The DC universe is known for a few differentiating qualities that make it stand out from other publishers, including the frequent use of reboots as well as the establishment of so many legacy characters over the years. One of the most popular DC legacies is the mantle of the bat, which was originated by Bruce Wayne when he created the identity of Batman.
Batman has grown into a legend in Gotham City that is now bigger than any one man, and he has developed a close-knit family of crimefighters who are willing to step in as the Dark Knight, should the need for a successor arise. Fans have already seen this happen a few times, though not every character who wears the cowl has managed to live up to the legacy.
8 Jason Todd Used Guns & Lethal Force When He Tried To Take The Mantle
Following the apparent death of Bruce Wayne during Final Crisis, a Battle for the Cowl broke out between a few of his potential successors. One of the contenders was Jason Todd, the former Robin turned Red Hood who returned from the dead with a harsh new attitude toward crime-fighting.
Todd wasn't at his best during the Battle for the Cowl storyline, and he attempted to steal the mantle of the bat for himself. He wore a heavily armored costume and used guns as he began to take down some of Gotham City's criminals. Todd may do better in the role now, but he went against everything Bruce Wayne stood for in his first attempt.
7 Tim Drake Planned To Take Over As Batman So Jason Todd Couldn't Usurp It
When the logical choice to replace Bruce Wayne during Battle for the Cowl refused to step into the role, it allowed Jason Todd to briefly usurp the mantle of the bat. Tim Drake/Robin III chose to take up the mantle himself so he could stop Todd from bringing down the legacy, though he wasn't able to stop his predecessor and didn't spend much time fighting crime in the role.
A future version of Tim Drake would also take over as Batman in the "Titans Tomorrow" timeline, though he would be warped by his losses into an evil, uncaring version of the Dark Knight. This version of Batman succeeded in removing crime from his half of the county before he traveled back in time to become Savior in the hopes of saving his future timeline.
6 Jean-Paul Valley/Azrael Brought Shame To The Cowl During Knightfall
Bruce Wayne was left paralyzed after his encounter with Bane during the Knightfall storyline, which left Gotham City without a protector. Not wanting to disturb Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Wayne asked his newest ally, Jean-Paul Valley/Azrael, to take over as Batman alongside Tim Drake's Robin for support. Valley's training as Azrael included mental programming known as The System.
He started off well, but the System pushed him further and further after he was able to take down Bane. He created a new costume that allowed him to strike fear into Gotham City and showed his effectiveness in the role, though his mental instability led him to kill the serial killer known as Abattoir, which brought Bruce Wayne back to take the mantle away from him.
5 Jim Gordon Used A Robot Mecha & Police Backup To Briefly Take Over
During another of Bruce Wayne/Batman's disappearances following the "Endgame" storyline, Gotham City Police Department launched a program with Powers International in an attempt to replace the Dark Knight and keep the city safe. They created a powerful mecha suit that became known as Rookie, which was piloted by the former police commissioner Jim Gordon.
Gordon was an adequate pilot of the Rookie suit and he had years of experience as an officer to help him take on the role, and he was supported by the police and former Batman allies, like Julia Pennyworth. His time as Batman was fairly short, but he proved himself to be an efficient temporary replacement.
4 Damian Wayne Sold His Soul For Immortality As The Batman Of Bethlehem
While he first appeared as the son of Bruce Wayne who was trained by the League of Assassins, Damian Wayne soon took on the role of Robin after the Battle for the Cowl event, which saw him team up with the new Batman, Dick Grayson. The two formed a bond that saw Damian go down a dark path after Grayson's death in Batman #666 that also launched Damian: Son of Batman.
In the future, Damian took over as Batman and vowed to keep Gotham City safe through any means necessary, though his attempts at non-lethality only lasted so long. Damian eventually made a deal for supernatural abilities that allowed him to instantly heal himself and become immortal to protect Gotham City, though it just meant that he survived its inevitable destruction.
3 Future State's Jace Fox Has Started To Create His Own Legend As The Next Batman
Lucius Fox's oldest son, Timothy "Jace" Fox, has only recently taken on the role of Batman during the Fear State event after he found a hidden cache of gear that allowed him to create his own batsuit. While he may not have had a lot of time to prove just how effective he can be, the Future State event gave fans a look into Jace Fox's future as the Dark Knight.
Fox was on the frontlines in the battle for Gotham City's freedom against the threat of the Magistrate. Jace Fox in the present day has only just begun the fight against his possible dystopian future, though the legend of The Next Batman is already starting to develop.
2 Terry McGinnis Was Trained By An Elderly Bruce Wayne To Be Batman Beyond
The character of Terry McGinnis made his first appearance outside of the comics in the Batman Beyond animated series, though he soon made his debut in the comics as well. McGinnis lived in the future of Neo-Gotham where he befriended the elderly Bruce Wayne.
Wayne soon began training his newest successor who he outfitted with an advanced Batsuit and equipment. McGinnis spent years training with Wayne and protecting Neo-Gotham from all kinds of futuristic threats to prove himself a worthy and efficient successor to Batman's legacy.
1 Dick Grayson Used His Years Of Experience To Become Wayne's Chosen Successor
Batman's first partner in his war on crime was Dick Grayson/Robin, who eventually grew up to create his own costumed identity as Nightwing. Grayson struggled with his decision to take over as Batman due to Bruce Wayne's will urging him against taking on the cowl. After Todd attempted to take the role and almost killed Tim Drake, Grayson stepped up and became the new Batman.
He offered the position of Robin to Damian Wayne to create an effective new Dynamic Duo, and he shined as the new Dark Knight for a couple of years until Bruce Wayne returned from his trip through time. Grayson even stayed on as Batman in Gotham City while Wayne built up his Batman Incorporated brand to further prove Wayne's faith in Grayson.