The release of Gotham Knights showcases the bonds and friendships that superheroes and villains have across the history of the DC universe. Some heroes' instincts are to react to situations with humor and when their world is as chaotic as the DC universe, absurdity starts to become the norm.
Friendship is essential in any life, regardless of constant doom, ancient accidents, or cosmic interference. DC's golden standard revolves around dark situations, bizarre partnerships, and witty banter. So when a person or entity needs someone to confide in, these chums often gravitate towards the laughs.
Updated on November 29th, 2022 by Melody MacReady: The DC multiverse is so vast with a seemingly unlimited amount of heroes, villains, and anti-heroes that it's impossible to stop with just 10 of the funniest friendships. The comics have become the playgrounds for duos that are just as, if not more iconic than the heroes on their own. With Gotham Knights showcasing that with the Bat-Family, now seems like the perfect time for fans to look at the comics and see what made these kinds of relationships literally leap off the page. Perhaps they can inspire friendships that could also populate films and television shows.
Batman & Harley Quinn
Of all of his villains, Batman tends to work with Harley Quinn the most in both the main canon and alternate universes such as Injustice. This is due to Harley Quinn's ability to reform and embrace a more anti-hero role, but she still maintains her zaniness as a criminal jester.
As a result, her goofy antics combined with Batman's overly serious composure often lead to laugh-out-loud-worthy moments across comics, games, and even in Batman: The Animated Series. There are even hints of romantic tension in the hilarity, suggesting an attraction of opposites.
The Demon Knights
Paul Cornell’s Demon Knights reintroduces Etrigan the Demon by pairing him with a team of impressionable heroes to corrupt with bloodlust, debauchery, and glory. Putting feudalism under the lens of biting satire sees the crew mock royalty and the unfair laws they uphold. Gallows humor abounds as the knights’ shared glee for over-the-top violence ironically winds up being the very force that scares the citizens they protect.
It’s this intense heightening that leads to the crux of their problems, while trying to earn the people's trust, they’re just as likely to encourage a teammate to cheat on the love of her life. Their deviance and contempt for the institutions they guard make this camaraderie a must for fans of crude gags.
Plastic Man & Woozy Winks
Two former criminals trying to turn a new leaf isn't uncommon in DC Comics, but this friendship is anything but. When one can bend his body to defy nature and the other has nature contradict itself to defy him, the laws of physics go out the window. The slapstick tomfoolery amplifies when Plastic Man's recklessness collides with Woozy's inability to take damage.
One minute could see Woozy involuntarily drowning as a stepping stone to keep someone dry in deep water, and the next could see him inflating Plastic Man like a raft. It's a golden age staple that instantly becomes a Three Stooges homage whenever some unlucky criminal gets entangled in the crosshairs of their cartoony world.
Oracle & Huntress
The competitive nature of this friendship is built on constant back-and-forths, snide remarks, and backhanded compliments. Whether they're critiquing one another's fighting styles or the heroes they associate with, there's always gold in the rapid-fire barbs they toss out. Gail Simone's 2010 run on Birds of Prey, in particular, has them arguing sidesplitting dissections of the Bat-family and lone vigilantism.
Huntress roasts like “Shouldn’t you be taking the new bat-brat out for walkies?” captures the essence of the hysterical venom they spit out. Oracle and Huntress may have started out as friends of a friend, but their playful shtick has grown on Huntress much to her chagrin.
Batman & Alfred
A select few people are close enough to have a relationship with Batman, and even fewer get away with joking at his expense. Bruce is considered to be a wet blanket by his peers, focusing on his mission to save Gotham, rather than deliver a punchline. He may be one of the smartest men in the DC universe, but his wit is a dull blade compared to his butler's silver tongue.
Alfred's catty wit is always ready to catch Batman off guard on the one thing he'll never have enough prep time for, a sense of humor. The light jabs and smug musings help alleviate the brooding bat's mood, reminding Bruce that he is human and Alfred's mocking nature only lightens him as a person.
Guy Gardener & The Green Lantern Corps
Every job has that person who is as quick to bust their coworker's gut as they are their chops. For the Green Lantern Corps, that guy is Guy Gardner of Sector 2814. The audacity of his sardonic candor is quick to make fast friends and fast enemies. Combine this with his penchant for dumb antics and the recipe for disaster is inevitable.
Whether that be mooning Batman, getting punched by Batman, or egging Hal Jordan on for punching Batman, Guy is always primed with a hilarious insult to injury. This makes him a dangerous friend to have that comes with a hysterical reward. His shenanigans are not only tolerated because of his ability to sling a ring but because he can rip a quip too.
Jason Todd & Dick Grayson
They are the first two Robins of the Bat-Family; one is a boy scout, the other is a rash hothead with an urge to kill, and they are the closest in age. This results in a comradery akin to the rivalry between bigger and younger brothers. This was most recently explored within the universe of Gotham Knights.
Though Nightwing and Red Hood are not working together all the time, they tend to clash with each other when they do. They seem like they hate each other, but both would end up taking a bullet for each other and insult the other afterward. It's a complicated yet cute brotherly love that is always a highlight of different Bat-Family comics.
Man-Bat & Detective Chimp
Making new friends can be tough and the first impression of Kirk Langstrom AKA Man-Bat comes with his heart attached to his sleeve. But the only friend Detective Chimp needs is alcohol. In the vein of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, writers like James Tynion IV capture Man-Bat’s priceless desperation to connect, forcing both men from their comfort zone.
The awkward exchanges and cold shoulders soon turn to shattered dreams and uproarious put-downs. Slowly but surely, the scientist wins the primate over, one train wreck at a time. It’s this battle for affection that moves their off-the-wall chemistry
Catwoman & Harley Quinn
What happens when an unstoppable thief meets an immovable blabbermouth? Comedic sparks fly. When Harley's frenetic energy bounces off of Catwoman's cool exterior, it's a wonder they stay together. But it's their exact opposites that ground and elevate each other which leads to the chuckles of their offbeat sisterhood.
Whether Harley Quinn is accusing Catwoman of being a kinky librarian or claiming her boyfriend is a bad kisser, she doesn't have the ability to censor her thoughts from popping out. Meanwhile, Catwoman holds her tongue, but not her ire. The fair-weather friends make it work, despite Harley's quirky habits creating more obstacles than they started with.
The Flash & His Rogues Gallery
Only the Flash has been invited to a party thrown by his sworn enemies. Initially a happy accident, it fast becomes a super-powered rendition of Animal House. The absurdity of the cat-and-mouse revenge games over time has funnily enough crafted mutual respect between foes. So much, in fact, that adversaries even celebrate each other’s party fouls with drunken bliss.
The campy relationship they have built could rival any Shakespearean farce. Captain Cold aptly put it, Barry's goofy sensibility tricked them into being frenemies with the Scarlet Speedster to prevent them from reaching their evil potential.
Atrocitus & Dex-Starr
An angry alien with a soft spot for a ferocious feline is sitcom material by itself, but their shared rage creates an odd hilarity shared by few. Atrocitus can't decide to treat Dex-Starr like a cat or a fellow lantern in the trenches. Dex-Starr doesn't know whether to give in to his baser cat instincts or to fulfill his role to be mad as hell. It's these outlandish displays of over-the-top rage that keeps the readers laughing.
Cat lovers can especially get a kick out of Atrocitus as he tries to encourage Dex to engage in his worst undomesticated behavior. Adversely, it is equally entertaining to see Atrocitus attempt to keep his furry pal's hormones in check, frantically checking in on his mating to mission ratio. A warlord going against type creates all sorts of hairy situations and it’s that guilty sweetness he hides which keeps these two comically rich.
Batman & Superman
Opposites attract with these two: one is a dark broody creature of the night who sulks over his dark past and the other is a bright, chipper, and optimistic definition of a superhero. As a result, Batman and Superman have been an iconic friendship in DC.
At first, the two did not care for each other that much, but the longer they knew each other, they became good friends. So much so that both Superman and Batman's families have come together for the Holiday season to celebrate Christmas. They will poke fun at each other's methods and styles, but typically the two are the best of friends that became known as The World's Finest.
Green Arrow & Black Canary
These two are the definition of couple goals: they mock each other, Green Arrow is more likely to throw out quips that irritate everyone, and Black Canary is likely to punch someone then ask questions. However, they bring out the best in each other with Dinah Lance quick to humble Oliver Queen, and Oliver always manages to melt her typically icy heart.
Together, they have banter that is nothing short of comedy gold, making them perfect for a superhero rom-com. In the Injustice comics, Dinah is the one to get down on one knee and propose to Oliver which is equally endearing as it is humorous.
Damian Wayne & Jon Kent
Take everything that makes Batman and Superman so fun to read and add child-like interactions and the result is the duo known as the Supersons. Damian Wayne AKA the fifth Robin is arguably even more of a jerk than his father and Jon Kent was raised to be a total sweetheart.
So the Supersons end up being so drastically different from each other that every situation ends up with some form of comedic hijinks. Just like their fathers though, they tend to bring out the best in each other; particularly Jon bringing out Damien's childlike sense of wonder and that usually brings about some humor in seeing Damian actually act his age.
Blue Beetle & Booster Gold
True friendship is a wavelength set in perfect harmony. When that wavelength demands to steal Martian Manhunter’s cookies as a prank, these two can't contain their giddy guilt. That childish demeanor is the heart of what makes these two jokers so likable. Yet Ted Kord and somehow always keep things lighthearted at their Justice League HQ or lack thereof.
That is if Booster Gold's increasingly ridiculous ego isn't barring them from membership. But they're true pals and refuse to work without each other because nothing will ever match the hearty guffaws they share together. It’s this inseparable chemistry that leads to the golden standard.