The Batman supporting characters are fictional characters that appear in the American comic books published by DC Comics featuring the superhero Batman as the main protagonist.
"Batman family" or "Bat-Family" is the informal term for Batman's closest allies, who are mainly masked vigilantes operating in Gotham City. Since the Bat-Family's introduction in 1939, Batman has accumulated a number of recognized supporting characters. The first Batman supporting character was Commissioner James "Jim" Gordon, Batman's ally in the Gotham City Police Department, who first appeared with Batman in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). Some of the other allies of Batman include his vigilante partner, Robin (Dick Grayson), who was introduced in 1940; his butler, Alfred Pennyworth, who was introduced in 1943; and Barbara Gordon, who was introduced in 1967.
Batman also forms bonds and close working relationships with other superheroes, including Justice League members such as Superman, Green Arrow, Zatanna and Wonder Woman, as well as members of the Outsiders superhero team. Others such as Jason Bard, Harold Allnut, Onyx, and Toyman work for him.
In addition, Batman has a collection of adversaries in fiction that is commonly referred to as Batman's rogues gallery. The rogues gallery includes the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Poison Ivy. He also has several love interests, including Catwoman, Talia al Ghul, Silver St. Cloud, and Julie Madison.
Bat-Family
The Bat-Family (sometimes referred to as the Gotham Knights) is the informal name for Batman's closest allies collectively. It mainly consists of masked vigilantes who either have been trained by Batman or who operate in Gotham City with his tacit approval. Many of its members are also his adopted children, with the exception of Damian Wayne, the first of the Robins to be biologically related to Batman.
The group consists of similarly minded superheroes who operate in the Gotham City area and work towards achieving common goals. Batman is often the team leader or, in some cases, its dispatch. Various members of the group usually interact with one another and assist in each other's cases, even within their respective series. Although some members occasionally resent Batman's intrusion into their lives, all respect him as a part of the superhero community and rarely challenge his authority. Most of the members also have a strong rapport with Batman. In a 2002 storyline in which Bruce Wayne is accused of murder, Batman's friends gather to prove his innocence. Throughout Batmans history, it has also been implied that this network serves as a surrogate family for Batman and keeps him from slipping too far into his vigilante persona.
Current members