Since the inception of Batman in 1939 by comic book writer Bob Kane, we’ve seen Batman in our graphic novels, TV shows, and feature films. We’ve also seen him go from comedic and camp to dark and frightening. However, the dark knight has also had his brutal moments too!
Joker Interrogation
One of the most famous scenes in The Dark Knight has to be the scene where Batman and Joker are in an interrogation cell together. The scene starts with Commissioner Jim Gordon leaving the cell as the good cop, and Batman shows up behind Joker slamming his head into the table before punching and potentially breaking the bones in Joker’s hand.
As Batman begins to learn that Joker has kidnapped Rache Dawes and Harvey Dent, he begins to lose his sense of control, scaring the rest of the police officers. He takes one of the chairs to jam the door stopping anyone from getting inside before throwing the Joker around the room like a rag doll attempting to beat the answers from him.
Batman is not exactly known for his sense of humor. However, he is also not known for losing control. Despite being a dark character that invokes fear, his actions are always sourced from a place of logic. So seeing him actually give into anger is even more frightening.
The Batman - Breaking a Thug’s Skull
Matt Reeve’s new Batman film is being greatly anticipated. It seems to be set in its own universe and the hints from the trailer give the impression that it is by far the darkest live-action Batman feature yet. In one scene, we’re shown The Batman move towards a group of thugs who look like they’ve been painting their faces like the joker.
Batman disarms the leader, pushes him to the ground, and continues to beat him until you actually hear his skull breaking. When another member of the gang asks him who he is, he simply replies “I’m Vengeance”.
When Batman Slapped Robin
The meme of the comic panel where Batman is slapping Robin has become a worldwide infamous meme where the speech bubbles have been filled with all sorts of comedic lines. However, contrary to popular belief, the comic panel is actually real and originated from The Worlds Finest #153.
In an alternative timeline, Batman is convinced that Superman is responsible for the death of his parents and makes it his mission to prove his guilt. When Robin attempts to defend the man of steel, that’s when Batman gives him the slap. Although the storyline isn’t canon, several decades later it’s still remembered!
Batman in The Flashpoint Paradox
It would be sacrilege to go through this list without an honorable mention to Thomas Wayne. Despite this depiction of Batman not being portrayed by Bruce Wayne, Thomas Wayne was Batman in another universe. During The Flashpoint Paradox, after Barry Allen has run through the speed force in an attempt to move backward in time and save the life of his mother, he finds that he creates an entirely new timeline.
He successfully finds Batman, just not the one he was looking for. In this alternative universe, As opposed to Bruce Wayne’s parents being killed that night, it is instead Bruce that is shot. The grief turns his father Thomas Wayne into a darker brutal Batman who has no issue with regularly breaking bones. Due to the extreme grief and loss of her son, Marth Wayne ends up becoming the Joker!
Batman Vs Leader of The Mutants
In The Dark Knight Returns, an older Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement in order to fight against the criminal group “The Mutants”.
The first time he goes against the mutant leader, he makes the mistake of attempting to match with brutality. However the second time, he instead uses pure skill and precision, and the result is quite frightening. He cuts the leader just above the eye so that he won’t stop bleeding before giving several nerve bundle punches so that the leader can’t use his arm before delivering this chilling line:
“You don’t get it Son. This isn’t a mudhole, it’s an operating table…..and I’m the surgeon!”
He then goes onto dislocate the leader’s arms and legs! Batman is brutal as an older man!
Injustice Alternative Timeline
Injustice Gods Among Us is by far one of the greatest comic book arcs in The DC Universe. It covers the depths of ethics, power, and deeper human values. We also get to see the deepest nature of Batman and Superman’s friendship and the differences between them.
One of the most beautiful moments though would have to be the alternative timeline within Superman’s dream. In an alternative universe, the Joker isn’t successful in killing Lois Lane or destroying Metropolis. However, when alone with Batman, he makes it clear that he won’t stop trying to kill their child. Batman calmly responds by breaking his neck, killing him, and turning himself into the police. He breaks his biggest rule of no killing, simply to ensure the safety of his best friend's child. Perhaps not brutal but certainly badass!
When Batman Beat Superman
The battle between who would win between Batman and Superman get’s answered towards the end of The Dark Knight Returns when we see that Batman is willing to do what is necessary to win, whatever the cost. After a battle between an old retired white-haired Bruce Wayne in the mech batsuit against a still youthful Kryptonian.
Unbeknownst to Superman, Batman has had a kryptonite arrow synthesized which he gives to Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) to fire at Superman during their battle. Superman catches the arrow which then releases a mini-explosion of Kryptonite spores into his face. As Superman begins choking and coughing, his face swells up and he quickly grows weaker. At this time Bruce grabs him and delivers this savage line:
“It wasn’t easy to synthesize Clark, took years and it cost a fortune…luckily I had both.”
Then he goes on to say….
“I want you to remember, Clark. In all the years to come, in your most private moments, I want you to remember, my hand, at your throat, I want you to remember, the one man who beat you.”
This is arguably one of Batman’s greatest moments. He shows both his darker side, his intelligence as well as his overall arching values. Despite Batman’s lack of powers, he truly holds his own against titans, aliens, and gods alike.
Related: Are "The Batman" and "Joker" In The Same Universe Answered
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