I don't think Batman needs a sidekick really, so loner.
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I don't think Batman needs a sidekick really, so loner.
I like the family aspect of the character myself.
The Bat-Fam really rounds out Bruce's characterization.
I would've liked a "bit of both" polling option. But I voted Batfamily.
I think the family is too large now, but I still like having a good sized clan. I think it's one of the more interesting and entertaining contrasts in Bruce; he acts like a loner while surrounding himself with the biggest family in the DCU.
And I am a big fan of many of the Batclan, there's several I like more than Bruce himself. I wouldn't want to see them disappear.
But I also like Batman on his own. I like that pulp/cowboy vibe; the lone gunman in the mean city. I think I tend to enjoy Batman himself more when he's on his own too, because (in the modern era) the kids often (not always but often) bring out the worst in him and he becomes a manipulative, emotionally abusive d-bag. Which can make for interesting stories, but not for a protagonist I cheer for.
So I'd like a bit of both. I'd like a Batman comic that virtually ignores the Batfamily, but I also want a book where Bruce patrols with Robin and gets a little assistance from Duke or Babs or whoever (hopefully he won't be too great an ******* about it). And of course, solo books for Dick and Kate and whoever else can carry one.
[QUOTE=Ascended;4918073]I would've liked a "bit of both" polling option. But I voted Batfamily.
I think the family is too large now, but I still like having a good sized clan. I think it's one of the more interesting and entertaining contrasts in Bruce; he acts like a loner while surrounding himself with the biggest family in the DCU.
And I am a big fan of many of the Batclan, there's several I like more than Bruce himself. I wouldn't want to see them disappear.
But I also like Batman on his own. I like that pulp/cowboy vibe; the lone gunman in the mean city. I think I tend to enjoy Batman himself more when he's on his own too, because (in the modern era) the kids often (not always but often) bring out the worst in him and he becomes a manipulative, emotionally abusive d-bag. Which can make for interesting stories, but not for a protagonist I cheer for.
So I'd like a bit of both. I'd like a Batman comic that virtually ignores the Batfamily, but I also want a book where Bruce patrols with Robin and gets a little assistance from Duke or Babs or whoever (hopefully he won't be too great an ******* about it). And of course, solo books for Dick and Kate and whoever else can carry one.[/QUOTE]
that's my opinion to.
[QUOTE=Pohzee;4916981]Well, I think it's more nuanced than that. I like a small Batfamily (~4) as a supporting cast used in *some* stories, but I largely prefer solo Batman ones. They add some depth to the universe, but the ridiculous glut we have now subtracts more than it adds[/QUOTE]Same here.
Batman is essentially Zorro or the Shadow and even those two did not act alone. DC's mistake is keeping all of the Robins around, some could retire. My Batfamily is Bruce, Gordon, Alfred, Robin, Batgirl and my favourite tale of all is Year One
Just Batman with maybe Alfred giving some advice is good enough for me.
I like the batfamily, I really do. But I think they’re best in small to moderate doses. Most of my favorite Batman content, they either straight up don’t exist besides Alfred, or like I said, are used in moderate doses. Like DCAU Batman or the Arkham games.
Kind of a non issue though, given the bat brand’s popularity, there’s usually plenty of room. Though yeah right now the size is starting to outstay it’s welcome.
Twist my arm, and I’m voting lone Batman. Would have voted a bit of both though.
[QUOTE=SiegePerilous02;4917396]This is definitely the source of debate lol.
Having a surrogate family is one thing. Having it extend to like 20 members who all step on each others toes in a narrative sense is another. You get the [I]same exact[/I] result for Bruce with 2-3 bat-kids + Alfred as you do with the bigger amounts.[/QUOTE]
It does kinda become a kingdom
Bruce, master of the manor
Richard, the first son
Kathy, aunt by marriage on his mother's side
Bethy, her niece
Selina, mistress of the manor
Helena, her daughter
Barbara, partner's daughter
Jason, second son, once-dead
Tim, third son, once his blood parents unfortunately pass
Stephanie, his girlfriend
Cassandra, first daughter
Damian, blood-born
Jean-Paul, the knight
Luke, family friend's son
Duke, current ward
and that's just the one in costume discounting the other Helena and Batman Inc
[QUOTE=Restingvoice;4917372]The natural progression of his character arc. A boy who lost his family slowly regains it.[/QUOTE]
Also, the fact that he adopted all these orphan children and took care of them so that they don't suffer the trauma he did as a child is the biggest thing making him more than just a rich dude who uses his infinite wealth to beat down on the impoverished and mentally unstable.
[QUOTE=Confuzzled;4919690]Also, the fact that he adopted all these orphan children and took care of them so that they don't suffer the trauma he did as a child is the biggest thing making him more than just a rich dude who uses his infinite wealth to beat down on the impoverished and mentally unstable.[/QUOTE]
If writers approached his character with more nuance on a regular basis, he wouldn't need all the orphan children to remind us of this.
I wouldn't say most of the garish costumed supervillains he spends most of his time fighting in Gotham are realistically mentally ill (especially the Joker) nor hurting for money with all their death traps and gimmicks (especially the Joker).
Batfamily. I love all of them. Tim, Steph, Dick, Cass, Babs, Kate. The only one I don't like is Duke. I just can't get into him.
Batfamily, Duke Thomas is the only reason I actually picked up and started to really read american comics, and Jason Todd is the reason I kept reading. plus, the "loner Batman" is a myth.
Definitely Batfamily, whether it is small or large, it's better to develop Bruce from this man who dealt with trauma. There is not just the fact, whether or not the writers handle Batman being a loner, but creating the idea that a man who lost his family through tragedy found a way to create a new one, not to mention people who are inspired by Bruce to act and become heroes in their own right. Even if it's not the Batfamily, it's the Justice League, outsiders, or the latest team Batman either creates or teams up with.
Plus like some people has already says, it does reel in the idea of the Omnipresent Batgod, by having him interact with people who aren't similar to him, but can bounce off of him.
I feel Bruce is a little too dark to really be interesting without lighter characters to play off of, so I'll always be for the Batfamily with regards to him.