The LGBTQ+ community is going to be getting a relatable superhero figure with Batwoman, who is an established gay character right from the start. With this progressive figure on her way, we can have many fresh takes on the Bat-Family that have been crafted across DC mediums.
Now that Batwoman will be on the forefront rather than Batman, we need to see her interacting with those characters who can elevate her characterization; this means the Bat-Family members that have a logic to be introduced should be on the show. Those who don’t necessarily have a point being there don’t need to be showcased in the series, and here are five we want to see and five we don’t want.
Want: Batman
With Batman having seemingly abandoned Gotham, the story won’t be featuring the Caped Crusader probably for a while, but we don’t see how the Dark Knight can stay away too long. Somewhere down the line we want to see Batman reappearing in Gotham City, and for there to be an explanation as to why he left.
The easiest scenario to place him in would be that he was captured by someone from his Rogues Gallery, and Batwoman would need to rescue him. Another course that they could take is by showing a disillusioned Bruce Wayne officially abandoning the “Bat” mantle for Batwoman to grasp.
Don’t Want: Nightwing
Nightwing’s existence was because he couldn’t do anymore with being Batman’s lackey and they kept butting heads over several things. With Batwoman’s story being about carrying on Batman’s legacy in a different manner, Nightwing would seem a lot like Batwoman, which is pretty redundant.
We don’t need Dick Grayson to show up and add in further frustration over Batman’s character, and Batwoman can fulfill this role by herself. Having Nightwing show up would also mean the story would need to move to Bludhaven for at least one episode, and there’s no point in shifting cities for this show.
Want: Robin (Tim Drake)
Tim Drake is known for being a child Robin, and this young version is the one we need on Batwoman. Having an older Tim Drake would corner the writers into crafting an established reputation for the character, which will undermine Batwoman’s achievements.
Instead of having him as Robin from the start, the show should switch up his origins by making Tim Drake become Robin in this universe after his introduction. Like we’ve seen before with Batman, here Batwoman ought to be his mentor; this will provide her with the characterization of a a leader. The Tim Drake Robin angle doesn’t need to be introduced straight away, though, and a couple seasons’ delay is the way to go.
Don’t Want: Batgirl
Batgirl is the popular “Bat” female in the DC Universe, and if the show features her then she’ll be taking up all the spotlight. The fact of the matter is that no one really knows the Kate Kane character in the mainstream fanbase, and they’re bound to latch onto Barbara Gordon’s superhero as the established character.
Batgirl is also mainly liked for being a strong female figure among a bunch of males, and with Batwoman already fulfilling this role, there won’t be any point to feature Batgirl other than potentially making her a sidekick – something we’ve already seen her as quite a lot.
Want: Alfred
It’s hard to imagine both Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth disappearing on us, especially when Alfred is the audience’s safe-hold whenever Batman tends to vanish without a trace. The audience deserves someone close to Batman to provide a little bit of clarity over where he is, and there’s no one better than Alfred.
He should then evolve into assisting Kate Kane the same way he did with Bruce, with this version of the character taking more liberties with his assessment of Kate now that he’s not tied down in his role as “the butler”.
Don’t Want: Damian Wayne
He’s become another version of the Robin in comics and TV media, but we don’t want any iteration of Damian Wayne on this show. For Damian to exist, there would be a need for Talia Al Ghul to spring into existence, and then an entire angle created just to explain Damian’s birth.
That’s all far too much investment in someone who will essentially be a side character, and with Damian being a child, it would thrust Kate Kane into a maternal role; a level of characterization we really don’t want to see from her any time soon or even in the next few years.
Want: Red Hood
If the show does want to insist upon disillusioned Batman allies, then all fingers should be pointed at Red Hood being the one to appear. Unlike Nightwing, Red Hood’s gone off the deep end and is a much more engaging character to follow. His shattered psyche over Bruce’s supposed abandonment of him makes his story an instant classic, and we can see this being carried over to Batwoman.
His introduction can be placed by having Batwoman comes across Red Hood, and for the latter to relay to her how Batman uses someone up just to toss them aside. Red Hood’s character development can be laid out over several seasons, where he becomes softer in personality and is willing to give mercy.
Don’t Want: Catwoman
You would think she’s perfect for a part on the show due to her femme fetale quality, but we’re certain that Catwoman’s inclusion won’t be as a supervillain, and Batwoman will most likely just turn her into an ally. For those who aren’t aware, Catwoman was originally an antagonist, who has only in recent decades become an anti-hero, with various films depicting her in that light.
However, having a good guy Catwoman is a “been there, done that” scenario, one that only has chemistry when Batman is involved. If they were to make a swerve and turn Catwoman into Batwoman’s love interest, then this would be just like a palette swap from Bruce to Kate, which doesn’t make the latter stand out as an original character.
Want: Oracle
Sure, we’re cheating just a bit here as Barbara Gordon was also Batgirl, but it’s justified seeing as Oracle is so different than Batgirl. In various universes, there was only Oracle and no Batgirl, which is what we should see on Batwoman as well.
Having Oracle running tech and support for Batwoman can give rise to chemistry-fueled exchanges and interesting detective sequences. It wouldn’t be the worst thing either if they Oracle a love interest for Batwoman, which would make them a new couple for people to “ship” for. Oracle’s development could even see her potentially becoming Batgirl later on in an arc exclusively made for the show.
Don’t Want: Clayface
Batwoman should be a show that is more grounded in reality rather than going over fantastical elements making it purely a superhero show, and Clayface is a bit out there to be included here with the series’ direction.
First of all, the show will have to introduce Clayface as a villain, and then make a slow storyline that prompts him to become an ally – work that doesn’t need to be put in. Clayface is better as an antagonist, and Batwoman should have supervillains that complement the character rather than be passed down from Batman’s Rogues Gallery. As an ally, Clayface is too unstable to be trustworthy.
