Content Disclaimer: This article discusses the moral implications of fictional characters and their actions within the context of comic book storytelling. The points made are strictly in reference to the fictional universe of Batman and are not meant to condone, promote, or suggest violence in the real world. Vigilantism, lethal force, and justice through violence are complex and dangerous topics that should never be applied outside of fictional narratives. In real life, violence is never the answer, and justice must be pursued through lawful and ethical means.
Batman is known throughout the DC Universe for his strict and often controversial ‘No-Kill’ rule. Some characters and readers argue that the Dark Knight should make an exception for villains like the Joker. And as one new rogue points out, there is something even worse than being a killer, and Batman is more than guilty of it.
Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 picks up right where the previous issue left off, following the aftermath of a new rogue killing a criminal that Robin, Jason Todd, had been chasing. Jason froze during the pursuit, triggered by a PTSD flashback, and nearly got himself killed.
The new figure in Gotham calls himself Wraith, and while his methods are extreme, he saves Jason using his own brand of justice. Wraith also delivers some harsh but valid truth bombs to Batman, claiming that while the Dark Knight may not be a killer, he’s something even worse: an enabler.
Batman Calls a New Villain a Killer, But Gets Hit With a Much Worse Truth
Main Cover by Dustin Nguyen for Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 (2025)
Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 features the first encounter between Batman and Wraith, with the supposed villain making an unforgettable impression by saving Robin’s life and killing a criminal in the same moment. Batman confronts Wraith on a rooftop, where the rogue tries to avoid a fight by claiming they “want the same things.”
Wraith is clearly suggesting that both he and Batman aim to stop crime and deliver justice. However, Bruce quickly shuts down any sense of shared purpose by condemning Wraith as a killer, something he refuses to become. Wraith does not take the insult lightly. Instead, he responds with a sharp accusation of his own.
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When Batman calls him a killer, Wraith fires back, saying, “And you’re an enabler. You let them live and just fight them again and again. And in between they keep killing and hurting innocent people.” It is a strong rebuttal and one that reflects a long-standing criticism voiced by fans and characters within the DC Universe.
When Batman remains silent, Wraith continues, saying, “We’re soldiers. This is a war.” The implication is that casualties are unavoidable and that refusing to act decisively only allows more death. While Wraith may take the idea of killing too far, his claim that Batman is an enabler carries weight and forces readers to reconsider what it really means to avoid killing in a world full of repeat offenders.
Why Batman’s No-Kill Rule Could Make Him Worse Than Gotham’s Killers
Cover C Guillem March Variant for Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 (2025)
In a fictional world like the DC Universe, an enabler can often be seen as far worse than a killer such as Wraith, who appears to only target those who have harmed others. Enablers like Batman, who refuse to kill villains such as the Joker or Zsasz, allow the cycle of violence to continue by refusing to stop these threats permanently, even when they know more innocent lives will be lost.
From this perspective, Batman becomes indirectly responsible for the deaths caused by maniacs like the Joker, lives that might have been spared if he had chosen a more permanent solution. One could argue that by refusing to kill his most dangerous enemies, Batman is consciously choosing to sacrifice future victims in order to preserve his personal ethics.
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It is also important to recognize that Batman doesn’t just avoid killing. He has actively saved the lives of killers like the Joker on multiple occasions. In doing so, he becomes even more of an enabler by going out of his way to protect those who will inevitably harm others again. That protection comes at the cost of innocent lives.
Viewed through this lens, Batman may be worse than the very killers he condemns. He has the power to stop them permanently, yet he chooses not to. Of course, opinions on the killer versus enabler debate will always vary, but it is hard to deny that Wraith makes a powerful and thought-provoking argument when he calls Batman out.
Wraith’s Impact on Jason Todd: The Beginning of Red Hood’s Killer Mindset
Cover B Rafael Albuquerque Variant for Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2
What makes Wraith’s truth-bomb even more interesting is considering it within the context of Jason Todd’s story. This conversation, where Batman is accused of being an enabler, takes place during Jason’s years as Robin. Yet it echoes a sentiment Jason would later express himself as the Red Hood.
Fans of Red Hood know that Jason famously argued for killing the Joker in Judd Winick’s Batman: Under the Red Hood. He begged Bruce to kill the Joker, just the Joker, and pointed out how many lives would be saved if Bruce had done so long ago.
With this future insight, fans can clearly see the parallels between Red Hood and Wraith’s personal views on crime and justice. This connection gains even more weight thanks to the ending of this issue, which reveals Jason abandoning Batman as his mentor and seeking out Wraith.
This retelling of Jason’s origin could very well explain where Red Hood’s own philosophy on killing comes from, given the many similarities between him and Wraith. This development will undoubtedly add an intriguing layer to Red Hood’s lore and deepen the divide between him and Batman in the later chapters of his story.
Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 is available now from DC Comics!
