Is Batman the most tragical superhero in amusing book history ? peradventure . The Dark Knight is famous for his brooding and stoic personality , but it ’s gentle to understand why he take over such a stance , deal the multiple cataclysm that have happened to him throughout his expansive career .

Yes , the Caped Crusader has endured more traumatizing result than any unmarried person can ever imagine . It ’s honestly surprising how he has n’t lost it yet , even if there ’s always the obscure suggestion . Still , Batman ’s firm moral compass keep him on the light side , making him the most challenging superhero , a use example , and a warning tale at once .

Harvey Dent’s Accident

Batman has plenty of nerveless villains , but few are more complex or compelling as Harvey Dent , aka Two - Face . The former District Attorney turn supervillain and crime lord is one of Gotham ’s most infamous figures , and his tight history with Batman cements him as one of the Dark Knight ’s greatest foes .

Harvey was the victim of an attack that left half of his typeface deformed . Batman was present , and his inability to prevent the incident is a source of great regret for him . There ’s an underlying air of calamity surrounding Two - Face , something that Batman himself can empathize with , take a crap their relationship unequalled among the Caped Crusader ’s rogues art gallery .

Being Brainwashed By Zatanna

When the Justice League believes Doctor Light is responsible for Sue Dibny ’s cruel attack , they take activeness against him and essentially lobotomize him . Not every penis harmonize , particularly Batman , who staunchly pit such a drastic meter ; the others resolve it ’s for the best to make him leave about the event , and Zatanna wipes his retention .

This issue order asone of the most devastating treason inBatmancomics . It also plays into Bruce ’s dandy fear , the corruption of the Justice League , do his long - lasting combine and intimacy proceeds even worsened . The perfidy would also take him down a darker path with the creation of Brother Eye .

Being Expelled By The Justice League

And speak of Brother Eye , Batman ’s increasing paranoia led to the events of the now - notorious storylineTower of Babel . Ra ’s al Ghul discovers that Batman has data file on each of the JLA ’s appendage , including their weakness and concrete plan to deal with them should they ever go rogue . He steals and put to death them at the same time , defeating the heroes , who all put the blame on Batman .

The plot line ends with Batman ’s ejection from the Justice League after the others finger they can not swear him again . Tower of Babel is a thoughtful exploration of Batman ’s paranoia that never condemns him ; or else , it invites readers to understand him , making his expulsion all the more tragic .

Azrael’s Downfall

Azrael was one of theBatmanheroes that fans hated . He take in on the Batman mantle after Bane broke Bruce ’s back but failed to live up to the role . He let on Batman ’s no - killing rule , becoming progressively amoral and further tarnishing the Bats reputation .

Bruce finally came back , but the damage was irreversible . He find fault himself for Azrael ’s corruption , realise that he could ’ve forbid all the pain had he only trust Dick Grayson to take over the Batman mantle . It ’s yet another bit of guilt trip that will forever obsess Bruce ’s mind , a nonstarter that he ca n’t help but sense like his own .

Being “Killed” By Darkseid

last Crisiswas one ofthe unspoiled Justice League storylines from the 2000s . It stick with Darkseid ’s plans to overthrow reality and deals with his victory , which involves the corruption of many of DC ’s most beloved poor boy and the eventual collapse of their universes .

During one of the series ' pivotal instant , Batman habituate a Radion hummer to mortally injure Darkseid , who in turn shoots his Omega Beams at the Bat , seemingly killing him . The moment was shameful for reader , even if most did n’t in reality conceive Batman was dead . He was n’t , and Darkseid ’s shaft instead institutionalize him to the past tense . Bruce would stay on trapped for a while before making his way back to the chief DC timeline , adding " reluctant meter traveler " to his list of misfortunes .

Stephanie Brown’s Death

Many youngsters have take the drape of Robin , some more successfully than others . Poor Stephanie Brown was one of the unluckiest ones , as Batman fired her on the point after make a mistake . Looking to prove herself to the Bats , Stephanie go solo but found herself over her head ; finally , Black Mask captivate her , torturing and belt down her .

Batman is no unknown to lose protege ( which enounce a lot about his leadership ability ) , but Stephanie ’s decease is one of the most tragic unity . Had Batman been more patient and compassionate , she would n’t have feel the need to gain his commendation . Her blood might not be in Bruce ’s hands , but he still blamed himself for it .

Barbara Gordon’s Paralysis

The Killing Jokeis arguably the good Joker plot line . It retells the Clown Prince of Crime ’s origins , showcasing the inherent calamity at the center of the character ’s lifetime . It also features one of his most despicable actions : the shooting of Barbara Gordon , which leaves her paralytic from the waistline down .

Batman and Joker are perpetually lock in a dance that none knows how to break . They acknowledge each other as the ultimate enemy yet will never winnow out the other . Still , Bruce saw Barbara as a member of his menage , and he came very tight to killing the Joker after what he did . Alas , he did n’t , and Barbara became the Oracle , though her new identity element did little to expiate Bruce ’s guilt .

Alfred’s Death

Bruce Wayne had the punishment of watching his begetter die twice . First , Thomas Wayne ’s murder , and later , Alfred Pennyworth ’s death . Alfred is arguably the most important member of the Bat - Family , the patriotic and trusting butler who was always there to help and direct Wayne Manor ’s strays .

Alfred was a 2d Fatherhood to Bruce , caring for him as a kid and becoming his closest confidante and friend once he became Batman . His death had a substantial impingement on the entire Bat - Family , but Bruce especially felt it . Alfred kept his faith in Bruce until the end , confirm that the two had a bond paper unlike any in DC Comics .

Jason Todd’s Death

Out of all the cataclysm that chevy Batman ’s life , arguably none came closer to breaking him than Jason Todd ’s slaying . Jason was the second Robin , a rebellious and impulsive teenage boy who became unpopular with readers . Still , the choice to kill him during the now - iconic storylineA Death in the Familywas a tad drastic in hindsight .

After Todd ’s death , Batman becomes dictated to end the conflict with the Joker once and for all . He does n’t , and Jason eventually return as the more popular vigilante Red Hood . Even so , his unsuccessful person to save Jason remain Bruce ’s greatest sorrow for years , continually haunting and torment him .

Seeing His Parents Get Murdered

Without a doubtfulness , Batman find the murder of his parents is one of the most authoritative events in the DC Comics timeline . It’sthedefining bit in Bruce Wayne ’s life , the item where he vacate his carefree existence , beginning a lifetime - long journey that would lead him to become the Caped Crusader .

Thomas and Martha ’s murders also mark the outset of Bruce ’s trauma , set the seed for his neverending pursuit of vengeance disguise as Justice Department . It ’s a wound that will never fill up and will always leech , a pain that he ’ll keep trying to heal by preen up as a chiropteran and fighting crime . This outcome derailed Bruce ’s entire aliveness , giving him purpose but turning him into the ultimate cautionary tale in comic books .

NEXT : Everyone Who Has kill Batman ’s Parents ( & Why They Did It )

Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Split image of Batman carrying Jason Todd’s corpse & Sal attacking Harvey with acid in DC Comics.

A close up of Harvey Two-Face Dent in DC Comics

Zatanna erases Batman’s memory in Identity Crisis.

Batman stands among the defeated Justice League.

Azrael working as Batman.

Darkseid shoots his Omega Beams at Batman in Final Crisis

Stephanie Brown in her Robin costume swinging from a rope

Joker shoots Barbara in Killing Joke.

Batman moruning Alfred’s death in DC Comics

Batman carries Jason Todd’s corpse in DC Comics

Bruce kneeling beside his parents' corpses in DC Comics

Batman