Which characters know Bruce Wayne’s secret identity in Batman: The Animated Series?

As a master crime-fighter, and arguably one of the greatest heroes in the world, Batman has to keep his wits about him. He can’t lose sight of his objectives, he can’t drop his focus, and the most important thing of all, he can’t reveal to the world he is secretly industrialist and playboy billionaire, Bruce Wayne.

Batman’s true identity is a close-guarded secret and he only lets his nearest and dearest in on the truth. Or does he?

In most iterations of the Batman mythology, at least a few people are aware of the Caped Crusader’s secret. While Bruce Wayne keeps his secret identity close to his chest, he always lets in a select few.

And this remains the case for hit television show, Batman: The Animated Series. Across the course of its 109-episode run, as well as its three movies, a handful of characters became aware that Bruce Wayne and Batman were one and the same.

But who were these characters and how did they find out? All the answers are below.

__

A list of characters who know Bruce Wayne’s secret identity in Batman: The Animated Series

Below is a list of all the heroes and villains who are aware that Bruce Wayne is secretly Batman in Batman: The Animated Series. The list includes characters from both the television series and the spin-off movies.

• Alfred Pennyworth
• Dick Grayson/Robin
• Dr. Leslie Thompkins
• Barbara Gordon/Batgirl
• Tim Drake/Robin II
• Simon Trent/Gray Ghost
• Commissioner James Gordon
• Ra’s al Ghul
• Talia al Ghul
• Ubu
• Hugo Strange
• Kyodai Ken
• Andrea Beaumont
• Zatanna Zatara

The first character to learn about Batman and Bruce Wayne was Bruce’s faithful butler, Alfred Pennyworth. The reason Alfred was let in on the secret is because he was part of Bruce’s journey from day one.

As revealed in the 1993 movie, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Bruce was determined to become some sort of masked vigilante, and he shared this information with Alfred. Every step of the way Alfred was involved in Bruce’s transformation, and he was the first person to see Bruce put on the cape and cowl and transform himself into the Dark Knight.

The next character on the list is Dick Grayson, aka Robin, who was let in on Bruce’s secret identity during his youth. As seen in the two-part story, Robin’s Reckoning, Dick goes to stay at Wayne Manor following the death of his parents, and it is during this time that Batman takes him to the Batcave and tells him the truth.

Next up is Dr. Leslie Thompkins – a close friend of the Wayne family, who appears in episodes such as ‘Appointment in Crime Alley‘ and ‘Blind as a Bat‘. Leslie offers Batman advice and medical help, and it is made clear that she has known about Batman’s secret for a long time.

The next two characters on the list are Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl, and Tim Drake, aka the second Robin. Both characters work closely with Batman, and both were told of his secret. The episode, ‘Old Wounds‘ reveals how Barbara found out, while ‘Sins of the Father‘ details how Tim became part of the Bat-family.

Next on the list is Simon Trent, aka the Gray Ghost. In the episode ‘Beware the Gray Ghost‘ it is implied he knows Bruce’s secret identity.

Up next is perhaps the most surprising name on this list: Commissioner James Gordon. Gordon is a constant ally of Batman, but someone who has far less interactions with Bruce Wayne.

However, Gordon knows the truth. Although it isn’t addressed directly, it is made fairly clear in the episode ‘Over the Edge‘ that Gordon knows who Batman is, and that he has probably always known the truth.

The next three characters on the list are Ra’s al Ghul, his daughter Talia, and his manservant/bodyguard Ubu. Ra’s and Talia learn of Batman’s secret identity in the episode ‘Off Balance‘, while it is made clear in the two-part episode, ‘The Demon’s Quest‘, that Ubu also knows the truth.

Next up is Hugo Strange, who learns Batman’s secret in the appropriately titled episode, ‘The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne‘. Meanwhile, Kyodai Ken is aware of the Batman/Bruce Wayne connection in episodes ‘Night of the Ninja‘ and ‘Day of the Samurai‘.

The penultimate name on the list is Andrea Beaumont, aka the Phantasm. Andrea is a former lover of Bruce Wayne, and as depicted during the events of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, she is aware of his transformation into Batman.

The final name on the list goes to Zatanna Zatara – an ally who ‘sort-of’ knows about Batman’s secret identity. The reason Zatanna ‘sort-of’ knows rather than ‘100%’ knows is because she believes Bruce Wayne is named ‘John’.

Zatanna met Bruce Wayne when they were both younger, but at the time Bruce was using the alias, ‘John’. So, while she knows who Batman is, she doesn’t quite know his real name.

Outside of the 14 characters listed above, Penguin, Two-Face, and Joker were told about Bruce Wayne’s secret identity in the episode ‘The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne‘, but refused to believe it. However, the Joker (along with Harley Quinn) did finally find out the truth about Bruce Wayne in the 2000 movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Return of the Joker was a spin-off of the Batman Beyond show, rather than a spin-off of Batman: The Animated Series, which is why the Joker and Harley don’t appear on the above list. But if you really want to add them to the list, feel free.

__

Thank you for stopping by I’ll Get Drive-Thru to read this post about the Batman: The Animated Series. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.

Alex is the editor and writer of I’ll Get Drive-Thru – a blog which specialises in all things related to Batman and DC Comics. After graduating with a degree in film & television studies, Alex studied journalism, before acquiring NCTJ accreditation. Prior to creating I’ll Get Drive-Thru, Alex was a magazine editor, a senior copywriter, and a freelance writer. He is now, and always has been, a Bat-fan!