Countdown to Batman Day -- 2 Possible Heirs to the Cowl

Reality says that Batman, or at least Bruce Wayne, will not last forever. Well, one can argue that Scott Snyder already introduced Bruce's cloning machine in the continuity, but thats besides the point. For discussion purposes, we're here to talk about two of the viable, but not necessarily obvious, heirs to Batman's war against crime.

To state the obvious, Damian Wayne, who is the biological son of Bruce Wayne, is a successor to all of Bruce's possession--including the Batsuit and all of Bruce's gadgets. You also have Dick Grayson who was molded by Bruce from the beginning to carry his mantle the moment he bids farewell. Tim Drake is also an obvious heir for being an adopted child. Jason... let us leave Jason alone. Just kidding! Jason is also a legitimate heir to the cowl.

Through the years, Batman has prepared his apprentices for the inevitable--his death. And in today's Countdown to Batman Day, let us look into two of the viable characters that can, one day, wear the cowl.

2. Carrie Kelley

Carrie Kelley is best known for her appearance in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Although her brief appearance in the continuity isn't relevant, her role in the Miller-verse is quite big. Despite her slender looks, Batman saw something in her that he's never seen in the past Robins (or at least the Robins of the Miller-verse).

In the Dark Knight Strikes Again, Carrie Kelley played a bigger role. To say the very lease, she tried to locate each and every member of the Justice League and tried to rebuild the old team. Although her role in Dark Knight III: The Master Race has yet to be determined, it seems like she is being groomed for something even bigger!

Frank Miller seems to have a fascination for this character. From The Dark Knight Returns to Dark Knight III, he has given Carrie roles like they were trophies. In the DC Universe, Carrie is the only character that has worn the Robin mantle, the Catgirl suit (which is a homage to Catwoman), Batman's cowl, and finally, the Batgirl costume.

1. Cassandra Cain

Two years ago, comicbook.com wrote an article about Batman's true successor. All the evidence proves that Cassandra Cain is the re-imagining of the Dark Knight. Cass was trained by two deadly, if not two of the deadliest, assassins in the DC Universe--David Cain and Shiva. Despite her being trained to kill, she exhibits great control over her anger. 

In one instance, Cass and Batman fought all over Gotham City. When Batman couldn't keep up with her, he asked Cass where her loyalty lies. She pointed towards the batsignal and not towards Batman. That gesture goes to show that her dedication is not towards Bruce Wayne, but towards what Batman stands for--and thats to protect the oppressed.

Cass is a better martial artist compared to Batman. Batman has never defeated Shiva but Cass has already taken her down at least thrice in the DCU. More impressive than that, Cass was the one responsible for the Network that organized Gotham's heroes to fight the rising crime rate.