7 Times Someone Else Became Batman
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In the comic books, it is common for a superhero to retire their mantle for a while and let someone else wear their costume. Nightcrawler from the X-Men recently wore the Spider-Man suit for several issues. Black Panther, Iron Fist, and Elektra have all worn the Daredevil suit at different times and temporarily become the vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen. It’s no different for Batman. Someone else became Batman over a dozen times in the comic books.
Why Did Someone Else Become Batman? (A Comic Book Publisher Gimmick)
Before the era of the MCU and billion-dollar film franchises, the comic book business was very lucrative, competitive, and driven by gimmicks. To make stories more interesting and maintain reader interest, comic book companies would routinely sideline a character temporarily and have another character lead their comic book.
Batman comics have been around for over 87 years now. Many supporting characters have put on the batsuit while Bruce Wayne took a break in those decades. In fact, there have been a dozen times when someone else became the Dark Knight. Here are the seven most memorable times someone else put on the cowl.
1. Terry McGinnis
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In 1999, Batman Beyond made its debut as a cartoon in the aftermath of the wildly popular Batman: The Animated Series. Although the series was on for only three seasons and 52 episodes, it is still a cult classic. It is set in 2039 in Neo-Gotham; an elderly Bruce Wayne takes on 16-year-old apprentice Terry McGinnis and trains him to become a new high-tech Dark Knight.
It was a radical idea when someone else became Batman in 1999. Batman Beyond features a Bruce Wayne in his 70s who only acts as a mentor. The series was popular but only became a cult classic later. Online fans are now clamoring for a Batman Beyond film with Michael Keaton as an elderly Bruce Wayne mentor.
Beyond Beyond would not join DC Comics continuity until years later. Batman Beyond: Hush Beyond is a comic that would continue the fight between Batman villain Hush, Bruce Wayne, and adding McGinnis to the mix. Get the 176-page paperback for $24.99 at Amazon now.
2. Jean-Paul Valley
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The character Jean-Paul Valley made his debut in the 1992 series Batman: Sword of Azrael #1. Valley grew up in a religious order that programs young people to become holy assassins to bring order to Gotham. Bruce Wayne helps Valley overcome his brainwashing.
In 1993, Bane overwhelms Batman and breaks his back in the infamous “Knightfall” storyline. As Bruce heals and loses his resolve as a crimefighter, he decides that Valley would become the new Dark Knight. Valley dons high-tech Batman armor, mentally reverts to his brainwashing, and becomes a savage vigilante.
Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 2: Knightquest is a 976-page omnibus that collects every comic during the midpoint of the Knightfall saga. Get the hardcover for $93.72 at Amazon now.
3. Dick Grayson
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Dick Grayson was the first Robin, one of many now. Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne, is now the current Robin. Grayson became Nightwing as he got older and left the Robin persona behind. However, there was some resentmentin him because Bruce didn’t ask Dick to become Batman during “Knightfall.”
The idea that someone else became Gotham’s Dark Knight was hard to take for Grayson. After Knightfall, Bruce finally has Grayson assume the Batman identity. Grayson became the Dark Knight a few times, most notably when Grant Morrison was writing the character.
Batman and Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn is a 2009, 164-page hardcover. Bruce Wayne is dead, and Grayson becomes Batman; his Robin is Damian Wayne. Get it for $44.53 at Amazon now.
4. Jace Fox
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Timothy Fox is the playboy son of Lucius Fox, employee and weapons developer for Bruce Wayne’s Batman. After a tragedy, Fox ships Timothy off to military school. Timothy then trains with mercenaries and changes his name to Jace. During the 2021 Infinite Frontier event, Jace learns that his father supplies Bruce Wayne with weapons and equipment and that Wayne is Batman.
Jace, an African-American man, becomes the Dark Knight and moves to New York City. Jace also wears a face-covering mask so that the public will not know that someone else became Batman. His Batman uses more restraint and vies to change the system as much as fight criminals.
Get I Am Batman, a 173-page hardcover, for $10.99 at Amazon now.
5. Thomas Wayne
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Flashpoint is a 2011 DC Comics event where Barry Allen, the Flash, wakes up in a parallel dimension. Allen has no Flash powers. Cyborg is America’s greatest superhero. Superman is a prisoner in a research lab and has never seen the sun. The Amazons and Atlanteans are at war.
The Dark Knight exists in this new reality, but it is not Bruce Wayne. In this new reality, Bruce Wayne dies in Crime Alley instead of his parents. Thomas Wayne would later become the Dark Knight in an endless war against crime. Allen needs Wayne’s help to get back to his own reality.
Get the 166-page Flashpoint hardcover for $33.76 at Amazon now.
6. Commissioner James Gordon
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In 1955 in Detective Comics #225, James Gordon impersonates Batman during a contest run by a local newspaper. It is a campy and forgettable tale. Gordon would not officially become a Batman stand-in until 61 years later.
After the “Endgame” storyline in 2015, Batman and the Joker seem to have lost their lives during a fight. The Gotham Police Department teams up with a tech firm to create a Batman-like armor that looks like a mecha from an anime. Gordon is chosen to replace Batman. James Gordon was the Batman in DC Comics for over a year.
Get the 151-page hardcover Batman Vol. 8: Superheavy for $10.99 at Amazon now.
7. Damian Wayne
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Batman #666 from 2007 is a one-and-done issue that shows a potential future where. Gotham City has become a dystopian, crime-ridden hellscape. Climate change is out of control. Bruce Wayne is gone, and Damian Wayne is now the caped crusader. Damian sells his soul to the devil to gain enough power to save Gotham. Additionally, Barbara Gordon, daughter of Jim Gordon, is the new commissioner and has a mission to stop the new Dark Knight.
Get the 22-page comic on Kindle for $1.99 now at Amazon.
So, There’s a New Batman? (Happens All the Time)
The idea that someone else can be the Dark Knight in the comic books may seem strange to modern comic book fans. Many modern comic book fans only know comic book films and media. This practice is common and happens on almost every major comic book series. Miles Morales is a great character, but Peter Parker will always be Spider-Man.
Bruce Wayne will always be Batman, this is not “wokeness,” and the practice goes back decades. So, keep an open mind if you hear a similar report about other comic heroes – you might be missing out on great comics.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
