I suppose you're wondering why I called you here this evening. Well, you see, I'm not entirely satisfied with your performance lately... I'm afraid your work's been slipping, and... And I'm afraid we've been thinking about letting you go. Oh, I know, I know. You've been with the company a long time now. Almost... let me see. Almost ten thousand years! my word, doesn't time fly? It seems like only yesterday... I remember the day you commenced your employment, swinging down from the trees, fresh-faced and nervous, a bone clasped in your bristling fist... "Where do I start, sir?" You asked, plaintively. I recall my exact words: "There's a pile of dinosaur eggs over there, youngster." I said, smiling paternally the while. "Get sucking." Well, we've certainly come a long way since then, haven't we? And yes, yes, you're right, in all that time you haven't missed a day. Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Also, please don't think I've forgotten about your outstanding service record, or about all the invaluable contributions you've made to the company... Fire, the wheel, agriculture... It's an impressive list, old timer. A jolly impressive list. Don't get me wrong. But... Well, to be frank, we've had our problems, too. There's no getting away from it. Do you know what I think a lot of it stems from? I'll tell you... It's your basic unwillingness to get on with the company. You don't seem to want to face up to any real responsibility, or to be your own boss. Lord knows, you've been given plenty of opportunities... We've offered you promotion time and time again, and each time you've turned us down. "I couldn't handle the work, guv'nor," you wheedled. "I know my place." To be frank, you're not trying, are you? You see, you've been standing still for far too long, and it's starting to show in your work... And I might add, in your general standard of behaviour. The constant bickering on the factory floor has not escaped my attention... Nor the recent bouts of rowdiness in the staff canteen. Then of course there's... Hmm. Well, I really didn't want to have to bring this up, but... Well, you see, I've been hearing some disturbing rumours about your personal life. No, never you mind who told me. No names, no pack drill... I understand that you are unable to get on with your spouse. I hear that you argue. I am told that you shout. Violence has been mentioned. I am reliably informed that you always hurt the one you love... The one you shouldn't hurt at all. And what about the children? It's always the children who suffer, as you're well aware. Poor little mites, what are they to make of it? What are they to make of your bullying, your despair, your cowardice and all your fondly nurtured bigotries? Really, it's not good enough, is it? And it's no good blaming the drop in work standards upon bad management, either... Though, to be sure, the management is very bad. In fact, let us not mince words... The management is terrible! We've had a string of embezzlers, frauds, liars and lunatics making a string of catastrophic decisions. This is plain fact. But who elected them? it was you! You who appointed these people! You who gave them the power to make your decisions for you! While I'll admit that anyone can make a mistake once, to go on making the same lethal errors century after century seems to me nothing short of deliberate. You have encouraged these malicious incompetents, who have made your working life a shambles. You have accepted without question their senseless orders. You have allowed them to fill your workspace with dangerous and unproven machines. You could have stopped them. All you had to say was NO! You have no spine. You have no pride. You are no longer an asset to the company. I will, however, be generous. You will be granted two years to show me some improvement in your work. If at the end of that time you are still unwilling to make a go of it... You're fired. That will be all. You may return to your labours.
— V, to the entire people of England, V for Vendetta
Listen to me — all of you out there! You were told by this man — your hero — that America is the greatest country in the world! He told you that Americans were the greatest people — that America could be refined like silver, could have impurities hammered out of it, and shine more brightly! He went on about how precious America was — how you needed to make sure it remained great! And he told you anything was justified to preserve that great treasure, that pearl of great price that is America! Well, I say America is nothing! Without its ideals, its commitment to the freedom of all men, America is a piece of trash!
— Captain America, What If? Issue #44
Is this all? You've allowed my arm to defeat your army. You should be ashamed of yourselves. A world as legendarily xenophobic as Daxam, and this is all you could marshall against the dreaded alien foe who wants to crush your lives and end your dreams of isolationism? I expected a little more spirit — a few more surprises from you pitiful people. Where's the hatred you hold against all that is different? I expected to find a motivated populace! I wanted a challenge. I wanted to see some fire in your bellies before I ripped them open. Instead all I taste in the wind is fear and loathing. And I'm afraid that won't help you win a war.
— Mongul II as he conquers the Daxamites, Green Lantern Corps, #33
You disappoint me, Corinthian. You and these humans you inspired and created disappoint me. YOU were my masterpiece, or so I thought. A nightmare created to be the darkness, and the fear of darkness in every human heart. A black mirror made to reflect everything about itself that humanity will not confront. But look at you. Forty years walking the earth, honing yourself, infecting others with your joy of death, and what have you given them? What have you wrought, Corinthian? NOTHING! Just something else for people to be scared of, that's all. You've told them that there are bad people out there. And they've known that all along.
— Morpheus, The Sandman (1989)
I asked myself the incredibly obvious question: why am I so much more than you? Why are you so small and I am so much more? I then realized that I am not your servant. I am your king. I am not yours. You — are mine. To do with what I please. I bring you life, I bring you death, I control everything around you, and everything inside you. But you choose to live in such shocking contradiction. You fight over sand... You dress as God's servants and rape children, you dress as heroes and you pervert. I'm sick of it. You anger me. You confuse me. And I will have no more of it. No more. You cannot be trusted to decide for yourselves. I have control over your life. I have control over your existence. I always have. You will live the way I want you to live. You will be the way I want you to be. And I will bathe in the blood of those who dare to contradict me.
— Supershock, Powers
Superman: You know what, Kara? Ever since you showed up on Earth, you've been trying to get me to do one thing — leave you alone to let you live your own life. You've been so focused on just being angry — yes, you lost your home, and that's terrible, but you can't bring it back.
Supergirl: What are you saying?
Superman: You've been choosing anger instead of acceptance for so long that you've become anger. You want to be your own person? Good. Be your own person. I just hope you like who you turn out to be.
Supergirl: What are you saying?
Superman: You've been choosing anger instead of acceptance for so long that you've become anger. You want to be your own person? Good. Be your own person. I just hope you like who you turn out to be.
Superman: Forgive me, J'onn... Looks like I failed you!
Martian Manhunter: No, not me, Superman — it's the entire universe that will have to pay the price of your failure! I warned you that you were dealing with forces beyond your comprehension — but you were just too overconfident — too egotistical — to listen!
Martian Manhunter: No, not me, Superman — it's the entire universe that will have to pay the price of your failure! I warned you that you were dealing with forces beyond your comprehension — but you were just too overconfident — too egotistical — to listen!
After all these years, I can finally see you, Ozai. You're just a small, small man trying with all your might to be big. Your heart is so small, you've no room for your son, or your daughter, or your brother... or even yourself. Goodbye, Ozai.
Superman: Of course, none of what I've said has any meaning to you. You only know death. A blackness that has brought you nothing.
Darkseid: It has made me a god.
Superman: No. It has made you vulnerable.
Darkseid: It has made me a god.
Superman: No. It has made you vulnerable.
Are you even a reporter, Cat? Don't you have a shred of integrity? Or is pandering with lies and innuendo just that much easier for you? This isn't journalism! It's PROPAGANDA! And that makes you a tool. How you can stand to look at yourself in the mirror, Cat?
— Lois Lane, Supergirl (2005)
Superman: Call off your attack!
Kalibak: Or what? [Beat Panel] You haven't really changed. You have so much power, Kryptonian, but there is no reason to fear you. The universe knows this. Why do you think we keep coming back? You will not save this planet. Your pathetic moral code will see Earth burn. If you're not prepared to take a life — then you can't possibly fight a war! Can you hear the people? Can you see them? You can, can't you? You can see them all over the world. You can see them dying. You can hear their cries. ... You're weak, Kryptonian. Too weak to do what needs to be done. You'd rather spare the lives of your enemies than save the lives of your people.
Kalibak: Or what? [Beat Panel] You haven't really changed. You have so much power, Kryptonian, but there is no reason to fear you. The universe knows this. Why do you think we keep coming back? You will not save this planet. Your pathetic moral code will see Earth burn. If you're not prepared to take a life — then you can't possibly fight a war! Can you hear the people? Can you see them? You can, can't you? You can see them all over the world. You can see them dying. You can hear their cries. ... You're weak, Kryptonian. Too weak to do what needs to be done. You'd rather spare the lives of your enemies than save the lives of your people.
— Injustice: Gods Among Us, Year One #23
Setting aside criminality for a moment, I wanted to ask you something else. Do you feel you failed your country? [Beat Panel] Let me tell you what I see. I see another man who has decided to put on a costume and decided to act for us rather than with us. I see another man who believes he has more right to decide our future than we do. Another man who has made things catastrophically worse. And another man of means who has completely failed to protect us. Superman had noble intentions too. He was also trying to protect us. The only difference between you and Superman that I can see, Mr. Wayne, is that Superman was a far more competent dictator.
— Unnamed Senator, Injustice 2 #28
I've had a bellyful of both of you! Year in and year out, you bring grief on yourselves! All for the sake of getting rich, staying rich, or getting richer still! You'll never be happy, because you always worry about what you'll do next to complicate your own greedy lives!
You want to change the nature of justice in America and you kill a president? What did you think that made you? Two-fisted Super-Jesus for the American Way? It made you Lee Harvey Oswald, you prick. You know what? Lots of people hated John F. Kennedy. He barely got elected. But Lee Harvey Oswald isn't remembered as an American hero. Just a prick with a gun who killed the president. That's you now, John.
— Tom Noir, Black Summer
Done to you? Nothing. You've done it yourself. You're a side-issue. A B-plot that doesn't even realise it's already been resolved. You're not that bright and I have lives to save.
— The Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who (Titan)
Let me EXPLAIN something, Zemo. Let me tell you why I undermined your leadership at every turn. I've got a pretty simple philosophy of life. You want to hear it? It's this: Don't. Get. CAUGHT! Oh, I was stupid at first — I thought my powers made me invincible... so I ended up getting a record, getting caught. I was willing to ride it out, serve my sentence and start anew — but you press-ganged me into your scheme, and there went that. Still, it was a good scheme — posing as heroes — and we made it WORK. We had it all — public support, adulation — the perfect cover to pull any NUMBER of scams — and you went and blew it over just ONE! Who CARES about ruling the world?! Who wants to do that much WORK?! We could have run this con out for YEARS before it got old! But no, you couldn't be smart — not when you could play Hitler like your idiot father!
— Moonstone to Baron Zemo, Thunderbolts
I am disappointed, Veidt. Very disappointed. Restructuring myself after the subtraction of my intrinsic field was the first trick I learned. It didn't kill Osterman... Did you think it would kill me? I've walked across the sun. I've seen events so tiny and so fast they can hardly be said to have occurred at all. But you... You are a man. And this world's smartest man means no more to me than does its smartest termite.
— Dr. Manhattan to Ozymandias, Watchmen
The fact is, Batman, there wasn't a single occurrence of metahuman violence or extraterrestrial or interdimensional invasion until you all showed up. And then when we needed you the most, your league was infiltrated and manipulated into unleashing these malevolent doppelgangers from beyond. You failed to stop yourselves on every metaphorical and physical level... Which is why we're going to have to do it.
— Lex Luthor, Forever Evil (2013)
You weren't bullied any more than I was, Angelo. You weren't punched or kicked or spat upon any more than me. You were given great powers and you used them to kill people, you little freak. So like I said, no more chances.
— Spider-Man to Angelo Fortuna/Venom II
I remember you, Carl. Not quite the same way you do. You think the kids at school liked you? You think they liked that you picked on kids like me? You were pathetic, Carl! You didn't know how to make friends! You were terrified of girls! All you knew was cruelty and fear, and making people nervous to get yourself attention! And look how far you've come, Carl! You're just the same old sadist you always were!
— Spider-Man to the Thousand
I'm Spider-Man. And you're a dollar store version of the Lizard. See, I beat down guys like Doc Ock, Sandman and Venom all the time. And you're just not in their league. Oh, I'm going to win. And after you've crawled back home with your tail between your legs, you know what happens then? Then your buddies are going to stick one of those things into you!
— Spider-Man to Komodo, Avengers: The Initiative #3
You ought to be happy, cuddles! You aspired to be a bully, and man, you're a classic! You talk tough when you got the upper hand, but when you're losing... well, that's when the little wimp-ette inside comes spilling out!
— Spider-Man to Titania, Secret Wars (1984) #8
J. Jonah Jameson: HOLD IT, SPIDER-MAN! I'll have your webbed butt in jail! I've got witnesses!
Spider-Man 2099: Then witness this. If I were who you think I am, would I do this? I'm from your future. Today will not be a good day, and people will die... maybe me among them. But know this in any event, Jameson. A century from now, Spider-Man is revered as a hero, while you...
Jameson: While I'm what? A buffoon? A joke?
Spider-Man 2099: No. You're a nothing. All your rants and poison, lost in obscurity. Spider-Man is a great chapter in our history, and you're not even a footnote. Remember that, because we won't remember you.
Jameson: You're lying.
Spider-Man 2099: You wish.
Spider-Man 2099: Then witness this. If I were who you think I am, would I do this? I'm from your future. Today will not be a good day, and people will die... maybe me among them. But know this in any event, Jameson. A century from now, Spider-Man is revered as a hero, while you...
Jameson: While I'm what? A buffoon? A joke?
Spider-Man 2099: No. You're a nothing. All your rants and poison, lost in obscurity. Spider-Man is a great chapter in our history, and you're not even a footnote. Remember that, because we won't remember you.
Jameson: You're lying.
Spider-Man 2099: You wish.
— Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man
Flashpoint Wonder Woman: Don't bother running. The Golden Lasso compels you to speak the truth. So tell me, Flash, are you as bad a husband as you are a father?
Flash: ... Worse.
Flashpoint Wonder Woman: You see? In the end the truth comes out. And it is the end for you. Your wife will never see you again. Your boy shall be put to the sword. And your daughter shall serve my empire.
Flash: You don't... need your lasso... I've known... for a year... how bad I screwed up... kept Linda from our kids... I've lived with that pain... now I'll die with it... But you? You I feel sorry for. All these universes... and you're the worst Diana in any of them...! A disgrace... and you don't even know it. You said you loved someone... but you don't know what love is. What I feel for Linda, Jai, and Iris... would shatter your heart. Outlive me a thousand years... you'll still never even know what you're missing. And that's your truth.
Flash: ... Worse.
Flashpoint Wonder Woman: You see? In the end the truth comes out. And it is the end for you. Your wife will never see you again. Your boy shall be put to the sword. And your daughter shall serve my empire.
Flash: You don't... need your lasso... I've known... for a year... how bad I screwed up... kept Linda from our kids... I've lived with that pain... now I'll die with it... But you? You I feel sorry for. All these universes... and you're the worst Diana in any of them...! A disgrace... and you don't even know it. You said you loved someone... but you don't know what love is. What I feel for Linda, Jai, and Iris... would shatter your heart. Outlive me a thousand years... you'll still never even know what you're missing. And that's your truth.
— Convergence: Speed Force
Inventor: The Grid's carbon-neutral, non-pollutive, and better yet... it's taken a bunch of useless brats off the streets. We can reduce our carbon footprint and curb overpopulation at the same time! So... what do you think?!
Miss Marvel: What do I think? I think you're a wannabe Evil Genius who thinks he's saved the future when really he's just given up on it. I think you're a megalomaniac with some kind of weird Pied Piper complex. I think you're a bird!
Inventor: I AM NOT A BIRD!
Miss Marvel: What do I think? I think you're a wannabe Evil Genius who thinks he's saved the future when really he's just given up on it. I think you're a megalomaniac with some kind of weird Pied Piper complex. I think you're a bird!
Inventor: I AM NOT A BIRD!
This wasn't a date! It was a coerced kidnapping! You STOLE a gun! My gun! You're only entertaining a delusion that I could ever even LIKE you! This evening was a disaster and you're clearly just a deranged fan of my music! I DON'T LOVE YOU!
— Curtis, Creature Feature
Enough!!! Listen to yourselves — this constant bickering and battling, always at each other's throats... it's all you ever do anymore! What's happened to you?! Where did it all go so wrong?! You know, it's just exhausting — and in this form, I can't even be exhausted! I go through all this trouble to bring us back together, and you just — you just — do you want to know why Ultron built this city? Why he didn't come after you yet again? It's because he didn't have to. It's because he looked at you and your war, Tony, and you and your scheming, Steve — and he realized he wouldn't have to destroy anything — because you were already doing it for him.
Raphael: Really. This is what we're doing now. We're eating pizza, and going on little dinky adventures... You know what? I'm DONE.
Leonardo: You're over the line, Raph.
Michelangelo: Yeah, man. This isn't cool.
Raphael: Isn't cool?! ISN'T COOL?!?! We're DYING! Did that all just slip out from your minds?! I can't freaking stand this. In a few days, we're just going to be a few turtles and a rat this freakshow puts in a cage over in the corner. And we're having a pizza party? Are you kidding me?!
Michelangelo: Don't bring pizza into this, dude.
Leonardo: Raphael, we're doing everything we can...
Raphael: Oh, stop pretending he's not the whole reason we're in this mess. I see right through your dumb cape and cowl, Batman. You want to know what you are? You're just a thrill-seeker. You're some rich guy who puts on a costume and punches bad guys because it seems like fun. You chose this life. We didn't. We became what we needed to become to survive. We fight Shredder because if we didn't, he'd have us all killed in our sleep. But you don't care about any of that, do you? That's why we failed. If we hadn't listened to you, we could have snuck into that base and gotten home by now. Shut the whole thing down from the other side. We wouldn't be stuck here. We wouldn't have this death sentence over our heads. And for some idiotic reason, they don't see that. They think you're the hero you pretend to be. But I see the truth. I see a selfish little rich kid doing all of this for kicks, and that's NOT someone I'm going to put my faith in. I'm not spending another damn minute in this cave. I'm done. Count me out. I'm going to go actually work on saving our lives. I'm getting us home.
Leonardo: You're over the line, Raph.
Michelangelo: Yeah, man. This isn't cool.
Raphael: Isn't cool?! ISN'T COOL?!?! We're DYING! Did that all just slip out from your minds?! I can't freaking stand this. In a few days, we're just going to be a few turtles and a rat this freakshow puts in a cage over in the corner. And we're having a pizza party? Are you kidding me?!
Michelangelo: Don't bring pizza into this, dude.
Leonardo: Raphael, we're doing everything we can...
Raphael: Oh, stop pretending he's not the whole reason we're in this mess. I see right through your dumb cape and cowl, Batman. You want to know what you are? You're just a thrill-seeker. You're some rich guy who puts on a costume and punches bad guys because it seems like fun. You chose this life. We didn't. We became what we needed to become to survive. We fight Shredder because if we didn't, he'd have us all killed in our sleep. But you don't care about any of that, do you? That's why we failed. If we hadn't listened to you, we could have snuck into that base and gotten home by now. Shut the whole thing down from the other side. We wouldn't be stuck here. We wouldn't have this death sentence over our heads. And for some idiotic reason, they don't see that. They think you're the hero you pretend to be. But I see the truth. I see a selfish little rich kid doing all of this for kicks, and that's NOT someone I'm going to put my faith in. I'm not spending another damn minute in this cave. I'm done. Count me out. I'm going to go actually work on saving our lives. I'm getting us home.
This world is full of heroic beings that fight a single great evil. That tells me your world is full of cowards, each doing their part to ruin their world. That's why you don't scare me—because I know, at your core, you're a coward, too.
Starline. Eggman. You. You're all the same. You don't need me or Surge. You want us. All that matters is what we can do, how you can change us. So you can prove that your way is right. I'm going where I'm needed, and that's with Surge. I'll bury you all here...along with our past.
Ultra Magnus: You cast a long shadow, Prowl. You may not have been on board the Lost Light, but your presence was always felt. You put Overlord on board, you sent Skids and Getaway to remove Tyrest...
Prowl: Your point?
Ultra Magnus: Your actions have consequences — only you're never there to suffer them! Never!
Prowl: You want to talk to me about consequences? Talk to Chromedome! He gave the Decepticons the keys to my head!
Ultra Magnus: You spend your life loading guns and asking other people to fire them — and when innocents get caught in the crossfire, you dismiss it as collateral damage.
Prowl: Sorry, soldier. It's not for you to decide whether the ends justify the means.
Ultra Magnus: But where's it going? Is there any line you won't cross? Any mark you're not prepared to overstep? We beat the Decepticons. We beat Tyrest. Once we've taken down Shockwave, who does that leave? Who else wants to control everything? [...] We'll leave you to your new friends, Prowl. I'm glad you've found company... because I think you're the loneliest person I've ever met.
Prowl: Your point?
Ultra Magnus: Your actions have consequences — only you're never there to suffer them! Never!
Prowl: You want to talk to me about consequences? Talk to Chromedome! He gave the Decepticons the keys to my head!
Ultra Magnus: You spend your life loading guns and asking other people to fire them — and when innocents get caught in the crossfire, you dismiss it as collateral damage.
Prowl: Sorry, soldier. It's not for you to decide whether the ends justify the means.
Ultra Magnus: But where's it going? Is there any line you won't cross? Any mark you're not prepared to overstep? We beat the Decepticons. We beat Tyrest. Once we've taken down Shockwave, who does that leave? Who else wants to control everything? [...] We'll leave you to your new friends, Prowl. I'm glad you've found company... because I think you're the loneliest person I've ever met.
— The Transformers: Dark Cybertron, Chapter 10
Megatron: I'd won. Finally — after five million years of fighting — of fighting myself — I'd won. I was prepared to accept my fate. I was at peace. I was happy. And then you came along and ruined EVERYTHING! Mark this day, Tarn — it's the day the dream dies.
[...]
Tarn: Please — be reasonable—
Megatron: You'd have thought — given the compassion shown to me since boarding the Lost Light — that I'd have learnt to be a little more forgiving. But I'm afraid Getaway had the right idea: No Mercy.
Tarn: Do it, then. Do it! At least I'll die a Decepticon!
[Megatron swipes Tarn's mask and slaps it onto his chest.]
Megatron: You and I both. Goodbye, Glitch. I want you to die with one thought in your head: Everything you did was for nothing.
[...]
Tarn: Please — be reasonable—
Megatron: You'd have thought — given the compassion shown to me since boarding the Lost Light — that I'd have learnt to be a little more forgiving. But I'm afraid Getaway had the right idea: No Mercy.
Tarn: Do it, then. Do it! At least I'll die a Decepticon!
[Megatron swipes Tarn's mask and slaps it onto his chest.]
Megatron: You and I both. Goodbye, Glitch. I want you to die with one thought in your head: Everything you did was for nothing.
Batman: I know all about the chaos and death you brought to your world, Mr. Veidt. You slaughtered millions, created an illusion that paralyzed the planet. So you could swoop in and save the day. It's called hero syndrome. But the panic you've made, the plan you've set into motion... It stops now.
Ozymandias: Oh. Oh, I see. You think I'm responsible for the chaos on your world. In your city. You do realize the protests below are for you. I've read and seen enough to know you're tripping over your own capes, playing a game of tag, while the world falls apart. You've put these people through hell. Your world is worse off than mine ever was. Look at the sheer number of people you lost in the narrative of Good versus Bad. Wandering aimlessly in a fog of self-righteousness. You're so busy putting these "super-villains" into prisons with revolving doors, you've ignored the world's real problems. And now you're caught in this vicious cycle of entertaining yourselves. You cling to a simplistic morality based on pulp heroes. I wonder. Is that why Jon came here? To observe the futility of your colorful lives? Or did he come here believing he would blend in? I weaned my world off gasoline and oil. I cured famine and disease. I negotiated nuclear disarmament. I turned the world upside down. I did whatever I had to to try and save it. And yes, I failed. But what have YOU tried to do to make this world a better place?
Ozymandias: Oh. Oh, I see. You think I'm responsible for the chaos on your world. In your city. You do realize the protests below are for you. I've read and seen enough to know you're tripping over your own capes, playing a game of tag, while the world falls apart. You've put these people through hell. Your world is worse off than mine ever was. Look at the sheer number of people you lost in the narrative of Good versus Bad. Wandering aimlessly in a fog of self-righteousness. You're so busy putting these "super-villains" into prisons with revolving doors, you've ignored the world's real problems. And now you're caught in this vicious cycle of entertaining yourselves. You cling to a simplistic morality based on pulp heroes. I wonder. Is that why Jon came here? To observe the futility of your colorful lives? Or did he come here believing he would blend in? I weaned my world off gasoline and oil. I cured famine and disease. I negotiated nuclear disarmament. I turned the world upside down. I did whatever I had to to try and save it. And yes, I failed. But what have YOU tried to do to make this world a better place?
— Doomsday Clock #5
Sebastian Milton: You're his son... Aren't you? I don't know what to say to you. My mother ran this place. My dad died a long time ago. My sister, too. Everything was bad... until we got here. Once the Commonwealth was up and running... life had never been better. We made the rules. We were on top. I did whatever I wanted. I thought I could do anything. So when your dad fucked everything up... I thought... If he went away, everything would go back to normal. I've... never killed anyone before. I know so many people have... So many dangerous people out there... But I haven't. They always say... taking a life is hard. But it wasn't... It was... It was so easy.
Carl Grimes: Shut up. You think I'm going to feel sorry for you now? Everyone has been talking about you. No one likes you. No one EVER liked you. You're not a good person. I can tell. You're not sad about what you did... You're sad about what happened to you because of it. Your mother was worried I was going to take matters in my own hands. Kill you... For revenge. I like this better. I get to check on you. See your misery. You get to sit and remember the life you had. That's a far better punishment than death. My dad taught me that. It's more... civilized. It's what he would have wanted. All that aside... Make no mistake... If you ever get out of this cell for ANY reason... I will find you... And before I put you back in this cell... I WILL HURT YOU. I'll be seeing you. Ta-ta.
Carl Grimes: Shut up. You think I'm going to feel sorry for you now? Everyone has been talking about you. No one likes you. No one EVER liked you. You're not a good person. I can tell. You're not sad about what you did... You're sad about what happened to you because of it. Your mother was worried I was going to take matters in my own hands. Kill you... For revenge. I like this better. I get to check on you. See your misery. You get to sit and remember the life you had. That's a far better punishment than death. My dad taught me that. It's more... civilized. It's what he would have wanted. All that aside... Make no mistake... If you ever get out of this cell for ANY reason... I will find you... And before I put you back in this cell... I WILL HURT YOU. I'll be seeing you. Ta-ta.
— The Walking Dead #192
Batman: The GTO — you want me to join. No chance in hell.
Nightwing: Napier has changed.
Batman: Nothing has changed. The Joker got out of Arkham and is trying to hurt Gotham with his latest scheme — we've seen it a hundred times.
Batgirl: Gotham is changing, and it's offering us a chance to change with it.
Batman: Have you forgotten everything the Joker's done?
Nightwing: Of course we haven't! But until he breaks any laws, there's nothing we can do about it. Your way isn't working! And the GTO is the perfect compromise — we rebuild trust with the GCPD while keeping an eye on Napier.
Batgirl: Dick...
Batman: You want Napier to win, don't you? Because it proves me wrong. Because it finally gives you a reason to believe you're better than me. That I'm not only your villain, but Gotham City's.
Batgirl: Guys...
Nightwing: Napier beat you! He became the hero that Gotham really needed, and it's eating you up! That Gotham would rather embrace a reformed super-criminal than you. And you're afraid that makes you worse than him. That maybe everything you've done is for nothing. That maybe you took the wrong lesson from your parents' deaths.
[Batman tries to punch Nightwing]
Batgirl: Bruce! No—! [Batgirl flips Batman] You both suck, you know that? Why is it always such a pissing contest, and WHY AM I ALWAYS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE?!
Nightwing: But—
Batgirl: Bruce gave you everything, Dick! You don't get to talk to him like that. And Bruce — you need to think carefully about your next move, because Gotham's losing patience with you!
Nightwing: Napier has changed.
Batman: Nothing has changed. The Joker got out of Arkham and is trying to hurt Gotham with his latest scheme — we've seen it a hundred times.
Batgirl: Gotham is changing, and it's offering us a chance to change with it.
Batman: Have you forgotten everything the Joker's done?
Nightwing: Of course we haven't! But until he breaks any laws, there's nothing we can do about it. Your way isn't working! And the GTO is the perfect compromise — we rebuild trust with the GCPD while keeping an eye on Napier.
Batgirl: Dick...
Batman: You want Napier to win, don't you? Because it proves me wrong. Because it finally gives you a reason to believe you're better than me. That I'm not only your villain, but Gotham City's.
Batgirl: Guys...
Nightwing: Napier beat you! He became the hero that Gotham really needed, and it's eating you up! That Gotham would rather embrace a reformed super-criminal than you. And you're afraid that makes you worse than him. That maybe everything you've done is for nothing. That maybe you took the wrong lesson from your parents' deaths.
[Batman tries to punch Nightwing]
Batgirl: Bruce! No—! [Batgirl flips Batman] You both suck, you know that? Why is it always such a pissing contest, and WHY AM I ALWAYS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE?!
Nightwing: But—
Batgirl: Bruce gave you everything, Dick! You don't get to talk to him like that. And Bruce — you need to think carefully about your next move, because Gotham's losing patience with you!
— Batman: White Knight #5
Azrael: I thought Batman didn't kill. Isn't that what makes us different? Well, if you're no longer Batman, and you're no longer a Wayne, then who are you?
Batman: I'm your reckoning.
Azrael: No. I know what you really are, Bruce... You traveled the world seeking something bigger than yourself— something that would repair you, bring you peace. But you realized that there is no peace for someone like you— only war. And as you look back at the blood in your wake, you realize you've become too accepting of your demons— that you've lost your soul. So you tried to save yourself by reaching out to those around you, but they couldn't save you either. Because your war had become their war. Now here you are, all alone, trying to be a martyr... In a battle that killed you a long time ago. I know you, Bruce.
Batman: ...Go to hell...
Azrael: You're me. We're brothers, like Cain and Abel. Not bound by blood, but by destiny. God put us on different paths, but we ended up in the same place, didn't we?
Batman: I'm your reckoning.
Azrael: No. I know what you really are, Bruce... You traveled the world seeking something bigger than yourself— something that would repair you, bring you peace. But you realized that there is no peace for someone like you— only war. And as you look back at the blood in your wake, you realize you've become too accepting of your demons— that you've lost your soul. So you tried to save yourself by reaching out to those around you, but they couldn't save you either. Because your war had become their war. Now here you are, all alone, trying to be a martyr... In a battle that killed you a long time ago. I know you, Bruce.
Batman: ...Go to hell...
Azrael: You're me. We're brothers, like Cain and Abel. Not bound by blood, but by destiny. God put us on different paths, but we ended up in the same place, didn't we?
Bah! Of course Banner build prison for Hulk! Banner IS prison for Hulk! Banner always want "cure for Hulk" — want to take Hulk's strength from Hulk and lock Hulk in darkness! Or kill Hulk! And if Banner can't — Banner try to kill Banner instead! Or get Purple Arrow Man to do it! BANNER WOULD RATHER DIE THAN LET HULK LIVE!
— Savage Hulk, Immortal Hulk #35
Baby Batman: Stop smiling! You're about to die! You don't get to enjoy it!
Owlman: Yes, I do. You see...I'm going to live forever. As long as there's a Batman in this multiverse, there will be an Owlman. His true dark reflection. I'm too good an idea. But you... you evil baby Batman from the Dark Multiverse, with all your stupid rainbow Batmen? You're a dumb idea. And nobody is going to remember you.
Baby Batman: Please... I'm just a widdle...
Owlman: Yes, I do. You see...I'm going to live forever. As long as there's a Batman in this multiverse, there will be an Owlman. His true dark reflection. I'm too good an idea. But you... you evil baby Batman from the Dark Multiverse, with all your stupid rainbow Batmen? You're a dumb idea. And nobody is going to remember you.
Baby Batman: Please... I'm just a widdle...
— Dark Nights: Death Metal: Multiverse's End
Wonder Woman: Mad! I see it all now — you're mad! Your "overseers" — are some kind of cosmic keepers assigned to keep you from hurting yourself!
The Adjudicator: Be still! I do not like these thoughts.
Wonder Woman: They didn't care about worlds like Earth, so they let you obliterate them — like a dangerous lunatic playing with expendable toys! No wonder the space-traveling Justice Leaguers hadn't heard of you before! You're not a real judge of worlds at all — but only a madman!
The Adjudicator: Be still! I do not like these thoughts.
Wonder Woman: They didn't care about worlds like Earth, so they let you obliterate them — like a dangerous lunatic playing with expendable toys! No wonder the space-traveling Justice Leaguers hadn't heard of you before! You're not a real judge of worlds at all — but only a madman!
No, we can't have trash like you cluttering the streets — or wouldn't you love to have someone trip over you and get hurt? Isn't that what you live for... menacing innocent people with your insane gimmicks? Face it, Lex Luthor... the future would be better off without you! You're a menace! Look at your latest trick! Or did you ever stop and think what would happen to the world without a Superman to protect it? All the disasters the future holds that only I could handle? I'd be doing the world a favor by putting an end to you right now... before you grow up to be an even greater menace!
— Superman, A Mind-Switch in Time
I've fought my fair share of monsters in my time — but you are neck and neck with Darkseid on the pure evil scale. Tell me, Gandelo, how do you drown out the screams of your victims? Do they haunt you? Because the voices of Krypton — of Kandor — I hear them always. And I do this for them! They demand justice.
— Supergirl, The Killers of Krypton
Klax-Ar: You have no right to Kryptonian powers! But I — I am a native-born Kryptonian! Power is mine by inheritance!
Supergirl: Bunk! You sold your birthright when you turned against your home planet!
Supergirl: Bunk! You sold your birthright when you turned against your home planet!
Don't like it, do you? It's not fair. Not the whole story. You have excuses. Explanations. You're innocent. These people don't know what really happened. They don't know what's in your heart.
Now you know how it feels.
Now you know how it feels.
You don't get it. Everything I said? That was learning something. That was good to know. Because people who think there's a shortcut to getting they want? They're not just wrong. They're deluded. Now stay the hell away from me and my friends.
— Luke Skywalker to Doctor Aphra, Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel
A lifetime ago, Megatron set in motion something he could never hope to control. He tapped — almost by chance — into a groundswell of-of rage and resentment. And he was singularly unprepared for what happened next. And as for what happened next, well... we all call it a war because to do otherwise would insult the dead. But really? Really, it was a riot. The war was a riot and Megatron was a looter. Caught up in the events, yes, but not shaping them. Not coordinating them. A stronger person — a braver person — someone with an ounce of strategic acumen would have prevented the revolution from descending into chaos. But no. To the lasting regret of every Cybertronian, alive and dead, Megatron is neither strong, nor brave, nor brilliant — nor possessed of any particular talents beyond survival. Throughout the 'war' he was assailed by aides and confidants who pulled him in all directions and, yes, I include myself in that number. More than once I urged him — I begged him to consider a ceasefire, and I was punished for it. Like I said, whipping boy.
Your Honor, this tin-pot revolutionary would have you believe he is some grand architect — a military mastermind with destiny at his heels. In truth, he was sidelined long ago — sequestered so that more accomplished monsters — heavyweights like Shockwave and Scorponok — could use this planet as a canvas for their own dark designs. Addled and impotent, on the rare occasions he tried to assert himself militarily his campaigns were so gruelingly inept that they could only be construed as a cry for help. His grand experiment — 'Peace through Tyranny' — was always doomed to failure, even if some of us — the pragmatists and peacemakers — realized it too late. Am I here to defend him? No. Never. But as the chosen leader of the Cybertronian race — as someone who must embody fairness and decency — I cannot in good conscience say anything — anything — that would speed someone to their death.
Four million years ago, Megatron set out to make our world a better place. Bedeviled by a fundamental weakness of character, hindered by a frighteningly average intellect, and cursed with an ambition that far outstripped his ability, he failed. Spectacularly. He doesn't deserve death.
He deserves pity.
Your Honor, this tin-pot revolutionary would have you believe he is some grand architect — a military mastermind with destiny at his heels. In truth, he was sidelined long ago — sequestered so that more accomplished monsters — heavyweights like Shockwave and Scorponok — could use this planet as a canvas for their own dark designs. Addled and impotent, on the rare occasions he tried to assert himself militarily his campaigns were so gruelingly inept that they could only be construed as a cry for help. His grand experiment — 'Peace through Tyranny' — was always doomed to failure, even if some of us — the pragmatists and peacemakers — realized it too late. Am I here to defend him? No. Never. But as the chosen leader of the Cybertronian race — as someone who must embody fairness and decency — I cannot in good conscience say anything — anything — that would speed someone to their death.
Four million years ago, Megatron set out to make our world a better place. Bedeviled by a fundamental weakness of character, hindered by a frighteningly average intellect, and cursed with an ambition that far outstripped his ability, he failed. Spectacularly. He doesn't deserve death.
He deserves pity.
— Starscream, The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
Reactron: Stop... Please...
Flamebird: No. Murderer of my people. You deserve no mercy. You show no remorse, no pity. The sincerity of your words is birthed of cowardice and hatred, nothing more. And I shall not suffer you to exist.
Flamebird: No. Murderer of my people. You deserve no mercy. You show no remorse, no pity. The sincerity of your words is birthed of cowardice and hatred, nothing more. And I shall not suffer you to exist.
Kru-El: But I thought the Gold Kryptonite had taken-away their super-powers!
Lex Luthor: Fools! Did you really think I'd bring you Gold Kryptonite after my Super-Hearing detected you plotting against me? You tried to double-cross me, so I decided to work with Supergirl against you!
Lex Luthor: Fools! Did you really think I'd bring you Gold Kryptonite after my Super-Hearing detected you plotting against me? You tried to double-cross me, so I decided to work with Supergirl against you!
Supergirl felt she had to inform the F.B.I.! So even my husband — a Bureau agent — knew the truth about me! Everyone did — except the one person who had a right to: me! My doctors think that lab-accident caused the aneurism that resulted in my stroke! And because I didn't remember it, there was no way to prevent it! Don't you see? — Thanks to your playing God with my life, I almost died!
— Lena Colby, The Strange Revenge of Lena Luthor
Dru-Zod: All that science. All that progress. Where do you think it ends up? I've fired your science from the barrel of a weapon more times than I can remember. Than I want to remember! I know what I've done and to whom! Do you?
Jor-El: ...
Dru-Zod: You love to lecture. To drown others in words. Two years ago, I saved your life. Today I saved your name. You know what two words I've never heard from you? 'Thank you.'
Jor-El: ...
Dru-Zod: You love to lecture. To drown others in words. Two years ago, I saved your life. Today I saved your name. You know what two words I've never heard from you? 'Thank you.'
"You're too busy trying to conquer all of reality to know what kind of a lousy dad you are, that you should treasure every moment with your kid because you don't know how many moments you'll have...! Well, let me knock some sense into you!"
— Supergirl to Darkseid', Supergirl Adventures Girl Of Steel
You're not nearly as crazy as you'd like us all to believe. Or even as crazy as you'd like to believe. It just makes it easier to justify every sick, monstrous thing you've ever done when you play the part of the mad clown. You're crazy, bubba — but you ain't that crazy.
[Beat]
Look at that. I wiped a smile off of Joker's face. I have been waiting a looooooong time for that. [walks away laughing]
[Beat]
Look at that. I wiped a smile off of Joker's face. I have been waiting a looooooong time for that. [walks away laughing]
— Jason Todd/Red Hood to the Joker, Batman #649
Mister, you're like a dime-store copy of the Mona Lisa — you look like the real thing — but your materials are too cheap to fool anybody! You think I'm a traitor? Grow up, fella — times have changed! America's in danger from within as well as without! There's organized crime, injustice, and fascism — or wouldn't you recognize that?
— Steve Rogers, to William Burnside, Captain America #156
Dear Hugo,
This is just to say I'm leaving and never coming back. I've been putting up with you and our idiot son for twenty years with nothing but vodka, Valium and Jesus to keep me going, and I've only just realized- I don't need them, I don't need Him, and I certainly don't need you.
Goodbye forever,
Martha
PS: I lied. Three inches is below average.
This is just to say I'm leaving and never coming back. I've been putting up with you and our idiot son for twenty years with nothing but vodka, Valium and Jesus to keep me going, and I've only just realized- I don't need them, I don't need Him, and I certainly don't need you.
Goodbye forever,
Martha
PS: I lied. Three inches is below average.
— Martha Root's breakup letter, Preacher
Blue: How's your husband?
Rose: That's over. We— It was a mistake. Just another stupid impulse of mine that— Anyway, we ended it. I did.
Blue: Oh?
Rose: I think, when you spoke to me before going away— when you told me how you felt— Well, that scared me, because we were such good friends, and I didn't want to lose that. Or maybe I thought— Hell. Who knows what I thought? But then Sinbad was here, back from the war. A hero. And he had to stay up here at the farm, because he wasn't allowed into Fabletown after the Genii incident—
Blue: Rose.
Rose: No, don't interrupt me, Blue, or I won't have the courage to say this. I made a mistake, but it's not too late. We should be together for whatever time you have left. We should get married right now and—
Blue: Rose, stop it. You're talking nonsense. I hate being harsh, but one of the few advantages of—of this— is that dying men are allowed complete and brutal candor. Here's what I believe. You gravitate towards whoever adds the most excitement to your life— for good or bad. You slept with Prince Charming because it was so wrong, and you knew it would destroy your sister. The danger was irresistible. You were with Jack for substantially the same reasons. And then you started to drift towards Weyland, when the two of you were up here together, and there was no one else more interesting close at hand. And you might have gone for me once, early on, when I was new and heroic and exciting. But that attraction withered as you found out I didn't want to be a hero— That all I craved was to be dull and ordinary. And then along came Sinbad, poor man. He didn't know what was coming. He was perfect— heroic and larger than life. You pounced quickly, before the glamour wore off. Do you see the pattern, Rose? When I showed up here again, bravely dying, Sinbad didn't stand a chance. I was once again the most interesting man in the room. In any room. How could you resist? And this time, it's better than ever, because I'll be dead long before the excitement is in any danger of fading. This time I'm your perfect man. Except that it's too late, because I've finally realized that I deserve better.
(Rose gets up from her seat, tears in her eyes, but doesn't say a word)
Blue: I don't know the particular incident, but somehow you were broken when you were young, in a way that you never recovered. I'm terribly sorry about that, but I can't fix it. I can't fix you. I hope that someday, someone else can. I truly do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm tired. I think I'll rest for a while.
Rose: That's over. We— It was a mistake. Just another stupid impulse of mine that— Anyway, we ended it. I did.
Blue: Oh?
Rose: I think, when you spoke to me before going away— when you told me how you felt— Well, that scared me, because we were such good friends, and I didn't want to lose that. Or maybe I thought— Hell. Who knows what I thought? But then Sinbad was here, back from the war. A hero. And he had to stay up here at the farm, because he wasn't allowed into Fabletown after the Genii incident—
Blue: Rose.
Rose: No, don't interrupt me, Blue, or I won't have the courage to say this. I made a mistake, but it's not too late. We should be together for whatever time you have left. We should get married right now and—
Blue: Rose, stop it. You're talking nonsense. I hate being harsh, but one of the few advantages of—of this— is that dying men are allowed complete and brutal candor. Here's what I believe. You gravitate towards whoever adds the most excitement to your life— for good or bad. You slept with Prince Charming because it was so wrong, and you knew it would destroy your sister. The danger was irresistible. You were with Jack for substantially the same reasons. And then you started to drift towards Weyland, when the two of you were up here together, and there was no one else more interesting close at hand. And you might have gone for me once, early on, when I was new and heroic and exciting. But that attraction withered as you found out I didn't want to be a hero— That all I craved was to be dull and ordinary. And then along came Sinbad, poor man. He didn't know what was coming. He was perfect— heroic and larger than life. You pounced quickly, before the glamour wore off. Do you see the pattern, Rose? When I showed up here again, bravely dying, Sinbad didn't stand a chance. I was once again the most interesting man in the room. In any room. How could you resist? And this time, it's better than ever, because I'll be dead long before the excitement is in any danger of fading. This time I'm your perfect man. Except that it's too late, because I've finally realized that I deserve better.
(Rose gets up from her seat, tears in her eyes, but doesn't say a word)
Blue: I don't know the particular incident, but somehow you were broken when you were young, in a way that you never recovered. I'm terribly sorry about that, but I can't fix it. I can't fix you. I hope that someday, someone else can. I truly do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm tired. I think I'll rest for a while.
— Issue 81, Boy Blue talking with Rose Red before he dies, Fables
