Many fans believe that Batman should be a loner, a Dark Knight who protects Gotham City on his own when no one else can; while the movies haven't done much to change this perception, Batman's own greatest fear proves this idea wrong.
Batman started out his career fighting crime mostly alone, only having Alfred there to provide moral and comfort him. Eventually, Batman recruited Robin and from there created an entire Bat-Family with dozens of individuals. This network has grown from the four Robins, three Batgirls, and others like Onyx, Orpheus, Signal, Batwoman, and Harold to even include former villains Catwoman and Harley Quinn. Even ing for other characters like Ghostmaker, the Bat-Family is easily in the double digits, but some fans still think Batman is at his best when he's entirely alone. But Batman's own fear from decades ago proves this wrong.
In the pages of 1983's Brave and the Bold #197 by Alan Brennet, Joe Staton, and George Freeman, Batman comes face to face with the Scarecrow. While trying to apprehend him Batman is hit with some of Scarecrow's fear toxin, and although it doesn't seem to have any immediate effects, it does eventually expose one of Batman's deepest fears. When he tries to talk to Robin or Alfred, he finds them fading away, which leaves him entirely alone. The toxin makes it so that Batman can't hear, see, or feel anyone he particularly cares about or considers family, which exposes his true fear: that Batman will wind up being all alone.
Batman Was Never A Loner Because He Fears Loneliness
Batman does eventually manage to overcome this fear with the help of Catwoman, but considering how old this story is, it could explain why Batman eventually went on to build up his found family. While Batman always had some semblance of family, be it Alfred or Robin, there's no denying that over the years Batman has gotten a larger and larger family, which could stem entirely from his fear of being alone. Batman is a character who was defined and created by the loss of family, so naturally, he'd fear being alone more than anything. This is likely why he has such a habit of adopting any wayward children he comes across. He saw himself in Dick Grayson when he lost his parents, he literally adopted Jason right off the streets, and he saw that Tim Drake was right when the third Robin insisted that Batman needs a Robin.
Bruce Wayne's life of fighting crime started the night he lost almost everyone important to him in the span of two gunshots, which is why the concept of his found family is so important and such a core part of who he is. Batman was never a loner, as his greatest fear shows he's always needed his family.
