Many have long argued thatNightwing, asBatman’sfirst partner and the originalRobin, is the rightful heir to the cowl when the Dark Knight steps down or meets his end. Even DC has backed this notion, showcasing Dick Grayson donning the cowl during moments when Bruce Wayne was believed dead or out of commission. But with one comic, it’s become undeniable: Batgirl Cassandra Cain is the true successor to the Dark Knight.
Cassandra Cain’s competition for the mantle of Batman narrows down to her two youngest brothers: Tim Drake and Damian Wayne.
Tate Brombal, Takeshi Miyazawa, and Mike Spicer’sBatgirlrun takes a thrilling turn in its second installment, diving deeper into the complex and volatile relationship between Cassandra Cain and her mother, the deadly Lady Shiva, one of the world’s most formidable assassins.
Despite Batman’s absence from the narrative, his shadow looms over every page, a constant reminder of the profound influence he’s had in shaping the hero Cassandra has become. These subtle echoes of the Dark Knight make it increasingly clear thatBatgirl is his true successor—particularly for one reason that also reveals why Nightwing can never fully step into the role: Cassandra’s unwavering claim to Gotham as her own.
“I Will Not Abandon My City.”:Cassandra Cain Proves Why She’s Batman’s True Successor
Comic Panel of Batgirl and Lady Shiva Comes FromBatgirl#2 (2024)
As established inBatgirl#1, issue #2 continues the theme of Lady Shiva desperately trying to convince her daughter to leave Gotham to flee from the Unburied—a relentless faction of assassins determined to see both Cass and her mother dead. After barely surviving one of their attacks, Shiva insists they head to the train yard to distance themselves from their pursuers. However, Cass firmly replies,“No. I will not abandon my city”(a statement as resolute as any Batman would make). These seven words underscore why Batgirl is the clear choice to succeed Batman—Gotham’s true protector must be someone as unwaveringly devoted to the city as she is.
Batman has always placed Gotham above all else, canonically establishing it as his one true love, second to none (see Jason Aaron and Doug Mahnke’sBatman: Off-World). Cass’s declaration that Gotham is her city, and her refusal to abandon it even when it would benefit both her and her mother, mirrors Bruce’s unyielding commitment to his home. In contrast, this highlights why Dick Grayson isn’t a viable candidate to inherit the Dark Knight’s mantle—his heart lies not with Gotham but with Blüdhaven, the city he has made his own.
The Two Definitive Reasons Dick Grayson Should NEVER Inherit the Batman Mantle
Comic Panel of Dick Grayson Admitting He Doesn’t Want To Be Batman Comes FromBatman and Robin#2 (2009)
One of the main reasons—perhaps the most important—why Dick Grayson should be disqualified from succeeding Bruce as Batman is simple: he doesn’t want the role.While Dick has taken up the cowl on multiple occasions, most notably after Bruce was presumed dead inFinal Crisis, he has consistently made it clear that becoming Batman is something he does out of duty, not desire. This reluctance is especiallyevident inBatman and Robin#2, where Dick confides in Alfred that he feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of being Batman and longs to return to his identity as Nightwing.
Even after relinquishing the Batman title and returning to the Nightwing mantle in later storylines, Dick maintained his stance. In subsequent comics, he made it clear that he had no desire to ever become Batman again. Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’sNightwingrun, as well as Dan Watters and Dexter Soy’s continuation of the series, further solidify this by reestablishingBlüdhaven as Nightwing’s true priority.Blüdhaven, not Gotham, is the city Dick has claimed as his own, and his unwavering commitment to it only underscores why he is not suited to inherit the Dark Knight’s cowl.
Sorry, Red Hood & Nightwing, Batgirl Is Batman’s True Equal in Morals and Values
Comic Panel of Nightwing Killing Joker Comes FromJoker: Last Laugh#6 (2001)
While Cass’s unwavering dedication to Gotham makes her a prime candidate to beBatman’s true successor,her steadfast belief in Batman’s mission, morals, and rules further cements her place as his ideal heir—something that cannot be said for all of Bruce’s children. Despite previously being raised to be an assassin, Cass mirrors the Dark Knight’s conviction, viewing the act of killing with absolute horror. She believes, as Bruce does, that killing is always wrong, regardless of the victim. Among the Bat-Family, no one shares Batman’s moral code with the same depth and unshakable conviction as Batgirl.
On morality alone, there’s a strong case for disqualifying both Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as potential successors.Both have demonstrated that they see exceptions to Batman’s“No-Kill”rule. Jason, of course, is the more extreme example, having adopted anti-heroic beliefs that certain criminals deserve to die. However, even Dick has shown that, under enough pressure, he will cross the line—as seen inJoker: Last Laugh#6 (2001),where he kills the Joker. For Batman’s true successor to carry on his legacy, they must not only adhere to his code but uphold it with the same unwavering conviction. Cassandra Cain is the only one who truly embodies this essential quality.
Tim Drake & Damian Wayne Are Cassandra Cain’s Only Competition for the Batman Mantle
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Dan Mora forTim Drake: Robin#4 (2022)
With Dick Grayson and Jason Todd firmly out of the running,Cassandra Cain’s competition for the mantle of Batman narrows down to her two youngest brothers: Tim Drake and Damian Wayne.On the surface, Damian may appear to be her strongest contender, as he has been depicted in future storylines wearing the cowl and has repeatedly expressed his desire to assume the role. However, despite this ambition, Damian may not be the best choice. While he has adjusted his moral stance to align with his father’s“No Kill”rule, his adherence seems more rooted in respect for Bruce and Dick than in a genuine belief that killing is inherently wrong.
Additionally, Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Carmine Di Giandomenico’sBatman and Robinseries has hinted at underlying tension between Damian and his father. Damian even admits he’s unsure if being Robin or fighting crime is his true path. If Damian is questioning his role as Robin and his commitment to crime-fighting, it raises doubts about his readiness—or desire—to become Batman. This leaves Tim Drake as Cassandra’s primary competition. While Tim is undeniably brilliant, he cannot matchBatgirl’sunparalleled combat skills, making her the Bat-Family’s most formidableBatmancandidate.
The Bat-Family, Ranked By Fighting Ability
Batman’s Bat-Family has some of the best hand-to-hand combatants in the DC Universe like Robin, but some members are undoubtedly stronger than others.
Batgirl
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
