In Gotham City, the self-absorbed and often solitary superhero Batman continues to fight crime with his usual flair and dramatics. After another successful mission thwarting his arch-nemesis, the Joker, Batman inadvertently hurts his adversary's feelings by dismissing their relationship as unimportant. Meanwhile, the Joker hatches a new scheme to prove to Batman that he is indeed his greatest opponent. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of Batman's internal struggle with his fear of being part of a family again, following the loss of his parents.

As the city of Gotham finds itself in the grip of the Joker's latest plan, Batman must confront his lone vigilante ways. New relationships are formed when he accidentally adopts an orphan who becomes his sidekick and meets a new police commissioner, Barbara Gordon, who advocates for a police force capable of defending the city without the need for a masked vigilante. Batman must learn to work with his new allies and come to terms with his fear of family and connection to save Gotham from the Joker's clutches.