The True History of Batman's Killing Rule is smarter (and darker) than DC's Retcon.

It is one of his most famous works Batman lore is that the Dark Knight does not kill. Regardless, no matter how many people the Joker kills, Batman refuses to stoop to being a killer like his worst enemies. However, this no-kill rule isn't just a staple of Batman's mythos – This is one of DC's first retcons.

Batman's no-kill rule has been around for decades, but not in his debut. The first instance where Batman reveals that he and his friends don't kill is in the pages. Batman #4 By Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Batman and Robin as the thugs fight with swords, Batman instructs Robin to use the straight side of his blade to avoid killing anyone.

Robin responds in the affirmative, as if it's been a rule for some time – the very essence of a good retcon. In fact, before Robin took the stage, Batman was killing criminals left and right.

Batman Doesn't Kill… Right?

Batman's First Kill Has Great Joker Symbolism

Batman was first introduced in 1939 Detective comics #27 Bob Kane and Bill Finger as a dark response to the sensational Superman Action comics. While today's Batman has changed in too many ways to count, the most iconic aspect of his character is his vow to never kill, despite his dark nature. Unfortunately, this was not always the case.

In that first appearance, Batman meets his first villain pushes him into a vat of acid, and it's “a fitting ending for its kind.” The Joker symbolism that surfaced is rife in his first issue. In subsequent issues, Batman goes on to trap the so-called Doctor Death in a burning building and then break a man's neck at another time. Batman was also seen using guns quite regularly. What happened to this version of Batman, a vigilante who doesn't hesitate to take the law into his own hands?

Why DC Retconned Batman's Brutal Justice Past?

Batman Gets His Own Title and Sidekick to Boot

From black detective to superhuman space hero outside of Gotham, Batman has earned a mainstream status as a symbol of justice that works at the limits of mercy. But that's the real background When Batman finally got his first title, comic editors Bob Kane and Bill Finger moved away from the tough justice version of Batman. Very quickly, Batman acquired his sidekick, Robin, and from there became a holy paragon for several decades – until the pendulum swung back, that is.

while Batman #4 It provides the first example of Batman not killing, doing it in a classic retcon way, as if that's how it's always been for readers.. After 80 years, DC is practically right. But the history of Batman killing is there, and the reasons DC changed this practice are the same reasons Batman stopped killing himself: to be a better role model for the next generation. It's a much more compelling approach to the character, and DC would be foolish to let it slide in another timeline change, the first of many, in fact.

Robin is the Reason Batman turned from Killer to Hero

Batman went from a vigilante to a role model with Robin

Batman sacrificed his final form of revenge to prevent Robin from being dragged into the darkness that engulfed him.

Batman's history shows this, as with his son Damian Wayne, who kills several times a hero who kills first and then vows to be better and never kill again is a more compelling hero than one who never crosses a line. Batman's timeline shows that his killing experience is waning until Dick Grayson comes on the scene. This is another important aspect of the mystery, as it suggests that Batman is sacrificing his final form of revenge to prevent Robin from being dragged into the darkness that engulfs him.

Batman also recently gave the smartest reason for the no-kill rule. It's not just about not wanting to cross the line; Batman knows he inspires others to follow in his footsteps – if he kills, Batman inspires others to do the same. This can be done as long as he accepts Robin as his assistant. Bruce Wayne realized that he was teaching a boy to follow in his footsteps. He decided to train Dick Grayson through the path of light rather than through death, making the transition to a basic, fundamentally black, action pulp character.

DC Should Keep The True History Of Batman's Kill Record

Batman killing his past makes him a more compelling character

Robin's place in this retcon is important because it means that Robin made Batman a hero. as stories continue to be created Batman: The First Knight By Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins, showing the inner life of Batman's early days, there is a great opportunity for true storytelling here, revealing the darkest parts of Batman in the beginning and how he pulled himself back from the brink of darkness. Nightwing's heartwarming nature is something every fan is familiar with – just imagine what he's seeing The first moment Bruce Wayne brings Dick Grayson home and he rescues Batman from the darkness instead.

Also, if the Joker is a memory of Stryker (the first villain Batman threw in the acid vat) and comes back to haunt him thematically, then the history of Batman's murder could be more complicated and darker. It's no wonder Batman will never kill the Joker, because the Joker is the face of what Batman hasn't killed once before. Show fans this real Batman and his entire backstory will finally make sense instead of being a stuttering rehash of many different Batmans.

Batman Doesn't Kill – Anymore

DC should let Batman be the example of Redemption

This is a heavier and more thematic story than any other editorial. DC should embrace Dark Knight's darkest past because it makes him stronger. A lot of the criticism leveled at characters like Superman is that he lacks any depth. Batman has more depth than most characters, but if as a dark vigilante, he's never killed, so he misses one of his greatest moments for his complexity. With members of the Bat-Family breaking the no-kill rule, it's more important than ever for Bruce Wayne to admit the truth and become the role model he should be.

Batman's truth will make fans love him even more as a father figure who chose life over his deadly past.

The history is there and more interesting than any retcon. As with any story, truth is more interesting than fiction, and DC Batman must be grounded in truth. This will make fans love him even more as a father figure who chose life over his deadly past. Of course, everyone knows Batman does not kill – at least not anymore.