10 Most Powerful Characters Killed By Batman

10. The Joker - JLA: The Nail

Few villains strike fear in the heart of most heroes, villains and ordinary DC citizens such as the Joker.

The Clown Prince of Crime has dealt Batman many humbling defeats over the years, and his reign of terror has not only affected Gotham but also the entire DC Universe at large. Among others, the volatile villain has been responsible for the deaths of Jason Todd and Sarah Essen as well as Barbara Gordon's paralysis.

Unsurprisingly, many fans have wondered why Batman spared his nemesis despite all the devastation he wrought over the years, and 2001's Elseworlds story, JLA: The Nail, realises what would happen if the Gotham Knight decided to put an end to the Joker's cruelty.

In this Superman-less reality, the Joker orchestrates a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum, and in true Joker fashion, kills Batgirl and Robin in the process. A vengeful and grieving Batman then savagely beats the criminal and snaps his neck on live television.

It was later revealed that the Joker intentionally provoked his foe into attacking him, knowing it would tarnish the Justice League's already shaky reputation.