10 Times Superheroes Weren’t There To Save The Day
9. Joker Paralyses Barbara Gordon - Batman: The Killing Joke
In the iconic story, Batman: The Killing Joke, the Dark Knight confronts his arch-nemesis in his cell to try and bring their cycle of violence to a close. During this encounter, Batman learns the prisoner he is speaking to is actually a decoy and the Joker has been free for an undetermined length of time.
The following day, the Clown Prince of Crime enters Commissioner Jim Gordon's residence and shoots his daughter, Barbara Gordon, through the spine, leaving her paralysed. His henchmen knock the commissioner out, while Joker proceeds undress Barbara, and take photos of her wounded body.
The Joker's goons bring Gordon to an abandoned amusement park, strip him naked, chain him inside a cage, and force him to look at photographs of Barbara's undressed and injured body. Batman does eventually rescue Jim, and while both himself and Barbara mount mental recoveries, the scars of the encounter would last for decades after.
Batman: The Killing Joke is among the most famous one-shot comics ever. Not only does it delve into the Joker's backstory but also highlights why Batman is one of the world's most celebrated heroes. Batman doesn't fight crime because he wants to; he does it because he knows how severe the consequences are if he fails.