10 Incredible Batman Comics (That Don't Star Bruce Wayne)

Bruce Wayne is the king of DC Comics. He’s been comic book royalty longer than Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne and may have enough publications to build a paper mache scale replica of the Batcave itself. His strengths and versatility as a character have resulted in successful eighty year print run, which has seen him quite literally do everything - even pulling off a hot pink version of his costume for a time.

However, Batman is so much more than just Bruce Wayne. Something that has made the character so rich isn't just the man beneath the mask, but the fact that ever since the introduction of Robin, the Caped Crusader has rarely stood alone. Dubbed The Bat-Family, this network of partners, employees and allies of Batman have been given their own time to shine over the years, with solo comics, TV spin-offs and more having focussed on the character's allies.

So to steal the spotlight away from Bruce Wayne and celebrate the cast of characters that bolster his books, here are 10 brilliant Bat-books that don't star Bruce Wayne!

Right off the bat, this may cause some contention. “But it isn’t a Batman book!” And you know something? You’re not wrong. You’re not right either, but you’re not wrong. Batman is only tangential to this book, having set up the main character, Olive Silverlock, to attend the titular Gotham Academy as well as popping up in shadows from time to time, but this fantastic teen drama is a Batbook through and through.

Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher write this school to be a hub of the Bat-Mythos with strange symbols, a secret society, the ghost of Millie Jane Cobblepot, and definitely something living in the school’s basement. Oh and did we mention this school is right across the street from Arkham Asylum?

In the end, Gotham Academy is brimming with all the trademark darkness you’d expect from Gotham, as well as the dread atmosphere of mystery that permeates the adventures of Olive and the Detectives Club.