In Batman Incorporated, Bruce Wayne assembled the Dark Knights and Caped Crusaders of the world into one global organization.
The concept behind Batman Incorporated was for Gotham City’s Dark Knight to expand his influence across the globe and help other heroes protect their own nations from crime and villainy with his sizeable resources.
While the organization combined new characters who deep cuts from Batman’s history, it was a staple of writer Grant Morrison’s tenure on Batman and in the years immediately preceding and immediately following the New 52 relaunch. Now, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most prominent members of Batman, Inc and how they took Batman’s crusade global.
KNIGHT & SQUIRE
Knight and Squire are essentially Batman and Robin of Britain. In the modern-day, the Knight was Cyril Sheldrake, the son and the former Squire of the first Knight. The Knight went through a rough patch after buckling under the pressure of his position, having assumed it after his father was killed fighting Spring-heeled Jack, but was able to regain some sense of confidence thanks to the assistance of Beryl Hutchinson, who became his Squire. The pair became notable defenders of Britain and joined multiple international hero teams, such as the International Ultramarine Corp. Serving with Batman Inc, Knight was eventually killed by the Heretic while fighting Leviathan. In honor of her fallen friend, Beryl took his position as Knight.
CHIEF MAN-OF-BATS & RED RAVEN
Bill Great Eagle was born on a Native American Reservation in South Dakota, and he grew up to become a skilled doctor and army veteran. Inspired by Batman, he took on the masked identity of Man-Of-Bats. He even recruited his son Charles to become his sidekick Little Raven, who took on the title Raven Red when he got older. Man-Of-Bats is notable for being one of the most socially conscious of the Batmen from around the world, promising Bruce Wayne than any funds given to him for additional equipment would be funneled instead back into his community. Man-Of-Bats proved to be a skilled hero and medic, lending a helping hand during the events of “Batman R.I.P.,” Final Crisis, and Batman Incorporated.
NIGHTRUNNER
Nightrunner is secretly Bilal Alsselah, a French-Algerian citizen of Paris. After getting caught up in the turmoil that was rocking his home city, this politically conscious young hero was beaten by the police for protesting, which led him to don the mantle of Nightrunner to try and bring justice to his city. With a masked identity that kept his activities free of any unintended political connotations, Bilal eventually encountered Batman and Nightwing as they were hunting down a child-smuggling ring in Paris. Working together with his inspiration, Nightrunner proved himself a hero to them and was given specific equipment and training by Nightwing. Nightrunner became the official Batman of Paris and became a genuine symbol for change in his city.
BATWING
In the Pre-Flashpoint DC Universe, David Zavimbe was made the ruler of Mtamba after the disappearance of Jezebel Jet. Eventually coming into contact with Batman, David proved himself by helping investigate Leviathan’s influence in local child soldier training camps. David was given a robotic exo-suit, which he used to fight crime as Batwing. In the Post-Flashpoint DC Universe, David is committed to protecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was revealed to be a former child soldier himself. Batwing briefly served with Justice League International as well as Batman Inc, but eventually gave up the mantle, only for it to be filled by Luke Fox, who continued the legacy of Batwing elsewhere in the DC Universe.
MISTER UNKNOWN
The original Mister Unknown was a skilled crimefighter who operated out of Tokyo for years. However, his age caught up with him, and he was forced to become a detective while his young partner Jiro Osamu operated on the streets. Mister Unknown was assassinated by his longtime adversary Lord Death Man, prompting Batman to investigate. Along the way, he helped rescue Jiro, who sought to take his mentor’s place as Mister Unknown, the Batman of Japan. Bruce was initially hesitant about trusting Jiro, as he’d taken up a firearm as part of his attempt to avenge the original Mister Unknown. But after proving himself, Jiro was allowed a prohibitory run as a Batman-approved hero, a test he eventually passed.
EL GAUCHO
The mysterious Santiago Vargas spent years as Agent 33, an Argentinian operative with the global cabal known as Spyral. He eventually retired after the apparent death of a fellow agent, Katherine Webb, who in reality had become the Headmistress of Spyral. Santiago would become inspired by stories of the Batman and became El Gaucho, a successful hero. He is one of the only heroes approached about the International Club of Heroes still active in the modern-day. He remained an ally once Batman Incorporated was founded, although he kept a certain amount of autonomy away from Batman. Notably, he and Bruce’s shared lost love for Webb — who was secretly the original Batwoman and a former love interest for Bruce as well — and the two heroes having a surprisingly tense relationship at times.
DARK RANGER
The Ranger was a mysterious Australian man who, like many others around the world, was inspired by Batman to become a hero himself. He fought crime alongside his sidekick Johnny Riley, Scout. But as the crime he fought became crueler and darker, he abandoned his more optimistic tone and became the gun-toting Dark Rider. Dark Rider was killed during the Club of Heroes reunion by the former Wingman, who’d grown to hate Batman and what he represented. Scout took over the mantle in his place and became a heroic member of Batman Inc, working alongside other heroes and even developing a flirty rapport with Beryl.
