If you thought the romantic tension between Batman and Batgirl in The Killing Joke animated movie was unsettling, brace yourself—because what happened in Batman Beyond 2.0 takes that awkwardness to an entirely new level. This bizarre storyline, set within the beloved DC Animated Universe (DCAU), dives into one of the most controversial and dramatic arcs ever: When Batman got Batgirl pregnant.
Yes, you read that right.
Let’s break down everything that unfolded in this jaw-dropping narrative straight from the Batman Beyond 2.0 comic series by Kyle Higgins, focusing primarily on issues #26–28.
The Continuity Behind the Chaos
Before we dive into the events, it’s important to understand that this all unfolds within the DCAU, which started with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 and spanned multiple shows, movies, and comics. Batman Beyond 2.0, the comic series that picks up after Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, is canon to this universe. That means everything here is considered part of the same timeline as the animated shows many of us grew up watching.
A Flashback No One Expected
The drama kicks off in issue #26 with a flashback set just after the events of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. In that movie, a young Tim Drake was kidnapped by the Joker and turned into “Joker Jr.” through twisted torture and Joker toxin. The comic picks up with Tim recovering at Wayne Manor, under the care of Alfred, Barbara Gordon, and Dr. Leslie Thompkins.
It seems like a touching moment of healing—until Barbara steps into the Batcave and confronts Bruce.
She bluntly tells him, “I told you at Arkham I’m done. I don’t want this anymore. And the other part between us—that’s over too.”
Wait, what?
Yes, Barbara and Bruce had been romantically involved. After Dick Grayson left Gotham, Bruce and Barbara started dating—a development that no doubt sent shockwaves through fans who remember Dick and Barbara as a couple.
Dick Grayson Returns to Gotham
In the following issue, Dick Grayson returns to Gotham after hearing about what happened to Tim. He visits Barbara at the Gotham Library, and it’s clear their old flame hasn’t entirely burned out. They reconnect emotionally, share a heartfelt hug, and eventually talk about the past, present, and future.
They slowly begin dating again—dinner dates, time at the pier, and cozy evenings at her loft. Barbara even narrates that things picked up quickly. Soon enough, Dick buys an engagement ring, ready to take their relationship to the next level.
Everything seems to be falling back into place… until Barbara learns she’s pregnant.
The Shocking Reveal: Bruce Is the Father
When Barbara finds out she’s seven weeks pregnant, she goes to Bruce with the news. He initially assumes the baby is Dick’s and congratulates him. But Barbara drops the bombshell: “He’s only been back three.”
The math doesn’t lie—the baby is Bruce’s.
Bruce handles it in his usual emotionally-detached way, telling Barbara she should break the news to Dick however she sees fit. But then, in true Bruce fashion, he does the exact opposite of what he said and confronts Dick himself.
“We Need to Talk”
Bruce finds Dick as he’s about to propose and drops the truth: he and Barbara had a relationship. When Dick asks how long it lasted, Bruce tries to brush it off as irrelevant. But Dick doesn’t buy it.
“You’ve known how I felt about her since college—of course it’s important,” Dick snaps.
Bruce claims Barbara made her own choices when Dick left for Blüdhaven. But Dick sees through it. “This is just you not being able to have something and trying to sabotage it for me.”
Just when the tension can’t get any thicker, Bruce reveals, “She’s pregnant.”
Dick is stunned—and then enraged. He punches Bruce, launching into a fight that physically embodies all the betrayal and hurt festering beneath the surface.
Tragedy Strikes
While Bruce and Dick are tearing into each other emotionally and physically, Barbara is out on patrol. She sees a crime in progress and jumps into action, as Batgirl always does.
But during the fight, something terrible happens—Barbara miscarries.
It’s a devastating moment that changes everything. The pregnancy that tied Bruce, Barbara, and Dick into an impossible knot ends in heartbreak.
Fallout in the Bat-Family
The aftermath of the incident leaves the Bat-Family fractured. Barbara loses the baby. Dick walks away, betrayed by the man who raised him. And Bruce, as stoic as ever, carries the consequences of his actions.
This plotline has divided fans for years. On one hand, it brings a raw, emotional realism to the Bat-Family, exploring forbidden love, betrayal, and loss. On the other hand, many fans feel it crosses a line—especially considering the quasi-father-son relationship between Bruce and Dick.
Bruce dating Barbara, his adopted son’s former girlfriend, and getting her pregnant? That’s a lot to unpack, and not everyone is on board.
Controversial But Unforgettable
Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying this storyline added layers of complexity and tension to the Bat-Family like never before. It wasn’t just shock value—it highlighted the emotional messiness that often comes with living a double life under the cape and cowl.
Barbara’s heartbreak. Dick’s betrayal. Bruce’s moral ambiguity. It all collided in a storm of pain and consequence that continues to echo through the DCAU fanbase.
Also Read: The Dark History of Arkham Asylum: Gotham’s Most Notorious Institution
