Warning: SPOILERS for Batgirls 2022 Annual #1Robin is considered Batman's first sidekick, but it's really Batgirl who carries on the Caped Crusader's true legacy. Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon served as Robin and Batgirl at roughly the same time in almost every version of DC continuity. Now Barbara Gordon is carrying on Batman's legacy as a mentor in her new role as leader of the Batgirls team.
Though there is sometimes this misconception that Batman prefers to work alone, Bruce Wayne has been training sidekicks since practically the beginning of his tenure as Batman. From Dick Grayson as the first Robin to Duke Thomas as the Signal, Batman's legacy involves the many young heroes he's trained over the year. It would be easy to assume that the Batgirl mantle would fall under his domain, but the first Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, trained herself and operated outside of Batman's jurisdiction. Even after she became the techno-spy Oracle, and despite her respect and care for Bruce as a mentor, Barbara works collaboratively with but independent of Batman.
Unlike some of the other original Batman "sidekicks," Barbara Gordon is also the first to take on trainees of her own. Prior to the continuity reboot caused by Flashpoint, Babs trained first Cassandra Cain and then Stephanie Brown as they separately took on the Batgirl legacy. In the recent Batgirls series, Babs has once again taken Cass and Steph, her fellow Batgirls, under her wing. Batman himself acknowledges Barbara's work as a mentor and trainer in Batgirls 2022 Annual #1 by Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Robbi Rodriguez, Rico Renzi, and Dave Sharpe. "I know how you feel--" Batman says. "You'd blame yourself if anything happened to them."
Batman Trusts the Batgirls with His Legacy
Robin is, of course, a key element of Batman's legacy in the DC Universe, but even Batman knows that the Batgirls are carrying on his most important work: as a mentor to young heroes. Batman equates Barbara's experiences with Cass and Steph with his own emotional experience letting his own mentees into the field—including Babs herself. It's clear he's acknowledging Barbara's spinal injury with his quiet "...I still do." This conversation between Batman and the first Batgirl—who now trains Batgirls of her own—demonstrates just how much Bruce trusts Barbara with the young heroes of Gotham, and so his own legacy as Batman.
All said, even though a few previous Robins—Dick Grayson in particular—have some experience partially training young heroes, no one has committed to being a mentor like Barbara Gordon, the first Batgirl. She has been the guiding light for both Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown for decades, and that point is truly driven home in this Batgirls annual. Even though Cass and Steph can certainly hold their own by now, that's just further proof that Barbara's work as both the first Batgirl and a mentor is an extension (and improvement) of Batman's legacy as a role model and trainer to young Gotham heroes.
Check out Batgirls 2022 Annual #1, available now from DC Comics!