In the comics, Batman is famed for his one rule: do not kill. Strangely, this rule is rarely reflected in his live-action film adaptations. This is especially true of the Snyderverse, where Ben Affleck‘s Bruce Wayne routinely used lethal force against criminals. However, a preview of Batman and Robin: Year One #8 reveals another rule the Dark Knight has about guns.
Written by Mark Waid, with art by Chris Samnee, Batman and Robin: Year One #8 finds the Dynamic Duo setting a trap. A killer in Gotham City is seemingly targeting fathers and sons. This makes Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson an ideal target. The two are able to set a decoy for the killer. However, when the tables are turned, Robin crosses a line that leads to the reveal of Batman’s second rule.
The main cover and first five pages of Batman and Robin: Year One #8 may be viewed below.
Batman does not kill or use guns to threaten others
Despite uneven depictions in the movies, Batman’s rule against killing is fairly famous. However, as this comic reveals, he also objects to using guns in a non-lethal capacity. Seeing Robin using a gun merely to intimidate is enough to trigger a PTSD flashback to the the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne.
This makes sense, given Bruce Wayne’s history. His reaction here is consistent with that of an aversion-based phobia. Specifically hoplophobia, which is the fear of firearms and ammunition. Many classic Batman comics depicted the Dark Knight reacting with similar intensity whenever he was directly threatened with a gun.
In this case, however, it is the context of the threat that seems to set Batman off rather than the gun itself. He has no issue with people shooting at him and can handle guns in a passive capacity. Seeing his young ward making threats like the mugger who killed his parents, however, drives the Dark Knight into a rage.
Batman and Robin: Year One #8 arrives in comic shops everywhere on June 18, 2025.
