Random Worst Things That Have Ever Happened To Batman (20 items)

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  (#4) He Was Slain And Brought Back To Life Repeatedly By 'Emperor Joker'

  The 2000 Superman-based crossover storyline "Superman: Emperor Joker" doesn't have all that much to do with the Caped Crusader. The story surrounds the Joker after he obtains the ability to alter reality after duping Mister Mxyzptlk, the supremely powerful trickster villain who has been a comedic thorn in Superman's side for decades. Batman is shunted off to the side here, though his torment at the hands of the Joker is no laughing matter.

  At one point, Superman finds the corpse of the Dark Knight and throws together a makeshift grave for his close friend. Batman eventually bursts through the freshly packed soil and reveals the truth to the Man of Steel: the Joker torments him to death every day and every night he comes back to life to do it all over again. "I've reached the point... where I've come to doubt my own existence," he explains to Superman.

  Talk about breaking the Bat.
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  (#12) Zatanna And The Justice League Altered His Memory

  A lot of questionable things happen in Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales' 2004 crossover event Identity Crisis, from the passing of a pregnant Sue Dibny to the slaying of then-Robin Tim Drake's father. But how about that time seven Justice Leaguers decided to wipe 10 minutes from Bruce Wayne's memory in a major betrayal?

  When Batman tries to stop Zatanna and six other Justice League members from wiping Doctor Light's mind and altering his personality after learning he sexually assaulted Sue years ago, the group decides to also erase the event from Batman's memory. Eventually, Green Arrow even divulges this information to The Flash and he is understandably horrified. "This is Batman we're talking about," he yells. "You can't do that to Batman!"
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  (#8) The Joker Kidnapped The Entire Bat-Family

  The Joker is probably the most famous villain in popular culture this side of Darth Vader. His own movie grossed over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office in 2019 and his antics have delighted fans of comics, television, and film for decades. In light of this popularity, it can be easy to forget just how sadistic and truly bonkers the villain can get.

  During Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman "Endgame" storyline, the Joker kidnaps the Bat-Family and seemingly separates the skin from their faces and serves it to them at a dinner table. This is just a ruse, though, and he proceeds to try to burn them all alive. This doesn't come to pass, but the event highlighted that not even the Bat-Family themselves were safe from the Joker's antics.
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  (#10) Dick Grayson, The First Robin, Got Shot In The Head And Lost His Memory

  In the aftermath of Bruce's failed wedding to Catwoman, his first partner in fighting evil, Dick Grayson, tries to cheer up the father figure that changed the course of his life after his own parents were slain. The pair are patrolling the streets of Gotham when the Bat-Signal lights up the sky.

  While talking to Commissioner Gordon next to the Bat-Signal, Grayson is shot in the head by old nemesis KGBeast. You'd be forgiven for assuming this would end the former Boy Wonder, but alas, he ends up making a full recovery outside of losing his memory after the demise of his parents. Dick Grayson is effectively deceased and "Rick" Grayson is born.
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  (#1) His Mentor And Oldest Friend, Alfred, Had His Neck Snapped

  Tom King's final twist of the knife before riding off into the sunset came in 2019's Batman #77, where Bane takes out Batman's trusted confidant Alfred Pennyworth in front of Damian Wayne's eyes. Alfred pleads with Bane, "not in front of the boy." With an unmerciful twist of his arms, Bane snaps the neck of Bruce's oldest friend.

  When Bruce discovers the body of Alfred in Batman #83, he is beside himself with pain. As tears come to his face, he can barely utter a word. Though some fans assumed Alfred wasn't really gone or, at least, wouldn't be for long, DC seemingly solidified the passing of the butler with 2020's Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P.
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  (#9) Catwoman Left Him At The Altar

  The first big heartbreak of Tom King's landmark run on Batman came with the 50th issue where Bruce Wayne is set to marry Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman. King had spent dozens of issues building up the pair's relationship and DC had heavily promoted the wedding with numerous Prelude to the Wedding one-shots being released.

  But Selina leaves Bruce waiting at the altar alone with a comment from the Joker festering in her mind. In Batman #49, the Joker tells Selina, "He can't be happy. And also be Batman."

  This idea, that Selena and Bruce's marriage would stop him from fully committing to his life as Batman, is ultimately what stops their relationship in its tracks.

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