Batman may never be cruel, but some of his methods subject his villains to a fate that's worse than death—and a hero is finally calling him out on it.

Regardless of the universe that he settles in, Batman seems to have the same recurring flaw in his approach to being a superhero. That flaw is especially pronounced in Dark Knights of Steel, which takes place in a universe that sets the DC universe as audiences know it within the scope of a Games of Thrones-esque medieval time. A series of unfortunate events kicks off when a spaceship crash-lands on Earth carrying not just Kal-El, but his parents.

Fast forward to a couple of decades later, where the Bat-Prince Bruce Wayne discovers that his mother, Martha, had an affair with his best friend's father Jor-El. This means that Bruce is half-Kryptonian, half-brother to his friend, Kal-El, and potential heir to the throne of the House of El. Kal doesn't want any challenges to the House of El, so this universe's Superman attacks Batman, leaving him for dead.

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Dark Knights of Steel #7 by Tom Taylor and Nathan Gooden reveals that Bruce is recovered and saved by farmhands Jonathan and Martha Kent. Also at the farm are Titans Raven, Starfire, Cyborg, and Beast Boy all of whom chastise him for the damage committed by The Wayne family. Raven claims Bruce has blood on his hands for the brutal beating, kidnapping, and imprisonment of those he thinks to deserve it, even though he doesn't kill people. "We know who you are and what you've done to people like us. And now that I know you're like us," she tells Bruce. "You make me sick."

This is a common criticism from critics who think Batman's methods are far too violent. Whether it be official DC canon or alternate universes like this, there's a conception that Batman is violent enough that some criminals would be better off dead than hospitalized or injured in the way Batman leaves them. However, this is a rare instance of an actual hero illustrating this inherent issue with Batman. Batman allowing himself to remain as vicious as, say, an Arkham Asylum inmate, really blurs Batman's line between hero and villain. That line feels far more pronounced when Batman's approach is criticized by a fellow hero. He may never completely crossover to villain territory when he doesn't kill, but the murder line is skewed when villains are left with internal (and maybe even eternal) injuries.

For example, in Blackest Night, a more canonical and traditional Batman refuses to kill KGBeast, but he does snap his neck and leaves him for dead in the freezing cold. The difference between an act like that and death is incredibly thin. It's certainly a fate far crueler than death. This is the kind of harsh extent that Raven is talking about. Batman may not kill, but some of his methods are often crueler than murder itself.

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Joe Anthony Myrick is a writer for Screen Rant. Since first beginning his career as a professional writer after graduating with a B.A. in English studies, Myrick (or JAM) has spent much of his time under the Valnet umbrella for sites like TheRichest and TheTravel. Now, a seasoned veteran of his practice, JAM dedicates his expertise to the Comics column of Screen Rant. Previously, he served as a head editor for Daily DDT and Under the Laces for FanSided. In addition, he serves as a writing teacher in his spare time.