Batman has long been known as one of the most efficient heroes of them all. He's always been one of the smartest heroes in the DC Universe and while he's been through a lot of changes, he's a quietly competent hero. One of the things about Batman is that he believes in how right he is at all times. His belief in himself is his greatest weapon in the battle against evil.
That doesn't mean that he's always right, though. Being Batman isn't always easy and he's made a lot of mistakes. As much as he'd like to believe otherwise, Batman is definitely wrong sometimes.
10 Batman Was Right: The Decision To Become Batman Has Saved Countless Lives
Batman's first decision is still his best. Becoming Batman was one of the most important decisions he's ever made. Batman has made a huge difference over the years, saving countless lives not only in Gotham but around the Multiverse. Batman has faced some of the most dangerous villains ever and been instrumental in the defense of reality.
Batman is one of the most important heroes in the DC Universe. Bruce Wayne could have taken a passive role in stopping crime in Gotham by using his wealth, which it may have been more effective. Without Batman, though, the world probably would have ended years ago.
9 Batman Was Wrong: Making Plans To Kill His Fellow Justice Leaguers Was A Huge Mistake
Batman likes to be prepared for everything and so, in that respect, it makes sense that he's made plans to deal with his fellow Leaguers if they went bad. Just because it makes sense, doesn't mean that he was right to do so. Batman's foes have been able to use his plans against the team, which has hurt his relationship with others.
Being prepared is one thing but the often lethal nature of Batman's anti-Justice League plans have really hurt his standing with his friends over the years. Beyond that, the fact that his enemies were able to get their hands on his plans make the whole thing that much worse.
8 Batman Was Right: Bringing Dick Grayson Into His Fight Was A Decision That Would Pay Dividends
Bringing a 10 year old into a fight against crime in one of the most dangerous cities to ever exist might seem like a horrible thing, but Batman made it work. Bruce Wayne saw a kindred spirit in young Dick Grayson and took him under his cape. Grayson would become Robin and set the stage for a revolution in teenage sidekicks.
Dick Grayson is arguably as big a hero as his mentor, founding the Teen Titans, becoming Nightwing, and protecting the city of Bludhaven. He's taken over as Batman and acted as an inspiration for others himself. Dick Grayson has taken what was a terrible decision and made it work.
7 Batman Was Wrong: He Treated Jason Todd Badly
The story of Jason Todd as Robin is an interesting one. Chosen by Batman to replace Dick Grayson as Robin because of his moxie, Jason would make a very different kind of Robin than Batman was used to, which would cause the Caped Crusader to treat him quite differently. He was much harder on Jason and that hurt their relationship.
While this approach was supposed to help the boy, all it did was make him worse. Batman's treatment drove him to go after the Joker to prove himself to his mentor and to get the love he craved— which would end with his death.
6 Batman Was Right: Keeping Damian As His Robin Has Paid Off
Damian Wayne's abrupt appearance in Batman's life was a shock and very easily could have been some kind of ruse. It wouldn't be beyond the al Ghuls to use a child to take advantage of Batman. Beyond that, the boy was just a complete handful, one that often wasn't worth the trouble. After Batman's "death" at Darkseid's hands, Dick took Damian in and did for him what no one else had: Showed him real love.
When Batman came back, he didn't have to keep using Damian as Robin. He did, though, and that has created a truly a unique Dynamic Duo. Bruce and Damian are equals in a lot of ways and have come to work together better than anyone could have ever imagined.
5 Batman Was Wrong: Creating The Brother Eye Satellite Almost Doomed The Entire Universe
Batman's mania for protecting others has done a lot of damage and one of the best examples of that is the Brother Eye satellite. Batman wanted a way to watch as much of the world as possible, so he created Brother Eye, a satellite controlled by an AI that could watch just about everything. This would come back and bite him, as it would be co-opted by Maxwell Lord and later Alexander Luthor for use in their own schemes.
Batman meant well with Brother Eye but the satellite's power was such that no one should have access to it. Like so many of his more shady plans, it did more harm than good and in this case could have ended with the destruction of everything.
4 Batman Was Right: Joining The Justice League Made A Huge Difference
In just about every modern retelling of the origin of the Justice League, there's a scene where Batman thinks the whole thing is vaguely ridiculous and that it will take him away from his mission in Gotham. For him, hanging out with a bunch of other heroes didn't make much sense and it was a decision he almost didn't make.
Batman deciding to join the Justice League is just as momentous a decision as him deciding to become Batman. It allowed him to use his skills and resources on a greater stage and with his help, the Justice League has protected all of existence.
3 Batman Was Wrong: Trusting Harvey Dent To Watch Over Gotham Led To Him Becoming Two-Face Again
During Hush, the titular villain fixed Harvey Dent's face and he stopped being Two-Face. After Infinite Crisis, Batman, Robin, and Nightwing went on a trip around with world with Batman leaving Harvey Dent in charge of keeping crime in check in Gotham. He did a great job for a time but when Batman came back, he resisted giving up his new role and reverted to Two-Face.
Of all the people in the world, trusting Harvey Dent to do that job was a massive mistake. Dent has always struggled with the Two-Face side of him and leaving him to do Batman's job was something that backfired on everyone.
2 Batman Was Right: Finally Making Things Official With Catwoman Was One Of The Best Decisions He's Ever Made
Batman has had a lot of lovers over the years, but the one he kept coming back to was Catwoman. The two of them had a bond unlike any he had with anyone else and it made perfect sense for the two of them to get together. While some members of the Bat-Family were against it, Batman took the plunge and has made Catwoman a massive part of his life.
The two have proven to not only be right for each other as lovers but also as great partners. They work together well, with each one bringing a lot to the table. It wasn't always easy but it was worth it, making both of their lives better.
1 Batman Was Wrong: He Should Have Killed The Joker
The Joker is generally considered Batman's greatest enemy and has been responsible for a multitude of deaths. The two of them are seemingly locked in an unending battle, one that just keeps getting more and more destructive for everyone around them. Batman's "no killing" rule is noble and all but him constantly allowing Joker to live has cost more lives than can be counted.
The Joker is a monster. Putting him away only leads to him escaping and doing it over all again. Batman would have done everyone a world of good if he would have broken the Joker's neck years ago. Joker is too dangerous to be left alive.