Batman has been one of, if not the most, successful franchises in DC Comics. As an extension of Batman, the many sidekicks he has employed to help him in his crusade against crime have become equally famous in the eyes of DC’s loyal fanbase. As far as major DC characters go, the Bat-Family is surely the most expansive and diverse family in the game.
This comes with a large number of expectations. Fans are so invested in these fantastic characters that they demand that a certain amount of attention and development is given to them. 2021 did not disappoint. With so many Batman titles in DC’s current Infinite Frontier rollout, fans of the Bat-Family have been feasting on plenty of content. Many different changes have made, or are making, their way into the Batman lore.
9 Ghost-Maker Is A Supporting Member
Ghost-Maker/Minkhoa Khan was introduced in issue #100 of James Tynion IV’s Batman run, as a character from Bruce Wayne’s past before he adopted the cape and cowl. The son of a wealthy Singaporean businessman, Ghost-Maker traveled the world learning different forms of martial arts and combat to purge crime and evil from the world. However, Ghost-Maker made no reservations about killing, eventually driving a wedge between him and Batman.
Now, Ghost-Maker and Batman have made amends. Ghost-Maker has remained in Gotham and is helping the rest of the Bat-Family. A bisexual South Asian does numbers for representation in DC Comics, and he also adds a new element of swagger and perspective to the Bat-Family.
8 Batgirl Returns To Her Oracle Moniker
Barbara Gordon’s role in DC Comics has changed over the past few years, and she has been re-introduced as Batgirl across the New 52 and DC: Rebirth eras. With DC: Rebirth, Barbara Gordon found herself in a seemingly lackluster state, with her character development in her solo Batgirl title feeling stunted by the end.
However, with DC’s Infinite Frontier era, Barbara Gordon has seen her role grow across multiple titles, having gradually increasing supporting roles in Batman, Nightwing, and The Joker. One huge change is Barbara’s switching back into her Oracle moniker while also fighting crime as Batgirl. With plenty on her hands, fans of Barbara have had lots to see in 2021.
7 Tim Drake Is In A Huge Phase Of His Life
Tim Drake, the 4th Robin, has gone through a rollercoaster of character development in DC’s Infinite Frontier. It was felt that Tim was perhaps shorthanded in DC: Rebirth, was left without anywhere to go after his time with the Young Justice team, and his name change was awkward. However, Infinite Frontier has delivered a huge amount of change in Drake’s life.
The ending of his decades-long on-again-off-again relationship with Stephanie Brown was a huge shift that was revealed in the pages of Batman: Urban Legends. To top it off, it was revealed that Tim is bisexual and is currently exploring his sexuality and what that means to him.
6 Three Batgirls
DC have always had a strange way of dealing with their many legacy characters. Largely responsible for the creation of sidekicks in superhero comics, the sidekick culture within DC has led to some of the most interesting characters, including Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain. Two incredible additions to the Bat-Family, both have worn the bat-symbol as iterations of Batgirl before rebranding as Spoiler and Orphan respectively.
In 2021, DC made a huge step forward with these characters in the Batgirls solo series, featuring Stephanie, Cassandra, and Barbara Gordon all under the codename of Batgirl. Finally realizing that there can be more than 1 Batgirl, Batgirls marks a huge step towards the development of these beloved characters in a title that looks incredibly fun and exciting.
5 Damian Wayne Is Paving His Own Way
Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s biological son, has been known since his introduction in the 2000s as the fifth Robin. With that title comes a large amount of pressure, especially as he is Batman’s only biological son. However, Damian has taken that pressure and made the moniker his own. He has now become a fan-favorite character. In 2021, his solo title Robin made waves, with Damian fully rejecting the Robin codename, leaving the Bat-Family temporarily, and striking out on his own.
After the events that led to the death of Alfred Pennyworth, Damian found himself in a transitionary state and needed time away from Gotham City. He took on his own journey, much like his father has from time to time. With the backing of his family, Damian has undergone huge amounts of character development in 2021. Where he goes from here is still to be seen, and fans patiently await the return of one of Gotham’s brightest sons.
4 Jason Todd Has Stopped Using Guns
Jason Todd, AKA the Red Hood, has always had a fractured relationship with Batman. He was revived in the Lazarus Pits and returned to Gotham City as the Red Hood. Since then, he has brandished his own brand of justice (which has often flown in the face of Batman’s) while trying to navigate his life after the intense trauma he holds from being murdered by the Joker.
In 2021, Jason made a huge step in his decades-long recovery process. Batman: Urban Legends starred the Red Hood and showed just how far he has come trying to regain Batman’s love and respect and his own peace of mind. In the end, Jason decided to stop using guns in his crime-fighting ways, a huge indicator of his recovery.
3 Alfred’s Death Is Still Felt Heavily
Alfred Pennyworth’s death in the “City of Bane” storyline was felt across the entire DC Universe. Even though it has been over a year since the loyal butler’s demise, it should be expected that his death is still holding a very firm grip on the Bat-Family. Gone but never forgotten, Alfred’s death has proved that he truly was the glue that held the family together.
From beyond the grave, Alfred is still a positive influence on the family’s life, as is seen across many different titles. His will bestowed Nightwing with a small fortune that is being invested back into Bludhaven. His teachings have held a prominent grip on Damian Wayne, pushing him into discovering himself. Despite having passed away, Alfred is still such a huge presence.
2 Jace Fox Marks The End Of Bruce Wayne As Batman
A huge moment in 2021 was the introduction of Timothy “Jace” Fox, the second disenfranchised son of Lucius Fox, and his return to Gotham City. Introduced in the final pages of Dark Knights: Metal and in DC’s Future State event, Jace Fox became the first person to take up the mantle of Batman after Bruce Wayne following the Magistrate’s public assassination of Batman.
The important inclusion of Jace Fox into the Batman lore cannot be understated, as it concretely begins the post-Bruce Wayne era. How Wayne would eventually retire as Batman has always been speculated, what with the success of Batman Beyond. However, with the introduction of Jace Fox, it presents an equally viable successor to the cape and cowl.
1 The Bat-Family Unit
The Bat-Family has been well-established in Batman lore for decades, ever since Robin and Batgirl were first introduced as co-sidekicks for the Dark Knight. Since then, many new additions to the team have been cemented in comics history, with the Bat-Family being one of the most expansive and diverse teams in DC.
2021 has worked to bring more of a family element to Batman’s many sidekicks, as writers like James Tynion IV and Tom Taylor began to acknowledge the many different ways that these characters care for each other. Between cameo appearances in each other’s solo titles, the establishment of a family group chat, or even small dialogue moments, 2021 has truly put the family in the Bat-Family.
About The Author
