2.  As a fictional character first
appeared in Batman #1
(Spring 1940)
 Originally introduced as a
psychopath with a warped
and sadistic sense of humour.

3.  In the late 1950s in
response to the regulation
of the Comics Code
Authority, the character
became a goofy prankster.
 In the early 1970s he was
returned to his darker,
homicidal roots.

4.  He killed the second Robin -
Jason Todd - by beating him to
death with a crowbar (A Death in
the family).
 He shot Barbara Gordon (former
Batgirl) in the spine, paralyzing
her from the waist down. (The
killing joke)

5.  He shot and killed Lieutenant
Sarah Essen, Commissioner
Gordon’s second wife, in front of
dozens of infants. (No Man’s
Land)
 He has murdered countless
innocent citizens of Gotham city
and even his henchmen.

6.  In the latest New 52 comics the
Joker had his face skinned
alive and is now wearing it as a
mask. (Faces of Death)
 He also managed to instil doubt in the members of the
bat-family by suggesting that he might know all their
secret identities. (Death of the Family)

8.  This would surely
prevent him from killing
further people.
 This would make things
safer in Gotham.

9.  Batman has considered this
many times.
 Example: Hush storyline:
Batman is seriously considering
killing the Joker when Jim
Gordon stops him from doing
so.
 Batman: “How many more lives
are we going to let him ruin?”
 Jim: “I don’t care. I won’t let him
ruin yours.”

11.  We all know that Batman’s
only rule is NO KILLING, but
doesn’t that make him selfish?
 If Batman would make an
exception, just this time,
wouldn't that help make the
world a better place?

12.  The argument of killing the Joker
is in its nature an Utilitarian one.
 Utilitarianism is a system of ethics
that requires us to maximize the
total happiness or well-being
resulting from our actions.
 Saving many lives at the cost of
one is a clear example of such
reasoning.

13.  The exact opposite of
Utilitarianism is Deontology.
 For deontologists, the end
never justify the means, but
the means must be justifiable
on their own merits.

14.  Killing is wrong so no one
should kill for whatever
reason.
 If Batman kills the Joker he
will not be the symbol of
hope he tries to be for
Gotham.

15.  He will cross a line from which he would never return.
(similar to what happened to Jean-Paul Valley in the
Knightfall saga)
 He will be no better than the criminals he dedicated his
life to stop.

16.  Link to Youtube Video:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kscfb9XzPs

17.  We could keep discussing
forever whether Batman should
or should not kill the Joker.
 It is important to note that
thanks to “literature” (the
comics and movies) we have a
way to discuss such complex
philosophical issues without
experiencing them in real life
scenarios.

18.  Unfortunately for Batman, but
luckily for us - Batman fans -
the Joker is not imaginary to
him, and he will struggle with
the issue of killing him for
many years to come in
different interpretations of the
character and in different
media.

20.  For more information on how to use
Comics/Graphic Novels for educational
discussion, purposes, ect... Please visit our
Facebook Page or Twitter account.
Graphic Novels Library Malta
facebook.com/GraphicNovelsLibraryMal
ta
gnlmalta@gmail.com
@GNLibrary Malta

21. • Batman and Philosophy – Mark D. White and Robert Arp
• Riddle me this, Batman – Kevin K. Durand and Mary K. Leigh
• God on the streets of Gotham – Paul Asay
Joker Stories:
• The Greatest Joker Stories ever told
• Batman: Lovers and Madmen
• Batman: Death to Rights
• Batman: Dark Detective
• Batman: The Killing Joke
• Batman: Death in the Family
• Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious
House on Serious Earth
• Robin 2: The Joker's Wild # 1-4
• Batman: No Man's Land, Bk. 4
• Batman: Joker's Last Laugh
• Batman: Man Who Laughs
• Joker (Brian Azzarello)
• Batman: Batgirl: Joker
• Batman: Its Joker Time
• Batman: I, Joker
• The Joker: Devil's Advocate
Interesting Readings: