Batman

HEIGHT:

6' 2"

WEIGHT:

223 lbs.

EYE COLOR:

Blue

HAIR COLOR:

Black

ETHNICITY:

Caucasian

BIRTHDATE:

Oct 31, 1956

AGE:

1051

GENDER:

Male

MODEL:

Christian Bale

EDUCATION:

None

CHARACTER CONCEPT:

Dark Knight

ORIENTATION:

Straight

DEMEANOR:

Vigilante

NATURE:

Recovering

CLASSIFICATION:

HUMAN - Class H: Homosapien Sapien

POWER SOURCE:

Experience

POWER RANK:

0

SKILL LEVEL:

Maximum human potential

APTITUDE:

Modify existing current technology

WEALTH:

Multinational corp., govt. branch of major country

ADVANTAGES:

Resilient: Bruce Wayne is only human. He can be killed far more easily than his associates on the Justice League. His injuries take much longer to heal. He is perfectly aware of this. Somehow, though, while he has faced enemies from the Calculator all the way up to the Shaggy Man, Batman has come through. He bounces back from pain, whether physical or emotional. He recovered from a broken back in record time - any doctor who knew about it would be shocked to find him up and walking at all. Batman is one of the most resilient human beings who ever walked the earth.

POWERS:

Intuitive: One of the traits that has saved Batman's life time and again, not to mention allowing him to save countless lives, is that he is extremely intuitive, possessed of an uncanny ability to spy something out of the ordinary or out of place in what should be an otherwise perfectly normal scenario. His gut instinct is almost always right. He will not rely on luck and instinct solely, of course, but when two possibilities seem equally likely from a logical point of view (or even, considering the nature of his usual foes, when one scenario seems vastly more likely than another), a burst of intuition will typically help him find the right answer to a given problem.

Memory: While not born with an actual eidetic memory, the Batman has trained his memory to photographic levels through use of such exercises as Charles Dickens described in 'Oliver Twist', with Fagan training the children to remember exactly what items were concealed when he uncovered them for mere seconds. At first this skill was intended to help him retain facts longer and more accurately, but when he took on his heroic persona it became useful in other ways. He can remember with perfect accuracy the contents and occupants of a room after seeing it for just a moment before taking out the lights, and proceed to use the darkness as his ally in fighting his enemies.

Perceptive: Bruce Wayne is a natural detective. He can look at a situation and spy the things that are out of place with ease. He can judge a person's expression, their body language, and tell whether they are lying, and, more than that, whether they are lying willfully or because they have no choice. These natural deductive skills aid him tremendously when it comes to his work as Batman. It means he has a natural advantage as the Dark Knight Detective that serves him well. As a result, he has a higher solve rate than just about any detective in the world.

Willpower: The Caped Crusader is one of the most driven men alive, possessing a dedication and strength of will that is remarkable even in the company of other superheroes. This resolution in the face of adversity first manifested following his parents' murder, and it has only grown with time and experience. Batman has suffered too much, seen too much, and achieved too much to let anything stand in his way. He has stared death in the face since he was a child, and he has made his fears and the darkness his friends and allies. Courage comes naturally to him, and he is unlikely to bend to the will of anyone who tests his resolve.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Martial artist: When he fought Batman, Prometheus revealed that he had the moves of the world's top martial artists stored on a hard drive that could load them directly into his brain - and that Batman himself was among them. Batman is one of the most skilled hand to hand fighters in the world, and has studied a vast array of martial arts. He is best at eight of them, ranked high in each: Aikido, American Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Jiujitsu, Judo, Ninjitsu, Savate (Thai kickboxing), and Tae Kwan Do, and he is skilled in the moves and motions of other styles from Drunken Monkey Kung Fu to Capoeira to Sumo (though, admittedly, he does not have the body for Sumo). Rather than using any single style, which could be interpreted and easily overcome by a skilled opponent, he mixes and matches his moves to the situation. Combined with his ability to think ahead of his opponents, it is easy to see why Prometheus chose to emulate his fighting style. There are people better than Batman (Lady Shiva and Batgirl among them), but not many.

Melee Combat: Batman's preferred style of fighting is unarmed, but from time to time he simply has no choice but to accept a weapon. If for no other reason than to learn how to counter people fighting with such weapons, Batman has studied many weapons and the general fighting styles associated with them. He is capable of fencing, fighting with a knife, and the weapons associated with any number of martial arts. Frequently he may use batarangs in the place of these weapons, knowing that particular weapon intimately. Additionally, he is very skilled at improvising weapons from his surroundings, using his environment to help take down his enemies. He is not as skilled as such opponents as Lady Shiva and Ra's al Ghul, of course, but has always managed to hold his own in duels against them long enough that he is not dead.

Ranged combat: Batman has been trained in the use of firearms, missile weapons, and thrown weapons by the likes of David Cain, Oliver Queen, and Henri Ducard. While he abhors the use of guns, he has often found a use for thrown weapons adapted from the ninja's shuriken and the aboriginal boomerang. This is most clearly represented by the batarang throwing implements he has developed as his trademark, with which he can knock other missile attacks out of the air or target multiple opponents with a single throw. His skill with other ranged attacks is less proficient than heroes or villains specialized in them, but he is still equivalent to an expert marksman with everything from bows to rifles.

DISADVANTAGES:

Athlete: Batman is in superb physical condition, the result of years of exercise and training in several athletic fields. He's an expert acrobat and gymnast, able to maintain his balance and perform floor and aerial maneuvers. He is a proficient weight lifter, able to perform numerous feats of strength related to his footing and physical power. He can run a marathon, swim long distances, and hold his breath for several minutes with limited effort. As a general rule, his ability in any physical endeavor is comparable to that of a professional athlete, and he could easily compete for an Olympic medal in several events.

Detective: The Dark Knight is an amazing investigator, with a startling depth and breadth of knowledge and ability in deduction and analysis. He is among the world's greatest detectives, able to quickly draw accurate conclusions from limited evidence. He supports his deductive and observational skill with a great deal of study in the fields of forensics and criminology. He can utilize a wide range of scientific equipment dedicated to the examination of a crime scene, and he has a knack for getting inside the heads of criminals. There are few mysteries that Batman cannot solve given time and resources.

Engineer: Batman has been educated in the invention, construction, and maintenance of a wide range of technological and mechanical devices. He can build and repair vehicles, weapons, and electronic devices, and he has a personal hand in the development of much of his personal equipment. His ability and knowledge are not on par with your average super-inventor or mad scientist (no time travel machines or faster than light drives), but if it exists in the real world or can be extrapolated from technological developments, he can probably work with it.

Escape artist: Some of the hazards of being a costumed superhero are the traps one must escape during your adventures. Preparing for practically any crisis, Batman trained with professional escape artists such as John Zatara to learn the tricks of the trade. He can escape most restraints and binding techniques, and can also improvise quick solutions to seeming inescapable deathtraps. He is not as skilled in this ability as Scott Free, Mister Miracle, but he is certainly among the world's better masters of escape.

Infiltration: The Caped Crusader has often had to find covert entry into well-guarded and highly secure locales, ranging from the dens of common criminals to advanced super-science fortresses. He received training from the best thieves and commandos he could find, and has supplemented this education with years of experience and continued self-instruction. He knows how to disable or otherwise overcome a wide range of security devices and procedures, and he has an extensive catalog of tricks in his vocabulary for overcoming those he is not familiar with. There are few places he cannot find a means to enter (or escape) without alerting its occupants and watchers.

Intimidating: As a shadowy figure of the night, the Dark Knight is renowned for his ability in producing fear and self-doubt in others. He has combined everything from such varied sources as police interrogation techniques, theatrical oratory, and African war cries to enhance his intimidation ability. When combined with his ability in stealth, physical presence, and mythic reputation, he is a criminal's worst nightmare. His skill is such that he has been depicted as halting entire crowds of people with a single pose and shouted command, and even the murderous minions of Arkham have come to fear his presence.

Linguist: Batman knows how to speak and write several languages in addition to his native English. These are: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. He is familiar with if not as proficient with the dialects of these languages, and can recognize the regional speech patterns that coincide with them. He can imitate a native speaker with most of them, adopting a flawless accent.

Master of disguise: Batman is a master of disguise, having training in theatrical and undercover agent techniques related to taking on another's guise and persona. He has a natural knack for acting, and it could be argued that the Batman is just another visage Bruce created for maximum impact. Similarly, the dim-witted billionaire playboy he pretends to be when appearing publicly as his alter ego is another careful and expert construct. Another regular guise of his is that of "Matches" Malone, a Gotham City hoodlum with many connections in the underworld. While these are his personal specialties, Batman can mimic the voice, visage, and personality of almost any man of comparable size and build given time to study them and prepare the guise.

Outdoorsman: The Batman's typical haunts are urban, but he has had many adventures in the wilderness and outdoors. He has therefore learned the skills of the hunter and outdoorsman, with a primary focus on tracking. He can also navigate using the stars and terrain, climb mountains, and survive in remote and hazardous environments with limited access to equipment. He is also familiar with dealing with wild and domesticated animals, most particularly those used as guards and his totemic source of inspiration, the bat.

Ranged combat: Batman has been trained in the use of firearms, missile weapons, and thrown weapons by the likes of David Cain, Oliver Queen, and Henri Ducard. While he abhors the use of guns, he has often found a use for thrown weapons adapted from the ninja's shuriken and the aboriginal boomerang. This is most clearly represented by the batarang throwing implements he has developed as his trademark, with which he can knock other missile attacks out of the air or target multiple opponents with a single throw. His skill with other ranged attacks is less proficient than heroes or villains specialized in them, but he is still equivalent to an expert marksman with everything from bows to rifles.

Scholar: Batman has studied most of the humanities in his training and continued self-education about the world. He is an expert in several classical fields of knowledge, including archaeology, anthropology, history, literature, and philosophy. He is perhaps not as proficient in any one of these fields as a scholar who specializes in them, but his wealth of general knowledge is staggering.

Scientist: In companion to his study of the humanities, Batman has been well educated in the sciences. While most of this focused on fields that could be used in his crimefighting activities, he is generally familiar with every known field of scientific study. He is constantly updating this knowledge with the latest developments in the various science journals and magazines.

Stealth: The Batman is a very cunning and stealthy hero, with a great deal of talent and training in concealing himself from the notice of others. He is familiar with esoteric distraction and evasion techniques utilized by stage magicians and the Japanese ninja, and can seem to disappear even from plain view. He can also walk across typically noisy surfaces and those that tend to leave traces of one's passage without making a sound or leaving tracks in his wake. His skill in stealth is such that even those with superhuman sensory abilities have occasionally had trouble locating him when he doesn't wish to be found.

Streetwise: The Dark Knight Detective has long traveled the steel canyons and dark alleyways of Gotham City's and other locations' underworld settings. It has become a practical necessity for him to become an expert in the social dynamic of criminals and their organizations, knowing the major factions, power players, and their modus operandi. His focus on Gotham has granted him a unique insight into the psychology and interplay of that city's master criminals, but he can quickly become informed about the street scene of any urban locale he has time to study.

Tactician: The Masked Manhunter is one of the world's foremost strategic thinkers, able to draw up complex stratagems quickly in the face of long odds. While his personal combat training aids this skill, it has more to due with his personal instincts and brilliance in coming up with solutions in a crisis. He takes all conflict, combat or otherwise, as a game of wits, and always seeks to keep several steps ahead of his opposition. This ability has proven invaluable to him and to his allies, enabling them to respond to and surprise even expertly trained opposition such as metahuman strike teams and master assassins.

Vehicle expert: The Caped Crusader has access to a number of transports to enable him to travel and catch up with his criminal prey, and he therefore has learned how to pilot a wide range of vehicles. He is most proficient in the driving of ground vehicles, particularly his infamous Batmobile, a super-charged street machine laden with gadgets. He can also handle motorcycles, heavier transports, and almost anything else with wheels. He is a skilled pilot of air vehicles, and can work with rotor, prop, and jet-propulsion craft. Lastly, he knows how to drive watercraft ranging from jet skis to speedboats to submarines. His ability in driving any of these is comparable to a professional stunt driver or military pilot.

Versatile: Batman goes beyond a Jack of all Trades. He is one of the most skilled people alive, with abilities ranging from extraordinary martial arts prowess, survival and agility with thrown weapons, to engineering, finance and chemistry. The words 'Renaissance Man' would be applied to him if he ever let anybody see how truly adept Bruce Wayne really is. This is only in part due to personal advantage - it is in great part due to the skills of the teachers he chose for himself. He has trained under Lady Shiva, top scientists and linguists, taken classes at top universities, studied under masters of dozens of disciplines, from FBI BAU professionals to assassins.

UNIFORM:

Batsuit(s): The Batsuit, Batman's costume, serves a duel basic purpose. It is first intended to mask his identity, and tends to do so successfully. The only parts of Bruce Wayne that are visible when he is dressed as Batman are his mouth and chin, and while they are typically considered a handsome mouth and chin, they are typically insufficient to identify the billionaire. It is also highly distinctive, giving him the appearance of a man and bat in one, and thus a crucial tool in striking fear into the hearts of his enemies. Second, the costume is intended to protect its wearer, and while Batman has suffered some grievous injuries, the suit does this job pretty well as well, considering how many deadly situations and murderous enemies he has encountered over the years.

The costume and cape are made from a weave of Nomex and Kevlar, making it mostly bulletproof. The cowl is made of stiffer material, a moldable but firm rubber with a Kevlar lining which allows him to move freely and protects his head from concussive injury. The eye slits of his cowl have night vision lenses, allowing him to see as easily in darkness as in full daylight. There is a radio transceiver built into the cowl with an earpiece and a throat microphone, allowing him to speak very softly and still be heard by those he intends to listen in. The whole suit can be cooled or heated electrically, and it is equipped with a taser that can deliver a low amperage shock to anybody attempting to grapple with him.

Among the most questioned aspects of the costume is his chest emblem. Over the years he has debated frequently whether to leave the emblem simply a black bat on a field of black or grey, or to surround the bat with a yellow ellipse. The yellow ellipse, he feels, is a handy target, drawing attacks away from his face, which is not so well defended as his torso. Additionally, the costume's chestplate is made of a durable ceramic material capable of withstanding rifle fire.

Batman keeps several variants of the Batsuit on hand for a variety of situations. He has a white arctic exploration uniform, uniforms to be used in the depths of space, under the sea, or in toxic environments, and a more heavily armored uniform with servomotors to support his joints and enhance his strength, used against more powerful enemies. These are infrequently used and far more expensive to repair or replace if they are damaged.

EQUIPMENT:

Aerosol sprays: Batman has access to a number of chemical-delivery devices, each of which comes in small cylindrical canisters. They can fill a 20-square foot area or target a single foe.They include rapid room-filling fogger, an infrared paint marker, a foaming explosive comparable to plastic explosives such as plastique, an electronic device freezer, and quick-acting knockout gas. He can prepare other sprays and compounds if he has the time to acquire the necessary material.

Batarangs: Batman utilizes a variety of throwing weapons bearing the distinctive bat-like shape of his costume logo. These are collectively known as batarangs, and they are come from two styles; spinning or throwing. The former are for more general application, whereas the latter has more specialized utility. The two types of spinning 'rangs are the folding and close-quarter impact batarang. Four of the folding type can fit into a single utility belt pouch, and the close-quarter impact batarang provides weight to knock out foes at close range. The three types of throwing 'rangs are the hard impact edge batarang, cutting edge batarang, and radio-controlled impact batarang. The hard impact model provides increased damage at long range, the cutting edge model works like a small razor-sharp shuriken, and the radio-controlled model lets Batman steer it mid-flight with a device in his utility belt.

Batcuffs: These restraint devices are based on police-issue Ty-Cuffs, made of a sapphire-laced nylon with a stranded metal cable center. The only way to remove them is with either superhuman strength or a special diamond-edged cutting tool, the latter of which Batman typically carries in his utility belt.

Binoculars: The Batman has a digitally enhanced set of binoculars that can attach with electrostatic clips to the front of his mask over his eyes. The lenses provide magnification up to 60x, infrared vision, and limited ultraviolet imaging with nightvision light amplification and bloom suppression to reduce glare and flash blinding. There's a limited computer link with infrared and frame-capture that can transmit to the Batcomputer or other devices.

Capsules: Batman has a number of small capsules that contain a variety of chemicals or gases and are primarily used to distract or disable multiple opponents. Six of these capsules in any combination can be fitted into a single utility belt pouch. They each contain enough gas to fill a 100-square-foot area; they include knockout gas capsules, regurgitive capsules, smoke capsules, and tear gas capsules.

Computer (Handheld): This is a miniaturized collapsible laptop computer used by Batman in the field. It has the latest and greatest in modern computer hardware packed into its collapsible frame, and is able to create and work with a wide variety of media-storage. It can be used as a remote control console for the Batmobile and other vehicles, and has a global positioning system and encrypted wireless uplink to the Batcomputer. The software is primarily focused on aiding investigation and research tasks.

Explosives: While the Batman abstains from the use of lethal force, the Batman has found it useful to have explosives on hand to sabotage enemy plans and to bypass or escape obstacles. There's three primary types he uses; a small "pellet" grenade with five second delay and quick-setting contact cement, a concussion/blast grenade that can be set for explosive charge or flash/bang charge and uses radio command or time delay, and a bungee-prima cord that is used to trigger several other charges in a line.

Forensics/Crime scene kit: Batman is a detective, and like any good detective, he has a kit for collecting and analyzing evidence from a crime scene. This portable forensics kit has labeled sample bags, fingerprinting gear, gas chromatograph, and a detachable video camera. It provides its user with enough evidence analysis equipment to do an initial review of a clue or a whole crime scene, though detailed analysis may require time at one of the Batcave's forensics labs and the Batcomputer.

Gas masks: When expecting exposure to toxic and biohazardous gases, Batman utilizes a large one-man gas mask. It protects against all nerve gases, as well as nuclear, biological, and chemical toxins. A more compact model of the gas mask can also be used for slightly less protection. These can be fitted in six-pack magazines with are found in all utility belts.

Grapnel launcher: This wall-penetrating grapnel launcher contains four piercing darts, each equipped with a tiny diamond drill head, directional fine, and 200 feet of a thermoplastic multi filament yarn spun from liquid crystal polymers. The darts can attach to numerous building materials, and the grapnel has a mechanism for reeling, braking, and clipping the line.

Grappling Hook: This hook launcher can fire 200 feet of tightly wound de-cel monofilament jumpline, and can support up to 400 pounds without bending. It can support up to 800 pounds for a short time if needed. The launcher's internal CO2 cartridge is good for 10 firings, and these can be replaced with filled cartridges by swapping them out via the launcher handle.

Mainframe: Centrally located on the main level of the Batcave and made up of several linked mainframes, the Batcomputer is a powerful and vital tool for the Batman and his allies. It has a massive plasma high-definition display screen, and a hologram projector system to show three-dimensional displays and models. It has a high-speed Internet link that is supported by a satellite uplink system that grants Batman and his allies remote access to the system. The computer contains a massive database concerning numerous subjects, most notably major criminals, active superheroes, and any and everything you can think of relating to Gotham City.

Rebreather: For supplying oxygen, most typically when underwater, Batman has a miniaturized rebreather with two-inch canisters on either side of the mouthpiece. They provide up to two hours worth of breathable air, and the whole device can break down and fit into a single utility belt pouch.

Subsonic bat call: Located in the heel of one of his costume's boots, this electronic device gives a subsonic signal that attracts all bats within a 10-mile radius to Batman. He primarily uses this to create a distraction for escape from or dramatic entry upon a scene. It grants no control of the animals after they arrive, but most will begin to depart the scene after confusedly swirling around the source of the sound.

Tracer devices: Batman has access to two main tracer devices that he uses to keep track of people and items during his adventures. The first is a short-range burr tracer, which is extremely small and has a relatively short transmission range of 1,500 feet. It can transmit for up to a month, and its directional signal is extremely difficult to detect by anyone who isn't looking for it. The second is a throwing tracer, which is slightly smaller than the burr model and which has a greater range and more transmitting power - up to three miles.

Universal tool: Batman often utilizes this compact multi-purpose electronics tool. Contained within the removable tip and base are a multitude of tool tips and electrical components for use in disabling, repairing, or otherwise dealing with mechanical and electronic gear. It has its own fuel cell, but can also use AC and DC power jacks. The entire device can fit into a single utility belt pouch.

Utility belt: The Dark Knight keeps a wide range of gadgets and equipment on his person when in costume, the vast majority of which is contained in his famed utility belt. The eight pouches can contain a variety of items of differing sizes, the nature of which are chosen before he heads out in costume for the night's patrol or other adventure. He has one pouch which contains some items he regularly expects to find useful; keys, lockpicks, cash, first aid kit, antivenin for a variety of poisons, signal flares, a cell phone, miniature flashlight, and wireless listening devices. The belt also has a built in self-destruct feature used to prevent theft or tampering.

TRANSPORTATION:

Batboat: The Batboat is Batman's main transport for aquatic adventures. It's a fully submersible watercraft with high-speed capability and highly resistant frame and seals. It can reach depths comparable to those of military submarines, and is functionally bulletproof. The boat mounts a computer with navigation system, radio and video transmission capability, satellite hookup to the Batcomputer, and a voice activation system. It can have a number of weapon systems mounted if Batman feels they are necessary.

Batmobile: A sporty four-wheeled ground vehicle, the Batmobile is Batman's primary means of transport. It has an advanced polymer frame that provides it with bulletproofing and resistance to a large number of other hazards. The windows are all polarized, one-way bulletproofed glass, and the tires are self-sealing. The internal computer has a high-tech navigation system, radio and video transceivers, satellite hookup to the Batcomputer, and voice activation features that allow for remote control. Its top speed is 162 miles per hour, and has superb handling and suspension for a vehicle of its size and weight.

Other vehicles: Though the Batmobile, Batboat and Batplane are the most commonly used vehicles in Batman's garage, he maintains a number of other vehicles for special situations. These include a number of older Batmobile models, motorcycles, helicopter, jet ski, and several civilian-appearing vehicles for times when the Bat-vehicles are too conspicuous. This includes an ambulance, for times when Batman or one of his allies are injured and must be whisked away before real paramedics arrive and possibly unmask them. Of course, he also owns a full garage as Bruce Wayne, including a limousine, several classic cars (he is frequently driven around by Alfred in an early Bentley), sports cars (useful for those times when Bruce Wayne needs to explain away injuries), SUVs and the like.

Batplane: The Batplane is a sleek personal aircraft used by Batman when he needs to fly somewhere - and fast. It's slightly smaller than most performance jet aircraft, and its wing-mounted engines can be rotated to provide VTOL capability. The standard computer package found in the Batmobile is emulated in the plane, though in a more compact scale. It can have a number of weapon systems mounted if Batman feels they are necessary.

CONTACTS:

Aquaman: The King of the Seas is an old ally of Batman's, dating back to Bruce's first work alongside the original Justice League of America. Arthur and Bruce share a noble background, though Bruce's inheritance is rather less extensive than Arthur's. Batman has encountered and worked with several of the associates of Aquaman, including Aquagirl, Tempest, Dolphin, and the other Atlantean heroes. Batman's relationship with Aquaman is strained at best, a result of his increasingly isolated behavior following his abrupt departure from the League and Arthur's relatively recent return from the dead.

Arkham asylum: The staff and guards at Arkham Asylum are certainly familiar with Batman. It is he who is responsible for the vast majority of their inmates being behind bars, and while not all of them are fond of his methods, they nonetheless offer what support they can, be that insights into the psychological issues that their patients suffer, or looking the other way when he needs to interview the patients themselves. By far the greatest resource that Arkham offers to a crime fighter like Batman, though, is the unique perspective of its inmates. Except in those cases where a break-out is staged at Arkham (such as the one orchestrated by Bane when he decided to break Batman, or the one that the Riddler put together at the request of Lex Luthor just a few years ago), Arkham is home to dozens, or even hundreds of men and women whose broken psyches give rise to all manner of disorders and antisocial behaviors, from the now deceased Abattoir and the mostly reformed Amygdala, to the still active threats of Mr. Zsasz and Maxie Zeus (not to mention major threats the Joker, the Riddler, Two Face, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze).

Bertinelli, Helena; Huntress: Helena Bertinelli stalks the nights of Gotham as the Huntress, a hard-edged vigilante who has crossed paths with Batman and his allies numerous times. Batman has never fully approved of her methods, which he views as excessively violent and reckless, and he has endeavored to keep her at some distance from himself and his young associates. She earned his ire by taking on the identity of Batgirl without his permission, but she has since returned to her own costumed guise. They remain tense and not quite trusting of one another.

Blood, Jason; Etrigan: While his own methods are based on logic, deduction, and science, Batman has had a number of encounters with the occult in his adventures. One of the more localized experts on the supernatural is Gotham City's own Jason Blood, the human host for the rhyming demon, Etrigan. Bruce and Jason are probably not what you'd call friendly, but they've had enough encounters to be considered associates. In only the most extreme cases would Batman even consider calling on Etrigan's aid, but Jason's knowledge of magic and mysticism has proven useful in less dire circumstances.

Bordeaux, Sasha : The former bodyguard for Bruce Wayne, Sasha developed into something rather more during her time at Batman's side. Upon learning that Bruce was Batman, she was talked into serving him as a crimefighting partner, developing the costumed identity of Sparrow. The two became romantically involved as well, developing into the most stable relationship Bruce ever had with a woman.

Brown, Stephanie; Spoiler: Stephanie Brown, estranged daughter of the costumed crook known as the Cluemaster, is another young costumed hero who looks to Batman for guidance. Taking up her vigilante career more or less on a whim, she has since earned the friendship of Batman and Robin, along with the rest of their extended "family" of Gotham crime fighters. She remains a useful if somewhat naive associate.

Business world: As President of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce has a myriad of associates, contacts, and friends in the business world. In addition to owning large portions of Gotham real estate, he has been involved in the acquisition and support of several other major corporations, and he has associations with other corporate-linked heroes through their shared business interests. With offices and subsidiaries all over the globe, Bruce can call on a wide range of experts and advisors in any industrialized nation. He can also make major changes to the world market by his attention to the stock market and the other major traders on Wall Street.

Cassandra, Cain; Batgirl: Cassandra Cain, daughter of the assassin David Cain, is the third person to take on the mantle of Batgirl. She came into Bruce's notice during the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated Gotham City, having escaped her ruthless father into No Man's Land. She proved herself a capable operative after befriending Barbara Gordon, and when the Huntress was forced to give up the Batgirl identity, Cassandra became the newest member of the Batman's circle of young vigilante partners.

Dr. Thompkins, Leslie : If Alfred can be seen as Bruce's presumptive adoptive father, then Leslie Thompkins is likely his adoptive mother. A close family friend before the murder of Thomas and Martha, Leslie stayed with Bruce and Alfred during the immediate aftermath and remained in touch in the years since. She was perhaps the most responsible for instilling Bruce with his sense of the value of human life, and helped to control his anger and desire for violent revenge. Leslie remains a close confidante and trusted friend, someone Bruce turns to when he needs an honest appraisal of his actions and emotional guidance.

Drake, Timothy; Robin III: Timothy Drake is the third Robin, and is therefore considered by Bruce to be a worthy partner in fighting crime and upholding his standard. The boy's smarts allowed him to unravel the secret identity of Batman and his former sidekick, Dick Grayson, and he evidenced the grit and determination to merit training and mentoring. After acquiring the mantle of Robin, Tim has proven as valuable as Dick was, though in his own way. Tim's doubts about retaining the identity or becoming another potential Batman created friction between the two, though, and while Tim has returned to the role of Boy Wonder, they have not totally smoothed out their relationship. In any case, Bruce trusts him and relies on him to help keep Gotham safe.

Fox, Lucius : Where Alfred takes care of Bruce Wayne's personal and household affairs, Lucius Fox is his primary support when it comes to maintaining his business interests. As the Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Enterprises, Lucius handles most of the running of the family fortune and its numerous holdings and subsidiaries. Bruce trusts him with everything except knowledge of his costumed identity or the activities that go with it.

GCPD: Once terribly corrupt, the Gotham City Police Department was brought out of its dark days through the work of Jim Gordon, Harvey Dent, and the Batman. It has since become a more stable and reliable force for justice and peace in Gotham, able to deal with the super villains and gang activities that menace the city. While Batman continues to provide timely and critical aid on his own initiative, he looks on the police as allies in a common cause. He has maintained particular contact with Detective Renee Montoya, once partner to the now-retired Harvey Bullock, now a respected member of the GCPD Major Crimes Unit. Bruce relies on her for the insider information once supplied by Jim Gordon.

Gordon, Barbara; Batgirl I: Barbara Gordon, also known as Oracle is the former and original Batgirl, is one of the most trusted contacts and assistants Batman has in his war on crime. Babs first came to know Bruce as the adopted daughter of his friend, then Commissioner James Gordon. She would independently create the identity of Batgirl to join Batman and Robin in fighting injustice, and Bruce eventually trained her and considered her part of the family. Tragedy struck unexpectedly one night when the Joker kidnapped Jim and shot Barbara in the stomach, paralyzing her from the waist down. Now known as the Oracle, Barbara has turned her skills with computers and research to aiding the superhero community with information and technical support. Batman finds her assistance invaluable, and he still thinks of her as a good and trusted friend. He is somewhat cautious about involving her in any case involving the Joker, though, knowing that the scars of her encounter with him run deep.

Gordon, James : The former Commissioner of Police in Gotham City, James Gordon was the first and most valued comrade of Batman in the city government, dating back to when Gordon was a lowly detective lieutenant in the department's most corrupt days. Batman saved Jim's infant son from his enemies, and in turn Jim offered the costumed vigilante with inside information on casework and police activities. Along with District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman and Jim worked to clean up the city police and civic government, helping Gotham to turn a corner. Jim was there when Gotham suffered the effects of the Clench and the subsequent earthquake, and he only retired after losing his second wife and almost dying himself from a gunshot wound. Jim remains a paragon and advisor to the GCPD, and Batman continues to visit him for discussions about affairs in their beloved hometown.

Gotham Society: As a billionaire heir to Gotham City's most prominent and revered families, Bruce Wayne is something of a celebrity and major player in the elite ranks of the city's high society. While his behavior and attitude in this guise is often meant as a distraction from his nighttime activities as Batman, Bruce has found contacts and associates in Gotham's elite to be occasionally useful. Aside from those with connections to Wayne Enterprises and related charities, Bruce is at least acquainted with many civic officials and other wealthy or influential individuals.

Gotham Underworld: While Bruce Wayne travels in high society circles, the Batman is intimately familiar with the workings of Gotham City's darker corners and back streets. His primary means of drawing information is through scaring it out of low-ranking crooks and gangsters, but he has occasionally helped out redeemable criminals in exchange for their knowledge. Aside from this network of informants, he can also call on the guise of "Matches" Malone, a minor crook that traded his identity to Batman in exchange for his assistance. Matches can blend into almost any underworld hangout, and has even arranged meetings of his own.

Grayson, Dick; Nightwing: Dick Grayson was the first ward of the Bruce Wayne, the first crime-fighting partner to the Batman as the original Robin and currently maintains the identity of Nightwing in Bludhaven. The two men maintain a father and son relationship to this day. While he is ever reticent to show emotion to Dick, Bruce has grown to respect his achievements away from the shadow of the Batman. They still have much that they disagree about, and they prefer to keep their distance, but the love and admiration is mutual. He'd never admit it, but of all of his deeds, Bruce feels most proud of his accomplishment as Dick's mentor and patron. Bruce knows that if he were to die or retire, he'd want Dick to take up the role he created.

Green Arrow: In the costumed hero business longer than even Batman and Superman, the Green Arrow is an old friend and comrade of the Dark Knight's. Oliver Queen's devil-may-care attitude and flamboyant style is perhaps at odds with Bruce Wayne's more methodical and enigmatic manner, but they share a desire for justice and an appreciation for the evils of street-level crime. His own "family" of allies and partners has often crossed paths with the Gotham heroes, and Batman has fought alongside the Black Canary, Connor Hawke, Arsenal, and others. As is the case with most of the heroic community, Batman's relationship with the Green Arrow and his associates has become distanced of late.

Head; Talia : The daughter of Ra's Al Ghul is an old flame of Batman's, the two of them sharing a romance that has had more than its share of ups and downs. Now that Talia has established herself as the CEO of LexCorp and left the shadow of the League of Assassins, they remain separated by their individual obligations and histories. While they're still somewhat distanced, though, Bruce can more easily contact Talia from the perspective of a businessman and entrepreneur - their two corporations are among the world's largest. Bruce's selfish behavior in the recent past has placed a new obstacle in their relationship, however; he seemed to treat Talia as little more than a useful tool in his plots relating to LexCorp and his own business interests.

JLA: The Batman has a long-running association with the Justice League, having worked with their earliest roster in an unofficial fashion, then as a member, then serving as leader during their time as Justice League International, then once more joining the Justice League of America after it reformed to deal with Known Man and the subsequent White Martian threat. While he was mistrusted somewhat following the League's encounter with Ra's al Ghul (who had armed himself with plans Bruce himself had concocted), Batman has become especially distant from the League of late, having abruptly quit the team after criticizing their methods. He has not maintained regular contact with the team or its members for some time, and if he does re-establish contact, he'll have some work to do to earn their trust once again.

Kyle, Selina; Catwoman: While Bruce and Selina Kyle dated in the past, they have had a longer running relationship as Batman and Catwoman. The Feline Fatale has been active in Gotham almost as long as the Dark Knight, and while they have different methods, they've often found it useful to aid one another against the greater evils stalking the city's streets. They're not partners, but they seem to have an understanding.

Lane, Lois: While she's not a costumed crimefighter, Lois has been involved in many of Batman's adventures, particularly those that took place in her home city of Metropolis. Now, as Superman's spouse, she is perhaps even more privy to the relationship between the World's Finest and their assorted comrades. Bruce had a somewhat flirtatious relationship with Lois before her marriage to Clark, and when it comes to press and media sources, she's probably at the top of his list of contacts.

Outsiders: Batman's first and only foray into creating his own superhero team was not long-lasting, but it has resulted in connections that might not have existed otherwise. The former members of the original Outsiders (Black Lightning, Metamorpho, Halo, Katana, and Geo-Force) have occasionally worked with Batman since his bitter departure from the team. In addition, while Nightwing has no interest in Batman's participation in the current incarnation of the Outsiders, Bruce could probably claim some interest in their affairs, if only as the creator of the original. Batman has not been in contact with any Outsiders (former or current) for some time, though, and he may have trouble re-establishing links with these heroes.

Pennyworth, Alfred : The Wayne family's manservant and butler, Alfred Pennyworth is perhaps the closest thing Bruce ever had to an adoptive father. While they remain in a master and servant relationship, with a dry rapport and sense of humor characterizing their discussions, there's much too much history between the two men for them to see one another as little more. Alfred's ideals and experience both informed Bruce's own way of looking at the world as he grew up, and he remains an ever-steadfast companion and aide. While he may not possess the physical and combative ability of his costumed comrades, Alfred can always be counted on when the chips are down.

Titans: While he doesn't have any leadership role relative to the Scions, Bruce has assisted the younger generation of superheroes in supplying them with funding their headquarters and relevant equipment. He has passed most of the responsibility to handling the financial aid to Robin, Tim Drake, feeling it could be seen as inappropriate influence if he personally controlled the money. In any case, he believes in the value of aiding the next generations of heroes, and trusts his partner's judgment in working with the team.

Simple, Harold: Harold is a hunchbacked mute and expert mechanic, who with Batman's aid was able to escape an association with the Penguin. Bruce took Harold under his wing as an able assistant in the Batcave, where the prodigious repair specialist lived for some time. He left following the earthquake that struck Gotham, but he has since returned to assist Batman and his allies in inventing and fixing their assortment of gear.

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton and the Dark Knight Detective are as distinct from one another in origin and personality as you could possibly imagine, but in spite of this (or perhaps because of it), they have a unique bond of friendship and camaraderie. Coming up in the world as superheroes at the same time, they were at the vanguard of the heroic renaissance more than a decade ago, and they remain distinct but equally vital icons. Their relationship has been particularly strained of late, however, due entirely to Bruce's severing connections with his old heroic comrades, Clark included. Clark feels betrayed by his contentious departure from the Justice League, and the two have not spoken in some time.

Valley, Jean-Paul; Azrael: Jean-Paul Valley was one of the only men aside from Dick Grayson to take on the guise of Batman, and his tenure was brief and controversial. Bruce encountered Jean-Paul shortly before his crippling at the hands of Bane, and learned that the young man possessed advanced training via a secret religious sect known as the Order of St. Dumas. Paralyzed by Bane and determined to see that someone would take the mantle of the Bat, Bruce assigned the task to Jean-Paul. This proved to be a grievous error, as Jean-Paul's cult training and personal background led to his growing unstable and increasingly violent. Bruce returned after he was healed of his paralysis to combat his pretender and reclaim the mantle. Afterward, Jean-Paul operated as the costumed crimefighter, Azrael. Bruce remains in some contact with him, offering support and advice as Jean-Paul seeks his own path.

Wonder woman: Diana has known Bruce for almost as long as she's known Clark, dating back to her first day's in Man's World. While their initial relationship was rather less than convivial, they've come to learn to trust and respect one another. They're both warriors, in their own way, and they've fought side-by-side against some of the worst the universe has to offer. Bruce still is a bit awed by Diana's presence and beauty, but he has a more grounded understanding of Wonder Woman than others who have not known her as long. Diana has developed doubts about Bruce's trustworthiness of late, though, mostly due to his abrupt departure from the Justice League of America.

Zatanna: Bruce once trained in the art of sleight of hand and escape artistry with John Zatara, world famous stage magician and hero. He knew Zatara's daughter, Zatanna, growing up, and he has since maintained contact with her. In addition to her utility as a contact for all things occult-related, her amazing magical powers have been invaluable in dealing with world-shattering threats as a member of the Justice League. Bruce has not been in contact with Zatanna for some time, however, and may have to work to regain her trust.

RELATIVES:

Dr. Wayne, Thomas; Father; Deceased:

Wayne, Martha; Mother; Deceased:

ENEMIES:

Joker: Batman has more than his share of enemies, and many of them are maniacs and many are killers, but none of them, not even such enemies as Darkseid and General Eiling, come close to the monster that is the Joker. The Joker is less a man than a force of chaos, a psychotic, twisted, sadistic force that wreaks havoc and leaves death wherever it goes. What's more, while the Joker is completely insane, frequently incapable of maintaining a line of thought from minute to minute, when he is coherent for any length of time the plans he puts together are deadly on a massive scale. He is responsible for the creation of Smile-X gas, an almost universally deadly poison that leaves its victims with hideous grins. He enacted a plan to destroy James Gordon's sanity, culminating in shooting Barbara Gordon through the spine and leaving her paraplegic. He killed both Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne's adopted son and the second Robin, and Sarah Essen Gordon, James Gordon's second wife and Gotham Police detective. He managed to drive one of his doctors, Harleen Quinzel, insane, to the point where she not only helped to spring him from Arkham Asylum, but put on a costume and tried to be his partner and love interest for some time, taking the name Harley Quinn. There is no act too sick for the Joker, and often it may seem that he deliberately selects his crimes and targets to disturb his enemies and the population at large.

It should be noted, the Joker is not without some small degree of humanity. When Hal Jordan became the Spectre and tried to convince his former allies in the Justice League to trust him, he took them deep into the mind of the Joker, past layers upon layers of horrors, to find that at the core of his psyche, deep down and buried so far that evidence of it is virtually never seen, there is a very normal man struggling against the insanity. It is a losing battle.

Luthor, Lex: While their relationship is decidedly antagonistic, Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor have much in common. Both men are (or were) major corporate figureheads, both were self-trained and obsessively focused, and in spite of their lack of powers, both stand tall in a world populated by seeming demigods. They were often in contact through their business interests, LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises often in competition or even working together on various major projects. Lex and Bruce see the world rather differently, and certainly approach its problems in different ways, but they still retain a certain connection. They have definitely learned to respect one another's cunning, if only as bitter foes.

Two face: Two Face is not the threat that some of Batman's regular enemies are. He is not so sensationally sadistic and sickening as the Joker (nobody is), nor so globally powerful and driven as Ra's al Ghul. He is not as seductive and distracting as Poison Ivy, not so organized as the Penguin, does not have the scientific and medical knowledge of either the Scarecrow nor Mr. Freeze.

Two Face, though, represents a great failure on the part of Batman. Harvey Dent was one of Batman's closest allies until a criminal witness splashed acid into the man's handsome face and destroyed his tenuous sanity in the process. Harvey Dent is still inside Two Face - evidence of that has been seen on many occasions, and Batman keeps reaching out to him, hoping that he will be able to bring Harvey to the surface and keep him there. No matter what happens, though, there is always something that pushes Harvey back into the pit again, and brings Two Face to the surface.

Two Face, ultimately, is little more than a thug. He styles himself as a gangster in the vein of Al Capone or John Dillinger. He is split in half from head to toe, the neat, pristine, unspoiled Harvey Dent on the right contrasting with the twisted form of Two Face on the left, wearing half of a dapper 1920s pinstripe suit and half a costume a hobo might pull out of the garbage. He is obsessed with his own dichotomy, and carries with him a coin with one side marred. When faced with a decision, Two Face will flip this coin. If it lands with the undamaged side up, Harvey will make the decision in favor of good; if the scratched side lands up, Two Face will do some evil.

There is evidence that Harvey Dent was not entirely sane even before Sal "The Boss" Maroni tossed acid into his face. During the year before that incident, a series of murders of mob figures took place on holidays, the unknown killer nicknamed Holiday by the press as a result. Alberto Falcone, the son of mob boss Carmine Falcone, was ultimately convicted of these crimes, but both Gilda Dent, Harvey's wife, and Harvey himself have also been tied to some of these crimes, though their involvement has never been proven.

Ra's al ghul: Hundreds of years old, Ra's al Ghul (literally translated this means 'The Demon's Head' in his native tongue), has kept himself alive and fit with the body of a man in his thirties or forties through repeated baths in the Lazarus Pit, a mystical pool which has the power to youthen the old and return the dead to life, though all are rendered temporarily insane as a result of its use. He has adopted an agenda that many can sympathize with: he is an environmentalist who seeks global balance to protect the planet and its resources. It is his methods that come into question. He usually tries to establish this environmental balance through mass genocide, killing off most of the human population of the world. He has attacked with genetically engineered viruses and by sending out subliminal signals that rob people of the ability to communicate via written word, among other methods. He is a tremendously skilled fighter, having had literally centuries to master weapons and hand to hand combat. He is a genius at science and crime, and in particular he has mastered the field of alchemy. He founded the League of Assassins, and remains at the head of the deadly organization which sponsors such incredible threats as David Cain and Lady Shiva.

Ra's has directly caused trouble for Batman in ways other than his genocidal attacks. For a long time he felt that his daughter, Talia Head, had found a perfect match in Batman and promoted their relationship in hopes that they would one day produce an heir to his empire. Additionally, he arranged for Talia to steal plans that Batman had created to defeat the Justice League in the event that any of them were to turn rogue. These plans were enacted by Ra's' followers, the League defeated, and it was only Batman's intervention and the die hard, never give up attitude of some of the other Leaguers that ultimately saved them. As a direct result of this attack, the League voted to remove Batman from their membership, and there remains much distrust among them, though he has since been invited to return.