Ranking Every Bat-Family Kid’s Batman Suit

Batman is a central figure at DC Comics, and despite his image as a solitary hero, he actually works with a surprisingly large number of partners. Known as the Batman Family, this group is one of the biggest superhero teams around, usually consisting of about twenty active members. Each of these partners has been personally trained by Batman to a very high skill level, with some even exceeding his abilities in specific areas. Together, they form an incredibly powerful and capable team, all working under Batman’s guidance. Because Batman has trained so many skilled individuals, fans often wonder who might eventually take on the mantle of Batman after Bruce Wayne.

As a huge Batman fan, I’ve always loved seeing different takes on the character and imagining who could fill Bruce Wayne’s cowl. We’ve seen alternate futures with Dick Grayson as Batman, especially after the storyline where Bruce was presumed dead, but it felt like a lot of the Bat-Family never really got their moment. That all changed with DC K.O.: Knightfight. Basically, Bruce messed with something he shouldn’t have, and this entity called the Heart of Apokalips punished him by forcing him to live through realities where his ‘children’ – the various Robins and Bat-Family members – became Batman, and it wasn’t pretty. While the story really focuses on Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian, the Heart showed glimpses of almost all the young heroes as Batman, and it seriously got me thinking about ranking their costumes. It was a fascinating look at what could be!

Today, we’ll be looking at alternate future costumes from the ‘Heart of Apokalips’ storyline, imagining different members of the Bat-Family as Batman. We’re going to rank these suits, considering how well they capture the essence of Batman while still reflecting the original character. We’re not just judging them as superhero outfits, but as versions of Batman’s costume – so how closely they match the classic Dark Knight look will be a major factor in our ranking. Let’s dive in!

10) Jason Todd

Honestly, Jason, I’m not sure about this costume. I understand it’s meant to show who you were before and after becoming Batman, but it mostly looks like a Red Hood suit with bat ears added on. It is a well-designed Red Hood suit – the tough, military style fits the idea of you giving everything to the fight. However, it feels like it leans too heavily into the Red Hood persona and doesn’t feel Batman enough. The worn red cape is a great detail, though. While it doesn’t quite work as a Batman costume, it’s an interesting look that really captures who you are.

9) Duke Thomas

Duke’s Batman costume is difficult to judge. We don’t see much of it, and what we do see is very similar to his Signal costume, just with a cape. While the costume itself is well-designed, the bright yellow color doesn’t really fit Batman’s usual style. Since Batman relies on stealth, darker colors like black or blue are more fitting. The yellow works for Duke because of his ability to manipulate light and shadows, but it’s a big change for the traditional Batman look.

8) Jean-Paul Valley

This suit brings back memories of when Jean-Paul Valley previously took on the role of Batman. Its bold design – featuring large gold armor, clawed gloves, and sharp angles – is very reminiscent of the over-the-top, edgy anti-heroes popular in the 1990s, a style Jean-Paul’s Batman perfectly represented. While this look wouldn’t suit the traditional Batman, it’s a great fit for Jean-Paul, reflecting both his past struggles with darkness and violence, and his current, more hopeful approach. Ultimately, the suit’s impracticality is intentional, highlighting that it was always meant for Jean-Paul, not the core Batman.

7) Barbara Gordon

I really like this design for Barbara Gordon! The bright blue hood and yellow details look great with the all-black suit, and it could easily work as a different costume for Batman. My only concern is that without knowing the context, it just looks like another Batgirl outfit. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – Batgirl has always had great costumes, and this is definitely one of the best – but since it’s clearly inspired by Batman, it needs something to distinguish it as her version of the suit. Overall, it’s a fantastic look, but it needs a little extra to make its connection to Batman clear.

6) Jace Fox

Jace stands out because he’s not typically considered part of the main Bat-Family. He already functions as Batman in New York, but his stories don’t usually connect with the adventures of the other Bat-heroes. His new suit looks similar to his usual one, but features added armor, a black base layer, and a full face mask. It’s a very classic Batman design – effective, but not particularly original. This costume is solid and reliable, offering a good middle ground; it doesn’t have any major flaws, but it doesn’t really push boundaries either. Overall, it’s a well-made suit.

5) Stephanie Brown

Although we only see it from behind, Steph’s costume is really well-designed. The pink gloves are a nice nod to classic Batman costumes, and the pink detailing along the sides cleverly connects this suit to her first Batgirl outfit. I especially love the bright color inside the cape – it’s a great detail that more costumes should use! The full face mask also makes her look even more imposing. My only disappointment is that we don’t see her Bat symbol, which is important to me when evaluating costumes. Despite how much I like it, that prevents me from ranking it higher.

4) Tim Drake

Tim Drake’s Batman suit really stands out as a creative take on the classic design. The blue and yellow colors represent his dedication to bringing hope to Gotham, and the advanced holographic technology highlights his reliance on strategy and intelligence rather than just physical strength. While it might have a little too much armor and a metallic look for my personal preference, it’s still an excellent and uniquely Tim Drake-inspired Batman costume.

3) Dick Grayson

Dick Grayson was the first character shown to step in as Batman, taking over when everyone believed Bruce Wayne had died. While his original Batman suit – a lighter, more agile version of the classic design – remains the best, this current suit is excellent. The blue and black colors work wonderfully for both Batman and Nightwing, and blend seamlessly with the grey. I’d prefer a slightly smaller Bat symbol, but overall, it’s a fantastic suit.

2) Cassandra Cain

It’s tough to improve on something already excellent, and Cass’s Batgirl costume is widely considered one of the best. While making changes was challenging, the updates beautifully combine Cass’s distinctive style with classic Batman imagery. The cowl and cape were broadened and given sharper angles, mirroring the original Batman suit and drawing inspiration from bat wings. Adding a yellow outline to the shoulders provided a welcome splash of color. These changes are subtle but make a big difference. It doesn’t hurt that people often mistake Cass for Batman even in her regular suit, but even as a fan, I still think one suit is better.

1) Damian Wayne

Damian Wayne consistently has some of the best looks in the Bat-Family, and his latest costume is no exception. It perfectly combines elements of both his father, Bruce Wayne’s Batman, and his mother, Talia al Ghul’s, ninja training. The design choices – like the sleek cape, sword, and red eyes – are particularly fitting for his character. While a clearer Batman symbol and more red accents (instead of brown) would be welcome, this is a genuinely stunning costume and easily ranks among the best Batman suits ever designed.

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2026-01-09 22:14