The Dark Knight has captivated audiences for decades through every medium from comic books to movies. The dark charisma of the Caped Crusader undoubtedly adds to his appeal. Batman is one of the most, if not the most, conflicted characters in the DC Universe. He's traumatized by the death of his parents and engages in a never-ending war as a symbol that will scare evildoers.
It's interesting to see Batman's balancing act. At times Batman has a high moral standard, vowing never to stoop as low as the criminals he pursues. Batman also has been known to mentor a new generation of crime fighters. But the demons of his past can bubble up to the surface of Batman, creating some downright horrifying moments.
10 Inspirational: Batman Overcoming Mind Control Is Impressive
What started off as Batman's most terrifying moment became one of his most underrated accomplishments as a leader. In the movie Batman: Bad Blood, Bruce is kidnapped and brainwashed by the Mad Hatter as a part of a plan by The League of Shadows.
Even though Bruce is rescued, Talia al Ghul employs her plan to hypnotize world leaders at Bruce's tech summit. Batman is under Talia's mind control and fights off Nightwing. While Batman is so close to killing Nightwing and his own son Damien, he's mentally strong enough to resist the mind control in the end. Batman chases off Talia and commands a squad of Robin, Nightwing, Batwoman, and Batwing. Though encouraged by Nightwing, Batman overcoming mind control is inspirational.
9 Terrifying: Batman's God Complex In Batman Begins Is Nothing To Make Light Of
One of the best examples of the dormant possibility of Batman becoming a complete monster is in Batman Begins. While investigating mobster Carmine Falcone, Batman interrogates a corrupt cop named Detective Flass about a suspicious shipment at the docks. Batman surprises Flass by ambushing him with a grapple. Flass is terrified as Batman drops him several stories from a building, toying with the cop to believe he's dropping to his death.
When Flass swears to God that he doesn't know anything, Batman utters the famous line "swear to me." This scene highlights the main mission of Batman to instill a reputation of fear in criminals. But what's the most terrifying is to see how Bruce can get drunk with his vigilante power.
8 Inspirational: Batman Year One Shows A Humble Yet Motivated Version Of The Character
The inspirational Batman quote "why do we fall? so we can pick ourselves back up" is the best way to sum up Batman: Year One. The series narrates Bruce's first year as Batman and shows some of the mistakes he's made along the way.
At one point Bruce goes to the red light district to fight crime himself, when he gets wounded and arrested by corrupt cops in the process. Batman escapes by freeing himself and crashing their car. However, he saves the crooked officers from a burning car because "even scum have families." Watching Bruce go through humbling experiences becoming Batman is a true inspiration (Jim Gordon as well).
7 Terrifying: Batman Almost Beating The Joker To Death Sent Chills Down Readers Spines
The Clown Prince of Crime can drive anyone to the brink of losing control. Even a vigilante as stoic as Batman can be pushed to the edge by the Joker's madness. In Batman: Hush, Batman beats the Joker within an inch of his life.
He fends off Catwoman and Harley Quinn as he continues to pummel the Joker, only to be stopped by Jim Gordon. Between killing Jason Todd and his horrendous attacks on Gotham City, it's not like the Joker doesn't deserve a beatdown. The terrifying moment comes from watching Batman lose himself in an unrepentant fit of rage. It's extremely unnerving to witness.
6 Inspirational: Batman's Recovery In Knightfall Should Be Applauded
Bane's introduction to DC in the early 90s is surely an unforgettable one. In the series Knightfall, Batman gets his back broken in a brutal fight with Bane after he surprises him at Wayne Manor. Throughout the Knightfall series, we watch Batman recover with the help Dr. Kinsolving and Lady Shiva to bring himself into crime-fighting shape.
Batman also struggles with Azrael after he replaces Bruce as a more violent caped crusader. The notable inspiration here about Batman's character is not only his recovery back to health. It's inspirational how Batman doesn't bring Azrael to the police after he stops him, taking responsibility for giving Azrael power in the first place.
5 Terrifying: Batman Traps And Starves A Villain As Punishment
One of the few times Batman broke his rule to avoid killing was when he faced a soviet assassin known as the KGBeast. Batman realized that he could not kill KGBeast in a fair fight. Batman devised to lure the assassin into a trap instead. Using his understanding of the inner workings of Gotham's sewer system, Batman captured the KGBeast.
Once the KGBeast fell for the trap, Batman sealed him off in a room with the intention of starving him to death. Part of this is inspirational as Batman used his wits, one of his greatest advantages, to defeat a villain. But this is more terrifying as you see how potentially diabolical Batman can be. Just imagine if he teamed of with Joker!
4 Inspirational: Batman's Self Sacrifice Against Darkseid and Steppenwolf Was A Prime Example Of Courage
Batman's fight against the New Gods is a prime example of courage in the DC universe. In Earth 2, Batman comes up with a plan to stop Steppenwolf's army after Superman and Wonder Woman sacrifice themselves. Unfortunately, this plan includes sacrificing himself as well.
Batman's arc in Grant Morrison's Final Crisis is another example of amazing self-sacrifice. Batman used a Radion bullet (which can kill the New Gods) to shoot and kill Darkseid, breaking his only rule not to kill (though this is a tremendous circumstance). Batman's journey to put himself through harm's way to defeat Darkseid and Steppenwolf is an inspiration to us all.
3 Terrifying: Batman In Arkham Asylum Shows How Similar He Is To Those He Fights
Grant Morrison's A Serious House on a Serious Earth is considered an extraordinarily terrifying graphic novel. Accompanied with ghoulish artwork, A Serious House tells the tale of what happens when the inmates at Arkham take over the asylum. Of course there are memorable villains such as Killer Croc, Two Face, and Joker. But what's truly scary about this graphic novel is an unflinching portrayal of the psychology of Batman as he takes back Arkham Asylum.
The novel shows that there's a very thin line between the people in Arkham and the Dark Knight. Batman shares a lot of similarities with the villains he fights. This exposure to that thin line poses to the reader... what happens if Batman crosses that line?
2 Inspirational: Batman Mentoring Robin Shows His Leadership Qualities
The partnership of Batman and Robin, The Dynamic Duo, is one of the most iconic relationships in American popular culture. Starting off with taking in Dick Grayson after his parents were murdered by the mafia at the circus, Bruce Wayne developed a time-honored tradition in training young crime fighters.
When Jason Todd was caught stealing a tire off the bat-mobile, Batman used that as an opportunity to take a wayward youth and make set him on the right path. More recently, Batman takes in his illegitimate son to undo his mother's bad influence. No matter who takes the mantle, The mentorship of any Robin is the signature aspect of Batman's leadership qualities.
1 Terrifying: Batman's Laugh-In The Killing Joke Is Unnerving
The Killing Joke is the most exceptional storyline in regard to the Joker. It covers Joker's origin as a failed comedian (one of the scariest types of sociopaths out there), the paralyzation of Barbara Gordon, and a deep examination of Batman and Joker's relationship.
The most chilling moment in the story is climax between Batman and the Clown Prince of Crime. When Batman finally catches the Joker, there's a moment when the Joker tells a joke... and Batman laughs. There's debate about if Batman kills the Joker or not after he laughs with him. But Batman sharing a laugh with the Joker, highlighting the shared psychology of both characters, making this the most terrifying moment in Bat history.