5. Hush: Batman Nearly Kills the Joker
One of the most noteworthy storylines of the 2000s, Hush introduced the character of Tommy Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. Batman is tested as the mysterious Hush throws foe after foe after him, and meanwhile he begins a relationship with Catwoman. As great as Hush is as a villain, it would be difficult to put him on the big screen without a whole horde of other villains. But there is one moment from the series that we definitely need to see on film: Batman almost killing the Joker. When Batman discovers the Joker standing over Tommys body, smoking gun in hand, he loses it. Its the last straw. The Joker has killed too many people over his career, including Jason Todd and Mrs. Gordon. He starts ruthlessly beating the Joker, ignoring his assertions that he is innocent. It isnt until Jim Gordon shows up that Batman finally calms down and decides to let the Joker live. This is one of those moments that really demonstrates how important it is that Batman refuses to kill, no matter what. Even the Joker, the worst of his villains, whose victims number in the 1,000s, is subject to the will of the law. Batman may be brutal in his capture of criminals, but he still knows that he is not judge, jury, or executioner. No matter how tempted he may be, crossing that line would make him no better than the Joker himself.