The following contains spoilers from Wonder Woman #800, on sale now from DC Comics.
Characters in the DC Universe such as Superman and Lois Lane share the strongest relationships while Batman's friendship with Superman is legendary. Yet, Wonder Woman and Batman's friendship deserves more attention. Wonder Woman #800 (by Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Joelle Jones, Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, Nick Robles, Todd Nauck, Skylar Partridge, Cully Hamner, Jen Bartel, Jordie Bellaire, Tamra Bonvillain, and Pat Brosseau) rectifies this slightly by examining their shared dynamic.
It reaffirms that their relationship, while there has always been fleeting moments of attraction, is actually a solid friendship that is built upon the notion that they can be there for one another in their weaker moments. Compared to the rest of Batman and Wonder Woman's comic history, this is an excellent foundation for DC to really examine one of their most underrated friendships.
The History of Wonder Woman and Batman
In truth, most of the relationship with between Wonder Woman and Batman has always possessed romantic undertones. It's easy to see why they would be attracted to one another. Batman is very much a living embodiment of the Amazon ideal: working hard to bring out one's best self. In turn, Wonder Woman is a beacon of hope and truth that many could easily see Batman falling in love with because, for once, he could be honest around someone else instead of bottling his emotions up.
Unfortunately, the implications of their attraction are mostly what fans get to see whenever they feature in a story together. In no way are they truly the major love interest in each other's lives, but there is enough chemistry for it to still be a plot. This takes away from the wonderful friendship they have. Sure, their respective methods sometimes clash, but that only adds to the richness of their dynamic. Sometimes they do pursue their romantic feelings, but it is always brief, and they immediately revert to being friends because that is where their relationship is strongest, as support for one another, not as romantic partners.
The Foundation of Wonder Woman and Batman's Friendship
Wonder Woman's trip into Batman's dream highlights why their friendship works so well: they both hold themselves to incredibly high standards, and very few people can see, let alone comprehend, that both Wonder Woman and Batman have their doubts and failings. Around each other though, they can be honest about that. Batman went as far as to call Wonder Woman his rock, someone who is always there to be the support he needs at the most critical moments.
Wonder Woman in turn expresses admiration for him because he took all his pain and turned it into something positive. Few people could be so thoroughly wounded by the world and muster the strength to make the world a better place. That mutual admiration and understanding is exactly what makes their friendship so unique within the DCU. Diana and Bruce are two of the most powerful Justice Leaguers, and they can break around each other in a way they can't with anyone else.