The
Batman Family comic book series ran for 20 issues from September–October 1975 to October–November 1978 and featured solo and team-up stories starring
Batgirl and
Robin. The lead story in the first issue teaming Batgirl and Robin was originally intended for publication in an issue of
1st Issue Special. The series additionally featured reprints of
Golden Age and
Silver Age stories. Many issues of
Batman Family featured Batman supporting characters such as
Alfred Pennyworth,
Vicki Vale, the
Elongated Man, the
Huntress, and
Ace the Bat-Hound. Writer
Bob Rozakis introduced the
Duela Dent character in issue #6 (July–August 1976) and revived the original
Batwoman in issue #10 (March–April 1977). The series began featuring only new material as of issue #11 (May–June 1977) and the
Man-Bat began appearing as a regular feature.
Batman Family converted to the
Dollar Comics format with issue #17 (April–May 1978). DC published several other
... Family titles concurrent with
Batman Family. These included
The Superman Family (1974–82),
Super-Team Family (1975–1978) and
Tarzan Family (1975–76). As a rule, DC's
... Family titles contained mostly reprints, and featured a higher page count (and higher price) than DC's normal books. Its final issue, #20 (Oct.–Nov. 1978), was published without any advertisements.
Merger with Detective Comics In 1978, after the
DC Implosion, it was decided that DC Comics' long-running flagship title
Detective Comics was to be terminated with #480. The decision was overturned, following strenuous arguments on behalf of saving the title within the DC office. Despite being the better-selling title,
Batman Family was instead merged with
Detective, converting that series into a $1.00 68-page giant as of
Detective Comics #481 (Dec. 1978-Jan. 1979). This arrangement lasted 15 issues. With issue #496 (Nov. 1980)
Detective Comics reverted to its traditional size and price — thus effectively cancelling
Batman Family for good.
2002–2003 series Batman: Family was an eight-issue miniseries published from December 2002 to February 2003 and written by
John Francis Moore. Issues #1-6 were illustrated by Stefano Gaudiano and
Rick Hoberg.
Steve Lieber replaced Hoberg on issues #7 and 8. ==Collected editions==