Within the intricate and morally ambiguous realm of Gotham City, Batgirl has shattered expectations by demonstrating her willingness to breach Batman’s sacred ‘no killing’ rule when it comes to the Joker. This stunning development in her character arc has redefined fans’ understanding of Barbara Gordon, turning her established persona on its head.
Batman: Three Jokers #1 – by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh – presents a unique scenario that tests Batgirl’s fortitude in upholding Batman’s core principle.
In the issue, Joker pushes Red Hood, the former Robin Jason Todd, to the brink, prompting him to nearly end the Joker’s life. However, what unfolds next unveils Batgirl’s own willingness to cross the line of the ‘no killing’ rule.
Batgirl Kills Joker Through Complicity In Batman: Three Jokers
Batgirl is renowned as one of Batman’s most dedicated disciples, especially when it comes to adhering to her mentor’s ‘no killing’ rule. This is put to the test in Batman: Three Jokers #1. In a pivotal scene, Jason kills Joker, with the issue adding to the tension by questioning whether or not Batgirl made an appropriate effort to stop him. Her anger at Jason for violating the ‘no killing’ rule is seemingly evident. However, when Jason confronts her with a pointed question, “When was the last time you missed, Barbara?” it becomes apparent that she had the power to intervene if she wished.
The Savior And Potential Killer In Batgirl Are At Odds With Each Other
Jason’s pointed implication that Batgirl let him kill the Joker is only reinforced by Batgirl’s bitter retort, “Screw you, Jason.” Seemingly, Barbara acknowledges her complicity in the clown’s death, by purposely failing to stop Jason from making his kill shot. Despite the overwhelming guilt and emotional turmoil that grips Barbara in the moments following the Joker’s death, this critical juncture sheds light on a surprising truth: hidden within Batgirl is an unspoken longing for the Joker’s demise. This truth pushes her to the edge of defying Batman’s cherished ‘no killing’ principle, unveiling an entirely new aspect of Barbara Gordon’s character.
Batman: Three Jokers exposes a tangled inner conflict at play in Barbara Gordon’s character, hinting at the possibility that, given the right mix of circumstances and motivations, she could follow in Red Hood’s footsteps and cross the line of Batman’s unwavering ‘no killing’ rule.
The impact of this revelation is profound. It portrays Batgirl as a character who doesn’t view the ‘no killing’ rule in the black-and-white manner previously believed. It suggests that Barbara may deem killing by complicity acceptable in certain circumstances, especially when it concerns the Joker. This scene adds depth to Batgirl’s character, and positions her as someone who can empathize with Red Hood’s darker inclinations.
However, the emotional turmoil she experiences after Joker’s death suggests that she grapples seriously with her own internal conflict, that her true moral stance toward killing is more complicated than even this extreme circumstance is able to reveal. Batman: Three Jokers puts its heroes in one of the most compromising positions they have ever faced, tracing their reactions and the unexpected consequences that follow in the series three-issue arc. This moral complexity not only enriches Batgirl’s character but also adds layers to the intricate world of DC storytelling, showing that even the most steadfast principles can be tested in the shadows of Gotham City.