10 Best Female Characters In The Batman Universe, Ranked
The Batman universe forms part of DC media but focuses on those who are either part of the Bat-family or are largely associated with Batman. The Caped Crusader has come across many people, yet there are certain women who have made a big impact on him and the fans.
Female characters have been well-suited to the Batman series, because the most prominent ones always have a certain edge that makes them memorable. With Zoë Kravitz’s role in The Batman receiving great praise, it’s worth looking back at the female heroes and villains in the Bat-verse who have made a mark.
10 Stephanie Brown
Arguably one of the unsung heroes in the Batman universe, Stephanie Brown has quite the list of achievements that aren’t too popularly known. She started out as an amateur crime-fighter before taking on the roles of Robin and Batgirl, making her the only character to take on both identities.
Stephanie’s arc has generally been about her progressing higher up in the Bat-family, going from an outsider to Tim Drake’s love interest, and eventually becoming a superhero in her own right. It’s likely that Stephanie will receive more attention when she’s adapted into more mainstream material, as seen in works like Batwoman.
9 Kate Kane
Her addition into the Arrowverse has won Kate Kane many fans, although she debuted in the comics much earlier. Like her cousin Bruce, Kate takes up vigilantism to do good, but what sets her apart is the lack of ethical qualms as Batman, with Kate having no issue in using lethal force.
She’s also generally shown to enjoy her rich socialite status, which is fun to see since it’s different from Bruce’s facade. Kate’s appeal comes from her time as Batwoman teaching her to be less violent and more empathetic - fans get to see how such a lifestyle can add to her humanity rather than negatively affect it.
8 Huntress (Helena Bertinelli)
The likes of Jessica De Gouw and Mary Elizabeth Winstead have played Huntress in recent times in both movies and TV. The character has also been adapted into works like Justice League Unlimited, with the main attribute of her wild card personality where she acts based on her emotions.
Batman has largely tried to distance himself from Huntress due to her violent tendencies, but that kind of contrast with the hero is why she’s such a stand-out. Huntress has been part of many factions like the Justice League, Birds of Prey, and the Bat-family, which goes to show that she does know how to be part of a team.
7 Talia Al Ghul
Talia can be frustrating to some fans due to her constantly switching allegiances to Batman and Ra’s Al Ghul. As the latter’s daughter, she vows to carry his extremist philosophy, while her love for Bruce has made her join the protagonist’s side on many occasions.
Her dynamic with Batman has had another layer added to it with the birth of their son, Damian, with Talia once again caught between Damian’s turn as Robin and Ra’s continued plans. Her natural charisma has allowed her to win over both Batman and fans, making her an intriguing figure even with the knowledge of her split allegiance.
6 Zatanna
Batman uses theatricality and deception frequently in his activities, which is why he respects Zatanna’s own style. As a stage magician (who sometimes shows real magical powers), Zatanna has used her abilities to bamboozle foes while Batman has capitalized on these distractions.
More than her skills, though, it’s how Zatanna has been shown to be a confidante for Batman that sets her apart. Batman has generally considered her to be a dear friend who answers his call for help every time. Her vibrant personality and magic tricks have also won her fans who’ve seen Zatanna across various DC media.
5 Cassandra Cain
While mainstream fans know her for DCEU’s Birds of Prey, the comic book version is a full-on superhero. Cassandra was raised to be a living weapon of sorts, becoming the perfect assassin before she reformed and joined Batman’s ranks as one of the women to become Batgirl.
Cassandra’s turn toward becoming a hero remains an interesting arc to follow, as she related to Batman’s own dark childhood to channel her skills toward vigilantism. There have been some missteps, like her sudden villainous turn in “One Year Later,” but Cassandra’s overall quality hasn’t diminished in the long run.
4 Poison Ivy
Anything negative about Poison Ivy is bound to be an unpopular opinion among Batman fans, who generally see her as the best female villain. Poison Ivy’s seductiveness and dangerous nature make her a force to be reckoned with, since she can overcome people without even needing to fight.
Batman’s stories against Poison Ivy have been different, since beating her requires him to think outside the box. Poison Ivy’s recent turn toward becoming an anti-hero in partnerships with Harley Quinn has also uncovered a different side to her that has bolstered her staying power.
3 Catwoman
Originally starting out as a supervillain burglar, Selina Kyle has been given a greater layer of characterization in the last few decades. Catwoman’s become a love interest to Batman, although he’s the one who’s generally been on her hook, with Selina capable of playing him time and again.
It’s watching Batman get manipulated and outsmarted that makes Catwoman so notable, which aligns with her self-serving personality. The times she does do good stand out since she’s otherwise out for her own needs.
2 Barbara Gordon
One of Batman’s longest-running allies, Barbara will be starring in a Batgirl movie DCEU fans have long asked for. She’s the most popular character to take up the Batgirl identity, which goes with her sense of justice that’s been ingrained within her thanks to her father, James Gordon.
Although it’s always great to watch her fight in her Batgirl persona, Barbara works equally well in her Oracle identity. As Oracle, she’s been Batman’s point of contact who has slashed his need for detective work by remotely doing the job for him. Also known for her romantic dynamics with Dick Grayson, there’s a lot to Barbara that Batman fans have loved getting to know about.
1 Harley Quinn
Despite being a late addition - she joined in 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series - Harley is the unarguable queen of the Batman universe. It comes down to her massive popularity, as Harley’s partnership with The Joker brought in many new storylines and conflicts for the Dark Knight to encounter.
Harley’s progressed further by also breaking away from Joker, joining teams like Birds of Prey and Suicide Squad to become an anti-hero. Her most well-known depiction remains part of her twisted love story with the Clown Prince of Crime, but Batman fans don’t care if she’s a villain or not, since Harley’s incredible charisma works in any role she takes up.