DC is certainly shaking up their comic book world with the introduction of Future State. With it, the Magistrate has taken over Gotham City and Bruce Wayne has gone underground as the Dark Detective. With this change, a new Batman has taken up the cape and cowl.

RELATED: DC: 10 Future State Comics We Can’t Wait to Read

The identity of The Next Batman is unknown as it's been redacted in every profile about the new heroes of Future State. Of course, this has led to a lot of speculation and theories about who the new Batman could be. DC creators have given some hints but those could be red herrings to throw off the fanbase.

10 CLEARLY NOT: Aaron Cash Because He's Older, Wearier, & Lesser-Known

aaron cash

Introduced in Arkham Asylum: Living Hell #1, Aaron Cash is a good cop and an admirer of Batman. It's not a bad idea but unfortunately, Aaron Cash is not that well known outside of the Batman: Arkham games. Of course, reintroducing Cash as the new Batman would be a welcome surprise.

There are other reasons it's likely not him: Cash was already an older, much wearier guard at Arkham in the comics. Cash is also missing a hand and unless he's upgraded to a state-of-the-art cybernetic hand, it seems unlikely he is the Next Batman.

9 COULD BE: Azrael Because He's Taken On The Role Of Batman Before

Azrael Arkham Batman

It definitely wouldn't be the first time this character took on the role of Batman. After Bruce Wayne's back was broken in Knightfall, Azrael became the new Batman and protected Gotham City. Azrael recently got a lot more attention from fans after being in Batman: Arkham Knight and Fox's Gotham.

The only problem fans had with Azrael's Batman in Knightfall was the comically over the top suit. The Next Batman looks like it would be a vast improvement for Azrael. It has also been hinted that there is a chance of the Next Batman being a person of color.

8 CLEARLY NOT: Slade Wilson Because He Doesn't Have An Obvious Reason To Switch Sides

Deathstroke In The Rainy Streets Of Gotham

Another name that's popped up in some forums is Slade Wilson. Slade does have the skill and physicality to rival Batman: he's even beaten him before. With Future State, anything is possible: Slade could be someone who doesn't approve of the Magistrate.

That being said, it's still unlikely that Slade would just switch sides and become a Gotham guardian. Unless Amanda Waller were to put a bomb in his neck, Deathstroke is pretty much out for his own gain.

7 COULD BE: Terry McGinnis Because He Was The Original Batman Beyond

batman beyond gotham

This one seems likely. After all, Terry was the original Batman Beyond. Future State has not stated if Batman Beyond is a character or not in this new event. Perhaps, that could be because Batman Beyond is being exchanged for the Next Batman.

Fans have wanted Terry McGinnis to have a proper resurgence. The Next Batman could be the best way to do that. Just avoid that ridiculous twist that Terry McGinnis is somehow Batman's son and fans would love seeing the character revamped.

6 CLEARLY NOT: Dick Grayson Because He's Done Fighting In Bruce's Shadows

dick grayson

Yes, Dick Grayson has temporarily taken on the cape and cowl before. However, there are a lot more factors that go into Dick not being the Next Batman. First, Dick already has his own stories happening as Nightwing in Future State, and he's even seen working with the Next Batman in some of those instances.

RELATED: Nightwing's 10 Closest Allies

That's a pretty big ender to that theory but there's more. Dick Grayson has made it perfectly clear in the past that he wants nothing to do with the cape and cowl. He loves Bruce and the Bat-Family but the reason he created Nightwing and went to Bludhaven was to get out of Bruce's shadow; become his own man.

5 COULD BE: Timothy Fox Because It Would Be Following In Luke Fox's Footsteps

Timothy Fox From Batman Comics

This one seems the most obvious choice. In comics, fans were introduced to another son of Lucius Fox: Timothy. Timothy works for a competitor of Wayne Enterprises which earned him backlash from his father. When Timothy learned he was in a shady job, he quit.

Since then, Timothy has vanished, especially with New 52. With Luke Fox taking on the role of Batwing, there is a chance that Timothy follows in his footsteps but instead becomes Batman. The only issue is that the choice is so obvious that it feels almost like a red herring.

4 CLEARLY NOT: Damian Wayne Because He Could Be Either Red X Or The Leader Of The Magistrate

Damian Wayne in Batman Beyond

Where is the son of Batman during the events of Future State? Currently unknown. Tim Drake is back to the Robin mantle with the Robin Eternal series. With it taking place in the future, it might be logical to believe that Damian is Batman. A few other things weigh against this theory.

One is that it is highly believed that Damian is the canon version of Red X. The character finally gets his introduction with DC's Future State and Damian fits that role perfectly. Another theory that is making the rounds is that Damian is the one leading the Magistrate.

3 COULD BE: Duke Thomas Because Of His Respect For Batman & The Vigilante Lifestyle

Duke Thomas the Signal

Duke really surprised everyone by his evolution into The Signal. Rather than another Robin, he became a unique hero who fought during the day and night. Duke has a lot of respect for Batman and what he means to Gotham City.

RELATED: DC: Every Member Of The Bat-Family, Ranked By Likability

With such dedication and admiration for the vigilante lifestyle, Duke is ripe material for Batman. Duke would be much older and from what is shown, his body frame is one that matches the Next Batman. Plus, it has not been confirmed what's happened to Duke during the Magistrate's reign over Gotham.

2 CLEARLY NOT: Jason Todd Because He Has Other Business To Tend To In Future States

Future State Red Hood

Like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd AKA Red Hood has his own stories happening in Future State. Jason now looks like a ninja out of the Mortal Kombat franchise and is one of the better redesigns.

Also, Jason would never treat the Batman moniker with respect. The Next Batman would be a gun-toting maniac like the Punisher if it were Jason Todd behind the mask.

1 COULD BE: Luke Fox Because It's The Next Step After Being Batwing

Batwing Luke Fox

Like his father, Luke Fox is a genius who created his own suit to fight crime as Batwing. With Batman gone, it's not that hard to believe that Luke would be able to create his own Batman suit. Luke would even get help from his own father in terms of the creation and the gadgets.

Luke Fox is another admirer of what Batman stands for. So going from Batwing to Batman seems like a step that Luke would be willing to take. Luke also fits the chance that the Next Batman is a person of color.

NEXT: DC Comics: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Luke Fox's Batwing