Batman and the Joker are two of the most iconic characters in comic book history. The Dark Knight and his arch-nemesis have been locked in a never-ending battle for decades, with the Joker always pushing the limits of what Batman is willing to do to stop him.
One question that has plagued fans for years is: how many times has Batman killed the Joker? Let’s take a closer look.
The Debate
The question of whether or not Batman has ever killed the Joker is a hotly debated topic among fans. Some argue that Batman would never kill anyone, especially not his most infamous foe. Others believe that there have been instances where Batman’s actions have resulted in the Joker’s death.
The Comics
In the comics, there have been several instances where it appeared as though Batman had finally put an end to the Joker’s reign of terror. In “The Dark Knight Returns,” Batman seemingly kills the Joker by snapping his neck after a particularly brutal fight. However, this was later revealed to be a hallucination brought on by stress and trauma.
Another instance was in “Batman: Endgame,” where it seemed as though Batman had finally killed the Joker with an explosion. However, it was later revealed that the Joker had actually injected himself with a toxin that made it appear as though he had died.
The Movies
In movies, there have been several instances where it looked like Batman had killed the Joker. In Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” film, Batman seemingly kills the Joker by knocking him off a ledge and letting him fall to his death. However, this was later contradicted in subsequent films.
In Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight,” there is a scene where Batman tackles the Joker off a building and they both fall several stories before landing on a car. While it appears as though both characters should have died from such a fall, they both survive and continue their battle.
The Conclusion
So, has Batman ever killed the Joker? The answer is no, at least not in canon. While there have been instances where it appeared as though Batman had finally put an end to the Joker’s madness, these instances were later revealed to be either hallucinations or hoaxes.
In conclusion, the debate over whether or not Batman has ever killed the Joker will likely continue for years to come. However, for now, we can say with certainty that Batman has never officially taken the life of his infamous foe.