I agree that theres a distinction. But (at least some of) the rhetoric in this thread suggests otherwise. The objection is often framed as: whats happened to society/fandom when we think the only way for a hero to be cool is if they kill? That could just as easily be reworded to repudiate all acts of aggression or violence. (Whats cool about hitting someone?) So if the moral high-ground is going to be used as an argument, it should be applied consistently.
No, Superman should not kill. The fact that he has in the past doesn't matter because he doesn't now. Killing is not something he does anymore. That aspect has become part of his character. There are many reasons why he doesn't, the Kents, because he's afraid of becoming a god, to be a model for others, because he is human, etc. Having Superman kill would make the him a different character than the one in modern comics, animated shows, movies, bad place even Smallville. Whether you love Smallville or hate it you have to admit it got Clark Kent right. This enitre question was addressed in the majority of season 8. When he talks to the Legion of Superheroes he says, "You speak of a code, but if it had anything to do with me, rule number one would be do not kill ever!" Not killing in his number one rule and he witholds to that rule even more so then Batman. Superman just hasn't had an entire movie devoted to this issue.
Eating the hamburger is fine. Killing the hamburger however is not
Superman just needs a reasonable place to draw the line, and that is simple, due to philosophical reasons, he does not believe it is right to deliberately kill anyone.
It does not need to be too complex, he is a guy who does not want to see anyone else die, and has to make a conscious effort to avoid killing anyone even by accident, due to his vast power. Its important to him to avoid taking any deliberate actions with intent to kill.
I think it should be kept to those basic important reasons, and not get silly.
Getting silly would be Superman exiling himself from earth if a criminal shoots him in the back and the bullet bounces off and hits him in the face killing the gunman instantly. Obviously Superman took no direct action in killing the guy, and despite having super speed he does not always have time to think about where every bullet that bounces off of him goes. Going crazy over every accidental death that happens around him would get stupid. Superman regularly gets himself involved in life and death situations, and he will not be able to save everybody, nor does he have the ability to stand in the way of someone intent on winning a Darwin award.
Like Batman, he wouldn't kill because he believed in his fathers philosophical view on life. That life, no matter who's it is, ALL LIFE is sacred, and should be saved and preserved by whatever means. That's why Batman saves the lives of even the Joker. Because even HIS life is sacred. He hates those who take life, but it's not within him to break his views on life, reinforced by his belief that he is a good person, and all good people should do the right thing...to preserve life, not end it.
The thing with Begins was, Bruce said he wouldn't become a killer. Ducard was egging him on to kill him and was mocking Bruce for saving him in the first place. Bruce's reasoning behind it is simple,
"I won't intentionally kill someone in cold blood, but if I leave them to die or kill them accidentally, it's fine"
That really doesn't fit in with the philosophy he has in the comics...Not saving them just because he's the hero, but because he wants to preserve life, like Thomas Wayne did.
That view in Begins makes sense to THAT characterisation of Batman. He won't shoot a criminal to death, but he won't save them if he get's mocked for it, and he doesn't mind if he kills a criminal accidentally, because it wasn't intentional on his part. I'm sure there is a logic in there somewhere, but I can't find it
Superman doing something like that
"I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you"
It isn't him. Batman may not have a problem with leaving someone to die. But it's in Superman's very nature to save lives from anything and everything. He's a more spiritual character, who has an appreciation for life. Superman has more empathy than Batman.
Cause in the comics Batman can be a cold character, he just feels less warmth than Superman in himself. I think that scene in Begins was definitely inspired by Frank Miller's Batman, a very cold and cynical interpretation.
I don't agree with them either.
Batman, to me, is a troubled soul who tries to do the right thing. So to have him become cold, cynical and uncaring, it doesn't make sense. It never has. It does not make any sense for Batman to kill or leave people to die when he has the opportunity to save them.
That scene in Begins was 100% inspired by Miller's take. Batman turning cold and cynical just to get one over on Ducard for lecturing him about saving his enemies. What he should have done was saved him, but knocked him out cold and hard afterwards!
I don't agree with them either.
Batman, to me, is a troubled soul who tries to do the right thing. So to have him become cold, cynical and uncaring, it doesn't make sense. It never has. It does not make any sense for Batman to kill or leave people to die when he has the opportunity to save them.
That scene in Begins was 100% inspired by Miller's take. Batman turning cold and cynical just to get one over on Ducard for lecturing him about saving his enemies. What he should have done was saved him, but knocked him out cold and hard afterwards!
The thing with Begins was, Bruce said he wouldn't become a killer. Ducard was egging him on to kill him and was mocking Bruce for saving him in the first place.
...
That view in Begins makes sense to THAT characterisation of Batman. He won't shoot a criminal to death, but he won't save them if he get's mocked for it, and he doesn't mind if he kills a criminal accidentally, because it wasn't intentional on his part. I'm sure there is a logic in there somewhere, but I can't find it
Superman doing something like that
"I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you"
It isn't him.