werewolf953:

Batman’s reasons for not killing the Joker, rated by someone who’s never read a Batman comic

“Because it would make him just as evil”

Bad. Flawed logic. Stopping a serial killer who refuses to be rehabilitated from continuing to kill means that fewer people die in the long run. Killing one (1) Joker > letting the Joker kill many (∞) innocent people. 2/10

“Because he’s too weak”

Even worse! Having read none of the comics nor seen any of the adaptations I can’t prove this, but I’m willing to bet that at some point in the comics Batman has had the Joker on the edge and it’s only his stubbornness that stopped the dude from dying. Batman’s choice has to be a choice to be interesting, you know? 0/10

“Because it’s a slippery slope of death”

I see this, and I’m ambivalent. Batman surrounds himself with people who keep him morally in check (the Robins, the Justice League), and if he started killing criminals indiscriminately I’m pretty sure someone would say something. An intervention would be held. Probably Alfred would bake something. 4/10

“Because it’s what the Joker wants him to do”

Now we’re getting somewhere! The Joker attempting to use Batman’s violence to make a point about the inherently corrupt nature of humanity is a plot worth pursuing! Batman’s stalwart decency & self-control is his true superpower! It could be sexier, but I’ll jive with it! 7/10

“Because it would be the easy way out”

WEAK. This is worse than all the other bad reasons put together. Not even worth dignifying with an explanation of why it sucks. See Reason #1. -10/10

“Because Batman insists on honoring the justice system instead of appointing himself sole arbiter & executor of justice”

Now THIS is a motivation I can get behind. A complex Lawful Good vigilante hero? Yes, please. Even though Gotham’s criminal justice system is probably corrupt—and at the very least, blatantly ineffective—Batman refuses to undermine its citizens’ right to self-governance just to make his job simpler. I’ve heard he also donates a ton of money to help cure Gotham’s corruption from the ground up? That’s rad!!! Yeah, he’s a filthy capitalist, but at least he’s not taking the death penalty into his own hands. 10/10

“Because it would put Batman out of business”

This one has no grounds in canon but I’m including it because I think it’s fun! Batman is a business-savvy fellow, he knows how supply and demand work. Maybe he just really likes cosplaying as a big ol’ bat! 8/10