Batman who Laughs and Injustice seemed to be case studies on why he should be snuffed out sooner. If Red Hood, a CGPD officer, an Arkham guard, some SOF badass, or even a lone actor like a pseudo Punisher took him out even a day sooner, he wouldn't have been able to hurt even one more person, much less cause a world's destruction.
Just imagine. He's setting up shop in some abandoned amusement park, extolling to Harley the importance of not having to explain a joke, when suddenly a hole appears in his back, his chest is blown out, and a half second later he hears the gunshot. Harley only sees a glint from the docks, and Mr. J falls down, never to laugh again.
Now imagine this happens the day before he steals Fear Toxin, or kidnaps Lois Lane.
Either way the comics are trying to entail that killing criminals doesn't make you any better than them (and before you ask, no I'm not a fan of red hood)
I suppose it gets philosophical. One of those “what are you saving” questions. I guess if one values life above all else- and sees that even bad people can lead to good- then continuing life is ultimately all that matters, no matter how vile one has to be to survive- survival means a possibility to change and grow. But then again- we could apply that same logic to villains I guess- but I suppose philosophy is a luxury. We’ve seen Batman snap when things got too personal- but it varies by story so it’s hard to say which version of Batman would want joker dead if it was his “special person” who was killed or destroyed by the clown and not a stranger.
The entire legal system of Gotham has repeatedly had him in custody and will not execute him. Not a single officer, prison guard, or Arkham employee has decided to off him or give him the ol’ “Epstein surprise.” But Batman gets the blame? The cops seldom of ever take Joker into custody without the bat. Without the Bat, Joker either wouldn’t be taken off the streets at all- or he’d be taken in later. He might keep getting out, but those brief Jokerless periods are thanks to Batman at least- and his thanks is.. “you shoulda killed him.” Well- he’s in custody Gotham. You cowards want him dead- you know the address to Arkham. Go lynch him. Protest in the street your elected officials and legal system that keeps letting him out and won’t kill him for you. But Batman is doing SOMETHING, which is more than most people.
On a personal level I don’t subscribe to Batman’s “lawful good” deal 100%- but I can respect it. At some point philosophy has to take a backseat to practicality and right, wrong- we just need effective results. So yeah. It frustrates me too sometimes. But I understand it. It’s his self imposed duty, just like any captive- their well being is your responsibility. But I think it’s a tad selfish. More for him and his sanity. He’s on the edge and likely realizes his personal weaknesses- he’s only a step or two away from becoming a villain himself as he’s already technically a criminal. So I think he drew a line in the sand he won’t cross to keep himself from falling down a slippery slope.
And you were also right about it not being solely on Batman. Would I personally go around Comic Book World actively seeking to engage and eliminate baddies near or below my own weight tier (which I think is moderate high squishy human)? Probably, but I'm apparently on a different wavelength than most people. Most reasonable people won't go looking for trouble, but SWAT Officer John could do him in justified, Judge Smith could sentence him to death, and Joe Average could actually fight back when being taken hostage, since literally every other hostage Joker has taken died grinning. A city with Gotham's mindset would be abnormal indeed.
Lmao. Very true. Batman is a comic where scrutiny doesn’t stand up well. It is a world where it seems like everyone has serious psychological issues and neurosis- but living in that world it all seems normal to them I guess.
It seems that every time Batman eliminates the Joker it causes way more problems. Although it's not really Batman's code that prevents him from killing J, but more so his need for an antagonist in his life driving him to continue instead of succumbing to his trauma which he never worked out. Asides from the Joker and perhaps Ra's al Ghul (if you would consider him a rogue), none of Batman's rogues gallery pose a genuine threat to Batman and would most likely drop out of the crime game if word got out that Batman executed the Joker.
Just imagine. He's setting up shop in some abandoned amusement park, extolling to Harley the importance of not having to explain a joke, when suddenly a hole appears in his back, his chest is blown out, and a half second later he hears the gunshot. Harley only sees a glint from the docks, and Mr. J falls down, never to laugh again.
Now imagine this happens the day before he steals Fear Toxin, or kidnaps Lois Lane.
Saving Metropolis and the world? That makes you better.
He of all people should know not to let legality get in the way of doing what's right.
*looks at the destabilized region the US helped create with their assassinations*
Um. Yes.