I don't know as how this is the thread to discuss it, but would someone care to convince me why Batman has sidekicks?
In addition to what Plei and Victor have said... thing is, his partners, the people he works with -- Alfred, Dick, Tim, Jason, Barbara, Jim, Leslie, Cassandra -- they're his family.
And Batman? Very invested in the creation of family.
Devin Grayson asks the same question in Gotham Knights #7:
"The more that I examine his allies, the more I come to think of Batman as being as much of an enterprise as a single entity. Though I maintain that he could operate alone out of either necessity or choice -- I confess to being increasingly... impressed with both the loyalty and unity of his friends. He would never ask anyone to sacrifice anything for his cause -- and yet, many around him, of their own will and volition, appear to have renounced a great deal. Do they do so because they believe as greatly as he does, in the need to completely eradicate crime?
"Or is it more than that? Perhaps, partly, their bond with him. And partly their bond with one another... some of which go quite a ways back.
"What is it that moves someone to pledge loyalty to someone else? Do we bond together over tragedies -- or over hope? And when these bonds are forged, where does the final obligation lie? On the head of those making promises of assistance? Or on the shoulders of any man who would allow it?
"There's no shame in accepting aid from others -- but perhaps there is a responsibility. Could the Dark Knight be so certain of his actions if not for the trust of those rallying around him? Does he ever truly stop to doubt himself, and if so -- is he morally obligated to speak that doubt to his retinue? Or is he morally obligated simply never to doubt?
"It's probably best that he never shows it. Probably best that he never indluges his doubts the way I'm indulging them now. At this point, that has to be part of the deal. At this point, doubt has long since ceased to be a useful practice. At this point, he must make as many of his decisions because of his supporters as in spite of them.
"Batman himself knows that he is more than just a man in a mask. He has become a legend, a symbol, a force. He has made his priorities clear to those who would aid him -- and allowed them to make their own choices. And he doesn't have time to waste over wondering whether or not this is fair.
"Maybe, in the end, the best way for Batman to honor those in his inner circle -- is to cease resisting their inclination to honor him."