hi! do u have any tips on how to characterize batfam characters?
noo im newgen im newgen! i scream as they drag me into a white padded room.
These are personally what I think of when im writing batfamfics/how i would chracterize them based on the knowlefge i have right now... KEEEP in mind im like a baby to the fandom unlike some other writers so excuse me if im wrong/take this w a grain of salt + CHARACTERIZATION MAY CHANGE BASED ON THE SCENARIO!!!
For Bruce he's calm and collected in any situation, barely showing traces of shock. As Brucie, he's captivating, seductive. A mask of emotions, only to fool the public—a bit oblivious maybe, but it's all in the charm. As Bruce Wayne, he would try his best to care for his boys but with the work of Batman + Wayne enterprise piling up, he's a little absent in their lives, unless their on patrol, and he feels guilty for it. He struggles with parenting because the only guardian he had growing up was Alfred. As Batman he's stoic, but still shows empathy even if its only with his actions (obviously—hes a hero LOL), yet despite his stoic-ness he has a veryyyy big soft spot for his children and even if it doesn't seem like it, he truly does love them. Very much a stickler for rules.
Dick Grayson is like the happy one, basically. Of course he's not always going to be happy, but I think he'd be the one to try and see the 'positive' side of things—a coping mechanism for all the trauma he's endured. He hides his problems behind humors and half-hearted smiles. Similar to Bruce, I would think he's quite busy with Bludhaven + teen titans, but he likes interacting with his family. When he was younger, I feel like he definitely felt like he was in Bruces shadow—a mere sidekick. But now that he's Nightwing, it symbolizes his growth as a person, how he's becoming his own. More compassionate than the rest, but I can also see it being a faux sometimes. Like, sometimes he feels the need to be the 'happy' and cheer everyone else up because if he doesn't, who will?
Jason Todd, on the other hand, is the one I always characterized as the angsty one. A little similar to Bruce, in some ways, even if he doesn't like it. A little snarky at times, but its all in good fun. More of a headcanon but I would think his mentality is a little below his age due to his death and resurrection. Also very defensive and guarded /w his personality after his death. For sure messed up in the head and tons, and tons of unresolved problems, which explains his anger issues. His pent up anger + defensive nature causes him to 'explode' randomly, especially when he's stressed. Doesn't follow Bruces no-killing rule, and Bruce likes when people follow his instructions; he does things his own way—part of why there's still a drift between him and Bruce. (plus Jason still has a little bit of a grudge /w the whole Joker thing). Yet despite all of this, he's still the same Robin before he died, the same Robin that craves Bruces approval, which adds onto the resentment he has. He doesn't want Bruces validation but can't help the need to want, like a very toxic love. The two of them are getting better, though. Other than that he's pretty laid-back for the most part. take this one especially with a bunch of salt. Jason, to me, is the hardest to write—like lowk, i don't even know how he would react in the situations I write. I tried my best RIP.
Tim Drake is the nerd of the group. Think: batcomputers, sciency-stuff, gadgets, etc. He's not as strong as the rest of the family but makes up for it with his brains. He found out who Batman and the rest of the robins were on his own, so its safe too assume he's also really analytical, eyeing peoples body movements and how they behave for any clues. He would be the best detective out of the family, and tbh I feel like he's a little insecure about that. Not for being the 'best detective' but the fact that he feels its all he's really good for—his smarts. He has a sense of pressure to live up to the name of the other Robins. I also characterize him as a workaholic—once he sets his mind too something, he won't stop, similar to Bruce in a way—because of the pressure that he feels, like he needs to prove his worth somehow. Also, about the coffee thing, I know some people are annoyed at people characterizing him as a coffee addict but lowk I don't mind. Just to be safe you'll see him drinking more tea in my fics than caffeine.
Damian Wayne is Bruces actual child so theres a special bond between them. You'll see some similarities in the two personalities—maybe their stoic nature, or they way the carry themselves. He also spends time with Bruce the most so it's bound too happen regardless. He's very sharp and sardonic with his words, and to put it plainly, yes he is a bit of a 'brat' (and no, not in the charlixcx way); and just like Bruce, Damian is 100% stubborn. Of course, he's slowly becoming less arrogant now being surrounded by his siblings. He's learning how to love and trust after being trained as an assassin for so many years—trust being the very thing he's cautious of. I can see him also feeling out a place in the manor sometimes, especially being the newest edition of the family. The rest of the family has known each other for longer, and he feels as if he's intruding on something special. He's a little dense sometimes and isn't as sociable as Dick may be due to his harsh upbringings. Theres also a bit of lingering pride he has, not on purpose though, he just can't help it.
Once again, i'm like not a seasonal veteran of batfam so don't quote me for any of this—this is personally how I like to view them. Is some of this just headcanon? probably idk LOL.
new fic in the works teehee
