The Batman universe is undeniably popular, as proven by the fact that the hero and his supporting characters have been active for nearly a century. While Bruce Wayne’s turn as the Caped Crusader remains most famously known, his practice of taking in proteges and partners completes his characterization.
It’s worth noting that the likes of Alfred and Lucius Fox don’t qualify as sidekicks because they don’t generally aid Batman in the field. Meanwhile, allies like Catwoman and James Gordon fit the criteria since they actively participate in aiding the hero’s efforts. With such a long history to consider, it’s worth checking out which characters have done best in standing by Batman’s side.
Ace The Bat-Hound
It might not be common knowledge to mainstream fans that a dog is a notable superhero in the Batman universe. Ace is traditionally shown as Bruce’s loyal canine, who aids Batman during his missions by tracking down targets using his natural abilities.
Ace is also masked in Batman attire despite being an animal, which proves how far he wants to go to stand by his master. In shows, like Batman Beyond, Ace stays with Bruce in his old age to aid the elderly hero, while movies, such as DC League of Super-Pets, depict Ace on missions of his own alongside other superhero pets.
Damian Wayne
Not having been adapted into live-action movies yet, Damian’s existence is known mainly to comic book readers or television fans. The son of Bruce and Talia Al Ghul, Damian takes up the role of Robin to live up to his father’s legacy, which happens after the initial shock from Bruce upon learning of Damian’s identity.
Damien’s time as Robin is mainly about proving his worthiness to his father, while Bruce learns how to be a parent to someone who’s following his vigilantism. It certainly makes for an interesting dynamic for a son to be his father’s sidekick, although Damian hasn’t received as much attention as other Robins have.
Catwoman
There have been several live-action portrayals of Catwoman by now, making her a popular character in the franchise. While her association with Batman is fairly common, Catwoman largely varies between being a villain, anti-hero, or an anti-villain at other points.
It’s the reason why she can’t be considered as a top-level sidekick since Catwoman’s partnerships with Batman last as long as she’s got something to gain. Still, they work very well together due to Catwoman following her own instincts instead of hanging on Batman’s every word. Catwoman mainly assists him when his morals don’t allow him to cut corners, as she has no qualms about breaking rules.
Jason Todd
Reception toward Jason Todd’s time as Robin has been well-received in retrospect after he became the Red Hood. Jason differed from Dick Grayson by being more of a delinquent, whom Batman had to reform in order for Jason to learn how to be a hero.
Jason’s arc of letting go of his violent tendencies to understand why Batman restrains himself brought in several clashes between the sidekick and the mentor. Ultimately, though, it was his erratic quality that made this Robin so engaging, although his role as the brutal Red Hood means he drops down where sidekick status is concerned.
Cassandra Cain
Cassandra stumbled into becoming one of Batman’s sidekicks when she aided him during the arc where gang violence became rampant in Gotham. Raised to be the perfect assassin, Cassandra has progressively shed her conditioning to take in Batman’s philosophy.
She’s been one of several to take up the Batgirl identity, which has come about after assisting Batman various times in his missions. Cassandra was proven to be on a higher level than others because she could relate to Batman’s tortured childhood since her own was about being essentially exploited to be a living weapon.
Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)
There’s going to be a revival in Batgirl interest, with a DCEU movie on the horizon for the character. Barbara has been the most popular character to take up the mantle, usually completing the Bat-family by being the voice of reason when Bruce and the other Robins disagree.
However, Barbara’s time as Batgirl has also been unorthodox, in that she can be driven by her emotions, making for a mentor-student dynamic with Batman (who teaches her how to channel her emotions into vigilantism). She’s also notable for sticking with Batman when the Robins tend to leave, so her loyalty is something to marvel at.
Tim Drake
Compared to Jason Todd, the third Robin was better received by fans due to Tim’s balance between naivete and seriousness. Tim became Batman’s sidekick when Dick Grayson refused to return, showing his willingness to help people and keep Batman on a straight path without giving into brutality.
Tim is more inclined to follow Batman’s orders, which serves as a breath of fresh air since there’s not much conflict or hostility between the mentor and protege. He’s the best detective as far as Batman’s sidekicks are concerned, with many Tim Drake comics in the Batman universe depicting his style of problem-solving.
Oracle
As Oracle, Barbara essentially cuts down Batman’s detective work since she remotely looks into whatever investigations Batman wants to make and swiftly relays the knowledge to him.
Moreover, Oracle is a much more mature personality, routinely giving Batman advice while on the job and being the person he contacts when he’s at a loss on what to do. She’s something of a modern spin on the concept of a sidekick and proves that there are more ways than one to be a hero.
James Gordon
Widely considered among the best characters in the Batman universe, Gordon represents the few good men found in the legal system. He’s not a sidekick in the traditional sense since he generally doesn’t actively participate alongside Batman, but the Caped Crusader would never have gotten the government’s endorsement without Gordon.
He’s been a friend, ally, and something of a guiding hand for Batman, who’s similarly taken Gordon under his wing at times to motivate Gordon to fight for good. Considering Gordon isn’t aware of who Batman is in most continuities, his support of the Dark Knight is even more incredible because it means there’s an implicit level of trust between them.
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is the first name that comes to mind not just during a topic about the best Robin, but in the very idea of a classic sidekick. His Robin is the most popular for being the first to add in the mento-student dynamic for Batman, adding in a softer side to the Caped Crusader when he adopts Dick as his son.
He also represents the big change a sidekick undergoes as Batman’s protege, graduating on to become a hero in his own right as Nightwing. Robin has taken all he’s learned from Batman to also lead the Teen Titans, while his relationship with Bruce has gone deeper than any other sidekick due to their familial bond.