For 85 years, no question has haunted the comic fandom more than whether Batman should kill the Joker . Unfortunately, as the years go on, the Clown Prince of Crime has only grown more unhinged. Since Joker's 1940 debut, countless people have lost their lives because of him, making many question if it's ethical for Batman not to end things permanently.

Regardless of that line of thinking's legitimacy, though, it ignores one central fact about Batman and Joker's relationship. Batman already did kill Joker, albeit indirectly, in the villain's second appearance. Far from just early comic book weirdness, Joker's first 'death' establishes a simple fact that changes the 'should Batman kill' debate forever.

Batman Couldn't Kill the Joker Even if He Wanted To

Batman tackles Joker while

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