
Dick and Babs' eventual revelation of their identities to one another only cemented their friendship, and their more recent incarnations portray them as childhood friends. Even today, Nightwing and Oracle are friends and partners, sharing a penchant for solving mysteries and a tripod puppy named Haley (AKA Bitewing).
1 Bruce And Selina Are Their Truest Selves Together
Bruce reminds Selina that doing good is worthwhile, giving her permission to lean into her protective instincts, and allowing Selina Kyle to bleed into Catwoman (and vice versa). Selina reminds Bruce that joy is not a vice, giving him permission to live in life's gray areas, and allowing Bruce Wayne to bleed into Batman (and vice versa). Basically, they balance each other out.
Above all, the Cat and the Bat make each other feel less lonely. Both orphans shaped profoundly by their losses, Batman and Catwoman do grow up to build chosen families, but only in one another's company do they truly feel the love they have fostered.