Over the decades, the Batman "family" has grown significantly. Where once it was the Caped Crusader and his Boy Wonder, it now features other Bat-related heroes: former Robins, a few reformed criminals, and, strangely, Urkel. When called upon, they all work together to right a wrong, turn a tide, and crowd into the Batmobile so Batman can use the 3+ HOV lanes.
Even though they cohesively work together, each member of this clan is unique. They have their own beliefs, moral centers, and reasons they never watch The Walking Dead. One of the best ways to gauge these traits is through the nine lawful-chaotic assignments used to build Dungeons & Dragons characters. With this tool at the ready, here are the D&D moral alignments of the Batman Family.
10 Jason Todd: Neutral
Here's why we don't jump into the Lazarus Pit every time we die: we become crazy. That's what happened to Jason Todd. After he perished at the hands of the Joker, he was resurrected in this indoor pool of nuttiness. In turn, someone once aligned to chaotic good became a person who doesn't know what the heck to do with himself.
Sometimes, he sticks with the Batman Family and abides by their rules not to kill or shoot people. Yet, when something juicy comes along, he doesn't hesitate to blow a hole into someone's chest. Of course, he's remorseful again, so he reforms and -- yadda yadda yadda. It's a never-ending circle for him.
9 Cassandra Cain: Chaotic Good
We shouldn't be surprised by Cassandra's alignment. Her father is the assassin David Cain, her mother is the assassin Lady Shiva, and her cat is the assassin Lady Whiskers. Actually, with those pedigrees, we should be surprised she's not chaotic evil instead of good.
The reason for her alignment is her upbringing. Her father treated her poorly and her mother wasn't really there because, you know, her job and all. She didn't want anyone to go through that. This is why she originally took on the Batgirl mantle and remains a dedicated member of the Bat Family. This, despite the fact she likes to work alone more times than not.
8 Stephanie Brown: Lawful Good
Even though Stephanie is the daughter of the Batman villain/Justice League Antarctica member Cluemaster, she is an out-and-out crusader. Since she decided to turn to the bright side of the Force, Steph has been her own heroic creation and two iconic Bat Family members.
In all of those roles she never gave up, never surrendered. Though the legacies of Robin and Batgirl were long and filled with valor, she didn't shirk her duties. She even died as Robin. Talk about commitment.
7 Jim Gordon: Lawful Good
Since the day he stepped onto the streets of Gotham (queue cheesy Quinn-Martin theme song), people knew he was a different type of cop. Particularly when he helped prevent crime without asking for any protection money. Gotham's citizens were so confused by his actions that they actually called 911 to report him as an alien.
Gordon has been and still is the most honest law enforcement official on Prime Earth and many of the alternates. He supported Batman when everyone else thought he was a nut swinging around in a leotard. He maintained law during those times Gotham when to heck in a handbasket, which have been many. He even took over the Caped Crusader's role when Bruce allegedly died, again, so Gothamites would feel a sense of security.
6 Batwoman: Chaotic Good
Kate Kane has become an important part of the Bat Family over the last few years. She helped the Dark Knight rescue Gotham from Bane, she became part of the impromptu counseling group to console others during Tim Drake's "death." And she protected her "family" by killing villain-turned-hero-turned-villain Clayface. Wait. What?
Overall, she tends to hang onto clan's the fringes because, to paraphrase Fleetwood Mac, she goes her own way. She's like Jason Todd, minus the insanity. Perhaps Kate's chaotic good alignment rests on her West Point training. It could also reflect her kidnapping experience when she was young. Combined with her challenge to be respected as a homosexual superhero, Batwoman wants to lead in a different way.
5 Batgirl: Lawful Good
Barbara Gordon is a chip off the ol' block. Her dad, one James Gordon, has been a model of vigilance within a city rife with corruption. When she decided to don the cape and cowl in 1967, she continued that streak. She is certainly a crusader, even when protecting one neighborhood instead of an entire metropolis.
The one difference between her and her father has been a sense of doubt. Where Jim Gordon knows he needs to maintain his role as a law enforcer, Barbara has had moments where she believed her talents weren't useful (see the original Crisis on Infinite Earths). Getting shot by the Joker changed all that. From that point, Barbara doubled her efforts to protect anyone she could.
4 Tim Drake: Lawful Good
As we see, the people closest to Batman on this list went a different way than their mentor when it came to character alignments. In some cases, it was due to the type of hero they wanted to be. In other situations, their personalities created or enhanced their alignments. Actually, it may be Batman's underlying goal to help them make the shift.
Take Tim Drake as an example. This Robin/Red Robin/Drake/Jay-Z is a deep thinker. If not, he wouldn't have figured out who Bruce was under the mask. Rather than break someone's arm for information, he implements his intellectual and physical skills to pry out the necessary data. Not only did he become a crusader on most alternate Earths -- well, maybe not Earth-3 -- but he also became an effective leader.
3 Dick Grayson: Lawful Good
When he doesn't have amnesia, Dick/Ric/Richard Grayson is similar to Tim Drake in leadership and working for the good of all. However, he's not the deepest thinker. Please send all correspondence against this belief to 123 Main Street, Anywhere, USA 12345.
Don't get us wrong ... Robin/Nightwing has mad physical, tactical, and leadership skills. Nevertheless, his reasons for not contemplating the spirituality of lint in his belly button is based on the fact he was the first Robin. In other words, he was trained by a Batman who was starting out on his own quests. So, he has many of the rough edges Bruce had back then.
2 Damian Wayne: Lawful Neutral
Damian used to be full-on chaotic neutral due to his upbringing by his mother, Talia al Guhl. Basically, if anyone bothered him, he's got the urge to stab. Could be his grandfather, Ra's al Guhl, or could be the Starbuck's barista who got his order wrong. He likes three shots of caramel, people. Three. Shots.
It's only when he started to work within the Bat Family that his alignment began to drift. He can still be a little snot at times, but age and being out in the real world have softened him. In addition, his work with Superman's son and the newest incarnation of the Teen Titans has put him on an eventual track toward a lawful good alignment. Unless we're in the Injustice universe, then ... never mind.
1 Batman: Neutral Good
One would think the patriarch of this family would have the same alignment of his wards and those he trained. Yet, he didn't have it when he started, not when he fought aliens in the Silver Age, not today, and probably never. To use a medical term, Bruce Wayne is messed up.
However, he doesn't want anyone in his family to carry on like him. Hence, the Prime Earth Batman makes sure those he takes on understand the good, the bad, and the in-between murkiness they should sparingly delve into. By doing this, Bruce quiets some of the inner demons that constantly torment him.