Batman!!! It needs no introduction, this franchise is very much in the public conscuiusness and everyone at least knows something about it.
Batman was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger for Detective Comics, he originally began as a dark and edgy superhero but (through the introduction of Robin) was made into a much sillier and lighthearted character. He was knows as this type of character throughout the 60s with the Adam West TV show and movies, and it wasn't until the Tim Burton movies in 1989 did people think that Batman and the entire superhero genre could be taken seriously. From there came Batman the Animated Series, generally regarded as a masterpiece and the definitive version of Batman (if you're looking to get into the franchise this is where I would start btw!!!). Then came Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, supposedly in the same universe as the Tim Burton movies, but these were much more of a return to th campy style of the 60s. Then came the Christopher Nolan movies, which are also considered very good by most (another good starting place...) and solidified Batman as a serious vigilante type superhro to the public. Then came the Lego Batman Movie, which is surprisingly one of the best Batman movies and a very compelling depiction of Batman. And the latest main-stream rendition of Batman was The Batman movie in 2022, presenting a Batman who is much more inmature and a bisexual's DREAM (Catwoman and Batman in this movie are NOT to be crossed).
There are infinite version of Batman, many of which I didn't go over for the sake of cover that which is most familiar to most people. There are tons of comics, animated movies and I didn't even mention the Arkham Asylum or Lego Batman games!!! There's certainly something for everyone in this massive, ongoing franchise.
Gotham is home to all kind of freaks!!! It's the crime-ridden city in the world and while Batman originally stepped up to end the crime in the city...maybe his presence has only made things worse?
I won't be able to talk about EVERY Batman character because there are SO MANY and to be honest I just don't know that much about all of them. I'll talk about the most prominent and/or my favorites.
Two Face is a member of the Batman rogue's gallery and my number one favorite character in the series. But that second part isn't too relevant right now.
Batman is the main guy!!! The titular character!!! And as such he needs no introduction, Batman is dark and brooding vigilante of gotham city. Known for being terrifying but never actually killing anyone (Batman vs Superman doesn't exist I can't hear you lalalalalala). He loves his city deeply and wants whats best for it.
However, when he's not Batmaning this vigilante takes on a very different persona, millionare playboy Bruce Wayne! He's sleezy and likes to party and not really an accurate representation of who Bruce is. I also think an important aspect of Bruce that often gets lost is that he should be into philanthropy!!! Because he wants to help the city as both Bruce Wayne and Batman, but I feel like we don't see that much outside of the '66 series. I think people forget this because they get caught up in Bruce being an arrogant type of person, but literally just have him play it off by being a tax write off idk...
On that note, Batman varies pretty hard from version to version. He's goofy and comically ethical in the '66 show, mysterious and stern in the Animated Series, absolutely terrible in Batman vs Superman (I hate this movie so much), and somehow the perfect balance of funny and emotional in Lego Batman?
My favorite depictions of Batman are ones where he is kind and hopeful! People often make him too brooding or write him as a "male power fantasy" (as I've seen many people say) and I like it when people lean more into the detective elements of Batman. He's scary and absolutely means business, but he doesn't want to bring actual harm to anybody and is very protective of those he loves and those he deems as innocents. He's just so hopeful that his city, and by extension the world, can be a better place.