Hitman, Supes, GLs and the use of lethal force - touch of spoiler

[Captain Smith]

Interesting from one of our debates. The second issue of the Supes/Hitman crossover and the current GLC deal with whether in extreme the usual proscription against killing doesn't serve DCU heroes well.

I think Tommy pretty much demonstrated that Supes and Bats have a significant weakness in that they would hestitate to use lethal force if needed and thus risk humanity as they go for the McGuffin.

However, some folks like the DCU heroes to have this moral aspect as part of their iconic nature. All in all, interesting points were raised.

[Chiroptera]

Said it before and I'll say it again.

One of the reasons I love Wonder Woman is because she killed Maxwell Lord.
One of the reasons I love Catwoman is because she killed Black Mask.
One of the few things I hate about Batman and his entourage is that none of them have rid the world of the Joker's horriffic presence.

I agree that killing should never be considered under normal circumstances. I disagree that it should never be considered at all.
If the only way to stop someone of phenominal power is to kill them then I expect someone to step up an do the deed, and I have less respect for any hero who would refuse to do so.

[Ms. M]

I take a halfway view on this. I like that Superman and Batman don't kill anyone. Since they are essentially acting to assist normal law enforcement then it is appropriate that they set limits for themselves. The ridiculous part is that there is not a much more active death penalty used for these mass murderers in the DCU and that the prisons are so pathetic.

But I don't see why it is a bad idea in the Green Lantern story for the Lanterns to use lethal force in a situation where: a. They are essentially at war b. The other side is stronger than they are because they use lethal force with no hesitation and c. The Lanterns are pretty much the main police force for much of the galaxy and they set their own rules. In this case the limits set were quite sensible.

[CBikle]

One of the few things I hate about Batman and his entourage is that none of them have rid the world of the Joker's horriffic presence.

Even though he's a vigilante that often bypasses the rules, he's pretty much a law and order kind of guy. He believes in the justice system and believes that, at some point, the Joker can be reformed and made sane (probably the Joker's greatest fear and Batman's greatest revenge-fantasy).