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- The HBO Max animated series The Flash given the character's prominence in the Flashpoint comic book storyline that seems to inspire the movie and may elsewhere in the DCEU as the franchise grows more comfortable presenting different takes on characters at the same time.
Batman variants in DC Comics could appear in live-action, including some that are arguably the most powerful beings in the multiverse.
Endless Batman variants exist both in mainline DC Comics continuity and in Elseworlds tales from alternate realities. Some take on attributes from other DC characters like Green Lantern, while others are dark versions of Batman taken to extremes. Several appear in other media already and could very well appear again in future movies and streaming series.
Updated October 21, 2022, by Darby Harn:
The HBO Max animated series The Flash given the character's prominence in the Flashpoint comic book storyline that seems to inspire the movie and may elsewhere in the DCEU as the franchise grows more comfortable presenting different takes on characters at the same time.
Dick Grayson
When Batman appeared to die in the comics, Dick Grayson took over the mantle. Highly skilled and trained by Batman and others to become a powerful martial artist, Dick Grayson proved equal to the task. Armed with Bruce Wayne's resources and technology, Grayson proved even more adept at fighting crime than before.
Grayson's judiciousness sets him apart from other Batman variants in the comics. Though Batman observes certain rules in his quest for justice, Grayson often displays more judgment and reservations.
Red Son Batman
Like most other Batman variants, the Batman from Earth-30 lacks superpowers. That never stopped any Batman, and the version from Red Son is no exception. This revolutionary figure emerged in Soviet Russia, armed with the same zeal, skills, and resources as his mainstream counterpart. His willingness to kill distinguishes him, however.
This Batman displays fewer scruples than others, making him much more dangerous. His commitment to revenge for his parents' murder drives him so far as to challenge Superman himself.
Flashpoint (Thomas Wayne)
History unfolded differently in the Flashpoint timeline. Thomas Wayne became Batman rather than his son Bruce. He possessed the same resources, skills, and determination for justice, but like the Red Son Batman, he has no allergy to killing. Worse still, he hunts down and kills suspected criminals across the DC multiverse.
Thomas Wayne even killed Reverse-Flash, among Flash's most powerful villains and the most powerful characters in DC Comics. Thomas Wayne potentially appears in the DCEU, depending on how much the The Flash movie adapts to the screen.
Azrael
Azrael served as Batman after Bane broke Bruce Wayne's back in Knightfall, a great Batman comic book arc from the 1990s. Azrael wore a highly advanced armor designed specifically to counter Bane's overwhelming strength. The suit featured endless powerful gadgets, including retractable grappling hooks and bat-shuriken.
The razor-sharp bat-shuriken fired from his gauntlets, which also contained flamethrowers and other measures that made him a strong Batman variant to contend with.
Batman Beyond
Terry McGinnis, better known as a dark DC Comics future timeline. With a highly advanced armored suit with embedded glider wings and thrusters that allow him to fly, he stands with the strongest Batman variants in any medium.
The suit also contains broad offensive and defensive capabilities, including the ability to fire laser blasts, and energy shocks, and also endure damage in a way Bruce Wayne's suits never could. The highly adaptable suit can morph and shape itself to almost any situation, resulting in a Batman who takes many forms.
Kingdom Come
The Batman from Kingdom Come, easily among the best DC comic book series ever, possesses a powerful armored suit that increases his strength, stamina, and agility to near-superhuman levels. These mitigate his age and injuries sustained from decades of fighting crime.
This Batman variant also commands an army of Bat-Drones that police Gotham for him, flexing his wealth, ingenuity, and power in ways that the main Batman from DC Comics has never really done in the comics or other media.
The Dark Knight Returns
The Batman fromThe Dark Knight Returns likely inspired the Kingdom Come version to some degree. The Dark Knight Returns Batman also fights crime well into old age, with countless scars from his battles. He possesses a suit of power armor that allowed him to fight and defeat Superman, accomplishing a feat few characters in the DC Universe ever have.
This Batman possesses a will and determination to save Gotham from crime perhaps beyond even his younger versions from other realities, emerging from retirement to take back Gotham.
Dark Claw
Dark Claw fuses Batman and Wolverine to make for a truly powerful Batman variant. He emerged from Amalgam Comics, a crossover between DC and Marvel in the 1990s, with all Logan's powers and abilities including his adamantium-laced skeleton and razor-shape adamantium claws.
Dark Claw possesses Wolverine's healing factor, making him far stronger than Bruce Wayne. He shares Bruce Wayne's training, willpower, and detective skills, making for an unstoppable hero.
Damien Wayne
Damien Wayne trained from a young age in martial arts, becoming a lethal killer before he ever met his father. In a dark DC Comics future timeline, he grows up to become Batman and more. In Batman #666, Damien inherits the mantle after Dick Grayson dies and gains mystical power, transforming him into a supernatural vigilante.
Damien always found it easy to kill and with his new powers, which include immortality and magical healing, he escalates Batman's crusade to terrifying levels.
Green Lantern Batman
The Green Lantern Batman shares Green Lantern's powers, including the ability to create solid green constructs like giant weapons and shields. He flies and can travel to Oa, just as Hal Jordan did. This Batman variant appeared in Batman: In Darkest Knight, an Elseworlds comic book story that had Batman find the Power Ring instead of Jordan.
With Bruce Wayne's drive and determination, he became a powerful Green Lantern variant. Batman's rivalry with Two-Face also took a turn as the villain was transformed by Sinestro.