#no more children watching their parents die is a distinctly different ethos from no more murderers

[angstandhappiness]

INTERESTING ADDITION

Lukewarm take, because there's already technically a comic run about it:

Thomas and Martha Wayne would've hated Bruce becoming Batman. Not just because they would hate him putting himself in danger every night, but because they were strong advocates of reform, and helping the people of Gotham in non-violent ways. They used their money for reform-- they were trying to fix up Park Row before they died-- and Thomas helped anyone and everyone he could, despite their backgrounds.

They would've hated that Bruce runs around punching people and then causing some of the worst villains to appear, and then doing the bare minimum to stop them.

They would hate it even more that He did it in their name.

and they would absolutely be horrified that he brought children into his war, and that he needs children to stop him from going too far.

TLDR: When Bruce meets Thomas and Martha in the afterlife, Martha slaps Bruce in the face, and Thomas just sighs and goes, "You remembered all of us wrong after we died."

[sing-me-under]

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I’ve never quite understood where the idea that Martha and Thomas were strong advocates of societal reform and pacifists came from. As far as I’m aware, they were still the heir and heiress of extremely wealthy families who developed a social consciousness and responsibility on their own. (Pretty sure the Kanes were wealthier than the Waynes too—) They donated to charities and humanitarian efforts and the like, but they weren’t very heavy in the political scene, preferring to provide aid and do good in the way they know best: financially. Furthermore, most normal people don’t immediately assume violence as a viable method, so being non-violent was more or less a given and not a requirement. Literally, Thomas becomes Flashpoint Batman.

They also weren’t “fixing up” Park Row before they died. Park Row fell apart after they died because they died there. Park Row used to be exactly that, a recreational row of parks and theaters close to the wealthier neighborhoods that said wealthier families could leisurely stroll down. It was just a terrible turn of fate that Joe Chill happened to confront the Waynes in the exact alley that they were using as a short cut to their car.

I’ve always kind of been of the opinion that Thomas and Martha would care more about their son than any moral compass he would develop anyway. I think they would resent Bruce becoming Batman not because he disappointed them but because Bruce let it consume his life like a black hole. I’m sure they would have preferred he lived a carefree life as a socialite like his civilian persona pretends to be than give his entire life to a cause, violent or not.

I don’t know. There’s just something that rubs me wrong about Martha and Thomas caring more about their memory and post-mortem reform efforts than of Bruce’s clearly deteriorated mental health. I’m not going to comment on your characterization of Bruce’s moral failings, but I’m sure Martha and Thomas would have more to worry about than their eight-year-old orphaned son “remembering them” as they would have wanted to be remembered. Even if they did, “in memory of” is not the same as “in their name.” Bruce is Batman for his own selfish/selfless reasons, and he knows that full well. He’s not using his parents as an excuse to try to do good in the way he knows best.

ALSO. Gotham aside, Batman is still a hero and one of the most influential members of the Justice League. That’s still a good thing. Why the fuck would they immediately greet their son with a slap and a disappointed sigh. That’s like peak toxic parental pressure.

Lukewarm take, because there's already technically a comic run about it:

Thomas and Martha Wayne would've hated Bruce becoming Batman. Not just because they would hate him putting himself in danger every night, but because they were strong advocates of reform, and helping the people of Gotham in non-violent ways. They used their money for reform-- they were trying to fix up Park Row before they died-- and Thomas helped anyone and everyone he could, despite their backgrounds.

They would've hated that Bruce runs around punching people and then causing some of the worst villains to appear, and then doing the bare minimum to stop them.

They would hate it even more that He did it in their name.

and they would absolutely be horrified that he brought children into his war, and that he needs children to stop him from going too far.

TLDR: When Bruce meets Thomas and Martha in the afterlife, Martha slaps Bruce in the face, and Thomas just sighs and goes, "You remembered all of us wrong after we died."