10 Times We Saw Behind Batman's Mask In The DCAU
3. Starcrossed
Bruce Wayne has been shown as willing to sacrifice everything in his pursuit of justice. In at least one episode of Justice League, this was almost quite literal.
The finale of the original Justice League series was a multi-part epic called 'Starcrossed', in which it was revealed that Hawkgirl had been, for several years, an agent of the Thanagarian military. Her role was simple - scout Earth and its heroes in preparation for invasion of Earth by Thanagar.
With the Justice League scattered, in a last-ditch plan Batman decides to send the Watchtower to Earth like a giant missile, destroying a massive Thanagarian teleporter. As the last Leaguers leave the Watchtower, Batman locks Green Lantern and Flash into an escape pod, telling them that his plan necessitates that someone pilot the station. He tells his teammates that it was an honour to fight alongside them before ejecting the pod.
The next few minutes are an exercise in tension as Batman, growing increasingly weak from the heat of re-entry, approaches Earth, being saved shortly before impact by Superman. Beside being yet another example of Batman's tremendous skillset, it is an incredible depiction of the lengths Bruce is willing to go to in order to protect the innocent. His life is of no consequence as long as he can go out saving those who can't save themselves.