Detective comics brings a whole new meaning to from Batman moral code, shockingly changing the Caped Crusader’s origin, linking him to his father and giving a more integral reason why he broke it for Darkseid in Final Crisis. One of the most controversial parts of Batman’s character is his moral code, but this new revelation gives a compelling reason for why and when he breaks it.
Detective comics #1090 – written by Tom Taylor and art by Mikel Jani – dramatically reveals that Thomas Wayne saved Joe Chill’s life despite knowing he was a monstrous person because Thomas firmly believed in his Hippocratic Oath. Thomas tells young Bruce Wayne that he doesn’t decide whose lives are valuable, and because of this Bruce later adopts this sentiment into his moral code as Batmanforever altering the origin of Batman’s crime-fighting code.
Surprisingly, this recently revealed development of Batman’s philosophy gives a more compelling reason why Batman broke his moral code to kill Darkseid.
Thomas Wayne shared Batman’s controversial belief in not taking lives, and it led to his downfall
Detective comics #1090 – Written by Tom Taylor; Art by Mikel Jani; Available now from DC Comics
This revelation changes a fundamental part of Batman, showing how Thomas Wayne inspired Bruce and emphasizes the extremely polarizing debate of letting criminals live to potentially hurt again. Batman’s choice to never kill has always been a divisive part of his identity that has caused points of contention among other crime-fighting heroes like Red Hood or Wonder Woman when she killed Maxwell Lord. In the case of Thomas Wayne, keeping his oath to save Joe Chill may have indirectly caused the violent murder of him and his wife and triggered Bruce Wayne’s traumatic descent into Batman.
Bruce notes that he never took his father’s Hippocratic Oath, but lives by it because he does not know how a life will be lived and cannot decide who deserves to live. Maintaining his rule has always posed a challenge for Batman, especially with new villain Asema reminding Batman of his father’s mistake that led to his death. Although Batman remains dedicated to his code, there have been a few times when the Caped Crusader has made an exception to his rule, most famously when Batman killed the evil tyrant Darkseid during the events of Final Crisis.
This Thomas Wayne Revelation Recontextualizes Why Batman Made an Exception to His Iconic Rule for Darkseid
Despite killing, Batman still maintained his father’s moral code
Batman killing Darkseid was a polarizing moment for the Dark Knight because he broke his code, but on a larger scale, it was essential for him to renounce his moral code to save the world. In Final Crisis #6, Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation enslaved humanity and stole everyone’s free will, turning Earth into a post-apocalyptic hellscape. Batman’s father taught him that if he had the opportunity to save a life, he should always try, and By ending Darkseid, Batman had the chance to save the lives of all humans, an action that confirmed the lesson his father taught him..
Batman’s “No Killing” rule, originating from his father’s Hippocratic Oath, is an interesting way to connect him more to his father and add deeper meaning to Batman’s actions and his origin.
Joe Chill’s murder of Thomas Wayne after saving his life challenges Batman’s belief, but makes him a stronger hero for not giving in to death despite being capable of it. Although disputed, Batman’s “No Killing” rule, originating from his father’s Hippocratic Oath, is an interesting way to connect him more to his father and add deeper meaning to Batman’s actions and his origin. Batman doesn’t believe that every life is worth saving. his father is shown, but Batman killing Darkseid illustrates how much of a threat he is Darkseid was for Batman go against your number one rule.
Detective comics #1090 is now available from DC Comics!