Batman is one of the most popular comic book characters in the medium's history with countless examples of memorable writing. He has appeared in various media such as film, TV animation, and gaming, so finding someone completely unfamiliar with the character is a rare occurrence.

Considering how popular Batman is, it's worth looking at what aspects of his character appeal to so many people. While his actions certainly play a major part, his thoughts and sayings also say a lot about him, resulting in a few memorable Batman quotes and Batman one-liners.

Updated on February 19, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: Between Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson's ongoing movie series and another version of Batman getting rebooted for James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe, there is plenty for fans to be excited about. The Caped Crusader will soon have an even greater mainstream presence in pop culture in the coming years, and that's in addition to the wealth of compelling comic book material available. This list has been updated with more examples.

35 "Ladies. Gentlemen. You Have Eaten Well."

Batman #405 (March 1987) by Frank Miller and Dave Mazzucchelli

"Ladies. Gentlemen. You have eaten well. You have eaten Gotham's wealth. Its spirit. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on -- none of you are safe."

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's iconic Batman: Year One is one of the best Batman comics ever made. It has been used as source material for more than one live-action adaptation. It's filled with memorable Batman quotes that cut to the root of his mission and highlight his usual tactics of intimidation. He used this skill to let Gotham's criminal underworld know their time was up.

"You’ve eaten Gotham’s wealth... Its spirit. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on... None of you are safe." Gotham City now belonged to Batman, and anyone who threatened it heard their first and only warning. It's a perfect look at Batman's larger-than-life presence, which helped to create his legend in Gotham City.

34 "Batman And Robin Will Never Die!"

Batman #676 (June 2008) by Grant Morrison and Tony S. Daniel

You're wrong! Batman and Robin will never die!

Grant Morrison is arguably one of the most important writers in Batman's comic book history, and their run with artist Tony S. Daniel paved the way for some memorable storylines. The way R.I.P. opens is certainly one of the most memorable single panels in their run. The Dynamic Duo perches atop a building, proclaiming to their enemies that they're here to stay.

Batman and Robin are one of the most iconic team-ups in the superhero genre. This moment and quote effectively set the tone for the rest of the story. Much like the rest of R.I.P., this panel succeeds as a defiant declaration and celebration of the duo's significance — both in-universe and in a meta sense.

33 "Batman Thinks Of Everything."

Batman #681 (December 2008) by Grant Morrison and Tony S. Daniel

But that's the thing about Batman. Batman thinks of everything.

The first "act" of Grant Morrison's Batman run is one of the most satisfying, especially its finale. R.I.P. depicts the Caped Crusader in dire straits after the villainous cabal known as the Black Glove has buried him alive. The story's finale sees him overcome in the most "Batman way" possible.

While plot armor is something that can come across as frustrating in certain comics, Morrison's R.I.P. wholeheartedly embraces Bruce Wayne's mind for strategy and preparedness in thrilling fashion. It leads to the self-aware quote where Bruce acknowledges what's expected of Batman in the eyes of friends and foes alike. This leads to one of the most striking panels in his comics, as the Dark Knight emerges from his own grave.

32 "A Hero Can Be Anyone..."

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Directed by Christopher Nolan

A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy's shoulders to let him know that the world hadn't ended.

Director Christopher Nolan created a well-earned victory lap for his Batman trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises in 2012. In the movie's final moments, the brooding hero prepares to drop Bane's rigged atom bomb over Gotham Bay before it can decimate the city, but not before giving a heartfelt thank you to Commissioner James Gordon.

When Gordon pleads with Batman to tell him who he is so Gotham's people can know who their final savior is, Batman gives a not-so-subtle final line about how he thinks anybody could be a hero in his place. This callback to Bruce's origins — and Batman Begins, specifically — was a genuinely resonating moment and a clever way for Bruce to reveal his identity in a way only Batman would.

31 "I'm Batman."

Batman (1989) Directed by Tim Burton

"I'm Batman."

While fans had already seen a more light-hearted live-action version of Batman, Tim Burton reintroduced the Dark Knight in 1989's Batman. Michael Keaton starred as a much darker Bruce Wayne, bringing Batman to life in a new way that was more true to the comics' portrayal of the character in the '80s.

A pair of criminals held up a family walking home from the theater in Gotham City during Batman's opening moments. The titular hero arrived on the rooftop to stop them, announcing himself with one of the character's simplest but most iconic lines. Keaton repeated the line in the first trailer for The Flash, hyping up fans for his cinematic return as Batman.

30 "I Think We Can Take Them. Do You Think We Can Take Them?"

Superman/Batman #3 (December 2003) by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

"I think we can take them. Do you think we can take them?"

Batman may be best known for his dark and brooding personality, but he has also shown the capacity for a lighter tone. This is especially true when he's working alongside his closest ally, Superman. In Superman/Batman #3, the two faced off with a few supervillains looking to collect a huge bounty. Superman's closest friend delivered an iconic Batman one-liner just before the fight.

Surrounded by some of Superman's most iconic villains, Batman asked the Man of Steel a mostly rhetorical question about their chances after he stated "they can take them." Superman replied that Batman always thought they could take them, highlighting both their comfortable friendship as well as the confidence the Dark Knight has in their abilities.

29 “I’m Still Here.”

Batman #20 (June 2017) by Tom King and David Finch

“'This is the end, Batman!' Every damn night. And yet... I’m still here.”

During Tom King’s third story arc on Batman, the Dark Knight dealt with his old enemy Bane, who returned to Gotham as one of the first parts of his master plan. As the fight between them came to a climax in Arkham Asylum, Bane started to give the same type of villainous speech that's been a trope in comics for decades.

Batman told Bane that he'd heard different versions of the same speech almost every night since he first put on the cowl. After all that time and all those speeches, he was still alive and had triumphed over every obstacle. Despite being relatively short compared to the Dark Knight's other memorable quotes, it reinforces the idea of what Batman can accomplish.

28 “I’m The Goddamn Batman.”

All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder #2 (October 2005) by Frank Miller and Jim Lee

“I’m the goddamn Batman.”

Frank Miller has written some of the most iconic interpretations of Batman to date. One of his more infamous stories is All-Star Batman and Robin. However controversial this story or interpretation may be, “I’m the goddamn Batman” remains one of the most iconic Batman quotes.

This quote comes from an alternate version of Batman who's cruel and borderline abusive. After a few delays and other issues with production, the All-Star Batman and Robin series never concluded. While it's one of the most cynical and borderline satirical takes on the character, the quote remains popular and spawned a viral meme.

27 "The Shadow's Wings Are A Welcome, Protective Blanket."

Batman/Poison Ivy: Cast Shadows (April 2004) by Ann Nocenti and John Van Fleet

"If you are good, the shadow's wings are a welcome, protective blanket."

"If you are bad, you know its touch as a black splinter of fear." Ann Nocenti and John Van Fleet teamed up in 2004 for Batman/Poison Ivy: Cast Shadows, which featured Batman musing on how he kept Gotham City safe. He posited that both the city and the crime fighter affected the citizens who lived under the long shadow cast by the Dark Knight.

This Batman quote highlighted a sometimes under-used aspect of the character: his reliance on fear as a tactic. Batman uses a force most often associated with villainy, but this fantastic one-liner epitomizes his more benevolent use of fear.

26 “That Mask, It’s Not To Hide Who I Am, But To Create What I Am.”

Batman #624 (April 2004) by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso

“I wear a mask. And that mask, it’s not to hide who I am, but to create what I am.”

There is an ongoing debate among some fans whether Bruce Wayne is the real face of Batman or if Bruce is the mask. Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's "Broken City" storyline from Batman looked at his mask from a different perspective. It followed the Dark Knight as he worked on a case that mirrored the tragic loss of his own parents.

Bruce Wayne didn't just wear Batman's cowl to hide his secret identity. It also helped him create the persona he needed to become the Dark Knight of Gotham City. The case he was working on during "Broken City" caused him to struggle emotionally. He had to reinforce his vigilante persona to continue being an effective crime-fighter.

25 "The War Goes On, Alfred... On And On..."

Batman: The Animated Series, Season 2, Episode 21, "I am the Night"

"I've put out a few fires, yes. Won a few battles. But the war goes on, Alfred... on and on..."

"I'm tired, Alfred. A weary body can be dealt with. But a weary spirit? That's something else. Sometimes, old friend, I wonder if I'm really doing any good out there." Batman's mission wasn't always easy on Bruce Wayne, and he often questioned whether he was making a difference.

Batman usually vented his frustrations to his closest confidante, Alfred Pennyworth. He worried he wasn't making a big enough difference, and the near-fatal shooting of Commissioner Gordon further shattered his usually steely resolve. Bruce Wayne almost quit, but he regained his confidence and helped save Gordon's life — and the war went on and on.

24 "The Idea Was To Be A Symbol..."

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Directed by Christopher Nolan

"The idea was to be a symbol. Batman could be anybody, that was the point."

Christopher Nolan's end to his climactic Batman trilogy brought some welcome insight into this version of Bruce Wayne's idea of what the mantle represents. In The Dark Knight Rises​​​​​​, Bruce Wayne's last battle for Gotham City saw him face off against Bane and his Waynetech-equipped League of Shadows.

Batman found a new ally in a cop named John Blake, who'd also deduced the Dark Knight's secret identity as Bruce Wayne. This Batman quote lines up with the movie's focus on legacy, as Bruce Wayne began preparing John to potentially take over as the new Dark Knight after he retired.

23 “Maybe That's What Batman Is About..."

Batman #32 (August 2014) by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

“Maybe that's what Batman is about. Not winning. But failing, and getting back up. Knowing he'll fail, fail a thousand times, but still won't give up."

“Zero Year” was a storyline during the New 52 era that re-established certain details of Batman’s origin. Near the end of the arc, Batman wondered to Alfred about the example he could set going forward. He told Alfred that he'd "fail, fail a thousand times, but still won't give up.” This has defined the character and his drive for years.

It's interesting to see how Batman came about as a symbol in Gotham with Bruce also acknowledging his humanity in the process. While The Batman isn't a direct adaptation of this story, it takes inspiration. The climactic monologue in The Batman echoed this iconic quote and highlighted the importance of hope over vengeance.

22 "Bullets Don't Harm Me. Nothing Harms Me. But I Know Pain."

Batman #407 (May 1987) by Frank Miller and Dave Mazzucchelli

"You can never escape me. Bullets don't harm me. Nothing harms me. But I know pain."

Batman is one of the most intimidating heroes in the DC universe, which is impressive because he doesn't have powers. It's also not something he hides, as he's quick to point out to villains that he's dealt with pain, unlike anything they could imagine. "I KNOW pain. Sometimes I share it. With someone like you."

This scene took place in Miller and Mazzucchelli's Batman: Year One. Batman used his influence to convince criminals to turn themselves in while he cleaned up the police force. This bit of Batman dialogue worked wonders, and his target quickly divulged information about Gotham City's corrupt cops. Batman may not be DC's most likable hero, but he gets the job done.

21 "The Voice Kept Calling Me Bruce..."

Batman Beyond, Season 1, Episode 7, "Shriek"

"The voice kept calling me Bruce. In my mind, that's not what I call myself."

A retired Bruce Wayne passed on the mantle of the bat to the youthful Terry McGinnis in the fan-favorite Batman Beyond animated series. Wayne still coached his successor from the relative safety of the Batcave. However, he was still an occasional target due to his public role as the head of Wayne Enterprises.

A villain named Shriek attempted to first assassinate Bruce Wayne and then drive him mad using his advanced sound technology. Bruce Wayne started to hear voices, though he quickly reasoned that the voices weren't coming from his own head. Even though he passed on the mantle, he is and will always be Batman.

20 “No Miracles. No Mercy. No Redemption. No Heaven. No Hell."

Batman: Absolution (January 2003) by J.M. DeMatteis and Brian Ashmore

“No miracles. No mercy. No redemption. No heaven. No hell. No higher power. Just life. Just... us."

"No higher power. Just life. Just... Us.” While it may be a lesser-known story, Batman: Absolution by J.M. DeMatteis still features one of the best Batman quotes ever. Set ten years after the destruction of Wayne Tower, Batman finally tracked down the culprit who was responsible for the attack.

Once on the other side of the world, Batman started a spiritual and mental journey unlike any other, leading to one of the more interesting takes on the character. Despite being a more obscure story, Batman: Absolution is worth a read for any fan of the Dark Knight.

19 "You Either Die A Hero..."

The Dark Knight (2008) Directed by Christopher Nolan

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

This quote from Christopher Nolan's hit 2008 sequel The Dark Knight was originally said by Harvey Dent at a dinner with Bruce Wayne and Rachel Dawes. However, Batman later repeated it to Commissioner Gordon after Dent's transformation into Two-Face.

Harvey Dent's disfigurement, combined with the loss of Rachel Dawes, broke the former district attorney. His dark mission of revenge ultimately led to his death. This iconic bit of Batman dialogue reinforces Batman's pressure to stay true to his morals without succumbing to the darkness of Gotham City like Harvey Dent.

18 "Sometimes People Deserve To Have Their Faith Rewarded."

The Dark Knight (2008) Directed by Christopher Nolan

Sometimes the truth isn't good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.

In The Dark Knight's final scene, Batman and Commissioner Gordon face the tragic dilemma of their once-great friend and ally in eradicating mobster rule from Gotham City falling into villainy. The eponymous Dark Knight makes the difficult choice of martyring Harvey Dent and scapegoating himself for the greater good, telling the Commissioner that the citizens of Gotham deserve to have their years of painful endurance rewarded with a safer, more just place to live.

This quote is a perfect example of the moral grays The Dark Knight explores. If the people found out their heroic District Attorney became a vengeful serial killer, then all their cases against the violent mobsters would be thrown out and Gotham would descend into the corruption from before Batman and Gordon arrived on the scene. By lying about himself being the villain, Batman bought the city eight years of peace — but it would come back to bite him in The Dark Knight Rises​​​​​​.

17 “If I Allow Myself To Go Down Into That Place…"

Batman #650 (April 2006) by Judd Winick and Eric Battle

“If I allow myself to go down into that place… I’ll never come back.”

Batman's "Under The Hood" was an incredibly emotional journey focused on Jason Todd's return in his new role as Red Hood. He was the second Robin who died at The Joker's hands years before. As the arc approached its conclusion, the former team met up and fought it out. During the fight, Jason Todd repeatedly questioned Batman about why Joker was still alive.

Batman explained his reasoning, which offered a unique insight into his moral code. Despite doing some very dark things over the years, Batman restricted himself from killing due to the fear that he wouldn't be able to stop. This examination of Batman's No-Kill rule was just one of the reasons "Under the Hood" became so popular with fans.

16 “All Men Have Limits ... I Ignore Mine"

Detective Comics #663 (July 1993) by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan

"All men have limits. They learn what they are and learn not to exceed them. I ignore mine."

Before Bane broke the Batman, the Dark Knight foreshadowed the extremes that he would push his body to during his first battle with Bane. He knew where his limits were, but he chose to ignore them. From “Knightfall” all the way to “Knightsend,” Bruce Wayne was put through one of the most grueling physical tests of his life as he faced a gauntlet of Batman's most iconic villains.

When Jean-Paul Valley proved to be a devastatingly brutal Batman, Bruce had no other option but to take back the mantle. Although Batman said this quote before Bane's physical attack, it remained relevant throughout the event and proved both Batman's strength and his determination.