10 Obscure Batman Allies Perfect For The DCU Reboot

The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman for the DCU, but it will likely also introduce some of his supporting characters. One of Batman’s most important supporting characters, Robin, has already been announced for the movie. It’s probably safe to assume that The Brave and the Bold cast will also include characters like Alfred and Commissioner Gordon, but the DCU should take things further than that.

There are a lot of more obscure Batman characters that have yet to be adapted for live action – and even some that have showed up before didn’t get to meaningfully interact with Batman on-screen. The DCU would be smart to use these characters to flesh out Batman’s world in a way that hasn’t been done before.

10

Bluebird Shows How Batman Inspires The People Of Gotham

Who Is Bluebird?

Harper Row aka Bluebird is a young woman from Gotham who grew up with her younger brother and abusive father. Harper learned how to take care of her brother from a young age, and also enjoys tinkering with technology. After once being saved by Batman, Harper wanted to find a way to pay him back, which she did by saving his life sometime later with her homemade defibrillator. Harper would go on to adopt the Bluebird identity and help the Bat Family on various occasions.

Why Is Bluebird Perfect For The DCU?

Harper Row could serve two very important purposes in the DCU. Not only could she provide the perspective of life in Gotham for the average citizen, but she could also show the positive impact Batman has on the people he inspires. Harper is also the only Bluebird, which is a nice change of pace in a sea of Robins and Batgirls.

9

Batwing Could Be DC’s Iron Man

Who Is Batwing?

There have been several versions of Batwing, but the more recent version of the character is Luke Fox. Luke is the son of Batman’s long-time ally, Lucius Fox, and he shares his father’s aptitude for engineering. For a while, Luke worked as a part of Batman Incorporated, before more recently being accepted as a full member of the Bat Family. While Luke is a trained fighter, a lot of his power comes from his high-tech Batwing suit, which helps supplement his physical abilities.

Why Is Batwing Is Perfect For The DCU?

It’s hard to deny the massive impact Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man had on the superhero landscape, and DC would be smart to have their own equivalent. This is especially true given Tony Stark is no longer part of the MCU, so the DCU could fill the void of a high-tech superhero. Though the DCU does already have Mister Terrific, Michael Holt is a self-made millionaire. Luke’s inherited wealth and father issues make him a clearer one-to-one comparison with Iron Man, and could prove to be a major success for DC.

8

Clayface Can Be A Surprisingly Nuanced Batman Character

Who Is Clayface?

Clayface is actually a well-known Batman villain. He is a former actor who was turned into a massive pile of clay with the ability to change shape and split himself into multiple parts. What is less known is that Clayface has more recently been a hero in DC Comics. During writer Tom King’s run on Batman, Clayface actually joins The Dark Knight in helping Gotham. Clayface even split himself into hundreds of smaller forms once to help evacuate the entire city during an attack.

Why Is Clayface Perfect For The DCU?

Featuring a redeemed Clayface in the DCU would make it immediately clear that this version of Batman is very different from his DCEU predecessor. Ben Affleck’s Batman killed indiscriminately, and branded criminals so they would die in prison. Having the DCU Batman not only spare his villains, but actively work to rehabilitate them would present a much more heroic version of the character. Clayface also has a lot of unique abilities that would be visually interesting to see in live-action, and they would be helpful to the Bat Family as well.

7

Ace The Bat-Hound Would Help Humanize Bruce

Who Is Ace The Bat-Hound?

Ace the Bat-Hound is Batman’s pet dog, and occasionally a crime fighter. The original version of the character in DC Comics had a more active superhero role, whereas more recent portrayals of Ace have him more in the role of a family dog for the Waynes. Ace has recently been depicted as a German Shepherd, sometimes equipped with a yellow utility harness, and a Batman symbol.

Why Is Ace Perfect For The DCU?

Ace would be a great addition to the DCU because this version of Batman will likely lean more into the family aspect that has been largely ignored in live-action for a while. Bruce will be working on raising Damian Wayne in The Brave and the Bold, and what better way to make Wayne Manor feel like home than to get Damian a new dog? Ace would also allow Bruce opportunities to shed his tough exterior, as even Batman can’t look too intimidating while petting a playful pup.

6

Duke Thomas Fights Crime During Batman’s Off Hours

Who Is Duke Thomas?

Duke Thomas is a former Robin, but not in the traditional sense. After Batman seemingly died in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s “Batman: Endgame” storyline, Duke Thomas was the leader of a movement known as We Are Robin. The group of teens involved in this movement all donned Robin logos and set out to protect their homes while Batman was absent.

After Batman returned, Duke ended up training with The Dark Knight, but now as a hero called The Signal. Duke also discovered he had superpowers; the ability to control both light and shadow. Duke will often fight crime during the day in Gotham, making the most of his unique light powers.

Why Is Duke Thomas Perfect For The DCU?

Duke Thomas is another character that shows the positive impact Batman’s example can have on the people of Gotham. Duke could also be an interesting foil to Damian Wayne. If Damian is initially resistant to working as Robin, having someone who chose the role without Batman’s express permission could offer an interesting perspective.

Duke is also a bit of a nerd, enjoying things like card games and movies. This makes him a relatable character for an audience that is likely to have similar interests. DC sometimes struggles with having relatable characters who feel human as a result of the focus on characters’ superhuman feats, so Duke’s grounded hobbies could be a nice solution to this.

5

Azrael Could Be A Good Role Model For Damian Wayne

Who Is Azrael?

Azrael is a man named Jean-Paul Valley who originally acted as an avenging force for a group known as the Order of Saint Dumas. Over time, Azrael would carve his own path, even replacing Batman for a short period of time after Bane broke The Dark Knight’s back. Azrael would eventually give up the mantle after ruining Batman’s reputation a little by being too violent, but he has since continued to try and better himself.

Why Is Azrael Perfect For The DCU?

Damian Wayne, like Azrael, was raised by an order that wanted him to be a violent force for vengeance. Azrael could be a valuable role model for Damian, since they have a similar history. Azrael’s insights could be even more relevant for Damian than Bruce’s in some ways. Damian seeing that there is a path to being better could be the inspiration he needs to start working more effectively with his father, and Azrael would be the perfect catalyst for that realization.

4

Stephanie Brown Has A Unique Superhero Origin

Who Is Stephanie Brown?

Stephanie Brown is a unique superhero because the first villain she ever went up against was her own father. When Stephanie learned that her dad was Cluemaster, she decided to “spoil” his plans, adopting the moniker of Spoiler. This would eventually lead her to working with and being trained by members of the Bat Family. More recently, Stephanie Brown has become one of two Batgirls operating under the instruction of the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon.

Why Is Stephanie Brown Perfect For The DCU?

Between Damian Wayne and the Teen Titans being announced, it is clear that the DCU will be featuring newer legacy heroes. The DCU could set up Stephanie as a possible successor for Barbara Gordon, allowing room for more legacy heroes and giving the DC heroes a chance to grow and change over time. Stephanie’s unique origin would also be a new type of story that hasn’t really appeared in previous live-action Batman adaptations, giving the DCU a stronger identity.

3

Renee Montoya Could Add More Personality To The GCPD

Who Is Renee Montoya?

Renee Montoya has had a long history with the Gotham City Police Department, and has been an ally to both Jim Gordon and Batman. She has helped capture villains like Victor Zsasz and the Riddler. More recently, Montoya became a hero known as The Question. As The Question, Montoya independently investigates mysteries and helps find villains on her own, though she is still an ally to Batman despite parting ways with the GCPD.

Why Is Renee Montoya Perfect For The DCU?

In many live-action Batman adaptations, the GCPD is largely a faceless organization with only Jim Gordon as a real character. Adding Montoya as part of the force would flesh out Gotham’s police a bit more, and show that it isn’t only Gordon that resists the rampant corruption in its ranks. Montoya could also become the DCU’s version of The Question if DC decides it wants a dedicated detective hero.

2

Gotham Shows The Importance Of Batman’s Strong Code

Who Is Gotham?

Gotham – not to be confused with Batman’s home city – is a man named Henry Clover Jr. whose family was saved by Batman as a young boy. Inspired by this, Henry and his sister use their parents’ fortune to purchase superpowers for themselves, with Henry becoming the hero Gotham. Both Gotham and his sister gained Superman-like powers, though at the cost of their own well-being. Gotham was eventually manipulated by the villain Psycho-Pirate into thinking Gotham City was a lost cause, and tries to destroy it. This led to his death at the hands of his own sister.

Why Is Gotham Perfect For The DCU?

Gotham’s origin story mirrors Batman’s, with some clear differences. Though they were both rich boys whose family was accosted by criminals in Gotham City, Gotham’s parents were saved by Batman. Though Gotham wanted to be good, he didn’t develop as strong of a code of ethics as Batman did, and this led to his eventual downfall. Gotham would serve as a clear symbol of why the DCU’s Batman having a strict code of conduct is so important.

1

Gotham Girl’s Powers Are A Good Metaphor For Batman’s Mission

Who Is Gotham Girl?

Gotham Girl is Claire Clover, Henry Clover Jr.’s sister. She shares an origin and power set with her brother. Gotham Girl’s powers are tied directly to her life, meaning the more she uses her superpowers, the shorter her life becomes. Although Claire starts off as a hero, she does begin to struggle with mental health issues after killing her brother. This has led Claire to sometimes act as a villain instead of a hero.

Why Is Gotham Girl Perfect For The DCU?

Claire Clover’s journey is a microcosm of Batman’s. Claire’s life getting shorter when she uses her powers is a good metaphor for how Batman is likely shaving years off his life by risking his well-being on his mission. Claire also perfectly embodies the idea of dying a hero or living long enough to be a villain, which was introduced as a theme of Batman stories in The Dark Knight. As such, including Gotham Girl in The Brave and the Bold or another DCU Batman project would be a good way to illustrate major themes in Batman’s story.