The Batman is known to be one of the gloomiest and most brooding superheroes in all comics. His backstory tells of an innocent young boy who watched his parents brutally gunned down for no reason at all. Batman uses fear, intimidation, and, at times, brutal violence as weapons against the criminal underworld of Gotham City.
That's why it may surprise some that Batman comics can be quite funny. There are plenty of genuinely hilarious moments from the history of Batman. Sometimes, Batman himself can provide these laughs. Bruce Wayne does have a sense of humor, and he displays it for his friends and family.
10 Batman Making A Joke And Shocking The Justice League
This one comes from a JLA story from 2004 that found Chris Claremont and John Byrne reunited in a team-up between the Justice League and the Doom Patrol. The two teams were being assailed by vampire creatures, the head of which had his heart hidden in a micro-dimension. The Atom and Elasti-Girl shrunk down to transport the heart back to his chest, which allowed the Justice League to slay the vampire.
Later, the Justice League was discussing the Doom Patrol and the vampire lord. Of the vampire lord, Batman said "It's safe to say his heart was in the right place." This joke from the Caped Crusader left the Justice League astonished.
9 Batman And Nightwing Discussing The Meaning Of "Crazy Quilt"
Ironically, the same Batman issue that found Nightwing shot by KGBeast had a few funny exchanges between Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne. The story found the duo fighting some low-rent rogues such as Crazy Quilt and Condiment King, and Nightwing kept expressing confusion over the fact that Crazy Quilt doesn't have a knitting motif.
Batman repeatedly has to explain to Nightwing that the name refers to "a quilt of colors."
8 Joker Throws Out The Horse And The Steve Because They're Broken
This is a grimly funny moment from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's run of Batman during the New 52. In the epilogue of an issue from the Death of the Family story, Joker is setting up his surprise for Batman in Arkham Asylum, and the Joker's men are trying to move a horse deeper into the Asylum. They drop the horse on a poor soul named Steve.
Joker shoots the horse proclaiming that "it's broken." After an exchange with his men, the Joker shoots Steve because "Steve is broken too!"
7 Batman, Superman, Catwoman, And Lois Lane Going On A Double Date
During the buildup to the wedding between Batman and Catwoman, the two go on a double date with Superman and Lois Lane. It was superhero day at the amusement park they attended, so Batman dressed as Superman, Superman dressed as Batman, Lois dressed as Catwoman, and Catwoman dressed as Lois.
The whole issue, by Tom King and Clay Mann, is both funny and endearing. One moment that stands out is when the quartet is eating corn dogs, and Batman says that he'll "Have to kick a lot of trees to work this off." This is a reference to the montage of Batman training in Batman: Year One. Superman then talks about kicking a tree once and feeling so bad about it that he planted 80 saplings.
6 The Justice League Performing Batman Impressions While Saving The World
During the first issue of Scott Snyder and Jim Cheung's Justice League, the team springs into action to save the world from Vandal Savage.
However, this doesn't stop the team from each performing Batman impressions over the communicator to taunt the Dark Knight. Batman remains largely quiet during this exchange.
5 Batman Punching Guy Gardner While On Justice League International
This is a moment that will always live in DC infamy. Green Lantern Guy Gardner was challenging Batman for leadership on the Justice League International, and Guy begins mouthing off.
Batman loses patience and knocks out Guy Garder with one punch.
4 Hal Jordan Punching Batman In Retaliation During Green Lantern Rebirth
Guy Gardner gets a measure of retribution for this. During Green Lantern Rebirth by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Hal Jordan returns to the role of Green Lantern and gathers the other surviving Lanterns to battle Parallax and Sinestro. Batman, however, is skeptical of Hal Jordan thanks to his actions while under the control of Parallax.
Batman keeps challenging Hal, and Hal, losing his patience, turns around and punches Batman while Guy Gardner cheers.
3 Batman Slapping Robin And Creating An Immortal Meme
The famous meme of Batman slapping Robin has to rank as among the funnier Batman moments if for no other reason than all the interpretations it has spawned over the years. The original iteration is actually weirdly funny too. It comes from World's Finest #153 by Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan. This story finds Batman, whose parents actually lived until Bruce was an adult, at odds with Superman.
Batman believes Superman killed Thomas Wayne, and Batman swears vengeance on Superman. Bruce still recruits a Robin, but the Robin isn't on board with getting vengeance on Superman. This leads to Robin trying to talk Batman out of it, and Batman slaps Robin in frustration, calling him a "brat."
2 Batman And Superman Joking About Old Supervillains
Superman/Batman #2 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness finds the duo wandering a sewer after being wounded by Lex Luthor and Metallo. While wandering the sewer system, Superman and Batman discuss Magpie, the first villain the duo ever fought together in continuity.
Batman tells Superman that Magpie is dead, and Superman questions "Why is it the good villains never die?" Batman replies, "Clark, what the hell are 'good' villains?"
1 Batman Making A Bat Symbol Out Of Henchmen On A Billboard
Possibly the funniest Batman moment of all time comes from the Zero Year story by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. Shortly after Bruce Wayne officially became the Batman in this retelling of his origins, he begins targeting the Red Hood Gang.
A group of gang members is talking on a rooftop, but they start to go missing while talking. The final one hears someone trying to get his attention, and it is revealed to be Batman. He asks the Red Hood Gang member if he wants to help Batman finish the bat logo he's making out of Red Hood Gang member tied to a nearby billboard.