Batman Just Killed The Joker, And DC Fans Might Not Have Even Noticed

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This article contains spoilers for DC KO #4.

I’ve always been fascinated by Batman, and one thing that’s always stuck with me is his famous rule about not killing. It’s funny to think that he didn’t always have that rule – it actually developed over time, becoming a core part of who he is, even appearing in a story back in 1940 when he was teaching Robin. It’s been debated endlessly by fans and even within the comics themselves – people always wonder if things would be better if he just ended the Joker. But honestly, I was shocked to see that in a recent event, DC KO, Batman actually broke that rule and did kill him. It was a huge moment, and it’s really made me rethink everything I thought I knew about the character.

Let’s set the scene. DC KO is a strange tournament where fighters battle to the death for the chance to control Darkseid’s powerful Omega energy. The Justice League was caught off guard when villains entered the competition, and Batman had already seemingly been killed by the Joker. However, Bruce Wayne is a brilliant strategist and had a plan in place – a sort of loophole – that activated upon his death, allowing him to return in DC KO #4 and quickly get revenge.

Batman Just Officially Killed the Joker

Issue #4 of DC KO, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Javi Fernández, starts with a massive fight between the Justice League and their evil counterparts, the Absolute versions, who are being controlled by Darkseid. Surprisingly, the Joker is fighting alongside the heroes, but he quickly switches sides to avoid facing Absolute Batman, reasoning that he wants to dramatically kill Batman. Fueled by energy from Parademons, the Joker enthusiastically attacks Lex Luthor, until Batman unexpectedly reappears and kills the Joker in the same manner as the Joker himself was planning to kill Batman.

Look, it’s official: what happens in DC KO matters to the main DC Universe. The stakes are unbelievably high – the whole multiverse is on the line because of this Omega energy, and even heroes like Batman and Superman are really going all out. And after 86 years, something shocking just happened: Batman broke his most important rule. He killed the Joker, and unbelievably, he seemed…okay with it. He even cracked a joke while doing it!

The Problem With Death Matches… Is That Death Doesn’t Matter

This should have been a major turning point in Batman’s history. However, the comic DC KO #4 quickly moves past it, because the rules of this fight mean death isn’t permanent. While it’s meant to be part of the official story, the characters are acting so differently from their usual selves that it feels more like a violent, fan-made battle. The impact of death is lost, and the comic focuses on the fight against the Absolute Justice League instead.

The similarities in how Batman and the Joker initially ‘die’ are presented humorously, but they’re significant. They suggest that neither can truly defeat the other in a fair fight; both win through unexpected ambushes. This cleverly reinforces the idea that Batman and the Joker are equals, although Batman’s joking remark feels unusual, almost as if hinting at a willingness to go to any lengths to win.

A lot of characters have died in DC KO, and with time travel involved, it’s likely the timeline will be reset, bringing them back. However, for now, the story has shown Batman breaking his most important rule and killing the Joker. The problem is, we won’t see the aftermath of this decision – there will be no exploration of the personal cost, no judgment of his actions, and no reaction from those who care about him. We won’t see how this changes him or affects his relationships, as the story won’t delve into those consequences.

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2026-02-11 16:15