In the world of Gotham City, Batman has faced many dangerous criminals. Some use brains, others use power. But there’s one villain who stands out from all the rest – the Joker. He’s not just Batman’s biggest enemy, he’s also the one villain who can never be stopped for good. In Detective Comics #1099, Batman explains why certain types of villains are the most dangerous, and what he says fits the Joker perfectly.
Let’s break down why the Joker will always be Gotham’s ultimate threat.
Batman’s Most Feared Criminals Are the Ones Without Empathy
In the latest issue of Detective Comics, written by Tom Taylor, Batman reflects on a villain named Ambrose. Ambrose did something shocking—he shot his own men just to get ahead. This moment reminded Batman of the type of villain he fears the most: those who have no empathy.
Empathy is the ability to understand or feel what others are going through. When a person doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings, they are capable of doing anything. Batman believes villains without empathy are the most dangerous—and the Joker is the perfect example of this.
The Joker Doesn’t Care About Anyone—Not Even His Allies
Over the years, Batman has fought many famous villains like the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, and Killer Croc. These criminals, despite their evil acts, still have something human in them. For example, Mr. Freeze wants to save his wife, and Killer Croc, though violent, still has feelings inside.
But the Joker is completely different. He doesn’t have any rules or limits. He doesn’t care who he hurts—not even the people who help him. He often betrays his own allies and causes chaos just to get Batman’s attention. Unlike others, he enjoys pain and destruction.
Why the Joker Is the Biggest Challenge to Batman’s No-Kill Rule
Batman has a strict rule: he doesn’t kill. No matter how evil a criminal is, Batman always finds another way to stop them. This is one of the things that makes him a true hero. But the Joker is the ultimate test of that rule.
The Joker is not only beyond saving, but he also can’t be locked up for long. He escapes from prison again and again, spreading death and terror every time. Batman knows the Joker will strike again, but he still chooses not to kill him. This creates a never-ending cycle: Joker causes chaos, Batman stops him, and the Joker returns.
No matter what Batman does—build better prisons, use new gadgets, or come up with smart plans—the Joker always finds a way back. He is more than just a villain. He is chaos itself.
The Joker Represents Pure Evil in a City Full of Crime
Gotham City is full of crime and corruption. But most villains in Gotham want something—money, revenge, power. The Joker, on the other hand, wants nothing except to cause pain. He doesn’t care about winning or losing. He only wants to prove that anyone can fall into madness.
This makes him the perfect opposite of Batman. While Batman stands for justice and self-control, the Joker stands for madness and destruction. That’s why their fight never ends, and why the Joker will always be Batman’s deadliest enemy.
