Batman and the Joker are iconic foes, clashing in comics, video games, films, and TV shows. The Joker constantly hatches evil plans, and Batman consistently thwarts them. Despite Batman’s occasional lapses, he generally adheres to his no-kill rule, even when facing the Joker. This rule was put to the test when Batman prevented Frank “The Punisher” Castle, the deadliest vigilante in the Marvel Universe, from killing the Joker.
Did Batman ever save The Joker from being killed by Marvel’s Punisher?
In the 1994 crossover “Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights,” written by Chuck Dixon, Punisher tracks down the Joker and nearly shoots him. However, Batman intervenes at the last moment, saving the Joker’s life and allowing him to escape. Even decades later, this decision frustrates many comic fans.
Most versions of Batman strictly avoid killing, believing it’s not his place to decide who lives or dies. Instead, he captures his enemies and hands them over to Gotham City Police. This approach has allowed the Joker to repeatedly escape and terrorize Gotham. Batman’s choice to save the Joker in “Deadly Knights” aligns with his no-kill philosophy, but not all fans agree with it.
Some argue that Batman is justified in killing the Joker, especially during a crime where lives are at risk. Reddit user u/AmanteNomadstar pointed out that self-defense is a constitutional right, suggesting Batman could kill the Joker without compromising his ethical stance. Another user, u/PuffsPlusArmada, emphasized that killing the Joker would save countless lives in Gotham, arguing that every subsequent murder by the Joker would be on Batman’s conscience. User u/MojaveMilkman bluntly stated, “Just f***ing kill the Joker.”
Despite these compelling arguments, Batman’s no-kill rule remains a core part of his character. Directors like Zack Snyder have sometimes disregarded this rule, but it is still deeply ingrained in Batman’s mythology. Should Batman have let the Punisher kill the Joker, or even done it himself? Many fans think so, but in “Deadly Knights,” Batman’s moral code prevailed.
