WARNING! Spoilers for Batman: Dark Patterns #2
Batman’s no-kill rule is a fundamental aspect of his character that he holds in high regard, but his latest enemy is putting that rule to the test in horrific fashion. The Wound Man has arrived in Gotham, and Batman may have no choice but to betray his moral code and inflict fatal harm upon him. The classic rule that dictates Batman’s vigilantism hangs in the balance with the arrival of a dark threat.
InBatman: Dark Patterns#2 by Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell, and Frank Cvetkovic, Batman comes face-to-face with his scariest villain yet: theWound Man. As implied by his chilling moniker, the Wound Man is covered in nails that dig deep into his flesh. Upon encountering him, Batman learns very quickly that this foe’s gimmick targets his weakness in a shocking way.
Because the Wound Man has nails in his skin, one hit in the wrong spot can kill him.Batman’s strict regulation against killing meets the ultimate challenge as he engages in battle with the Wound Man.
Batman’s New Enemy, The Wound Man, Is the Ultimate Threat to His No-Kill Rule
Batman’s Strict Moral Code Gets Challenged by His Latest Villain
Batman pursues thisGotham villainafter investigating a series of gruesome murders he’s committed, in which the victims are left in a state reminiscent to the Wound Man’s own condition. He tracks the villain to the apartment of his next target, and when the Wound Man arrives, he attempts to talk him down from combat.Batman knows that he can’t fight this enemy in a traditional manner due to the risk of pushing a nail into a vital organ.However, in a surprising turn, the Wound Man doesn’t seem bothered by this possibility. In fact, he actively wants Batman to inflict damage upon him.
DC Is Setting Up Batman’s Rematch Against a Villain the Hero Will Bend His ‘No Kill’ Rule For
There are few villains that Batman truly despises, but DC has just set him up with a rematch against the one villain Batman truly hates.
When Batman expresses that he doesn’t want to hurt him, the Wound Man shouts back,“Please, please hurt me!“He proceeds to lunge towards Batman while repeatedly pleading for the Dark Knight to hurt him.The Wound Man is pushing Batman to turn on his no-kill rule and attack him, even if it means ending his life.Batman realizes he can’t hold his opponent still without doing harm, so he decides that the only way to spare the Wound Man’s life is to use a knockout toxin on him. Had the fight gone on, Batman might have been forced to do the unthinkable and commit murder.
Batman’s Refusal to Kill Leads to Him Saving the Wound Man’s Life
The Wound Man Tries to Break Batman’s Rule, But Batman Doesn’t Give In
Although the Wound Man begs Batman to hurt him, Batman refuses, instead carrying the unconscious attacker to Dr. Sereika in hopes of saving his life. Bruce could have attacked the Wound Man and risked a fatal injury, but he goes out of his way to help him as part of his moral code.Batman often tries to redeem his villains, and though these redemptions don’t always stick, he will never resort to killing them as a permanent solution to Gotham’s villain problem.Batman’s loyalty to his no-kill rule has been tested by the Wound Man, and he’s officially passed the test with flying colors.
Batman: Dark Patterns#2is available now from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
