While Batman is widely recognized for his strict moral code against killing, this principle was not part of his original characterization. Early on, he often used lethal force, and despite the later establishment of his no-kill rule, there have been notable exceptions where his actions still resulted in death. Not included in this list are the killings of undead characters like vampires and zombies. TAP COVER AND SWIPE TO VIEW IMAGES TO DECIDE FOR YOURSELF IF BATMAN IS ON THE HOOK FOR THESE DEATHS
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Detective Comics #27
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Commissioner Gordon
💰 Detective Comics #27 has sold for over one million dollars 6x with a record high sale in 6.5 for $1.8 million (April 2024)
Batman Killings
Batman punches a man which causes him to fall into an acid tank
1st appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Commissioner Gordon
💰 Detective Comics #27 has sold for over one million dollars 6x with a record high sale in 6.5 for $1.8 million (April 2024)
Batman Killings
Batman punches a man which causes him to fall into an acid tank
Detective Comics #28
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Batman
Batman Killings
Batman launches a man off of a rooftop
2nd appearance of Batman
Batman Killings
Batman launches a man off of a rooftop
Detective Comics #29
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance of Batman
2nd cover appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Doctor Death, the first Batman villain
Debut of Batman's utility belt
Batman Killings
Instead of using a fire extinguisher to rescue and apprehend two enemies from a burning room, Batman uses it to spill an accelerant onto the blaze which kills one
In the next issue, it is revealed that Doctor Death had survived but was horribly burned
3rd appearance of Batman
2nd cover appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Doctor Death, the first Batman villain
Debut of Batman's utility belt
Batman Killings
Instead of using a fire extinguisher to rescue and apprehend two enemies from a burning room, Batman uses it to spill an accelerant onto the blaze which kills one
In the next issue, it is revealed that Doctor Death had survived but was horribly burned
Detective Comics #30
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
4th appearance of Batman
2nd appearance of Dr. Death
Batman Killings
Batman drops from a rooftop and kicks a gun-wielding man who is leaning out of a window, breaking the man's neck
4th appearance of Batman
2nd appearance of Dr. Death
Batman Killings
Batman drops from a rooftop and kicks a gun-wielding man who is leaning out of a window, breaking the man's neck
Detective Comics #33
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Origin and 7th appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Joe Chill
1st appearance and death of Thomas and Martha Wayne
Cover art depicts Batman with a gun
Batman Killings
Using a gas pellet, Batman incapacitates an enemy pilot, causing the plane to crash into the water
Origin and 7th appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Joe Chill
1st appearance and death of Thomas and Martha Wayne
Cover art depicts Batman with a gun
Batman Killings
Using a gas pellet, Batman incapacitates an enemy pilot, causing the plane to crash into the water
Detective Comics #34
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
8th appearance of Batman
Batman Killings
Batman chokes the driver of a car careening toward a cliff, then leaps free just before it plunges over the edge, leaving the man inside
8th appearance of Batman
Batman Killings
Batman chokes the driver of a car careening toward a cliff, then leaps free just before it plunges over the edge, leaving the man inside
Detective Comics #35
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Hypodermic needle cover
9th appearance of Batman
Batman Killings
Batman bashes a ruby artifact into an enemy’s face, sending him crashing backward through a window and onto the sidewalk below
Hypodermic needle cover
9th appearance of Batman
Batman Killings
Batman bashes a ruby artifact into an enemy’s face, sending him crashing backward through a window and onto the sidewalk below
Detective Comics #37
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Final solo adventure of Batman in the Golden Age
Batman Killings
Batman punches a man, sending him backward into a sword
Final solo adventure of Batman in the Golden Age
Batman Killings
Batman punches a man, sending him backward into a sword
Batman #1
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Batman Killings
Batman expresses remorse as he kills two thugs with the Batplane's gatling gun
Batman hangs one Monster Man from a rope tied to the Batplane and gasses another, causing him to fall off a skyscraper
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Batman Killings
Batman expresses remorse as he kills two thugs with the Batplane's gatling gun
Batman hangs one Monster Man from a rope tied to the Batplane and gasses another, causing him to fall off a skyscraper
Detective Comics #39
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance of Robin
Batman Killings
Batman topples a massive statue onto a group of men from the Horde of the Green Dragon, crushing them beneath its weight
3rd appearance of Robin
Batman Killings
Batman topples a massive statue onto a group of men from the Horde of the Green Dragon, crushing them beneath its weight
Batman #2
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of the Joker
2nd appearance of Catwoman, Selina Kyle and first time she is referred to as Cat Woman, used interchangeably with The Cat
Batman Killings
Batman sends a deranged man down a flight of stairs, snapping his neck which results in his death soon after
Batman yanks a baby-like giant off a high beam, sending him plummeting to his death
2nd appearance of the Joker
2nd appearance of Catwoman, Selina Kyle and first time she is referred to as Cat Woman, used interchangeably with The Cat
Batman Killings
Batman sends a deranged man down a flight of stairs, snapping his neck which results in his death soon after
Batman yanks a baby-like giant off a high beam, sending him plummeting to his death
Batman #3
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Debut of the first Catwoman costume, a mask resembling an actual cat
1st appearance of Puppet Master
Batman Killings
Batman kick-flips a thug off of a tall building
Debut of the first Catwoman costume, a mask resembling an actual cat
1st appearance of Puppet Master
Batman Killings
Batman kick-flips a thug off of a tall building
Batman #4
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Batman's code of ethics to not kill is established
First mention of Gotham City
1st appearance of Jack of Diamonds aka Dr. Deegan
1st appearance of Jimmy McCoy, a gangster
[August 2025 - Jimmy McCoy is seen on a newspaper prop used in the Clayface movie]
Batman Killings
This is the moment in Batman's timeline when the concept of preserving human life was established
Batman's code of ethics to not kill is established
First mention of Gotham City
1st appearance of Jack of Diamonds aka Dr. Deegan
1st appearance of Jimmy McCoy, a gangster
[August 2025 - Jimmy McCoy is seen on a newspaper prop used in the Clayface movie]
Batman Killings
This is the moment in Batman's timeline when the concept of preserving human life was established
Detective Comics #55
DC
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman uppercuts an attacker into a vat of molten steel
Later, Batman launches two enemies off of an airborne dirigible
Batman Killings
Batman uppercuts an attacker into a vat of molten steel
Later, Batman launches two enemies off of an airborne dirigible
Detective Comics #56
DC
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman knocks a circus worker into a support pillar, triggering a collapse that brings the mine ceiling down on top of the man
Batman Killings
Batman knocks a circus worker into a support pillar, triggering a collapse that brings the mine ceiling down on top of the man
Brave and the Bold, The #84
DC
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Bruce Wayne blows a plane out of the sky with a grenade, then later dynamites a bridge being crossed by weapon smugglers
Batman Killings
Bruce Wayne blows a plane out of the sky with a grenade, then later dynamites a bridge being crossed by weapon smugglers
Detective Comics #395
DC
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
First collaboration between Neal Adams and Dennis O'Neil on the Detective Comics title
Batman Killings
Batman destroys a garden of mystical flowers responsible for granting immortality to a couple, causing them to rapidly age and die
First collaboration between Neal Adams and Dennis O'Neil on the Detective Comics title
Batman Killings
Batman destroys a garden of mystical flowers responsible for granting immortality to a couple, causing them to rapidly age and die
Batman #221
DC
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman kick-flips an attacker into a pit occupied by a crazed, rabid lamb
Batman Killings
Batman kick-flips an attacker into a pit occupied by a crazed, rabid lamb
Batman #270
DC
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman quips after knocking an attacker into a statue, which topples onto him and breaks his neck
Batman Killings
Batman quips after knocking an attacker into a statue, which topples onto him and breaks his neck
Batman #290
DC
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman hurls a crazed inventor into an electrical box, which, based on a later conversation with Commissioner Gordon, can be assumed to have killed him
Batman Killings
Batman hurls a crazed inventor into an electrical box, which, based on a later conversation with Commissioner Gordon, can be assumed to have killed him
Brave and the Bold, The #157
DC
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman rescues a kidnapping victim, but his actions cause the helicopter pilot involved to crash and die
Batman Killings
Batman rescues a kidnapping victim, but his actions cause the helicopter pilot involved to crash and die
Brave and the Bold, The #159
DC
•
1980
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
A thug’s body is transformed into lifeless glass after Batman tosses him into a wall made of mysterious crystal
Batman Killings
A thug’s body is transformed into lifeless glass after Batman tosses him into a wall made of mysterious crystal
Batman #340
DC
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
A man, transformed into a beast by contaminated water, is delivered into an inescapable, watery death by a punch from Batman
Batman Killings
A man, transformed into a beast by contaminated water, is delivered into an inescapable, watery death by a punch from Batman
Brave and the Bold, The #193
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman launches an attacker off a bridge into the water then shows remorse when the man never resurfaces
Batman Killings
Batman launches an attacker off a bridge into the water then shows remorse when the man never resurfaces
Detective Comics #572
DC
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Guest appearance of Sherlock Holmes
Batman Killings
After rabbit-punching a thug into unconsciousness, Batman uses the man's body as a shield to absorb a barrage of bullets
Guest appearance of Sherlock Holmes
Batman Killings
After rabbit-punching a thug into unconsciousness, Batman uses the man's body as a shield to absorb a barrage of bullets
Detective Comics #590
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman flips an attacker into another, sending him crashing through a window and impaling him on the spiked security wall below
Later, Batman crashes a car into a group of terrorists, triggering an explosion that incinerates them
Batman Killings
Batman flips an attacker into another, sending him crashing through a window and impaling him on the spiked security wall below
Later, Batman crashes a car into a group of terrorists, triggering an explosion that incinerates them
1st appearance of Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, as a baby
Initially an alternate reality story that was retconned into continuity by Grant Morrison
The softcover edition was preceded by the December 1987 hardcover edition
Batman Killings
Batman’s actions leave a trail of bodies from gunfire crossfire, a flesh-eating acid incident and a helicopter crash
1st appearance of Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, as a baby
Initially an alternate reality story that was retconned into continuity by Grant Morrison
The softcover edition was preceded by the December 1987 hardcover edition
Batman Killings
Batman’s actions leave a trail of bodies from gunfire crossfire, a flesh-eating acid incident and a helicopter crash
Batman #425
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman topples a stack of junkyard cars onto a gunman
Detective Comics #613
DC
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
A well-timed kick from Batman sends one thug into another and both into the grinders of a garbage truck
Batman Killings
A well-timed kick from Batman sends one thug into another and both into the grinders of a garbage truck
Batman Killings
Batman crash-lands a jet into Ra's al Ghul's airplane hangar, then detonates a bomb while control room personnel are still inside
Batman Killings
Batman crash-lands a jet into Ra's al Ghul's airplane hangar, then detonates a bomb while control room personnel are still inside
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #84
DC
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman knocks a man infected with a deadly virus into the sea then delivers his decapitated head to the office of the man who is responsible for the bioweapon
Batman Killings
Batman knocks a man infected with a deadly virus into the sea then delivers his decapitated head to the office of the man who is responsible for the bioweapon
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #155
DC
•
2002
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
A split second from being hurled off a building, Batman pulls a reversal on an assassin who falls to his death
Batman Killings
A split second from being hurled off a building, Batman pulls a reversal on an assassin who falls to his death
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #158
DC
•
2002
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Batman uses a thug as a human shield who takes eight bullets for the caped crusader
Batman Killings
Batman uses a thug as a human shield who takes eight bullets for the caped crusader
Batman Confidential #50
DC
•
2010
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman Killings
Prior to taking up the mantle of the bat, Bruce Wayne uses a guerilla soldier as a human shield in what is likely his first inadvertent kill
Batman Killings
Prior to taking up the mantle of the bat, Bruce Wayne uses a guerilla soldier as a human shield in what is likely his first inadvertent kill
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