Bruce Wayne

Insider

The Dark Knight (nickname)

The Caped Crusader (nickname)

The World's Greatest Detective (nickname)

Dick Grayson (adoptive son)

Jason Todd (adoptive son)

Tim Drake (adoptive son)

Cassandra Cain (adoptive daughter)

Athanasia al Ghul (daughter; estranged)

Damian Wayne (son)

Kate Kane (maternal cousin)

Beth Kane (maternal cousin; estranged)

Grant Wilson (maternal cousin; estranged)

Joseph Wilson (maternal cousin; deceased)

Bette Kane (maternal cousin)

Jezebel Jet (former)

Vicki Vale (former)

Charlotte Rivers (former)

Silver St. Cloud (former)

Talia al Ghul (former)

Andrea Beaumont (former)

Julie Madison (former)

Crest Hill, Kane County, New Jersey

The Trinity (member)

League of Shadows (former member)

**Bruce Wayne** is a billionaire playboy who fights crime in Gotham City as the vigilante known as **Batman**. Although he has no superhuman powers, he is one of the world's smartest men and greatest fighters. His physical prowess and technical ingenuity make him an incredibly dangerous opponent. He has taken on many proteges with most taking on the names of Robin & Batgirl. He is founding member of the Justice League, the founder and leader of Batman Incorporated and a former member of the League of Shadows.

## History

### Early Life

Bruce was born sole heir to the Wayne fortune of his parents, Dr. Thomas & Martha Wayne. Not only were the Waynes one of Gotham's elite families, they were also one of the most charitable.

With his genuine intelligence, natural athleticism & his parents' immense wealthy splendor, Bruce lived a happy & privileged life. Though he had no problem making friends, Bruce found two lifelong ones in the family butler, Alfred Pennyworth & his father's best friend, Dr. Leslie Thompkins.

When he was three, Bruce's mother Martha was expecting a second child to be named Thomas Wayne, Jr. However, during the third trimester of her pregnancy, she was involved in a car accident. She and Bruce survived, but the accident forced Martha into premature labour, and the baby was lost.

When Bruce was five, he fell down the family well into the caverns beneath Wayne Manor, attracting the attention of several bats. His father eventually pulled him out. These caves would later become the Batcave. In school, Bruce had two best friends - Tommy Elliot, who likewise came from a privileged background, and Julie Madison, Bruce's first crush (and later, his first girlfriend).

When Bruce was eight, his parents began taking him to the Monarch Theater every week to watch a movie due to his love for cinema. On one fatal evening in June of 1987, the Waynes left the theater and took a shortcut through an alleyway. There, a mugger named Joe Chill attempted to rob them at gunpoint, and panicked, shooting both Thomas and Martha dead.

Following his parents deaths, Bruce attempted to commit suicide with a razor blade. However, just before he went through with it, he realized that this wasn't what his parents would want, and it was at that moment Bruce vowed to spend the rest of his life warring on crime. After their deaths, Bruce became obsessed with the search for meaning in their loss. He thought perhaps the mythical Court of Owls was responsible, but he never found anything to prove it.

Shortly after their deaths, Bruce became obsessed with using toy guns and killing the man who murdered his parents. Because of this, Alfred sent Bruce to a therapy session where he first met Harvey Dent. The boys became good friends but wouldn't realize their identities until years later.

In his youth, Bruce attended Gotham Academy. It was there that he dated Julie Madison, but his psychological issues with his parents death ultimately led to the end of their relationship. Bruce became more and more focused on finding a way to combat crime. Learning self-defense from Alfred, boxing from Ted Grant and even a bit about medicine from Leslie, Bruce's thirst for justice (or vengeance grew). When Joe Chill was apprehended by Detective Jim Gordon, Bruce felt little comfort.

With his determination in school, Bruce was able to finish high school at the age of 16. He didn't care that in put him ahead of his peers, he was more focus on his education. He decided that he would go travel the world to learn the necessary skills to help him fight crime in Gotham.

### Training

After graduation, he went to attend universities in Europe, all while studying under various experts. At 17, Harvey Harris, the best detective in London. Bruce then traveled to France, where studied forensics under Willie Doggett. At 18, he learned tricks & illusions under the great Giovanni Zatara, even becoming friends with his young daughter Zatanna. At the age of 19, he learned how to race cars in life-or-death situations from Brazilian criminal, Don Miguel before departing to learn the ins and outs of technological gadgetry under the guidance of the brilliant inventor, Sergei Alexandrov. At 20, Bruce trained with Chu Chin Li and Tsunetomo, two martial arts masters in the Far East.

Bruce later returned to Gotham to keep his social standing and settle some affairs. After celebrating his twenty-first birthday with a lavish party, Bruce encountered a beautiful heiress named Andrea Beaumont. Unswayed by his playboy antics, Andrea refused to indulge Bruce in a conversation. As luck would have it, Andrea would stumble into a chance meeting with Bruce Wayne at her mother's gravesite while the young billionaire was visiting the graves of his own parents. The relationship quickly blossomed into something much more serious, and the subsequent emotions created feelings of doubt and guilt in Bruce as he had spent more than a decade on "the plan" which had prepared his body and mind for his imminent declaration of war on Gotham's underworld. But in all of his planning, Bruce had never counted on love and happiness. For the first time since his parents' death, Bruce found himself nearing an inner peace and proposed to Andrea.

Unfortunately for Andrea and Bruce, her father's mob ties turned from sour to deadly. Fearing for his life, Carl forced Andrea into hiding with him. Knowing only that Andrea was leaving and would not return, Bruce fell into despair and threw himself back into "the plan" by becoming the Dark Knight. Carl and Andrea attempted to disappear into anonymity.

After this, Bruce travelled to the Hilda Mountains in Japan to train in combat and stealth under Master Kirigi. Following the completion of his training, Kirigi sent Bruce to a skilled manhunter named Henri Ducard. Locating Ducard in Bhutan, Henri offered Bruce the chance to gain the skills necessary to carry out his mission. Joining the League of Shadows, Bruce trained to be an elite warrior under Henri's watch, though he soon deduced that Ducard was simply an alias of Ra's al Ghul, the immortal leader of the Shadows.

Unbeknownst to Bruce, Ra's was secretly grooming him to become his successor and take his place as the leader of the Shadows. Though he knew very well that Bruce had no intention of killing or staying with the Shadows, Ra's set a plan in motion, ordering his daughter Talia to seduce Bruce. The two began a whirlwind romance and fell deeply in love, yet when the time came, Bruce still left the Shadows, fleeing into the night.

### Return to Gotham

Shortly after his return to Gotham & the arrival of Batman, Bruce attended various events & began hosting many welcome home parties, knowing that it would be hard for the shadows to seek retribution against such a public figure. Bruce reconnected with Alfred, Leslie and even his uncle, Philip, who had taken over at Wayne Enterprises. Despite having all of the skills and methods to fight crime, he still felt that there was something missing in the completion of his physical and mental arsenal. Wayne discovered the answer late one night while sitting in his manor. He recalled his fear of bats as a child after a large one crashed through one of the windows; he ultimately decided to make his appearance resemble a bat's. Wayne designed himself a costume equipped with experimental technology and set out against the crime and corruption that thrived in Gotham City.

Wayne's tactics to oppose crime as a vigilante at night proved successful leading him to become an urban legend in Gotham City. He revealed himself at a dinner of the most influential and corrupt figures in Gotham City and promised them all that their reigns on the city would eventually end. Wayne's first ally was assistant district attorney Harvey Dent. Most of the Gotham City Police Department was sent in force to capture him. He gained his most powerful ally when he met police lieutenant James Gordon, one of the few honest cops on the force. The two developed a working relationship operating outside of the law when they needed to.

In Bruce's personal life, he kept up the playboy persona, though he ultimately fell for follow socialite named Silver St. Cloud. The two fell in love despite Bruce's attempts to keep her at arms length. As he continued to operate as Batman, the weight of the lies began to weight on him and he attempted to break up with Silver to keep her safe. It was then that she revealed that she knew that Bruce was Batman. Thanks to her stubbornness, their relationship continued as she helped cover for him as Batman.

Batman's presence in Gotham City generated a new breed of criminals, no longer the simple thugs and gangsters involved in Gotham Organized Crime, but more dynamic personalities. In 2003, Batman worked together with six other heroes to defeat an Appellaxian Invasion, and eventually drove them off the planet. The seven assembled heroes then formed the Justice League, with them as the founding members

### Robin

One night, Bruce and Silver attend a charity event that featured members from Haly's Circus. It was there that they witnessed the deaths of the Flying Graysons, with parents of a young acrobat named Dick Grayson  murdered by the gangster Tony Zucco. He saw both great potential and something of himself in the boy that night. Although Bruce knew he could never replace Dick's father, he adopted Grayson as his legal ward thanks to Silver's political guidance and planned to help him and provide guidance where he didn't have any when he was that age. He eventually revealed his secret identity as Batman. Dick wanted justice for his parents, and he agreed to a regiment of rigorous physical and mental training so that he could become Batman's partner. After several months Dick was finally ready to take to the streets as Robin, fighting crime alongside his mentor. They swore an oath late one night that they would fight together against crime and corruption, never swerving from the path of righteousness. Batman had realized for the first time that he did not have to be alone in his crusade

### Dark Times

Silver later became the victim of stalking from the psychotic serial killer known as Onomatopoeia. Bruce failed to stop Onomatopoeia from killing Silver in front of him. As her death weighed heavily on Bruce, Dick was largely left on his own and turned to alternate means of fighting crime while Bruce dealt with his depression. As Dick formed his own team known as the Titans and began spending more time with them, the lack of Batman's presence did not go unnoticed by the criminals of Gotham. One citizen of Gotham (albeit a very young citizen), decided to step in the city's hour of need. The teenage daughter of Jim Gordon, Barbara, was accomplished martial artist and hacker who debuted in a makeshift costume as ‘Batgirl’ and nearly got herself killed. Disobeying Batman’s orders to quit, they eventually brought her into the fold and gave her an armored suit and more training, establishing the ‘Bat Family’ with their headquarters in the high tech Batcave below Wayne Manor. Ironically, she helped heal the hole left in Bruce's heart.

The terrific trio worked together flawlessly for years, inspiring heroes across the world to step up and fight, with Bruce even taking in another ward. Yet, everything changed when the Joker attempted to drive Gordon mad by giving him 'one bad day'. The Joker showed up to Barbara's apartment, shooting and paralyzing her before kidnapping her father. Batman rescued Gordon, but 19-year-old Barbara's career as a costumed crime fighter was over. Dick became enraged that Bruce allowed the Joker to live after what he did to Barbara. After coming to blows, Dick quit the role of Robin and moved to Blüdhaven.

Eventually, their relationship healed (thanks in no small part to Barbara), though Dick declined to return to Gotham. Instead, he suggested that Bruce pass the mantle on to Jason. A wayward street orphan with no shortage of anger issues, Bruce hoped that being Robin would give Jason some sense of direction. This ultimately proved to be fatal, as Jason's arrogance and eagerness to impress Bruce led to his capture and murder at the hands of the Joker.

### Continued Adventures

Bruce later took in two more wards, Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain. Tim was a teenaged genius who had successfully deduced that Batman's identity years ago. After his parents were murdered, he fled to Wayne Manor, asking to speak with the Batman. Cassandra was the daughter of David Cain and Lady Shiva, deadly assassins Bruce knew from his time with the Shadows. Raised from birth to become the perfect assassins, Cassandra wasn't event taught how to speak or read. Ultimately, these two were the perfect fit to become the next Robin and Batgirl. While Bruce was hesitant to take on anymore sidekicks, truthfully he needed them just as much as they needed him.

Over the years, Bruce felt himself drawn to Catwoman, the elusive thief who toed the line between friend and foe. When a deadly new enemy known as Hush emerged to target all those who Bruce held dear, he revealed his identity to Selina, asking for her help. The two formed both a romantic relationship and a partnership with Selina even going straight to be with him. Ultimately, the two went their separate ways when Bruce couldn't get over his trust issues, leading Selina to form the Gotham City Sirens.

Later, Bruce received an unexpected visit from Talia al Ghul, who took him prisoner and revealed that they had a son together she never told him about, introducing him to Damian Wayne. Bruce needed to take care of the child and teach him respect while he figured out Talia's plans, as Damian proved to be spoiled and petulant. Raised by the Shadows, he was a master martial artist and proved extremely difficult to control, beating up Tim Drake and beheading criminals to prove he could be Robin. Tim abdicated the role of Robin to Damian (despite Bruce's objections), hoping it would put the boy on the straight and narrow while he forged his own path. Eventually, Damian proved himself a true Robin and the true son of Batman, developing a close bond with his father and his eldest brother, Dick Grayson. Seeing the change in Damian, Bruce began to believe in second chances once more and reconciled with Selina.

## Relationships

* **Alfred Pennyworth:** The Wayne family butler and father figure to the rest of the Wayne family. Alfred raised Bruce Wayne after his parents were killed and considers Bruce a son in the much the same way that he considers Bruce's adopted children his grandchildren.
* **Dick Grayson:** Bruce's eldest son, Dick was to prevent him from becoming like him, alone in his anger and thirst for revenge.  He effectively treated Dick like a son, and although their relationship became strained after Barbara was paralyzed by the Joker, the two have mended their relationship.
* **Jason Todd:** Bruce's second son, Jason was a wayward orphan with no shortage of anger issues. Bruce took the young boy in, hoping to give him some direction and purpose. Bruce considers Jason's death to be his greatest failure. After Jason's return, the two became estranged after Bruce let the Joker live. While Bruce has strived to repair their relationship, Jason still holds some resentment.
* **Tim Drake:** The third son of Batman, Tim is the one who is most like Bruce and thus, the two often buttheads. Ultimately, the two hold one another dear and Bruce believes that Tim could one day succeed him as Batman, yet also hopes he'll be a better man than him.
* **Cassandra Cain:** Bruce's adoptive daughter, the two initially struggled to connect due to Cassandra's difficulties communicating. After years of therapy and providing Cass with the best care she could receive, the two have a bon as strong as iron, with Cass considering Bruce to be her true father.
* **Athanasia al Ghul:** Bruce's biological daughter, she was born to Talia al Ghul shortly after Bruce left the Shadows, leaving Bruce unaware of Athanasia's existence until recently. Raised by the Shadows, Athanasia believes deeply in her grandfather's mission and, despite Bruce's attempts to reach her, has little interest in knowing her father.
* **Damian Wayne:** The second child of Bruce and Talia, Bruce was likewise unaware of Damian's existence until recently. Younger than his sister, Damian was sent to live with his father for protection. Unlike Athanasia, Damian has not only gotten to know their father, but has developed a bond with him and chosen to remain at his side.
* **Clark Kent:** The alien from Krytpon, Clark is often more in touch with humanity than Bruce. Though the two are as different as night and day, they bring out the best in one another as best friends, always able to count on one another.
* **Diana Prince:** Bruce's other best friend, the Amazon Princess has taught Bruce how to be loving and compassionate, bring a warmth to the otherwise cold and distant Dark Knight.
* **Oliver Queen:** Though they have similar backgrounds, Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen could not be more different. While one billionaire playboy vigilante who utilizes a variety of gadgets is withdrawn and silent, the other is quippy and humorous. Oddly enough, it's what makes them such good friends.
* **Leslie Thompkins:** Bruce's godmother and the best friend of his father, Leslie disapproves of Bruce's mission and voices this quite often. Nevertheless, she can always be counted on to assist him.
* **Barbara Gordon:** The daughter of one of his closest allies, Bruce views Barbara as something of a daughter to him, resulting them in having an unbreakable bond. Even in his most questionable decisions, Barbara will have his back.

## Romantic Relationships

* **Julie Madison****:** Bruce's oldest friend and first girlfriend, the two shared a multitude of firsts together. Despite their relationship ending years ago due to Bruce putting the mission before her, Julie will always hold a special place in his heart. To him, she's the one that got away.
* **Andrea Beaumont****:** Once upon a time, Bruce was willing to give it all up. Not wishing to repeat the same mistakes he made with Julie, Bruce proposed to Andrea. Their love is intense, beautiful and hopelessly romantic in every way imaginable. Unfortunately, wedding bells were never able to ring for the couple. A chance turn of events cut their engagement short, and her return to Gotham did not culminate in their happily ever after.
* **Talia al Ghul****:** The mother of his children, Talia is one of Bruce's greatest loves, their relationship equal parts tumultuous and admirable. Talia and Batman are often depicted at odds despite their romantic involvement. The dynamic between the two is of more intrigue, but only gets to occasionally act as an ally due to their differing moral beliefs. Regardless of the various ups and downs, though, he remains her beloved.
* **Lois Lane****:** Bruce and Lois once dated for a 'hot minute' way back, though most believe it was a (successful) attempt to get under Clark's skin.
* **Silver St. Cloud****:** Bruce's first serious girlfriend since his return to Gotham, the two entered a whirlwind romance with Bruce falling deeply in love with her. In fact, he was even ready to propose to her. Sadly, their love story was cut short when Silver was tragically murdered.
* **Laurel Lance****:** Before her epic romance with the Green Arrow, the two had a one night stand as Black Canary and Batman. Out of respect for Oliver, they've agreed not to talk about it.
* **Charlotte Rivers****:** The daughter of Sebastian Hady, two had brief fling that ended when Bruce was unable to take their relationship to the next level.
* **Vicki Vale****:** Gotham's primier reporter, Bruce had a brief relationship with Vicki, one that ended when she deduced his identity. Still, the two remains friends and allies, with Vicki keeping Bruce's secret (despite her constant urge to reveal it).
* **Jezebel Jet****:** Jezebel Jet and Bruce had a hot and steamy romance that was cut short when he learned she was a member of the Shadows sent to seduce him. After uncovering her betrayal, Jezebel fled and hasn't been seen since.
* **Jaina Hudson****:** The famous daughter of a United States Ambassador, the two dated for a short while before he learned she was the villainous White Rabbit.
* **Selina Kyle****:** There's little doubt in anyone's mind that Selina Kyle is Bruce's one true love. Despite her challenging aspects of his moral code, their complex lifestyles suit one another effortlessly.

## Abilities & Paraphernalia

### Abilities

* Peak Human Condition
* Movement
	+ Master Acrobat
	+ Stealth
	+ Escapology
	+ Speed
* Computer Hacking
* Genius Level Intellect
* Investigation
* Leadership
* Tactical Analysis
* Tracking
* Intimidation
* Prestidigitation
* Weaponry
* Wealth
* Multilingualism

### Weaknesses

* Single-Mindedness
* Loved Ones

### Paraphernalia

* The Batsuit
* The Batmobile
* Various Bat Gadgets

## Trivia

* Bruce's birthday is February 19th.
* Bruce Wayne is a multi-billionaire & is still gaining more wealth..
* He bought the Wildcat Gym for Ted Grant as a thank you for being one of his teachers.
* He remains level headed in extreme situations. The only exception is when someone he truly cares about is in immense danger or close to death.
* As part of the heroic "Trinity", Batman is considered to represent the heroic facade of retribution, darkness, detective, technological science and vigilante heroism; he works to show that one should triumph over fear and that only the guilty should need to fear anything.
* Bruce rarely drinks alcohol. Dick mentioned that he's seen Bruce drink less times than he can count on one hand.
* Some names given to him over the years are The Dark Knight, The Caped Crusader, The Bat & World's Greatest Detective.
* Bruce has mastered the skill of compressing a full night's sleep into a little more than three hours.
* Outside of Alfred & his children, he trusts Clark & Diana the most.
* He deduced Clark's identity with his detective skills. After revealing he knew who he was, Clark used his x-ray vision to find out he was Bruce Wayne.