Games

The Best DC Heroes Who Are Like Batman

Published

4 weeks ago

November 30, 2024

Christoph Rediske

split image of green arrow batman and nite owl from dc scaled

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Batman and his eighty-five years of history under DC have led to many other vigilantes being inspired by him.
Characters like Mr. Terrific and Midnighter share qualities with Batman, such as genius intellect and tactical prowess.
Nightwing, Blue Beetle, Batgirl, and Green Arrow are self-made heroes who resemble Batman in different ways.

Since debuting in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, Batman has become a pivotal part of DC alongside the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman. As a result, Batman has been known as the template for the more grounded vigilante take on superheroes, including other heroes in the DC multiverse’s long history.

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Batman has become so much of an inspiration that certain heroes can be considered rip-offs or analogs of the character, even those who have gone on to have their own legacies. It shows that DC is so enamored with Batman that even they try their hardest to capture the same magic that comes from the Caped Crusader and his many adventures.

10 The Gray Ghost

The Hero Inspired By Batman Who Also Inspired Batman

Simon Trent as The Gray Ghost in Batman: The Animated Series

Real Name: Simon Trent
First Appearance: Batman: The Animated Series

Though he is not a hero in the same reality as him, The Gray Ghost is a hero to Bruce Wayne. In Batman: The Animated Series, the character was the protagonist of a superhero series that Bruce and his father used to watch when he was a child, and he was voiced by none other than a past live-action Batman actor: Adam West.

The Gray Ghost episode would become so beloved by viewers that the character would be one of several to transition into the official DC canon in the comics. He’s a vigilante who uses detective work to solve crimes, wears a dark cloak, and even has a fancy lair that he operates out of, all of which were inspirations for Batman when he became Gotham’s own vigilante.

9 Mr. Terrific

If Batman And Lex Luthor Fused Together

Mr. Terrific leading his team in The Terrifics #1

Real Name: Michael Holt
First Appearance: Spectre #54

While Michael Holt is not a broody creature of the night as Mr. Terrific, he does share other qualities with Batman. They are both genius philanthropists who use their unlimited resources to fight crime using gadgets and other pieces of high technology to fight superpowered beings despite being a regular human.

Mr. Terrific is more than just a tech whiz though, as he has trained his body to have a peak human physique which works well alongside his fighting skills. The only thing keeping Mr. Terrific from becoming the next Batman is a wardrobe change; he even has a tragic loss in his life that helps drive him.

8 Midnighter

Satire Of Batman With A Love For Killing Criminals

Midnighter attacking a criminal in Midnighter And Apollo #1

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Stormwatch #4

From The Authority, Midnighter being so similar to Batman is intentional as the titular Authority is meant to be a dark reflection of the Justice League in many ways. Midnighter does have his distinguishing features, including his more lethal methods of dispatching justice and eccentric personality compared to Bruce’s zealous following of no-killing and stoic disposition.

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With that said, both feature similar cowls to the point where it looks like someone just cut off Batman’s pointed ears. They have dark costumes with utility belts and are tactical geniuses in battle, with Midnighter able to predict the many outcomes of almost any situation before it begins.

7 Nightwing

The First Robin And Bruce Wayne’s Adopted Son

Nightwing wielding his escrima stick in Nightwing #120

Real Name: Dick Grayson
First Appearance: Detective Comics #38

Of all characters, Nightwing being compared to Batman makes the most sense, seeing how Dick Grayson was the first Robin under Bruce’s mentorship before he evolved into the quippy Nightwing. He shares Bruce’s sense of justice as well as combat effectiveness, willing to dedicate their life to protecting the cities of Gotham and Blüdhaven.

Even though Dick Grayson has spent much of his adult life trying not to be in Batman’s shadow, it is always looming because of their similarities. Nightwing even temporarily took on the mantle of Batman when Bruce died in the comics and proved to be effective in the role, despite not desiring it at all.

6 Blue Beetle

Ted Kord Is Like A More Jovial Version Of The Dark Knight

Ted Kord as the second Blue Beetle in Blue Beetle #15

Real Name: Ted Kord
First Appearance: Captain Atom #83

Take the gimmick of Batman, and swap out the bat theme for a beetle; the result is Blue Beetle., who inherited the mantle from Dan Garrett, the original Blue Beetle. Ted Kord is a billionaire C.E.O. of his own company and in his spare time, he dresses up and fights crime both small and large in scale utilizing gadgets, martial arts, and a giant beetle-shaped ship.

Unlike Batman, the second Blue Beetle has a more jovial outlook on life and his vigilante work, often throwing out quips and embarrassing the criminals he fights solo or as a member of the Justice League. That doesn’t stop Ted Kord from often being compared to Batman, with both having cave-like lairs, unwilling to give up fighting for justice, and a high I.Q. that they mix with brawn.

5 Orphan

Cassandra Hates Killing As Much as Bruce Wayne Does

Cassandra Cain as Orphan in Batman & Robin Eternal

Real Name: Cassandra Cain
First Appearance: Batman #567

Trained since birth to be the ultimate assassin, Cassandra Cain has taken on the mantles of Batgirl and Orphan. As a result, she shares a similar dark aura as Batman, always glaring at others and having a bit of an attitude, but in the end, Cassandra is a good person and a master of martial arts, willing to rise to any challenge to protect the innocent.

With either moniker, Cassandra Cain wears dark uniforms that help her blend into the night and strike from the shadows. She equips herself with weapons and gadgets, though she refrains from killing, considering it the worst thing a human can do, which is a very similar mentality to Bruce Wayne’s.

4 Damian Wayne

He Takes Like Father, Like Son To Another Level

Damian Wayne leaping into action in Robin #17

Real Name: Damian Wayne
First Appearance: Nightwing #16

As the old saying goes: like father, like son, and that is no different for Damian Wayne, the genetic son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul. While he was raised by Talia and Ra’s Al Ghul, thus adopting many of their ways including a pension for killing and seeming heartless at times, he shares many traits of his father, for better or worse.

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Both Bruce and Damian are arrogant as well as emotionally stunted, unable to process their feelings properly, which often makes them come across as cruel or unfeeling, and they almost refuse to apologize for it. Damian is also trained by Bruce, sharing many of his skills combined with his assassin training, allowing him to become a top-tier fighter in the DC universe.

3 Nite Owl

The Batman Of The Watchmen Universe

Nite Owl in Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #4

Real Name: Dan Dreiberg
First Appearance: Watchmen

In a similar vein as Midnighter, Nite Owl comes from a world that satires the DC universe, originating from the famous Watchmen graphic novel. Dan Dreiberg is not a rich socialite, but an expert on aeronautics and zoology who lives in an ordinary home in New York City, which equally keeps him hidden among the civilians when he’s not a vigilante styled after a nocturnal animal.

Even from a visual standpoint, the similarities between Nite Owl and Batman are plain to see. However, Nite Owl is intended to resemble Blue Beetle; he’s a man who took over the Nite Owl mantle from his mentor, utilizing a lot of gadgets and a vehicle ostentatiously styled after the animal he is modeled after.

2 Batgirl

Barbara Gordon Is A Self-Made Hero For Gotham City

Barbara Gordon as Batgirl perched at a clock tower in Batgirl #30

Real Names: Barbara Gordon
First Appearance: Detective Comics #359 (Barbara)

Batgirl has multiple similarities to Batman aside from a similar style of costume and name. Unlike most Bat-Family members, Batgirl, AKA Barbara Gordon, was not recruited to join Bruce Wayne’s war on crime as an apprentice. Barbara simply became a bat-themed vigilante because she believed in what Batman stood for, and she despised the corruption in Gotham.

Barbara made a name for herself as Batgirl and Bruce respected her bravery, earning the chance to join the Bat-Family since she accomplished a lot without any mentorship. While Bruce had help from his family fortune, both he and Barbara built themselves up from the bottom using their minds and will to fight, gradually evolving into international superheroes.

1 Green Arrow

The Emerald Archer Protects Star City As A Philanthropist Turned Vigilante

Green Arrow with Black Canary in Green Arrow: Rebirth

Real Name: Oliver Queen
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #73

On top of Green Arrow having an obvious ripoff lair titled the Arrow Cave, Green Arrow is yet another wealthy socialite using his riches to fund vigilante activities at night. Oliver Queen takes on the appearance of an archer akin to Robin Hood, fighting for the betterment of Star City. He also has his own gimmicky tools, with trick arrows that have many functions, from bombs to boxing gloves.

Green Arrow and Batman are so similar that they’ve worked together as friends and partners in the past, even if their personalities are vastly different. Oliver is more of a sarcastic and witty hero who cares as much about social justice as much as fighting crime.