WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for The Boy Wonder #2!Batman’s crime-fighting philosophy—putting the mission above all else—is well known and often criticized by fans of the Dark Knight. His prioritization of Gotham frequently comes at the expense of the Bat-Family, who often find themselves playing second fiddle to his ongoing love affair with the crime-ridden city. However, it appears that Bruce Wayne has finally had a welcome shift in priorities.

Juni Ba’s The Boy Wonder #2 sees Robin seeking Red Hood’s help for his mission to hunt down the “demons” responsible for a series of abductions plaguing Gotham City. However, Damian hits a roadblock when his older brother initially refuses to assist him.

Undeterred, Damian is willing to play dirty to get his way and counters Jason’s denial by saying they both know he won’t want to explain his “failure to father if anything happens to me that you could have prevented.” The following panel then shows a flashback of Batman saying, “Our first duty is to each other.”

“Our First Duty Is to Each Other”: Batman Officially Prioritizes the Bat-Family Over Gotham

Despite this Batman flashback being only one line, this singular panel redefines the Dark Knight’s crime-fighting philosophy in a major way, as it features Bruce prioritizing the well-being of the Bat-Family over Gotham. This shift is nearly unheard of given his typical modus operandi, where he is steadfast in his love for Gotham and often makes decisions that favor the city’s best interests, even if they negatively impact his family. Whether in mainstream continuity or alternate storylines, Batman’s choices frequently place the mission above personal relationships, which has led to criticism from other characters and fans alike.

Even though Batman isn’t a major character in Juni Ba’s series, it is refreshing to see Bruce depicted in a way that challenges his typical, yet controversial portrayals. For fans interested in exploring instances where Batman has prioritized Gotham over the Bat-Family, the next sections of this article will be particularly compelling, offering a deep dive into Bruce being a bad Bat-Dad. The following sections will showcase instances of Bruce treating his children more like soldiers than sons, numerous instances of Batman responding with violence against his family in correlation to his mission, and various storylines that emphasize his prioritization of his mission.

Batman Proves He Puts the Mission Above All Else by Treating His Robins Like Soldiers Instead of Sons

One of the most notable ways Batman puts Gotham above his family is by treating Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne more like soldiers than sons. This behavior consistently upsets fans, especially on Tumblr, where the Bat-Family fandom is strong and thriving. An exceptionally great yet concise example of Bruce treating his sons more like soldiers than sons can be found in a flashback featuring Dick Grayson’s Robin in Ba’s The Boy Wonder #1. The narrative explicitly states, “But for [Batman], it was the mission above all. This boy, however, needed a father, not a general.”

This treatment of his sons as soldiers rather than family is a recurring theme. A famous example is Jason Todd’s memorial in the Batcave, which features his Robin suit with a plaque that reads, “In Memory of Jason Todd–Robin–A Good Soldier.” This sentiment is echoed in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2, where Batman says, “I will never forget Jason. He was a good soldier. He honored me.” These examples illustrate how Bruce often views his sons through the lens of his mission, prioritizing Gotham over his family.

Batman Has a Track Record of Brutally Beating Up Nightwing and Red Hood When They Don’t Live Up to His Standards

Batman has also been depicted prioritizing his mission over his sons by brutally beating them, either as coercion to agree to a mission or as punishment for deviating from his rules. One of the most controversial instances of this behavior occurs in the New 52’s Nightwing #30 (2011-). In this comic, Bruce beats Dick as he informs his oldest son of a mission that will hurt his bonds with his family and friends and require him to “stay dead.” Said mission refers to Dick becoming a super spy in the comic series Grayson. Hence, Batman coerced Dick to accept this mission through violence.

Another well-known example of Bruce resorting to violence against his sons in relation to his mission is when he brutalizes Jason after mistakenly believing that Red Hood killed the Penguin. This scene is particularly notable for a poignant yet loaded comment Jason makes while Batman is assaulting him: “I’ve never seen you hit Joker that hard. And you hate him.” This statement is profoundly revealing, highlighting that Bruce finds more offense in his code being violated than in beating his own child. Hence, Batman’s propensity for violence against his sons underscores his long-standing pattern of prioritizing the mission above his family’s welfare.

Batman Has a Nasty Habit of Putting Gotham Above the Well-Being of His Friends and Family

Numerous storylines in continuity highlight Batman’s commitment to his mission above all else, often at the expense of his family and friends. Notable examples include Batman: Under the Hood, where Bruce risks Jason’s life by throwing a Batarang at his neck to prevent him from killing the Joker. This decision underscores Batman’s willingness to risk his own son to uphold his strict moral code against murder. Other storylines, such as Batman: No Man’s Land, JLA: Tower of Babel, and Batman: Death of the Family, also depict the Bat-Family or Justice League suffering due to Batman’s actions for what he perceives as the greater good.

Batman has consistently demonstrated his willingness to prioritize his mission above the well-being of his family and friends. From risking their lives to coercing them into dangerous missions, Batman’s actions often reflect his unwavering commitment to Gotham’s safety. Therefore, the departure from this pattern in The Boy Wonder #2, where Bruce acknowledges the importance of family, is a welcome deviation from the norm. This shift highlights a newfound recognition of the significance of familial bonds within Batman’s world, offering a refreshing perspective on his character.

The Boy Wonder #2 is available now from DC Comics!