History EvenEvilHasStandards / Comicbooks

* ''JohnnyTheHomicidalManiac'', a mass murderer who repeatedly kills scores of people for 'offenses' such as chewing in an annoying manner or using the word 'wacky', not to mention having a several floors deep TortureCellar, becomes ''extremely'' disgusted upon learning that his own antics has inspired an AscendedFanboy serial killer... Who also turns out to be a rapist, which is the one line Johnny himself will ''not'' cross. Johnny mentions that this limitation gives him no absolution. It might be because some of the things he does to his victims are just as bad as rape.

** [[Comicbook/FantasticFour Doctor Doom]] is a Rom, [[{{Daredevil}} Kingpin]] is [[CorruptCorporateExecutive all-American capitalism]]... let's face it, being a Nazi tends to make most non-CompleteMonster Marvel villains enemy by default.

* This became a subplot in FinalCrisis with LexLuthor and Dr. Sivana. Originally in league with Libra, both quickly started covertly planning against Libra when they realized the true extent of Darkseid and Libra's plans. Lex decided he rather liked life (as opposed to anti-life) and Sivana said watching his own daughter submit to the Anti-Life Equation was the last straw. Libra's statement that leading the rearguard would grant Lex first line in what was implied to be a rape train on Supergirl probably helped to push Lex to find his moral fortitude as well.

* ''Arkham Asylum: Living Hell'' of TheDCU has the Joker talking down to a scam-artist corporate executive who got himself judged "Not guilty [[InsanityDefense by reason of insanity]]." Granted, he's usually crazily giggling and "playing" with cultural values, and bashing executives sounds right up his alley... except he and the plot are ''completely serious about this.'' As far as can be told, the issue here is that Warren White is just an ''asshole''. More specifically he says "I've killed people, but I didn't steal their kid's college funds."

* {{Batman}} villain [[PyroManiac Firefly]], a professional arsonist, was working side-by-side with [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Killer Moth]] for a short while before Moth realized just how [[PsychoForHire batshit crazy]] Firefly was (one of the things mentioned was his supposedly seeing visions in the flames, for starters) and cut things short because he genuinely feared for his life. He's probably one of very few members of Batman's rogues gallery besides [[TheJoker Mister J]] who scares the living fuck out of his fellow villains.

** It's one reason the Rogues keep to themselves. When Libra was recruiting other supervillains to join his team, the Rogues turned him down. They just still stuff--mass murdering of superheroes and civilians isn't their game. (Though this may have to do with {{Pragmatic Villainy}}.)

* In the final ''Ms. Tree'' stories, when the title character is heavily pregnant, there are multiple attempts to kill her. The current head of the Muerta crime family, who now considers the detective family because of her son's strong relationship with his niece, confronts the man who commissioned the attempts and tells him that had he known that Tree was the target he would never have agreed to it. However, what really sets him off is Tree's current state; he roars, "You tried to kill a pregnant woman, have you no shame?!" and immediately orders his goons to kill him.

** Sunstreaker, who, in one profile was actually diagnosed as a sociopath. Or Blaze Master who laughs as he burns Decepticons alive. Or Arcee who in the IDW books is a mass murdering torturer who likes to slowly kill her enemies. Or Fortress Maximus in the IDW material who's very clearly a sadistic fascist. As the series has evolved GreyAndGreyMorality has definitely emerged.

** Would have stoled the suit but John pissed on him.

* In ''TheLegionOfSuperheroes'': Legion of Three Worlds, when Superboy Prime frees all of the villains held captive on the prison planet, a temporary truce is called and all internal politics are abolished until the Legion is dealt with. However, the vast majority of the inmates make it very clear that once this is all over, they're coming for fellow prisoner Earth-Man and his Justice League of Earth, a gang of Terran supremacists who are essentially the 31st century version of the Aryan Nation.

** One ''Daredevil'' graphic novel has a mob boss refusing to let the Mafia make money from rackets such as drugdealing and child prostitution; the mob may be criminals, but they aren't animals. Unfortunately for him, Kingpin performs a hostile takeover of his organisationa and leads the mob down this route.

-->'''Ezekiel:'''I might deal with murderers, but you guys -- you guys are addicting kids and '''murdering''' them '''yourselves'''.

* In an issue of MarvelAdventures Spider-Man, The Grey Gargoyle is commissioned by a wealthy client to steal the Venus De Milo, once he returns with the stolen statue, the client has one more job for him; to petrify a kidnapped super model so he can chop off her arms and put them on the statue. The Gargoyle responds by apologizing to the young lady for what she's been put through then petrifying his former client before he leaves.

* In the original AlienVsPredator comic miniseries that kicked the crossover off, the clan leader kills ones of the younger hunters when he sees a child's skull in the other's trophy bag. That is part of the Predators' code--only those who can defend themselves, otherwise it's not sporting.
* In one issue of ''Simpsons Comics'', Mr. Burns tricks Homer into starring in a deadly gameshow. While Homer struggles to get through a maze full of traps, Burns sits in a control room pondering what to throw at him. We're shown some very dangerous and downright cruel things...but he draws the line at making Homer listen to [[TakeThat James Cameron's infamous Oscar acceptance speech on a continuous loop]], as he's "still a human being".

* In an issue of [[SpiderMan ''Spider-Man'']], Jason Macendale (aka the Hobgoblin) tries to sell his soul to the demonic [=N'Astirh=] in exchange for increased power. [=N'Astith=] responds by laughing in Macendale's face, telling him that his soul is so warped and disgusting that not even a demon would want to buy it.

* In the Wolverine Story ''The Adamantium Men'' Wolverine and his rival combatant ([[spoiler: part of a twelve-man mercenary team, employed by Blackguard and made to emulate Wolverine with laser claws and nanite healing factors]]) are busy fighting in the streets of San Francisco. The two have by this point fought all the way to street level and are about to deliver what might be the deathblow, when they see a schoolbus full of young children. To spare them from harm (and the trauma of their very violent combat) they retract their claws and let the bus pass, then choose to move in case another one passes. To clarify, the rival was dishonourably discharged for unknown reasons.

* In ''[[GrantMorrisonsBatman Batman Incorporated]]'', one member of the blue-collar crime gang Joe Average and the Average Joes, gets very annoyed when it's suggested they have a conection to the similar French group Les Stereotypes, who run a child-slavery ring.

* The 9/11 issue of ''{{Spider-Man}}'' depicted Magneto and Doctor Doom helping clear the rubble of the towers, with the implication that the attack was so horrific even ''they'' had to stand against it. Because they certainly wouldn't blow up buildings or kill civilians... oh wait, ''they would''! (One FanWank was that, as a major center of commerce and trade, mutants and/or Latverians would naturally have been in the towers, which would certainly have produced the desired reaction in said villains, but this has never been confirmed by Marvel.)
** Or, more cynically, it was a villainous PR move.
*** Doom's rule in Latveria depends on the writers, so it's entirely possible that he'd treat his subjects well. So he might be thinking how if he'd conquered the world already that wouldn't have happened. And while Magneto thinks poorly of baseline humans, he's not exactly happy about his world view. That kind of confirmation of it could easily be upsetting.
*** Arguably, Doom and Magneto would be sickened by it because it wasn't just blowing up a building: they have done so in the past, and would do so again. But at least they have the decency to NOT FLY A PLANE FULL OF INNOCENT PEOPLE INTO A BUILDING FILLED WITH INNOCENT PEOPLE. If the building were filled with a large number of Doom's enemies, he might crash an EMPTY plane into it, but just killing innocent people? No. Many of Doom's schemes revolve around either revenge on Reed Richards or world conquest, or a combination of the two. He doesn't go around killing large numbers of people just to scare others into submission. And while Magneto may want a world where mutants rule, he at least TRIES to act like he's better than the humans that he seeks to overthrow (except in the Ultimate universe, where he killed a whole lot of innocent people).
**** In what is somewhat controversial among fans, Kingpin, Doctor Octopus and Juggernaut were also there. Juggernaut, who previously toppled the Towers during a rampage and actually hoped people were hurt or killed. (Kingpin and Doc Ock were perfectly understandable, and in fact a fine example of the trope.)

* ''Arkham Asylum: Living Hell'' of TheDCU has the Joker talking down to a scam-artist corporate executive who got himself judged "Not guilty [[InsanityDefense by reason of insanity]]." Granted, he's usually crazily giggling and "playing" with cultural values, and bashing executives sounds right up his alley... except he and the plot are ''completely serious about this.'' As far as can be told, the issue here is that Warren White is just an ''asshole''.

* In the retelling of ''SleepingBeauty'' featured in the comic ''CastleWaiting'', the Devil himself proves to have standards. Disgusted with the evil witch being willing to {{curse}} an [[ChildrenAreInnocent innocent baby]] then subvert the attempts to get around her curse, he disguises himself as the Opinicus (a griffin-like creature) and carries her off to Hell personally. The demon Leeds complains that he loses more friends that way.

* In ''[[GrantMorrisonsBatman Batman Incorporated]]'', one member of the blue-collar crime gang Joe Average and the Average Joes, gets very annoyed when it's suggested they have a conection to the similar French group Les Stereotypes, who run a child-slavery ring.

** Sunstreaker, who, in one profile was actually diagnosed as a sociopath. Or Blaze Master who laughs as he burns Decepticons alive. Or Arcee who in the IDW books is a mass murdering torturer who likes to slowly kill her enemies. Or Fortress Maximus in the IDW material who's very clearly a sadistic fascist. As the series has evolved Grey and Grey morality has definitely emerged.

** Pictured in the main page: In a Comicbook/{{Batman}} / CaptainAmerica crossover book, the Joker abruptly ends a partnership with Red Skull when his affiliation comes out. Red Skull simply wonders why he is so surprised when he thinks that the Joker would make a great Nazi. (The Joker is not too happy at this, proclaiming "I may be a criminal lunatic, but I'm an ''American'' criminal lunatic!" Yes, folks, even an equal-opportunity murderer like ''the Joker'' despises the Nazis!

* In the final issue of PaulCornell's ''Knight And Squire'', ''everyone'' in the British super-community teams up to take down TheJoker. The heroes, the anti-heroes, the {{Harmless Villain}}s and even the killers like Death Dinosaur. He's just that much of a threat.

** It gets a bit confusing when you remember that at the very start of the issue [[spoiler: the team]] were shown killing three children. Admittedly the rival may not have actually been there.

* This trope explains it all, and made life difficult for the MarvelUniverse ''Nazi'' villain Red Skull, as the other villains he has teamed with, notably Magneto, have ultimately attempted to kill him. [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Magneto even left him]] BuriedAlive. Given that Magneto is a Jew (or possibly Roma, depending on which sources you believe) and a Holocaust survivor (in all sources), though, this isn't entirely unexpected...

** It's one reason the Rogues keep to themselves. When Libra was recruiting other supervillains to join his team, the Rogues turned him down. They just still stuff--mass murdering of superheroes and civilians isn't their game. (Though this may have to do with [[Pragmatic Villainy]].)

* In ''ComicBook/DarkwingDuck'', Steelbeak isn't pulling a HeelFaceTurn, but unleashing Duckthulu? Even he has his limits.

* This trope explains it all, and made life difficult for the MarvelUniverse ''Nazi'' villain Red Skull, as the other villains he has teamed with, notably Magneto, have ultimately attempted to kill him. [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Magneto even left him buried alive]]. Given that Magneto is a Jew (or possibly Roma, depending on which sources you believe) and a Holocaust survivor, though, this isn't entirely unexpected...
** In a Comicbook/{{Batman}} / CaptainAmerica crossover book, the Joker abruptly ends a partnership with Red Skull when his affiliation comes out. Red Skull simply wonders why he is so surprised when he thinks that the Joker would make a great Nazi. The Joker is not too happy at this, proclaiming "I may be a criminal lunatic, but I'm an ''American'' criminal lunatic!" Yes, folks, even an equal-opportunity murderer like ''the Joker'' despises the Nazis!

* In an early issue of Matt Fraction's ''Invincible IronMan'', Ezekiel Stane murders a bunch of tobacco executives after explaining to them that he, a maker of weapons for terrorists and psychos, is disgusted by how they make their money.

** I always thought she was telling her so that, if it ''was'' serious, Emp's triumph would be soured by wondering who was being insincere.

* Before Parker Robbins become ''TheHood'', he was a thief, liar and supervillain fan who seduced and knocked up a gorgeous girl, and was cheating on her with a Russian prostitute. His cousin, Jackson King, is an alcoholic who never worked a single legal job in his life. But when an agent of terrorist organization HYDRA offered them a job, they told him about how much they hate terrorists, beat him and stole his shoes.
** Would have stoled the suit but Jackson pissed on him.

*** Doombot.

* The Hutts in StarWarsLegacy undergo this after Vul Isen callously slaughters refugees fleeing the genocide of Dac (which incidentally, he carried out). The Hutts might be corrupt, but killing innocent refugees is apparently the line they cannot tolerate. (If nothing else, that means less prospective customers for illicit or smuggled goods.) Of course, given that the nephew of a high ranking Hutt died for sheltering them, revenge is partially responsible.

*** Though recently, Doom had no problem giving Red Skull one of his time machines, though that's probably because he got something out of it. The two of them do little more than very rare business encounters. And they've [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome fought on the Moon.]]

* In the twelfth ever issue of ''{{Daredevil}}'', Matt Murdock happens to be on the very cruise ship boarded by fearsome pirate the Plunderer. After changing into his Daredevil costume and pounding the Plunderer's goons, he makes a break for the man himself. But the Plunderer's taken hostages and threatens to toss them overboard into the shark-infested waters unless Daredevil surrenders. Not willing to risk their lives, DD relents, and one of the Plunderer's crewmen suggests tossing ''him'' overboard instead. The Plunderer is positively outraged at the very suggestion: "''Silence'', you scurvy toad! [[IGaveMyWord I have given my ''word!'']]" For his part, Daredevil is impressed.

* This trope has made life difficult for the MarvelUniverse ''Nazi'' villain Red Skull, as the other villains he has teamed with, notably Magneto, have ultimately attempted to kill him. [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Magneto even left him buried alive]]. Given that Magneto is a Jew (or possibly Roma, depending on which sources you believe) and a Holocaust survivor, though, this isn't entirely unexpected...

*** Comedian was at best a sociopath who, by his own words, saw life as one big Nihilistic joke. It was made clear that what terrified and upset Comedian was less the lives lost, but more the possibility that Ozymandius' plan would succeed and create a world that the Comedian would have no place in.