The term "Batman Family" (or the shortened "Bat-Family") is most commonly used as the informal name for Batman'sclosest allies, generally masked vigilantes operating inGotham City or simply "Gotham."
TheBatman Family comic book series ran for 20 issues from September–October 1975 to October–November 1978[1] and featured solo and team-up stories starringBatgirl andRobin.[2] The lead story in the first issue teaming Batgirl and Robin was originally intended for publication in an issue of1st Issue Special.[3] The series additionally featured reprints ofGolden Age andSilver Age stories. Many issues ofBatman Family featured Batman supporting characters such asAlfred Pennyworth,Vicki Vale, theElongated Man, theHuntress, andAce the Bat-Hound. WriterBob Rozakis introduced theDuela Dent character in issue #6 (July–August 1976)[4][5] and revived the originalBatwoman in issue #10 (March–April 1977).[6][7] The series began featuring only new material as of issue #11 (May–June 1977)[8] and theMan-Bat began appearing as a regular feature.[9]Batman Family converted to theDollar Comics format with issue #17 (April–May 1978).[10][11]
DC published several other... Family titles concurrent withBatman Family. These includedThe Superman Family (1974–82),Super-Team Family (1975–1978) andTarzan Family (1975–76). As a rule, DC's... Family titles contained mostly reprints, and featured a higher page count (and higher price) than DC's normal books. Its final issue, #20 (Oct.–Nov. 1978),[12] was published without any advertisements.
In 1978, after theDC Implosion, it was decided that DC Comics' long-running flagship titleDetective Comics was to be terminated with #480. The decision was overturned, following strenuous arguments on behalf of saving the title within the DC office.
Despite being the better-selling title,Batman Family was instead merged withDetective, converting that series into a $1.00 68-page giant as ofDetective Comics #481 (Dec. 1978-Jan. 1979).[13][14] This arrangement lasted 15 issues. With issue #496 (Nov. 1980)Detective Comics reverted to its traditional size and price — thus effectively cancellingBatman Family for good.
Batman: Family was an eight-issue miniseries published from December 2002 to February 2003 and written byJohn Francis Moore. Issues #1-6 were illustrated by Stefano Gaudiano andRick Hoberg.[15]Steve Lieber replaced Hoberg on issues #7 and 8.[16]
^McAvennie, Michael (2010). "1970s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.).DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley. p. 164.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.DC launchedBatman Family with its memorable debut of the Batgirl-Robin team. Scribe Elliot S! Maggin and artist Mike Grell unleashed 'The Invader From Hell'.
^Abramowitz, Jack (April 2014). "1st Issue Special It Was NoShowcase (But It Was Never Meant To Be)".Back Issue! (#71). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing: 44.
^Manning, Matthew K. (2014). "1970s". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.).Batman: A Visual History. London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley. p. 123.ISBN978-1465424563.It would be Robin's story [inBatman Family #6] that was destined to go down in Batman's history with its introduction of the Joker's Daughter.
^Rozakis, Bob (w), Brown, Bob (p), Colletta, Vince (i). "Those Were The Bad Old Days!" Batman Family, no. 10 (March–April 1977).
^Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 125: "The original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, made her first appearance in the Bronze Age of comics...in this story by writer Bob Rozakis and artist Bob Brown".
^Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 125: "With this issue,Batman Family stopped printing back-up reprints. However, instead of reducing its page count, it continued as a 50-cent title but included even more new stories".
^Stroud, Bryan (July 2014). "A History of the Man-Bat".Back Issue! (#73). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing:22–23.
^Romero, Max (July 2012). "I'll Buy That For a Dollar! DC Comics' Dollar Comics".Back Issue! (#57). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing:39–41.
^Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 129: "With this issueBatman Family included more new material than ever before".
^Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 129: "TheBatman Family title had reached its end".
^Wells, John (October 24, 1997), "'Lost' DC: The DC Implosion",Comics Buyer's Guide, no. #1249, Iola, Wisconsin, p. 132
^Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 130: "With this issue, [Detective Comics] adopted the popular multi-story format ofBatman Family, spotlighting many of Batman's supporting cast".
^Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 263: "After teasing the character Tracker inDetective Comics #773 (October 2002), and Bugg inDetective Comics #774, writer John Francis Moore and artists Rick Hoberg and Stefano Gaudiano launched this eight-issue miniseries".
Category Publications are listed alphabetically by published titles. Storylines are listed in publication order. Compiled without respect for canon or "current" continuity.
