Batman has repeatedly been on the verge of killing or letting the Joker perish, contradicting his personal code of never taking a life. Multiple times, Batman has left the Joker in perilous scenarios, possibly resulting in his demise. However, eliminating the Joker carries significant risks, including the possibility of Batman himself being contaminated with Joker Venom.
Batman has consistently upheld a strict no-killing policy, even towards malevolent characters such as the Joker. However, there have been instances in DC Comics narratives where he deviated from this principle.
A renowned aspect of Batman's legend is his steadfast refusal to take a life, a stance that applies even to his arch-nemesis, the Joker.尽管如此，蝙蝠侠毕竟也是人，因此他也有自己的极限。多次，小丑将蝙蝠侠逼到了极限，这位披风十字军战士曾受到诱惑（甚至尝试过）为这位犯罪小丑打破自己的原则。尽管如此，蝙蝠侠是人，也有其局限性。有几次，小丑将蝙蝠侠逼到了绝境，使得这位蒙面义士受到了诱惑（甚至尝试过）为这位犯罪界的“小丑王子”破例。
Every individual in the Bat-Family honors Batman's non-lethal approach, yet almost every one of them has been tempted to violate this code at least once. Even Batman himself has contemplated eliminating the Joker, or permitting someone else to do so. At the very least, Batman hasn't felt compelled to rescue the Joker from imminent danger. Listed below are some remarkable moments where Batman either terminated the Joker or allowed his demise.
- Joker Self-Inflicts Injury During His Second Encounter With Batman
The sequel to Batman's initial confrontation with the Joker unfolded in the 1940s Batman #1 comic. Following his first encounter with Batman, the Joker escapes from captivity, embarking on a criminal rampage that claims multiple lives. This culminates in a clash between Batman and the Joker. In an attempt to stab Batman, the Joker misses his target as Batman sidesteps, accidentally stabbing himself. Although the Joker survives, the original author, Bill Finger, intended for this to be the Joker's demise, implying Batman simply stepped aside, allowing Joker to meet his fate.
- Batman Allows Joker to Face Potential Death
In Batman #100, we witness Batman leaving the Joker in a precarious situation, possibly facing death.
During the intense events of 2020's The Joker War, Batman and the Joker engaged in their most significant (and, as of now, their latest) confrontation within the comic realm. This conflict, known as The Joker War, tested Batman to his utmost limits. In a cunning move, the Joker stole Batman's wealth and revealed that he had been aware of Batman's true identity for a considerable time. The climax of this saga arrived when Batman was forced to make a choice between rescuing Harley Quinn or the Joker, ultimately opting for Harley. Although Batman suspected that the Joker might have a chance to escape the perilous situation, he couldn't be certain. Therefore, by prioritizing Harley's rescue, Batman might have indirectly allowed the Joker's demise.
8 A Grieving Gordon Is Granted Permission To Execute Joker
In Detective Comics #741, penned by Devin Grayson, Greg Rucka, and illustrated by Dale Eaglesham, Damion Scott, Sal Buscema, Sean Parsons, Rob Hunter, Pamela Rambo, Willie Schubert, and enhanced by Wildstorm FX, a heartbreaking scene unfolds. This issue marks one of the closing chapters of the year-long Batman: No Man's Land event in 1999. In a tragic turn, the Joker takes the life of Commissioner Gordon's wife. Given that the Joker had previously shot Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Gordon reaches his breaking point and points a gun at the Joker. Batman, who adheres to a strict code against killing, believes that it's not merely about him not taking a life; he also can't bear to see anyone die before him. Remarkably, in this instance, he informs Gordon that if he wishes to pull the trigger, Batman won't intervene.
7 Batman Leaves Joker To His Fate In A Crashing Helicopter
The story arc "Batman: A Death in the Family," crafted by Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo, Adrienne Roy, and John Costanza, showcases a harrowing moment.
The murder of Jason Todd by the Joker in "Batman: A Death in the Family" stands as one of the most significant moments in Batman's history. This 1988 tale altered the trajectories of the Joker, Jason, and Batman's lives. When Batman discovers conclusive evidence that the Joker was responsible for Jason's death, he makes a resolute attempt to eliminate the Joker once and for all. However, as their helicopter begins to crash, Batman jumps out to ensure his own survival, leaving the Joker to his fate. Although the Joker survives the crash, it's noteworthy that Batman had the option to rescue him but consciously chose not to.
6 Batman Deliberately Sacrifices Himself to Halt His Joker Persona "Batman: Two-Faces" by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Anthony Williams, Tom Palmer, Lee Loughridge, and Willie Schubert
The emergence of multiple worlds within a vast multiverse has presented creators with the opportunity to place Batman in novel situations, allowing for innovative explorations of the character. An example of this is seen in the 1998 Elseworlds comic, "Batman: Two Faces." In this narrative, Batman is transported to the Victorian era, embodying the dual role of the iconic Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde. While striving to apprehend a ruthless killer haunting the streets, Batman ultimately realizes that his nemesis, the Joker, is actually an alter ego of his own. With this revelation, he seizes control from the Joker and deliberately plunges to his death, thereby terminating the Joker's reign of fear.
5 Sacrifices Himself to Prevent The Joker's Recovery "Batman #40" by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia, and Jared K. FletcherOne of the most intense battles between Batman and Joker unfolded in the 2014 storyline, Batman: Endgame, marking the culminating conflict between the two rivals during the New 52 era. This climactic fight took place beneath Gotham City, near a pool of Dionesium—a substance renowned for its remarkable regenerative properties. Batman sought this element to neutralize a virus unleashed by Joker, while Joker desired it for his own healing. As the intense combat progressed, both combatants suffered critical injuries. In a dramatic moment, as Joker attempted to reach for the Dionesium, Batman restrained him, declaring their profound friendship as the cave surrounding them collapsed, seemingly claiming both their lives.
In another tale, Batman: Damned by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, we see a dying Batman faced with a moral dilemma. After suffering fatal injuries inflicted by Joker in the Black Label miniseries, Batman ponders the fate of Gotham in his absence. With Joker dangling precariously from a bridge, Batman, as always, reaches out to save him. However, the fear of Joker's potential rampage in Gotham without Batman's restraint causes him to withdraw his hand, allowing Joker to plummet into the river below.
A different story, JLA: The Nail #1, penned by Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, Patricia Mulvihill, Heroic Age, and Patricia Prentice, presents a shocking scenario where Batman, in a moment of extreme desperation, publicly executes Joker on live television.In another parallel universe, Superman was never discovered by the Kent family, leading to a profound mistrust of superheroes and vigilantes among humanity. This skepticism towards superheroes intensifies when the Joker murders Robin and Batgirl in front of Batman, pushing the Dark Knight to the edge. In a fit of rage, Batman brutally kills the Joker with his bare hands, leaving him horrified and contemplating relinquishing his role. This incident further fuels society's desire to eliminate superheroes altogether. This grim tale was unfolded in JLA: The Nail #1 by Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, Patricia Mulvihill, Heroic Age, and Patricia Prentice.
In the 1994 graphic novel "Batman: Bloodstorm" by Doug Moench, Kelley Jones, John Beatty, and Les Dorscheid, Batman takes on a literal nocturnal form, transforming into a vampire stalking the streets of Gotham. Initially, he maintains his "purity" by resisting the urge to drink human blood. However, when the Joker murders Catwoman, Batman's restraint shatters, and he slays the Joker by draining his blood, condemning his own soul and completing his transition into a full-fledged vampire.
Meanwhile, in "Dark Nights: The Batman Who Laughs" by James Tynion IV, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia, and Tom Napolitano, the killing of the Joker in a dark multiverse gives rise to an even greater evil.All other instances listed occur in an alternate universe or involve attempts on Joker's life. In the 2018 standalone comic, Dark Nights: The Batman Who Laughs, readers witness a Batman pushed to his limits, who abandons his no-kill policy for the Joker. This Batman breaks the Joker's neck and becomes infected with a pure strain of Joker Venom, gradually transforming him into the next Joker. Although this incident takes place in the Dark Multiverse, its repercussions extend beyond. The Batman Who Laughs proceeds to menace the entire reality multiple times, most prominently during the Dark Nights: Death Metal event. This marks the sole occasion where Batman has killed the Joker, significantly impacting the continuity of the primary Earth.