I'm Back and the Blog Will Never Be The Same....

Due to health and family issues I was forced to take a hiatus from writing this blog.

The bad thing?  My inbox filled up with the questions I normally answer while writing the blog.

The good thing?  Reading them all at once gave me an idea of where I should be directing the blog.

So, in an effort to please the most people I am taking the blog in a different direction.  In the past I have written about topics that were up to the minute and relevant.  It turns out that what most people wanted were not me pontificating about these things, instead you wanted more of a history and information on comic books and their characters.  I even had a couple of requests to put something together that could be printed or saved that would make a reference guide of some kind.

One suggestion was to put out a bio on a character or metahuman group each day that could be saved or printed in book form.  Another suggestion was to put together a history of comic books, illustrations, and/or important figures in the comic book arena (such as Stan Lee) that could be saved or printed as a reference book.

I aim to oblige everyone I can.  One thing I need to remind everyone before I get started is that all of the characters and material have some sort of trademark or copyright on them and nothing I print or write can be sold for money.  It's for your personal use only.

So, without any further ado, let's get started.  Today we start with the top of the alphabet with the character that is arguably the strongest in the Marvel Universe:

The Abomination:

Real Name:                Emil Blonsky
Occupation:               Criminal
Base:                           Several locations, including the New York City sewer system
Height:                       6 ft. 8 in.
Weight:                      980 lbs.
Eyes:                          Green
Hair:                          None

First appearance:     Tales to Astonish #90, April 1967

Emil Blonsky was born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia.  He trained as, and became, a spy who infiltrated the US Air Force.  Specifically, the base where Bruce Banner was stationed.  (As an aside, it was at this point in Dr. Banner's life where he was attempting to commit suicide.)

Emil broke in to the base and found the equipment being used by Dr. Banner in his gamma radiation experiments.  He then decided, in all of his infinite wisdom, to use the equipment on himself.  I think it was the old, "I'll use it on me and then attach all those who have wronged me" philosophy.  He got it half right becoming the Abomination.

In an effort to take over the world the Abomination wound up fighting the Hulk numerous times with the first fight ending when he was kidnapped by the Stranger.  In a moment of complete lack of thought the crew of the starship Andromeda saved him.  To give his thanks, the Abomination acted as their First Mate until they returned to Earth.

As the Hulk demolished him time and time again the Abomination lost courage and self confidence causing him to make the New York City sewers his new home.  But he would have his own form of vengeance.

As he was envious of the supposed happiness shared by Bruce and his wife Betty Banner (and we all know how happy THEY were) he wanted to bring it to an end.  His solution?  Poison Betty Banner.

In the end, however, everything works it's way out.  If you remember, the Red Hulk would up shooting, and killing, the Abomination with a special gun designed to kill the Hulk.  And who was the Red Hulk?  None other than Betty's dad.

As a dad I would have done the same thing.


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What Exactly is a “Comic Whisperer?”

This has been quite the month for The Comic Whisperer.  The blog is now getting over 25,000 views monthly and the Facebook page and Twitter page are growing faster than ever.

One other thing that is growing faster than ever is the pile of messages asking, “What exactly is a COMIC WHISPERER?”  So, in an effort to explain this you’ll need to be bored a little with my background.

Hence, for your eyes only, here is a brief background that would be included in a biography about me if one were being written.

When it comes to comic books, my love for them spans almost 50 years.  

My earliest memories are of seeing wild comic books running on my uncle’s ranch.  There I would spend countless hours observing the behavior of the comic books, whether they were alone or in packs.  My obsession didn’t end there however.  

I started watching endless hours of TV and movies that featured highly trained comic books.  By my teens I knew exactly what industry I wanted to be in...pharmaceutical sales.  BUT my love for comics continued.

Putting everything on the line I moved to Connecticut and opened a shop specializing in the breeding, grooming, and training of comic books.  As my skills grew I took on the challenge of rehabilitating aggressive and hard to handle comic books.  My groundbreaking work is not mandatory reading in any learning institutions anywhere.

Now, almost 50 years later, it is agreed by 4 of the 5 voices in my head (the last voice was absent the day the vote took place) that I am the world’s undisputed comic book expert.  

I swear when I am appraising a comic book that I can hear them speaking to me.

I have no idea what biographer they didn’t pick to write this book, but I hear they were a very experienced writer.

So, the mystery is no more and the light of truth has shown upon you.  I look forward to you pretending to enjoy what I write!


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I Put the “Needy” in "New Release Wednesday"

If I look at myself honestly, I can say that I’m not a real special guy by any stretch of the imagination.

I don’t put the “fun” in “funeral”

or

the “laughter” in “manslaughter”

or

even the “riot” in “Iron Patriot”

but I DO put the “needy” in “New Release Wednesday”  (OK, it’s a stretch but what can I say?  I’m needy.)

You and I probably have one thing in common, it’s that our week is filled with the following recipe:

           -Wake Up
           -Go to Work
           -Come Home
           -Go to Sleep
           -Repeat 

So, I literally NEED Wednesdays and the new releases that come on that day.

But, as a comic collector/lover/reader how do you maximize your Wednesdays with the local comic book emporium?  Here’s how I do it:

Start by making a list of all the comics you simply must have.  Your list can be as small or as big as your wallet can afford.  My list is big enough that I am trying to work out some way for the comic store to just do payroll deduction so my bill comes straight from my paycheck.  (Just kidding, although the idea has merit.)

Then go to your favorite website that advertises the new releases for the coming week(s).  My personal favorite is www.comiclist.com.  Tell them The Comic Whisperer sent you.  It won’t get you any type of discount or special treatment but it’ll sure make me feel good.

Check the list(s) which are sorted by publisher and see which comics on your list are coming out this week.  Make a shopping list for yourself or a “pull” list for your local comic shoppe.  (As you are probably aware, a “pull” list is a list of comics which you would like the store to set aside for you weekly.  Some stores even offer a discount if you have them pull for you weekly and pay for them weekly.  What they don’t offer is a “pull them weekly, never pay for them” plan.)

If you don’t want every issue offer to send the list of your weekly picks to the local comic store  proprietor and ask them to put the specific comics you wish to purchase aside.

Then, when Wednesday shows its beautiful face, go to the store and pick up your books! (don’t forget to pay for them, many stores frown on stealing)

If you are a collector there is a pretty good chance that if someone even touches your new comics or, God forbid, bends them, you blow a gasket.  That’s why, with my Marvel comics, I just enter the digital comic redemption code and read it on my iPad.  I then do my weekly chuckle at DC for their thought that I will purchase both a physical AND digital version (another of the many dumb decisions by the DC bean counters.)

But I digress...

Last, if you don’t do so already, you can keep track of your collection as it grows.  I highly recommend doing so on a site such as www.comicbookrealm.com if you don’t mind having it just online.  If you want to use an app to keep track, my personal favorite is a comic inventory app put out by CLZ at www.clz.com.  It’s available on the iOS platform, I’m not sure about Android.

One last thing, keep a list of the specific comics you miss, or don’t get that week, so you can shop for them at the next ComicCon!

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Why Telos by DC is Such a Breath of Fresh Air

TELOS defined by the dictionary:  An ultimate object or aim.

There is no doubt that there has been a drought in the number of new characters by the big two.  I’ve written about it before and will continue to hammer it home, changing a character from a man to a woman is not, by definition, a new character.

I’m personally frustrated by this as even the most historic of characters can get old in their storylines. For instance, although I may be the world’s biggest Superman fan, not all of his storylines can be thrilling and different.  It’s just reality.

I accept this but then have to ask the question:  where has all the creativity gone?  In an imaginary universe that is only limited by our imagination I find it hard to believe that new characters cannot be developed.  Sure, I know the whole corporate approval process and blah, blah but let’s be real.   Do the corporate bigwigs even read comics and enjoy them or are the comics just another bean to count?

These questions lead me to why Telos is such a breath of fresh air.

I read the whole Convergence storyline and have every comic, its variation, arc and whatnot.  Frankly, it had a great premise and Brainiac was the perfect choice for the heel.  But the best thing to come of it was Telos.

In Telos #1 the typical Brainiac scenario plays itself out:

-I was going to hurt you

-It didn’t work the way I had planned

-Don’t hurt me

-Let’s make a deal but it will only work if you help me first

-Thanks for cooperating

-Now that it all worked out my way I’m going to shaft you

And, thus, a storyline is created.

This one, however, has a different twist.  It wasn’t Superman getting played or any other character we are familiar with...instead it was a NEW character born of Convergence.

There are several things that make Telos a character worth following:

First, Telos really had little choice but to go along with Brainiac because family was involved.  I am married for 27 years and have two grown kids and I can tell you; I would throw myself in front of a train if it meant they could live.  So, the reason for Telos doing this crappy errand is believable.

Second, Telos has a name that describes what he is...the ultimate objective or aim.  His power-set has not fully played out yet, but it appears that he is more than a little formidable.  Whether Telos is named this because Brainiac meant it to be that way or the creators did it as somewhat of an “Easter Egg” (or both) is not real clear.  No matter the reason, Telos is aptly named.

Third, the artists drawing Telos have done an incredible job.  He doesn’t look so similar to another character that you are reminded of them (not mentioning any names....Deadpool).  The blade on the arm, the details in the body and face, and the effects created when he uses his powers are all very well done.  Artistically, Telos is a character that draws attention.

Fourth, the writing is well thought out.  Surprisingly Telos doesn’t burst out and save millions on a dying planet.  Instead the writing is vague enough to the point where the audience isn’t really sure if he’s a good guy or bad guy.  Sure, he’s going to save his family and he’s been played by Brainiac, but that doesn’t define his nature (i.e. Luthor and Brainiac turning on each other in a previous storyline).  The comic left me wondering which side of the fence Telos will fall on.  The part that makes Telos special is that you like him so much you don’t really care.

Last, as I mentioned before, he’s new.  Bright, shiny, fresh out of the package, new.  Say what you want about him REALLY being new in the first pages of Convergence, but this is his coming out party!  I will forever be a Superman fan but nothing beats the smell of a new comic character.

My hat is off to Telos and I can’t wait to follow this storyline.  Way to go, DC!

The Comic Whisperer’s Ratings:

Overall Rating:         45 out of 52 parallel universes
Recommendation:    BUY.  Collect only if he tickles your fancy.

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Bruised Fruit...The Top 10 Good Characters That Went Bad (even if just for a little)

It happens occasionally, unless you’re Magneto where it happens all the time, heroes switch to villains or vice versa.  Even in the most recent Ant-Man movie (which I LOVED) you have to question whether Ant-Man is good or bad.  You know it’s true. You may think him the hero, but he was doing some underhanded stuff.  Cool underhanded stuff, but underhanded nonetheless.  We see him as the hero but you could argue he’s a little....questionable.  No matter how you look at Ant-Man there are those who made the switch completely.  This list looks at the bruised fruit of the batch.

The Comic Whisperer’s Top 10 Good Characters That Went Bad (even if just for a little).  This list is in no particular order:

10.)  Superboy Prime:  An obvious choice for the list.  Here was Beaver Cleaver that wound up picking up a cleaver.  You remember what happened.  He was trapped in a dimension with a couple of loved one but cracked under the pressure.  He supposedly hated how dark things were becoming earth wise but wound up turning dark himself.  He pushed planets out of orbit, killed heroes, junked the JLA Watchtower, and even started voting for the Democrats (no hate mail please, I dropped all the political parties in a hat and I drew the Democrats).  After that there was no stopping him.

9.)  Hal Jordan:  You can put Hal in the flip-flop category because although he killed untold numbers of people he’s back with the good guys now.  The interesting part of him turning evil was that he just snapped.  After recreating his beloved Coast City, without the express written consent of the Guardians, he just went berserk.  All was forgiven when he sacrificed his life to reignite the Earth’s Sun.  A pretty easy way to be forgiven if you ask me.  I could reignite the Sun....if I wanted to.

8.)  Jason Todd:  One of my favorite conversions, Jason Todd’s history is probably more to blame than anything for his “bruising”.  The reason for my love is that Jason never really fell over the line into true villainy.  True, he doesn’t mind killing, wreaking havoc, or other mischievous things, but he still can be considered on the hero side...kindof.  The most interesting thing about Jason Todd is that his Robin character was killed off not as a choice of the publisher but as a choice of the fans.  At one point DC had a number you could call to vote whether Jason’s Robin lived or died.  I don’t know how you do a “thumbs down” motion over the phone, but he got tons of ‘em.

7.)  Omni-Man:  Who?!?!  You know...Nolan Grayson!  The Viltrumite sent to protect the Earth.  (It seems like there are alot of races that think the Earth needs a single protector)  You might know him better for his son Mark, the hero Invincible.  In a soap opera like twist, Nolan revealed himself as actually playing for the enemy team and gave his son a near fatal beating.  Sure, Omni-Man played the Magneto role by fluctuating back and forth as hero and villain, but he was a turn-coat.  Thankfully his son Oliver liked him enough to become “Kid Omni-Man”.  Not a very catchy, or original, name.  He could have picked “Kid Bruised Fruit”...Nah.

6.)  The Plutonian:  Yes, a completely original, Superman-like, solo protector of Earth.  (They multiply like bunnies...yeesh)  The title Irredeemable pretty much says it all as this hero-turned-villain snaps because he feels under appreciated.  Oh, boo-hoo.  Join the club.  So, instead of just moping and going to bed early like most of us he kills dozens and sinks Singapore.  As of this writing he has yet to repent for his sins and still falls into the category of Irredeemable.

5.)  Jean Loring:  Everyone’s favorite whack job, Jean Loring went from the wife of a hero, to the ex-wife of a hero, to the killer of a pregnant wife of a hero.  That’s quite a transition.  I used this picture in a previous blog, but the artist truly captured her insanity with this one.  Not to add further unpleasantness, but she didn’t just shoot the Elongated Man’s wife, she shrunk down and caused a brain aneurysm in her.  She left no clues and drove the super hero investigators absolutely insane for dozens of pages.  She’s now at the Dark Phoenix Memorial Rehabilitation Center.

4.)  Terra (of The New Teen Titans):  Former semi-squeeze of Changeling, Terra turned out to be extremely powerful and extremely tight with Deathstroke.  She apparently was planted there from the start to be a mole in the organization.  Is it merely a coincidence that the “mole” was also the one that had control over the earth itself?  Hmmmm.  I don’t want to tell you how she died, but she was crushed by a building.

3.)  Jericho (also of The New Teen Titans):  Jericho was a bigger turn-coat as he actually saved the Titans THEN turned on them.  Now THAT is a way to be undercover and be convincing.  Save the group you are trying to destroy, then destroy them.   Jericho, it turns out, was Deathstroke’s son and was supposedly possessed by spirits.  Likely excuse.  He apparently was able to fight them off long enough for Deathstroke to kill him.  How’s that for a reward for fighting off your demons.  “Dad, I did it!  Ugh!”  (Ugh! is the sound someone makes when they die)  

2.)  Wolverine:  An obvious choice for the list, James Logan Howlett has fought against his own teammates on the X-Men a number of times.  It would seem like dozens of mind-wipes and reprogramming and having adamantium fused to his skeleton left him mentally fragile.  In his defense, he usually became a bad guy when he was brainwashed to do so.  He was possessed by demons in Hell, brainwashed by Apocalypse and the Horsemen, and even taken over by Hydra and the Hand.  This poor guy probably doesn’t know who he is anymore, well, and the fact that he died doesn’t help either.

1.)  Jean Grey:  I didn’t have this in any particular order but she has to be number one.  Starting off as an innocent girl in green and yellow (blue and yellow, black and yellow....whatever) she wound up as a planet swallowing bird made of flames.  It didn’t happen overnight.   Jean’s transformation took many forms and even looked like it may not happen thanks to Professor X and his mental “walls”.  Alas, Jean couldn’t handle all the power (like a long line of U.S. Presidents) and wound up losing control of her own reality.  This lack of control was nudged a little by the members of The Hellfire Club.  That Jason Wyngarde, the women love him.

A betting person would say that the line of characters changing from good to bad is not at it’s end yet.  It’s a twist, that if done properly, can make even the most ardent of collectors do a double take.  It’s also a reminder that heroes are only human.  They snap too.  They just have a little bit more power to play with than you and I do.

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Top 10 Best Dressed Comic Book Characters

I have often wondered how exactly a super hero character gets their outfit.  They often come out of nowhere just....dressed.  No nod to the tailor.  No credit given to the designer.  Nothing.  Oh, sure, you have your heroes like Iron Man who creates his own look and Spider-Man who designed his outfit initially and then had a symbiote design it for him.  But who designed Black Canary’s outfit or was it just that she only had fishnet stocking lying around along with a gymnastics outfit and she went with it?

There are some characters, though, that went to a designer.  They got decked out and really put things together to come up with a stylish look.  For men it’s a design that makes them look almost dapper and for women it’s one that doesn’t rely strictly on tight outfits and cleavage.

Here’s The Comic Whisperer’s Top 10 Best Dressed Comic Book Characters.  They are listed in no particular order.  They all look snappy.

10.)  Emma Frost:  Don’t get me wrong, I have seen some downright “Playboy-esque” drawings of Emma Frost, but I have also her drawn tastefully.  The all white look gives a VERY deceiving pure look, but I think it’s the cape that really pulls it together.  The suit allows her to run and be somewhat flexible, yet it’s airy and light for those times when it’s just too hot to fight bad guys.

9.)  Sebastian Shaw:  Another vaunted member of the Hellfire Club?  Yep, the Black King himself.  Sebastian always looks dapper, as do the other members of the Hellfire Club, with an outfit that commands respect.  As it turns out the white dangly thingy that hangs from his neck is also a great napkin for when Taco Bell forgets to put one in the bag.

8.)  The Phantom Stranger:  I’m not sure who dressed the Phantom Stranger but they did a bang-up job.  Where does one get an outfit in, well, wherever the Phantom Stranger goes?  The thing that sets him apart is that he is one of the few who wears such a stylish hat that matches the cape and outfit.  He also has the confidence to wear the white gloves and dookie rope necklace.  I think this leads to the age old question, “Does the Phantom Stranger suffer from hat head?”

7.)  The Joker:  Say what you will about his insanity and his need to kill any Robin that Batman can come up with, the guy can dress.  Check out the purple and green and red and how they tie together.  Stepping it up with a bowtie the Joker knows how to impress the ladies...or at least Harley Quinn.  My question was always, “Is he white all over?”.  Maybe he’s even hiding a tattoo.  If you really want to make a fortune you should look into being his cosmetics and hair dye salesperson.

6.)  Wonder Woman:  Say what you will about her outfit being revealing or tight but my focus is on the color combination and overall design.  The eagle, the blue with white stars, the yellow lasso, the red top, it’s all perfectly matched.  The boots are just high enough to guard against prickers and resist burrs, and yet they don’t cover the knees reducing flexibility.  She wears a beautiful tiara that pulls the outfit together and keeps her hair at a modest, yet playful, length.  When all the superheroes go to the pool after a hot day crimefighting all Diana needs to do is shed a couple of things and she’s ready for a swim!

5.)  Nick Fury:  Sporting all black, Nick Fury brings style to SHIELD.  Not only does he wear it well, but the black body-length leather jacket really give it that badass feel.  Not only does it give the look of a “cape” like a real superhero, but he could wear almost any accessory because anything goes with black.  The eyepatch adds a nice touch almost like a tiara that was too large and fell down his face crooked.  If he went to a formal affair I would suggest switching to a red eyepatch and adding a red cummerbund.

4.)  Zatanna:  Again, although I had seen many very revealing pictures of Zatanna, she is an extremely well dressed hero.  The fact that she is a stage performer probably accounts for the whole “tuxedo-esque” look.  Sporting the Black Canary fishnet stockings I would imagine this leaves her very flexible should a well placed kick be needed.  Also, if she should ever need to go to a formal occasion after banishing some demon to a nether realm all she needs to do is slip on black pants and she’s good to go.  My guess is that she doesn’t need a tailor, she just says the words, “ecin kool em ekaM”.  Wish I could do that.

3.)  Professor X:  9 times out of 10 Professor X is dressed very smart with a full suit and tie and sometimes even a vest that matches.  Even when he’s not wearing a suit he is still business casual.  I’m not sure how he does it every day.  Does someone dress him or does he do the old “Mental Dressing” trick when no one is looking.  One thing I can tell you is that men cannot pick their own ties so I’m thinking Moira did it for him.

2.)  Iron Man:  With armor for just about every occasion Iron Man is styling all the time.  This is a twofer as Tony Stark is also smiling and styling in every panel.  I’ve wondered how he cleans the inside of his armor after a sweaty battle or what happens if he vomits in his helmet after a high speed plunge.  Is there an “Armor Dry Cleaner” at Stark Industries?  I also have to ask how long his money will last.  Sure he’s rich, but 30 suits of armor, Jarvis constantly running, the huge tower,  Pepper’s constant shopping and his own bar bill has to put a dent in those billions.  I’ll never know.  I wonder if he has a missing son who looks like me?

1.)  Doctor Doom:  Could there be any doubt he’d make the list?  The Monarch of Latveria really knows how to dress.  I can’t help but think that Latveria has one heck of a tailor shop unless he just has the Doombots make stuff for him.  The silver of his armor and the maple leaf green cape with hood really go well together.  He really pulls off the large brown leather belt (which is strictly to hold his gun holster because it sure doesn’t hold his iron knickers up) with the enormous buckle.  It gives him a swashbuckler feel (no play on words intended) By the time you throw in the gold of the cape clip you have a Tryant dressed to the nines.  Who else wears a hood quite so majestically?   The only question I have is does he have a little trapdoor in the back for when he has to go potty?

Well, that ends the list.  Sure there are characters that probably could have made the list that didn’t.  It’s no surprise, however, that despite all of Hank Pym’s different outfits he still didn’t make the list.  He needs Janet to do his shopping for him.  However, seeing her outfits, she may need a persona shopper of her own.  Perhaps we will address the worst dressed characters in the future, I think that would be fun.

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To Kill Or Not To Kill, That Is The Question

I have to confess, I never grow tired of reading people’s opinions as to whether superheroes should or should not kill.  The biggest one, of course, is the eternal Batman vs. Joker argument.  Should he kill the Joker or shouldn’t he?  When one looks at comics like Injustice: Gods Among Us, did you rejoice that Superman finally did in the Joker or do you cringe that Superman went over the line?

I’d like to look at this issue not as a matter of strictly the Batman and the Joker, but as the overall issue in general.

So why write this now?

I read an article today that pushed me over the edge so I have to weigh in on the issue.  But first?  An image:

There, now that that’s out of the way...

I read an article where an ethics expert argues in favor of Batman killing the Joker.  It was one of the worst written arguments I have seen followed up by an even worse argument against the article. Should you wish to see an overview yourself, it can be found here:

http://scifimafia.com/2012/02/ethics-expert-argues-in-favor-of-batman-killing-the-joker-fails-to-understand-batmans-purpose/

I could go into why there really can’t be “Ethics Experts” in a world of greys or I could pontificate about how the author of this article, Brandon Johnston, is obviously not a comic book reader, but I won’t.  I’m a logical person and I would like to take this argument apart piece by piece.  You see it’s not an argument of whether heroes should or should not kill villains, it’s more than that.

Let me shine the light of logic and add my two cents:

Argument; A hero who kills is no better than a villain.  Heroes shouldn’t kill.

Hmmm, is that so Batman? YOU have an issue with killing a man?  Let’s take a look at your own past.  How about when you hung a mental patient from the Batplane?

Or how about the time you killed KGBeast by locking him a room and letting him starve to death?

Or how about the time you left a bunch of crooks inside a burning room to get some nookie?

As an aside, my favorite part is her quote (sorry it’s so blurry), “He doesn’t stop.  He doesn’t spare a one of them. Not a one.  Before I can even catch my breath they’re a bunch of bleeding burning heaps they are.  And God help me I am thunderstruck in love with the man.  The goddamn Batman.”  What great writing!

My Argument:  Heroes are mostly human and they do kill for reasons they feel are justified.  This is NOT a Joker vs. Batman issue, so stop pretending it is.  Here are some more heroes doing what they feel needs to be done.  You remember all of these moments, don’t you?

Next argument; No one has the right to take a life.

Sure, people will get all high and mighty and say that the villain has no right to take a life, but neither does the hero.  It makes them no better than the villain.  Then let me ask you a question.  Did you weep for the Anti-Monitor?  Did you ask why there wasn’t a funeral procession for Doomsday?  If there aren’t jails strong enough to hold the villain is that cause enough?  You might respond that they always come up with a jail or dimension that can hold a villain.  Not so.

Let’s look at Arkham, shall we?  Talk about a prison that can’t seem to hold a criminal.

If Killer Croc gets out once a week and kills 5 people is that enough to put him to death?  How about 10 a week?  20 a week?  What if it’s only once a week but it’s always one of your family members?  

If that doesn’t convince you can we come up with a term (that may already be a term) Killing by Proxy?  Here’s the logic:

The Joker Kills People When He Escapes The Jail He Is Put In

Batman Jails the Joker When He Catches Him For Killing People

The Joker Always Escapes The Jails He Is Put In

Batman Knows the Joker Always Escapes The Jails He Is Put In

Therefore, Every Person the Joker Kills Is Also Killed By Batman By Proxy

My Argument:  If you know the killer is going to get out regardless of what you do are you not, in fact, partly responsible for those deaths?  Aren’t you already taking a life whether you have the right to or not?  Let’s try this another way.  Let’s call a jail cell a house and a cell door a front door.  Let’s also call locking the cell door locking the front door.  If I lock you in the house knowing full well that you will eventually unlock it and get out aren’t I partly responsible for you being out?  I knew the house wouldn’t hold you but I expected you not to get out.  One could argue that the person being locked in should be responsible for their actions, but if they were responsible I wouldn’t have to lock them in.  In this case Batman is taking a life...by proxy.  What gives him the right?

As for the argument of one death to save a million it seems relatively simple.  Phoenix gave her life to save a universe.  What’s the difference between giving her life to save millions versus taking her life to save millions?  The argument is that no one has a right to take a life.  If you didn’t take one to save millions, didn’t you kill millions by not doing it?  If there is something called a lie by ommission shouldn’t there be a death by absentia?

The next argument is one I can NEVER understand.  Putting a criminal to death is not a deterrent. 

Here is what I found in the way of a definition for deterrent:

Deterrent

- a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.

Putting a criminal to death would, in fact, deter them from ever doing it again.  The argument that someone won’t kill another person because of a fear of being put to death is an unstable one at best and not an argument for this blog.  But killing a criminal is certainly a deterrent from them ever doing it again.

My Argument:  This is a no-brainer.  If you know the Joker is guilty and will kill again, then killing him would be a deterrent.

THE STUNNING CONCLUSION!  GASP!

It’s the age old argument...without good there is no bad.  Kill off all the bad and there is no need for the good guys.  I have even heard the reason some believe in the devil is that because there is a God there has to be a devil.  A bad to balance the good.  The heroes NEED the villains, it’s the reason they are heroes.  It’s said best in Injustice:  Gods Among Us.

Translated:  You’re angry at me taking away the reason for you to be Batman.

There is even the argument, and I buy into this whole-heartedly, that although a moral compass guides the hero it can’t be the reason that villains do the crimes.  The occasional villain death is what makes all of these stories so human.  Good people fear the bad and the bad need to sometimes fear the good.

In the end, comics allow us to live out fantasies, be heroes ourselves, and allow us to challenge the views of the populace.

Should the Batman kill the Joker?  He can’t, it’s as simple as that.  Batman can’t be a hero without a villain to catch, the Joker isn’t the Joker without a Batman to challenge.  Let’s face it, if every villain was killed off the writers would run out of ideas for new ones.

Keep debating it, everyone, it’s not only fun but it’s healthy.  Our opinions are what make us who we are.

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