Batman: More Ruthless Than Joker? A Dark Snyder-Verse Theory

Ben Affleck's portrayal of Batman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is undeniably darker than many previous iterations. While the Joker is infamous for his cruelty, a grim fan theory suggests that Affleck's Batman was even more ruthless before the events of *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice*. This theory paints a picture of a Dark Knight driven to extreme measures.

The DCEU introduced a Batman who had already been operating for years. Unlike origin stories, we see him hardened and jaded. This version of Bruce Wayne, haunted by past tragedies, readily resorts to lethal force, a significant departure from the character's traditional no-kill rule.

The Dark Knight's Lethal Methods *Batman v Superman* shows us a Bruce Wayne branding criminals and exhibiting a clear willingness to kill. The film reveals that Robin's death at the hands of the Joker deeply scarred him, pushing him down a violent path. This loss seemingly justified abandoning his moral code.

The theory posits that Batman's grief and rage after Robin's murder led him to eliminate many of Gotham's most notorious villains. Mister Freeze, Bane, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Penguin, and Scarecrow may have all met their ends at the hands of a Batman consumed by vengeance. He might have decided to imprison villains like Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, and Deadshot at Arkham, realizing that killing supervillains could worsen the situation.

The Fear of Superman Batman's willingness to kill Superman in *Batman v Superman* further supports this theory. He was prepared to use a Kryptonite spear to murder the Kryptonian, demonstrating a capacity for lethal force against even the most powerful beings. The arrival of Superman, an invulnerable being, after Batman had seemingly purged Gotham of his rogue's gallery, may have been a challenge to his methods and control.

Justice League's Knightmare Future The grim future depicted in *Justice League*'s Knightmare sequence provides further evidence. In this timeline, Batman confronts the Joker, who taunts him with Robin's death. Batman chillingly retorts by mentioning that Harley Quinn "begged" him to kill the Joker slowly before she died in his arms. This exchange suggests a history of violence and a broken moral code. The fact that Batman teams up with the Joker in this timeline underscores the depth of his desperation and the consequences of his past actions.