DC just gave Batman a relatively ridiculous weakness that leaves him well and truly reeling - and though it's a somewhat unconventional vulnerability for the usually ever-stoic and ready-for-anything Dark Knight to have, it's also one that makes a lot of sense for more than one reason. Though Batman has no superpowers of his own, he's traditionally depicted as one of the most competent and effective superheroes of all time, with his intelligence, tools, and sheer willpower generally making him an equal or even better hero compared to those with even elaborate skillsets.

However, DC still has to walk a careful line between showing Batman as an inspirational figure who is able to accomplish superhuman feats despite being totally human, and making sure that the Caped Crusader doesn't come across as too unrealistic or contrived in his successes. As such, while most depictions of Batman make sure to show him as hyper-competent and almost impossible to distract from his vigilante mission, some DC installments make sure to take a different approach with the iconic hero, ostensibly in the name of balance - including the first of 2025's DC release lineup.

2025's First DC Release Sees Batman Truly Struggling

Harley Quinn season 5, episode 8 sees Batman have a breakdown of sorts after his partner - Lex Luthor's sister Lena Luthor - jets off into space to steal Brainiac's ship and technology from him. With that said, Bruce takes the information that he has - that Lena isn't responding to his calls or texts, that he's seen a play based on real life that suggested to him the pair could be a couple, and that she's been hiding her collaboration with Brainiac from him this whole time - and comes to the unhappy conclusion that he's once again in a ruined relationship.

Unlike most threats of physical harm, this appears to really rock the hero's world, with Poison Ivy visiting Bruce to try and use his tech, only to find him wallowing and totally defeated amongst a stack of pizza boxes and ice cream tubs - a reaction most supervillains are unable to evoke even when actively trying to hurt or upset the Dark Knight. However, Batman being totally vulnerable to relationship woes in a way he usually isn't to almost anything else does make sense, and not just because it follows on from his failed relationships with Talia Al Ghul and Catwoman.

Why Harley Quinn's Batman Weakness Makes Sense For The Show & Character

While the Dark Knight having a breakdown over a perceived failed relationship may initially feel at odds with Batman's general characterization, it does make sense for Harley Quinn to have this direction with the character, especially as a more comedy-focused series that doesn't have to take itself too seriously. This is partially because its version of Bruce Wayne moved to Metropolis to be with Lena and has been shown to be trying to work on his relationships with people, meaning it makes sense he takes the idea of Lena losing interest in him unsurprisingly poorly.

On a broader scale, this also works because of just how many failed relationships Batman has had over the years, as the tragic nature of the hero means basically every relationship he's had bar Catwoman tends to end in similarly tragic fashion - and even his relationship with Catwoman over the years has had its own dramatic breakups. Given this roster of ill-fated romantic endeavors, it's not exactly surprising that the animated DC show's version of Batman might have a major reaction to another relationship gone sour, presuming he has even a tenth of the comic character's history.

Harley Quinn's Batman & Superman Depictions Lets The Characters Be At Their Most Human

Harley Quinn certainly portrays major heroes like Batman and Superman in ways that can be very different to how they're traditionally depicted. However, this has some real benefits, both in of enhancing the show's comedy by letting characters behave in ways that stand out, and letting the series explore iterations of these characters who get to be fallible and have their flaws and vulnerabilities on full display.

This also allows the story to go in directions it reasonably couldn't otherwise, such as giving Superman a heart-to-heart with Harley that sees him go on vacation for season 5, or having Batman and Poison Ivy talk about their relationship troubles while Bruce eats a tub of ice cream and cries it out. With other DC releases needing to show these heroes at their strongest and most in control, having something like Harley Quinn be able to do exactly the opposite really helps keep the characters feeling multi-faceted, even when the show is at its silliest.

DC Movie Releases

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  Superman

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  Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

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  The Batman Part II

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