12 BEST ALTERNATE VERSIONS OF BATMAN

It is no secret that I love Batman. One of the best parts of the Batman character is that he's very malleable. You can have a campy Adam West Batman or a serious Christian Bale Batman. The comic books have reflected this over the past 76 years. Batman started off a very violent, take no prisoners type of vigilante. Then he was a devoted officer of the law. Then he was a vigilante with a strict no killing, no guns rule. That's pretty much remained in tact till now.

However, some of my favorite stories have been alternate versions of Batman. Whether it's an Elseworlds story, a future Batman, or someone else entirely wearing the costume, Batman has been many different men. I'd like to share with you my favorite alternate versions of Batman over the years. Now keep in mind, the majority of these are not Bruce Wayne (except a couple), cuz when I say alternate versions of Batman I mean it damn it!

You don't count! You're not even Batman! 

Please keep in mind that this list is in no particular order. Let's get started shall we: 

BATMANKOFF (from Superman: Red Son)

In one of DC's most popular Elseworlds stories, Superman is born in Communist Russia as opposed to rural Kansas. He grows up protecting Russia under Stalin's command. When Stalin dies, Superman decides to run for President. He wins and eventually more and more countries turn to Communism. Of course there are people that defy him. One such detractor saw firsthand how cruel Superman's leadership really was. He was a young boy that watched his parent's be murdered by one of Superman's lieutenants. He grows up to become a threat to Superman's Communist Party as the Batman. In the story, you never learn the boy's real name. You only know that he's resourceful, intelligent, and figures out Superman's weakness. In the end, Superman is able to overcome Batman. But, in true Batman style, he'd rather die than give in to something he doesn't believe in. He detonates a bomb that he had swallowed. It's a really interesting story, and a new dynamic on the classic Batman vs Superman. This particular Batman is ruthless, cunning, and just shy of being the villain. He's a little bit more of a Frank Miller Batman in that way. He's standing up for the little guy and making a big ass show of it. 

OWLMAN (from Forever Evil)

There have been a few different versions of Owlman over the years but my favorite comes from the New 52 story Forever Evil. In this version, he's Thomas Wayne, Jr. from Earth 3. On that world, he and Alfred are responsible for the murder of the Waynes. He's evil Batman and even raised an evil Dick Grayson. Earth 3 Dick Grayson became Talon. It was pretty awesome. However, Talon was killed and Owlman feels responsible. When he and the rest of the Crime Syndicate come to Earth 1 he tries to recruit Nightwing for his cause. Even though he's an evil Batman, he still feels guilty for his partner's death and wants to make amends. I think if something similar happened to Grayson of Earth 1, Bruce would feel immense guilt and do anything in his power to make it right. Granted he may not travel to an alternate dimension . . . But Batman's pretty unpredictable. Who the hell knows what that crazy bastard is planning!

TERRY MCGINNIS (from Batman Beyond)

One of my favorite childhood memories is watching Batman Beyond with my sisters. For some reason, it seemed to have more of an appeal than the regular Batman: Animated Series. Maybe it was that this Batman was younger. Maybe it was the fact that Eric from Boy Meets World was the voice of Terry McGinnis. Whatever it was, the show was awesome and so much fun to watch. Almost 20 years later (holy crap I'm old) the show still holds up. Terry was a troubled kid. One night he's being chased by a street gang calling themselves the Jokerz. They stumble upon Wayne Manor. Terry and Bruce fight off the Jokerz. Terry accidentally discovers the Batcave and eventually steals the Batsuit. Bruce ends up trusting Terry with it and the two form a partnership to fight crime in Neo-Gotham. I've been rewatching the series as well as rereading the comic book that came after it. Both are very worthy additions to the Batman mythos. Terry, while maybe not as smart as Bruce, is definitely as courageous and self-sacrificing as Bruce Wayne ever was as Batman. He's definitely one of my favorite alternate Batmen. 

RORSCHACH (from Watchmen)

Now I know what you're thinking. In Watchmen, Nite Owl is definitely based on Batman. Not Rorschach. JJ, you're a moron!. Well . . . You're wrong. Yes, Nite Owl has the LOOK of Batman but that's it. Rorschach is Batman gone off the deep end. Although his origin story is nothing like Bruce Wayne's origin, he still shares a lot of similarities with Batman. He starts off as a vigilante trying to be a hero. At first, he has a strict no killing policy. One night, he's investigating a kidnapping of a little girl. He discovers the girl's remains in an old man's yard. He kills the man Saw style and from then on out, he is a ruthless vigilante. He plays judge, jury and executioner to any criminal he meets. At the end of the story, when it's revealed that Ozymandias is the mastermind behind all the Watchmen's troubles and he killed millions of people in New York City, Rorschach refuses to go along with the charade. He'd rather die than let evil win. Similar to Batmankoff, that sounds like Batman to me. So yes, Rorschach is crazy and a murderer, one would argue that Batman is "one bad day" from becoming just that . . . 

He said that . . . He did! 

THOMAS WAYNE (from Earth 2 and Flashpoint)

Definitely one of the best alternate versions of Batman. And it's a Wayne! In Flashpoint, Bruce is murdered and instead his parents are the ones left damaged. Martha goes crazy and eventually becomes the Joker (which is freaking terrifying if you ask me). Thomas becomes Batman. But he's a murderous, vengeful, uncompromising Batman. In Earth 2, after Bruce Wayne/Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman sacrifice themselves to save Earth from Apokalips, a new Batman emerges. We later learn that it's Thomas Wayne. He's been taking Miraclo (a drug that gives you super-strength for one hour) and uses it to fight off the returning forces of Apokalips. It's a pretty awesome story. Like Bruce, Thomas is a leader. He gathers the heroes of Earth 2 together to fight off Brutaal, the twisted Superman under Darkseid's control.

You mad bro?

Flashpoint and Earth 2 are fantastic comics. Thomas Wayne is trying to honor his son's memory by becoming the hero that he thinks that the world needs. Even though his methods are extreme, he's still Batman and any Earth will always need a Batman. 

BRUCE WAYNE (from Batman: Earth One)

Ok so this is a little bit of a cheat because it's Bruce Wayne. However, this is a very different Bruce Wayne than we're used to seeing. He's younger, cockier, and fucks up A LOT. This Bruce has never left Gotham City. The Bruce that we're used to seeing has had extensive training in both mind and body. Earth One Bruce has had some training from Alfred and in Volume Two we see him learning to become a detective from Jim Gordon. This Bruce is very green around the gills. His gadgets don't work, he gets his ass kicked, and he drives a pretty normal looking car. 

No. That is not it! Damn it Earth One! 

However, by the end of Volume Two we're starting to see him become the classic, legendary Batman that we're all familiar with. 

DICK GRAYSON (from Batman and Detective Comics)

For a while there, it seemed like there was a question as to who was going to be the new Batman after Bruce "died." But let's face it, it was always going to be Dick. Grayson grew out of the Robin persona and became Nightwing. He even moved away from Gotham City and established himself in Bludhaven. However, when he was needed, he always came back to Gotham. When Bruce seemingly died at the hands of Darkseid's Omega Beams during Final Crisis, Dick stepped up and put on the cowl. Although he was reluctant at first, he honored his surrogate father's memory well. He tackled a new Black Mask, Two-Face, Professor Pyg, Dr. Hurt, and even James Gordon, Jr. during his run as the Dark Knight. When Bruce returned, he let Dick continue being Batman in Gotham City while he set up Batman, Inc. After the new 52 started, Dick returned to being Nightwing. I miss Dick as Batman. It was a chance to see a lighter, more jokey Batman. Dick wasn't as brooding as Bruce, but he could still kick major ass. And in the end, Batman should kick your ass. Well, if you're a bad guy that is . . . 

BLACK LANTERN BATMAN (from Blackest Night)

Ok so this one is a MAJOR cheat because he only appears in like 3 pages of one comic but look at that! Isn't that awesome! It's a Zombie Batman! That's just amazing! 

I'm gonna get that Walker!

And in true Batman fashion, he takes down the Justice League in like 2 seconds! He turns their heaviest hitters into Black Lanterns. Because Batman is bad ass even as a Zombie.

Shit got real . . . 

LEGO BATMAN (from The Lego Movie)

This has to be hands down one of Batman's best appearances outside of a regular Batman film. He comes in, saves the day, says some bad ass lines and even says, "I'm Batman!" The Lego Movie wouldn't have been as great without him. Will Arnett plays Batman as an egotistical party animal, but he still kicks major butt. Although this Batman is a parody of the Batman we all know and love, I think it's safe to say that he's not THAT far off from the Batman we all know and love. And it's freaking Will Arnett! He's hilarious. But luckily, this Batman doesn't steal the show from Chris Pratt's Emmitt. However, he does steal most of the scenes that he's in. I think we're in for a real treat when the Lego Batman film comes out in a couple of years. 

KIRK LANGSTROM (from Justice League: Gods and Monsters)

He's a relatively new addition to the alternate Batmen, but in a short amount of time he has proven to be memorable. In a completely different take on the Bat-Man identity, Kirk Langstrom is trying to cure his cancer with bat-serum (as one does) and accidentally turns himself into a vampire. He uses his powers to fight evil along with Superman and Wonder Woman. Although this Batman is much more brutal than Bruce Wayne (and ya know . . . a monster) he still only kills the bad guys. And like the Batman we know, he's hidden himself away from the world and has very few friends. He doesn't really think of himself as a hero, but he's accepted what he has become and uses it to try and better mankind. To me, that's a good portrayal of what Batman stands for. 

Side note - did you watch the movie? Where was Bruce Wayne? I was kinda hoping we'd see him in the film and he'd be a bad guy. Maybe they will do that in a sequel.

JUSTICE LORD BATMAN (from Justice League)

In one of the best episodes of the Justice League animated series, the League discovers an alternate dimension where they have taken over the world and call themselves the Justice Lords. Well, technically the Lords discover them and try to take over THEIR world, but let's not split hairs. In any case, the Justice Lords imprison the League on their world and try to take over the main Earth. In one of the best Batman moments EVER, Justice League Batman confronts Justice Lord Batman and challenges his point of view. For a moment we're led to believe that League Bats has gone over to the Lord's way of thinking (which sounds religious but it's just because I'm using shorthand). We later see that Lord Batman has decided to help the Justice League get back to their world and stop the Justice Lords. In the Justice League Beyond comic book, we learn that Justice Lord Batman continued to try and clean up his world, having been changed by League Batman. However, Lord Superman eventually gets his powers back and kills him. It's up to the Justice League Beyond to stop the Justice Lords Beyond with the help of Wonder Woman, having been on the Lord's Earth with Lord Batman (if you know what I mean heh heh). Wow that sounded really complicated, didn't it? . . . Oh well . . . It's still a great episode. Catch it on Netflix!

JIM GORDON (from Batman)

Also a new addition to the alternate Batmen. Jim has become the new Batman, hired by Powers Industries (Batman Beyond reference!) to protect Gotham City. Since it appears that the actual Batman has died fighting the Joker, Gotham has been missing it's guardian. Jim is a strange choice to fill Batman's shoes and he even admits that it's the "worst idea in the history of Gotham City." However, he has stepped up because he does believe that Gotham needs a Batman and is doing his best to protect the city. So far, he's kicking a lot of butt and making a lot of enemies. Because you can't be Batman without kicking butt and making enemies. Not that Gordon was short of enemies to begin with, being the police commissioner and everything . . . Jeez Jim, maybe this wasn't such a good idea . . . Oh well. What's done is done. But hey!

I mean he's joining the Justice League! You're one of the big boys now, Jimbo!

You're on your way, champ!

Now, if I'm being honest, my absolute favorite Batman is Bruce Wayne. I mean, he's the original. Whether it's Michael Keaton, Kevin Conroy, Adam West, or on the printed page, no one can top the original. But I'm always a big fan of when the comics and movies shake things up. I like to see alternate takes on my favorite character because it gives me a new perspective and reason to love Batman. Nothing beats the classic, but I'm always intrigued by new iterations of Batman.

Till Next Time!

JJ - The Comic Junkie!