WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #2 (2025)!
Batmanis famous in the DC Universe and among fans for his“No-Kill”rule, which essentially reflects the Dark Knight’s controversial belief that killing is unacceptable under any circumstances and that anyone who does kill must be held accountable. However, DC has just made an update to this character-defining rule, and animal lovers might not be happy.
Brian Buccellato, Christian Duce, and Luis Guerrero’sJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2#2 picks up right where the last issue left off, with the Justice League facing an enraged King Kong, who, despite their previous team-up, no longer recognizes them.
Just as the League prepares to deescalate the situation with Kong, a kaiju-sized Killer Croc suddenly launches himself at the giant ape, triggering a clash of titans. Initially caught off guard by this unexpected turn, the League hesitates. But they quickly snap out of their shock and attempt to break up the brutal fight before it turns deadly. Unfortunately, they’re too late:Kong kills Killer Croc.
Lex Luthor is behind transforming Killer Croc into a Kaju-sized monster. See how he did inJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2#1!
Animals Are the Exception to Batman’s ‘No-Kill’ Rule
Cover C Alan Quah Connecting Variant for Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2#2 (2025)
The Justice League tries to break up the fight, withSupergirl and Superman body-slamming Kong across the jungleto separate him from Killer Croc. However, they’re too late. Superman confirms that Croc has no heartbeat and is dead. Despite this, the League still hopes to make peace with Kong.
Supergirl tells the team she’s going to find Kong and try to make peace with him, explaining that they might need his help since both she and Clark are not at full power. However, this quick return to business doesn’t sit well with Barry Allen, who says,“I’m sorry guys… Kong killed Killer Croc and we watched it happen.”
Superman reminds him that they did try to intervene, and Batman backs him up, adding,“I don’t like it either, Barry. But the rules of the animal kingdom are different from ours.”In other words, Batman is suggesting that animals are exempt from the no-kill rule when it comes to being held accountable for their actions.
While this logic is reasonable and seems in favor of animals at first, it also implies thatanimals aren’t granted the same protection under Batman’s no-kill rule either.Their deaths, unlike those of humans, don’t carry the same moral weight, something that could understandably upset animal lovers.
Is Killer Croc’s Problematic Death a True End for the Gotham Rogue? (I Don’t Think So)
Cover E 1:25 Kevin Maguire Variant forJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2#2 (2025)
What also makes this scene potentially problematic is that some may interpret Batman as possibly framing the incident as an animal vs. animal conflict rather than an animal vs. human one. If so,this could be seen as dehumanizing Killer Croc, depending on one’s perspective.
However, there’s a silver lining:Killer Croc might not actually be dead. Given that Waylon has a physiology distinct from humans and shares some traits with crocodiles, he may possess a reptilian heart rate of just 2–3 beats per minute. If that’s the case, whenBatmanand the rest of theJustice Leaguechecked for a heartbeat, they may have jumped to conclusions too quickly.
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #2is available now from DC Comics!
