Sidekicks, yes or no?

[Barb Gordon]

Who prefers Batman with/without a sidekick, and why or why not? What makes having a sidekick a good or bad thing for a hero?

Barb^-^

[Zoddman]

I had to say no. The fact being that when Batman works alone, there is more time to develop his personality. Whenever he has Batgirl or Robin around, the stories tend to be more action oriented, less psychological. I mean, all the best Batman comic-book stories almost always have him working by himself. (In regular stories I mean, not a miniseries like A Death in the Family or DKR.)

[Mattashell]

You know, alot of folks look at me and say "That feller Matta sure hates him some TNBA." and I'd say "That thar is true." but it isn't just because of the new drawing style like you may think. I liked the Bruce and Dick team (on B:TAS). I like Batgirl being Barbera Gordon unbeknownst to Bruce and Dick (on B:TAS). But TNBA feels like Batman is running a daycare in his Batcave causing TNBA to suffer from the same syndrome as every Batman movie starting with Batman Returns. TOO MANY CHARACTERS!

I voted "Yes Sidekicks" because I think Batman isn't Batman without a Robin. But too many Robins spoil the broth.

Mattashell

[BWDK]

The question should be "how many sidekicks?"

In TNBA there were way too many and it was annoying, in BTAS is was just fine.

[Clayface]

Sidekicks with Batman? No. I don't like 'em. I think Batman stories are best told with solo Batman.

Sidekicks in general? Sure. I don't mind them with other superheros.

[Bird Boy]

I could go either way, so I chose option #3.. :)

I like the "comic relief" Nightwing and Robin add to Batman..but at times it isn't really needed...

-BB

[Cassandra]

I can't help it, I love sidekicks. Especially batman's sidekicks. In the comics right now he's got like, twenty sidekicks, and I guess that's too much, but blast it, I just can't get enough!

[dc_gothamite]

it really doesn't matter to me...

sidekicks r kewl... but u just have to know when and when not to use them... especially with a "loner" character like Batman....

[Failure]

I chose option 3, but I have to agree with dc_gothamite, you have to know when to use them. The Robins, Batgirl, etc they provide a yin to Batman's yang (or the yang to his yin, however it goes :p ), so they help provide balance. But sometimes it's necessary to have Bats go on his own, he is the ultimate loner.

[Barb Gordon]

Good point, how many sidekicks is a better question. I like Batman with or without a sidekick. But he seems like more of a real hero and person without one, he's more serious and holds true to his loner nature. But, I am totally in love with Robin/Nightwing and so of course I love him as a Batman's sidekick. But, I like it a lot more when Dick finally left the sidekick role and went out on his own. And I wouldn't want him with a sidekick. I guess it depends on the sidekick and the circumstances.

Barb^-^

[Naraht]

I dunno...there are times when they are good....and times when they are a liability
I think the line needs to be drawn...Nightwing, Batgirl & Robin are ok...but add in Az, Spoiler, Bodyguard, Huntress, Batmite, Ace, Ace II, Frank - Batman's crime fighting pet bat, and all of the other sillyness in the comic today....it's getting insane.

[Cassandra]

Originally posted by naraht
- Batman's crime fighting pet bat, and all of the other sillyness in the comic today....it's getting insane.

(raising eyebrows)
My, my, I missed THAT issue....introducing squeeky, the pet bat with an attitude....hey, and he wouldn't even need a costume! ...Well, maybe a little mask...

[Carnage]

It doesn't really matter to me. Sidekicks are normally only there for comic relief, and sometimes that's a good thing. But when the story needs to progress more seriously, I'd rather there isn't a sidekick.

-Carnage-

[optimal321]

I voted the "doesn't matter", because they work sometimes, and sometimes it's better not to have them. :D

[Batman 80]

I prefer Batman as a loner. Its more interesting to see him work alone.

[CadaverousEyes]

No more than one. What good's a secret identity when 10-20 people know who you are? In TNBA, Barbara had all that info on her computer. Did it ever occur to her what would happen if someone stole it? And in the comics, there was that matter with Prometheus reading her JLA files...

[The Penguin]

Batman is good by himself, but he's still only human. I for one like having Robin and co. around.

[Ruffian]

I like it either way. I like how BTAS was predominantly a Batman show, for the most part. Then when they do bring Robin in, it's quite a treat. Seeing guests appearances by Barbara before she became Batgirl was awesome too. So that's how I enjoy the sidekick appearances, in small doses. :p