Many of the heroes of the DC Universe have garnered memorable quotes and a cast of characters that had enriched the DC Comics world as a whole, but few would be able to argue that Batman and his corner of the DC Universe doesn't have the most memorable characters around.
From villains like the Joker and Two-Face to heroes like Batman, Batwoman and Nightwing, there are so many characters with vast histories and impacts on the DC Universe that create some of the most memorable moments for the fandom. Here are the 10 best quotes from various different Batman characters.
10 “Wait for a hero? Barbara Joan Gordon -- Be your own damn hero.”
One thing that Batman is known for is inspiring or helping create new heroes. Take, for example, Barbara Gordon.
The above quote comes from Batgirl #25. This quote showcases the power implicit in being your own hero, without relying on or waiting for someone else to come save you. There is a hero waiting to be born inside us all.
9 "You molded me and taught me, Bruce. For years, I lived under the shadow of The Batman. I wanted to get away, to be my own man. Yet, when I chose a costume and a name, they reflected you. You're a part of me, Bruce. I can't deny it. And I don't want to any longer. I just wanted you to know that. That, and one other thing -- I'm proud to have been Robin.”
One of Batman’s closest allies has to be with his adoptive son and first sidekick, Dick Grayson. He fought not to become Bruce Wayne, not wanting to give into darkness like his mentor had.
Yet as he said in Teen Titans Spotlight #14, he was proud to be who Bruce helped him become. He was proud to have been Robin.
8 You can't stop crime! That's what you never understood! I'm CONTROLLING it! You want to rule them by fear but what do you do to those who aren't afraid?! I'm doing what YOU won't! I'm taking them out!
One of the most heartbreaking and challenging relationships in Bruce’s life has to be with Jason Todd. The second Robin, Jason was caught in the crossfire between Batman and the Joker, being taken and having his life taken by the villainous clown. Yet he returned later as the Red Hood.
In Batman: Under the Red Hood, Todd talked about the nature of Bruce's impossible task, and about his own willingness to kill. This showcases the difficult path Batman must walk in his war on crime.
7 You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
Sometimes the villains of Batman’s rogues gallery can have equally profound moments of clarity that make them either sympathetic or at the very least relatable. A great example of this comes from Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight film. Before his transformation into Two-Face, Harvey Dent was a heroic lawyer of Gotham City.
In the film, Harvey went on to say, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” This profound moment of foreshadowing highlights the fine line between heroism and villainy that many find themselves on, and how Harvey fell from grace in the end.
6 The past can talk to the future... if the present has ears to hear and eyes to see with.
One of the wisest, most loyal and beloved allies of Batman is his longtime friend, butler, caretaker and in essence his adoptive father, Alfred Pennyworth. The butler of the Wayne Family not only raised Bruce after his parent’s passing, but has helped Bruce take on the criminal underworld of Gotham.
His years of experience and wisdom shines through often when he is helping Bruce, as in the above quote. This quote showcases the knowledge that by looking to the past, we can avoid the mistakes and build a brighter future.
5 Because it will be hard for me to say these words face to face, I want you to know that Mother may have given me life, but you taught me how to live.
While Bruce adopted and took in many young heroes under his wing and trained them, one sidekick had the privilege of being Bruce Wayne’s biological son, Damian Wayne. The son of both Bruce and Talia al Ghul, Damian was raised by Talia and trained by his grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul.
Bruce learned of Damian years later, and took on the difficult task of raising him and teaching him not to be an assassin. Despite their problems, Damian later admitted, “ Because it will be hard for me to say these words face to face, I want you to know that Mother may have given me life, but you taught me how to live.”
4 "You are part of the night, just like me. We're not afraid of the dark--we come alive in it...we're thrilled by it." [to Batman]
While Bruce Wayne has had many love interests over the years, there is one that stands above the rest. One woman who sees the man Bruce truly is, and accepts him wholeheartedly. That woman is Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. The longtime thief turned vigilante antihero and sometime ally of Batman, Selina and Bruce have had a long history together.
Recognizing their connection, Selina talked about their similarities, their deeply buried passions for darkness and adventure. This quote showcases the pairs connection and that Bruce doesn’t have to be alone in his war on crime.
3 Sometimes it's only madness that makes us what we are.
While the characters of the Batman world have had many memorable quotes, the most profound come from Bruce Wayne himself.
In Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, Batman once said, “ Sometimes it's only madness that makes us what we are.” Faced with so much chaos and evil, Batman acknowledged that the madness of the villains he faces has shown him what he truly is and his destiny.
2 Criminals, by nature, are a cowardly and superstitious lot. To instill fear into their hearts, I became a bat. A monster in the night. And in doing so, have I become the very thing that all monsters become - alone?
One journey in Batman’s career that really took a toll on the Caped Crusader was the story Batman: Hush.
The above quote showcases the harrowing reality behind fighting crime and sacrificing everything to do so, even your own happiness. Batman has built a family of sorts around him, but it's a family he is always in danger of sacrificing as well.
1 Did I finally reach the limits of reason? And find the Devil waiting? And was that fear in his eye?
One thing that Batman is known for is being the hero villains and sometimes even other heroes fear. He utilizes fear to strike the hearts and minds of criminals everywhere.
In that pursuit, Batman’s quest has seen him face some tough questions. In Batman: RIP, Batman riffed on the limits of evil, and the possibility of reaching an end to his quest. This shows the way Batman is pushed to his limits by the evil of the world, and how he pushes in turn.