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Batman: The Heart Knight?

Batman is the biggest loner of the superhero world, which, given the solitary nature of being a vigilante, is saying something. Superman may soar above the clouds, but Batman holds himself apart. Even as part of the Justice League, he’s loath to tear himself away from the murk of Gotham. As Commissioner Gordon says in The Dark Knight, “He’s the hero that Gotham deserves… he’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector… a Dark Knight…”

Or is he?

You might be surprised to know that Batman is actually one of the most prolific lovers in the JLA. Clark Kent had his love triangle with Lana Lang and Lois Lane, but Batman has had Vicki Vale, Silver St. Cloud, Selina Kyle, Talia al Ghul, Andrea Beaumont, Julie Madison, Vesper Fairchild, Sasha Bordeaux, Nocturna, Jezebel Jet, Rachel Kaspian, Julia Pennyworth, Shondra Kinsolving, Lorna Shore, and that’s not counting Chase Meridian and Rachel Dawes from the films nor all those heroes and villains, including Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy, with whom Batman has shared sexual tension. Admittedly that’s over the course of more than seventy years, but even so that’s not bad going for a guy who spends his evenings dangling criminals from rooftops.

His public persona may be that of a billionaire playboy, but Batman gets most of his action because of the suit, not in spite of it. Not bad for a brooding, revenge-obsessed bat-suited misanthrope. Maybe all those ballet dancers Bruce Wayne hooks up with are more than just a cover. Maybe he’s lonely, maybe he’s got a sex addiction to add to his Messiah Complex – in any case, it casts his sharing a bed with sidekick Robin in a whole different light.

About the author

Robert Wallis

You can also read Rob's work at www.ofallthefilmblogs.blogspot.com.