History YouHaveFailedMe / ComicBooks

** First played straight and then later there's a subversion in the first ''[[ComicBook/RobinSeries Robin]]'' miniseries. The villain of the piece kills two of his {{Mook}}s with his bare hands for failing him, then promotes a DragonLady named Lynx to the position of head Mook. When she inevitably fails as well, he ponders over the dilemma of leaving her unpunished and [[WouldntHitAGirl having to kill a woman]]. He then hands her to his [[TheDragon Dragon]] for a "not too dire, but memorable" punishment. Which, to the Dragon, meant [[EyeScream putting out her eye]].

* ''ComicBook/SamuraiSquirrel'': When one of [[BigBad Mordak]]'s {{Ninja}}s returns to him and informs him they failed in their mission, and that [[TheProtagonist Nato-san]] now has the medallion, Mordak's response is to kill him and have his wizard, Chaing burn up his body.

** Played with in ''ComicBook/Eternals2021''. Thanos tells Eternal scientist Domo that he’ll be killed if he fails. Rather than trying to trick him, Domo honestly tells Thanos that he failed. Thanos kills him, keeping his word - but then immediately has him resurrected (and acknowledges his honesty and loyalty).

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please place new examples in alphabetical order.

* ''ComicBook/{{Bloodquest}}'': In Part II, Khorne himself smites his warriors for failing to claim the Blood Angels' souls after they venture out of his domain.

** ComicBook/TheJoker has an interesting variation: You have succeeded admirably... But I'm bored. Working for Joker is like Russian Roulette. With bullets in all 6 chambers. And two guns. [[OverlyLongGag And the bullets are dipped in poison. And you don't get to spin the barrel.]] According to [[Creator/GailSimone one writer]], that same chaotic nature also means Joker might shower you in cash for doing something like tipping a chair over. This is presented as the only reason anyone would be stupid enough to work for the Joker: it's Russian Roulette mixed with traditional roulette.

* Completely subverted in ComicBook/{{Hourman}}. When a villain who presides over a hellish slave camp learns that one of the {{mooks}} screwed up, he finds the underling cowering in fear, certain that he's about to be killed for his failure. Instead, the villain pats him on the back, tells him to believe in himself, and gives him a couple of bucks to go buy himself a snack. It turns out their entire evil organization uses a series of self-help seminars as a front, and so they have a policy of only using positive reinforcement with the henchmen. ''And it works.''

** In one instance during a battle with the Fantastic 4, his head scientist had a flamethrower and the flames were getting dangerously close to a priceless painting he obtained, so he shot him with the gun the scientist built for him. He also kills that henchman's vengeful brother (also a henchman) who tried to trick Doom into a device that would kill him.

* In the MarvelUniverse, ComicBook/{{HYDRA}} has this as their standard policy. In fact, in the years when the organization was in disarray without the overall control of Baron Von Strucker, the various factions seemed to spend more time killing each other after each defeat than achieving anything.

** In ''[[ComicBook/Supergirl1982 "Guess Who's About to Die!"]]'', a MadScientist's attempt to clone ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} results in six dwarf-sized copies. He sends them out to kill Supergirl but they fail, causing his enraged boss crush his skull.

'''Chairman:''' Supergirl! Who you swore to me would die before she could return here and interfere again! You realize what this means, Drake? Not only have your clones failed-- our entire operation has veen put in dire jeopardy!\\

'''Chairman:''' Supergirl! Who you swore to me would die before before she could return here and interfere again! You realize what this means, Drake? Not only have your clones failed-- our entire operation has veen put in dire jeopardy!\\

* This is also done in ''Comicbook/WelcomeBackFrank'', Creator/GarthEnnis's opening ''Comicbook/ThePunisher'' mini-series. Ma Gnucci, after having her arms and legs torn off by a polar bear in the NY Zoo, berates her {{Mooks}} for failing to catch Castle and then orders one of them executed for asking her how she's feeling. The guy she orders to do it protests, so she orders him executed as well. She goes through about three underlings before she finds someone willing to shoot the previous executees.

* {{ComicBook/Darkseid}} sometimes kills people who fail him -- he has to keep up appearances -- but since he uses his Omega Beams, he usually just resurrects them later when he needs them again.

* In ''[[ComicBook/Supergirl1982 "Guess Who's About to Die!"]]'', a MadScientist's attempt to clone ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} results in six dwarf-sized copies. He sends them out to kill Supergirl but they fail, causing his enraged boss crush his skull.
-->'''Drake:''' Th-The Chairman! Then it... It, ah... Is her-- er... SHE?!\\

* In early issues of ''ComicBook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog'', [[BadBoss Robotnik]] often did this to robots who messed up. Likewise, Eggman shows aspects of this from time to time.

* The current trope image is from ''ComicBook/LadyDeath'' by Avatar/Boundless showing the [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Death Queen]] arbitrarily executing one of her minions by blowing up his head for allowing the rebels to escape. She makes an habit out of killing her men whenever they disappoint her.
* First played straight and then later there's a subversion in the first ''[[ComicBook/RobinSeries Robin]]'' miniseries. The villain of the piece kills two of his {{Mook}}s with his bare hands for failing him, then promotes a DragonLady named Lynx to the position of head Mook. When she inevitably fails as well, he ponders over the dilemma of leaving her unpunished and [[WouldntHitAGirl having to kill a woman]]. He then hands her to his [[TheDragon Dragon]] for a "not too dire, but memorable" punishment. Which, to the Dragon, meant [[EyeScream putting out her eye]].
* This is also done in ''Comicbook/WelcomeBackFrank'', Creator/GarthEnnis's opening ''Comicbook/ThePunisher'' mini-series. Ma Gnucci, after having her arms and legs torn off by a polar bear in the NY Zoo, berates her {{Mooks}} for failing to catch Castle and then orders one of them executed for asking her how she's feeling. The guy she orders to do it protests, so she orders him executed as well. She goes through about three underlings before she finds someone willing to shoot the previous executees.
* It's impossible to count how many gang mooks working for ComicBook/TheKingpin have gone into his office to report failure and never came out alive. For a specific example, one of the better variations on this trope in recent years was the ''Tangled Web of ComicBook/SpiderMan'' issue #4, "Severance Package", in which the Kingpin deals with an underling who botches an illegal arms job. The story is especially chilling because it's told from the point of view of the underling, who knows full well that he's about to die but refuses to run away, despite having a wife and children. Impressed by the man accepting his fate, the Kingpin kills him but does grant the underling's final favor, to allow his family to live.
* In early issues of ''ComicBook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog'', [[BadBoss Robotnik]] often did this to robots who messed up. Likewise, Eggman shows aspects of this from time to time.
* ComicBook/TheJoker has an interesting variation: You have succeeded admirably... But I'm bored. Working for Joker is like Russian Roulette. With bullets in all 6 chambers. And two guns. [[OverlyLongGag And the bullets are dipped in poison. And you don't get to spin the barrel.]] According to [[Creator/GailSimone one writer]], that same chaotic nature also means Joker might shower you in cash for doing something like tipping a chair over. This is presented as the only reason anyone would be stupid enough to work for the Joker: it's Russian Roulette mixed with traditional roulette.
* ComicBook/DoctorDoom. Mostly with his robotic henchmen, though.
** In one instance during a battle with the Fantastic 4, his head scientist had a flamethrower and the flames were getting dangerously close to a priceless painting he obtained, so he shot him with the gun the scientist built for him. He also kills that henchman's vengeful brother (also a henchman) who tried to trick Doom into a device that would kill him.
** Doom's tendency towards this was parodied in ''ComicBook/TheSuperiorFoesOfSpiderMan'', where the backstory of the [[{{MacGuffin}} Doom portrait]] involves him doing this to a random painter because he doesn't like how the commission turned out (and because Doom accidentally said some... unfortunate things while drunk in front of the guy). Since the guy is a decently well-known painter [[BlackComedy it causes his works to posthumously skyrocket in value]].
* ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}''
** Near the end of volume one, the Pride's main mole in the police, Lieutenant Flores, tries to capture the kids without telling the Pride in advance. The ensuing fight [[spoiler:destroys the Hostel]], nearly gets all his men killed and, more importantly to The Pride, endangers their children. His bosses are there when his men find him.
-->'''Flores:''' I thought I was dead.\\
'''Geoffrey Wilder:''' And for once, you were right. *shotgun*
** [[spoiler: [[HoistByHisOwnPetard Ironically]] this ends up being the fate of the Pride themselves; after the team ruins their EvilPlan, the Gibborim get fed up with their pathetic failures and behavior and kill them all.]]

* Subverted and played straight in Mandrake. The evil organization "8" has a strict policy to kill anyone who fails; however, so many have been defeated by Mandrake that they no longer kill those that fail against him because of the enormous losses it would mean.

* {{ComicBook/Darkseid}} sometimes kills people who fail him -- he has to keep up appearances -- but since he uses his Omega Beams, he usually just resurrects them later when he needs them again.

* While a competent and highly skilled agent, [[Film/AttackOfTheClones Count Dooku's]] Dark Side Adept Asajj Ventress was prone to failure because she specifically targeted Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, who were out of her league. After spending months healing from a particularly brutal loss at Anakin's hands, Ventress is found by Obi-Wan and immediately attacks him, moving far from her master's side across a battlefield. With the Republic forces closing in and Ventress too far away, Dooku comments that she had failed him too many times and orders her shot. [[spoiler:She survives, though.]]
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** Shockwave, as portrayed in most comics, is the ultimate aversion of this trope. Motivated by logic and reason, and utterly aware of the dwindling numbers available to the Decepticons (in a race that cannot reproduce without the Matrix), Shockwave hates to let soldiers go to waste. He can and will harshly reprimand failure (as he does with Frenzy in "Mind Games"), but doesn't ever kill them. Insomuch, that after usurping leadership from Megatron, then soundly beating the ex-leader -- he leaves Megatron alive and makes him swear loyalty to him, not fearing from any retribution. Perhaps the best example, though, is in DW comics "The War Within - Ages of Wrath", where Rumble and Frenzy have seemingly caused an explosion that destroyed most of his work in his lab, Shockwave only questions the two and then sends them away to get back to work... In leaving, Rumble and Frenzy even remark that had this happened with Megatron, he would have ripped them apart in anger.
** Shockwave even gives failed minions time to explain themselves -- and accepts logical reasoning. When Megatron -- his subordinate at the time -- led a suicidal attack on the Ark, resulting in the deaths/capture of many Decepticons, Shockwave prepares to promptly execute him. But after Megatron points out that Shockwave made a bigger blunder by allowing the Autobots to steal the secrets of Combiner technology, Shockwave not only accepts his excuse, but relinquishes Decepticon leadership back to Megatron!
** In another situation, after Soundwave let Buster Witwicky, whom he was ordered to capture, go away free despite him having the upper hand, Shockwave comes to the conclusion that Soundwave is either a traitor, or defective, and has outlived his usefulness. But when Soundwave explains Buster's mind needs to re-unite with Optimus so the Decepticons can tap into its secrets, Shockwave accepts this without question.
* ''ComicBook/LesLegendaires'':
** Cruelly double-subverted by Darkhell in ''Les Légendaires: [[OriginsEpisode Origines]]'', when one of his generals fails to bring him back Princess Jadina for the second time. Darkhell grasps him and raises him above a pit of lava. The general begs him for mercy, and the following scene ensues:
--->'''Darkhell:''' [[FalseReassurance I sometimes happen to give a second chance]]...\\
'''General:''' T-Thanks, master...\\
'''Darkhell:''' ...[[ExactWords Never a third one]]. (''let him fall to his death'')
** A even more horrifying double-subversion happens in the Anathos Cycle to [[spoiler:[[DarkMistress Dark-Jadina]]]]. After [[spoiler:[[CurbStompBattle bitting the dust against the real Jadina]]]], they go to Anathos and beg him for mercy. Anathos states he forgives them... and then he blows their head off.
* Parodied in ''ComicBook/AdventureTimeBananaGuardAcademy'', where the villainous Compulord can be relied upon to lose his temper with his minions and order them all to kill themselves every ninety-three minutes precisely.
* Averted with General Grievous of all people in ''ComicBook/StarWarsKanan''. [[spoiler: He doesn't Kill Coburn Sear for failing to kill the Jedi, he doesn't even berate him or injure him for his failure. ]].

* ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'': Zigzagged in "No Future". When the Dark Judges accidentally wind up on the wrong planet due to a teleporter mishap, Judge Death sneers "You failed me, Mortis!" and proceeds to strangle his fellow Dark Judge until the latter can offer an explanation in apology. Since both master and minion in this scenario are [[YouCantKillWhatsAlreadyDead actually zombies and thus immortal]], it's not really clear what this would have accomplished beyond Death just trying to vent his anger.

* In ''[[ComicBook/Supergirl1982 "Guess Who's About to Die!"]]'', a MadScientist's attempt to clone ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} results in six dwarf-sized copies. He sends them out to kill Supergirl but they fail, causing his enraged boss crush his skull.
-->'''Drake:''' Th-The Chairman! Then it... It, ah... Is her-- er... SHE?!\\
'''Chairman:''' Supergirl! Who you swore to me would die before before she could return here and interfere again! You realize what this means, Drake? Not only have your clones failed-- our entire operation has veen put in dire jeopardy!\\
'''Drake:''' I... Ah, I...\\
'''Chairman:''' Say nothing! You failed me... And that I will not tolerate! You were given a chance-- and one is all I will allow!
* In ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' arc ''ComicBook/NightOfTheOwls'', a few of the resurrected Talons have this in their backstory--whether out of sloppiness,[[note]]for all of their declared power over Gotham, the Owls ''really'' don't like the prospect of media scrutiny -- such as that caused by outright missing cops instead of dead cops[[/note]] "misguided honor,"[[note]]a colonial-era Talon armed his target and demanded that he fight for his life; this Talon ended up being spotted in the course of making this kill, and one of the witnesses he slew was an officer, leading to unwanted scrutiny for the Owls[[/note]] or failing to do a job properly, they were retired early. Often, part of the issue featuring them focuses on their attempts to atone for their mistakes, perceived or otherwise.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':
** Circe has on at least one occasion cooked and eaten one of her Bestiamorphs when they failed an assignment. Her Bestiamorphs are humans, mostly men, who she has transformed into creatures to do her bidding usually without their consent.
** ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'': Dr. Zeul, otherwise known as Giganta, manages to combine this with YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness when her assistant uploads her mind into a gorilla instead of a human body. She throws her hapless assistant from the roof while trying to escape the authorities, but they are rescued by ComicBook/WonderGirl (Cassie).
* ''ComicBook/{{Bone}}'': After the Hooded One botches the ritual to free him by hunting down the wrong sacrifice, the most recent in a string of screw-ups, [[EldritchAbomination the Lord Of Locusts]] responds by stripping her powers away and utterly ''eviscerating'' her. [[spoiler:Since the Lord is a powerful {{Necromancer}}, he simply revives the Hooded One once it’s clear [[CantKillYouStillNeedYou he still needs her for the time being]], but he warns that there will ''not'' be anymore second chances and keeps her on a shorter leash for the rest of the story.]]

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': Circe has on at least one occasion cooked and eaten one of her Bestiamorphs when they failed an assignment. Her Bestiamorphs are humans, mostly men, who she has transformed into creatures to do her bidding usually without their consent.

* It's impossible to count how many gang mooks working for ComicBook/TheKingpin have gone into his office to report failure and never came out alive. For a specific example, one of the better variations on this trope in recent years was the ''Tangled Web of SpiderMan'' issue #4, "Severance Package", in which the Kingpin deals with an underling who botches an illegal arms job. The story is especially chilling because it's told from the point of view of the underling, who knows full well that he's about to die but refuses to run away, despite having a wife and children. Impressed by the man accepting his fate, the Kingpin kills him but does grant the underling's final favor, to allow his family to live.

* Near the end of the first volume of ComicBook/{{Runaways}}, the Pride's main mole in the police, Lieutenant Flores, tries to capture the kids without telling the Pride in advance. The ensuing fight [[spoiler:destroys the Hostel]] and nearly gets all his men killed and, more importantly to The Pride, endangers their children. His bosses are there when his men find him.
-->"I thought I was dead."\\
"And for once, you were right." *shotgun*

* ''ComicBook/{{Varmints}}'': Pa has several mercenaries who failed him in the past all gathered together on a train, having them all think they've been hired for a job. [[spoiler:In reality, he had them all put on that train to off them for their failures. He arranged to have the train explode. And in case that didn't work, the train was on a track that ends at an unfinished bridge over a steep chasm.]]

* It's impossible to count how many gang mooks working for ComicBook/TheKingpin have gone into his office to report failure and never came out alive. For a specific example, one of the better variations on this trope in recent years was the ''Tangled Web of SpiderMan'' issue(#4), [[http://www.spiderfan.org/comics/reviews/spiderman_tangled_web/004.html "Severance Package"]], in which the Kingpin deals with an underling who botches an illegal arms job. The story is especially chilling because it's told from the point of view of the underling, who knows full well that he's about to die but refuses to run away, despite having a wife and children. Impressed by the man accepting his fate, the Kingpin kills him but does grant the underling's final favor, to allow his family to live.
* In early issues of ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehog'', [[BadBoss Robotnik]] often did this to robots who messed up.

-->"I thought I was dead."
-->"And for once, you were right." *shotgun*

* From ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}} and the Black Gold'': Dubbelosix, a Druid spying for the Romans, has to get the secret of magic potion and stop our heroes from procuring an ingredient. Asterix, however, [[{{Outgambitted}} outgambits]] him, and Dubbelosix and his superior both end up [[spoiler:sentenced to death in the arena, ''covered in BEES''!]]

* First played straight and then later there's a subversion in the first ''Robin'' miniseries. The villain of the piece kills two of his {{Mook}}s with his bare hands for failing him, then promotes a DragonLady named Lynx to the position of head Mook. When she inevitably fails as well, he ponders over the dilemma of leaving her unpunished and [[WouldntHitAGirl having to kill a woman]]. He then hands her to his [[TheDragon Dragon]] for a "not too dire, but memorable" punishment. Which, to the Dragon, meant [[EyeScream putting out her eye]].

* One of the better variations on this trope in recent years was the ''Tangled Web of SpiderMan'' issue(#4), [[http://www.spiderfan.org/comics/reviews/spiderman_tangled_web/004.html "Severance Package"]], in which the Kingpin deals with an underling who botches an illegal arms job. The story is especially chilling because it's told from the point of view of the underling, who knows full well that he's about to die but refuses to run away, despite having a wife and children.

* It's impossible to count how many gang mooks working for ComicBook/TheKingpin have gone into his office to report failure and never came out alive.
** A famous story has one underling seeing a report of Spider-Man ruining a job, knowing his life is over but still going to the Kingpin to face up to it, only asking his family be spared. Impressed by the man accepting his fate, the Kingpin kills him but does indeed allow his family to live.

* Doctor Doom. Mostly with his robotic henchmen, though.