10 Batmen Who Aren't Bruce Wayne

In the Flashpoint timeline, the catalyst to all of DC’s recent retcons, Thomas and Martha Wayne didn't die on that fateful night in Crime Alley, Bruce did. Driven by the guilt of not being able to save his son, Thomas gives up his medical career and decides open and operate a casino. Oh right, he also becomes Batman.

Bruce's father is a far more brutal and unforgiving Dark Knight. Batman not only avenged his son's death by killing his murderer with his bare hands, but he has also done away with Poison Ivy, Hush, and Scarecrow. Oh, and he also split Killer Croc’s skull with a freaking machete. Not a nonlethal bat-machete. A machete.

The only villain Bat-Dad seems unable to bring himself to take down permanently is The Joker. The reason for this indiscretion becomes abundantly clear when it's revealed that while Thomas’ guilt created Batman, Martha's grief and disdain for her husbands inability to save her son drove her insane. This madness manifests itself by turning her into her ex-husband's greatest adversary.

Just think of how much of the Batman mythos could be avoided if the Waynes could only talk out their feelings. Too bad psychiatry isn't one of Alfred's many skills.