History EvenEvilHasStandards / TheDCU

** In ''ComicBook/Superman1939'' #416: "The Einstein Connection"'' by Creator/ElliotSMaggin (a writer who had a definite soft spot for the original MadScientist ComicBook/LexLuthor), we learn that one of the few people the brilliant Luthor unabashedly considers a personal hero is UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein. While fleeing Superman at one point, he passes a body of water and sees somebody drowning. Though grumbling about it, he dives in and rescues the person, even though it costs him his escape, because he just ''can't'' bring himself to act like an asshole on Einstein's birthday.

* ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'': Lampshaded in ''Injustice League Unlimited'', when Luthor decides on members for his new Injustice Gang. ComicBook/{{Cheetah}} objects to recruiting Doctor Light because he was a rapist, but Luthor dismisses this reasoning, stating that "if we want to limit our membership to people of good ''character''...". Later, Cheetah has Dr. Light at her mercy, and evokes this trope... sorta:

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':
** In the late [[MediaNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks Bronze Age]] story ''Superman vol. 1 #416: "The Einstein Connection"'' by Creator/ElliotSMaggin (a writer who had a definite soft spot for the original MadScientist ComicBook/LexLuthor), we learn that one of the few people the brilliant Luthor unabashedly considers a personal hero is UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein. While fleeing Superman at one point, he passes a body of water and sees somebody drowning. Though grumbling about it, he dives in and rescues the person, even though it costs him his escape, because he just ''can't'' bring himself to act like an S.O.B. on Einstein's birthday.

** In one [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] story the Trickster breaks into a hobby store and weaponizes three of the toys in stock to use in robberies, but goes to the trouble of going in the next day and buying them (instead of just walking off with them while he was there) because he's "not a mean man." Subverted in the same story, combined with HypocriticalHumor, when he comments that, [[RunningGag not being a mean man]], he wouldn't normally endanger civilians -- but it's worth it to distract the Flash, who will save them all anyway.
** In another [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] story, Captain Cold is offended that Heat Wave served his sentence and was released on parole instead of breaking out -- "If there's one thing I hate more than a straight man, it's a crook that pretends to go straight!" To take revenge, he plans to [[DisproportionateRetribution trick him into killing]] [[SecretIdentity Barry Allen]], because Heat Wave will be demoralized and easy to capture once he [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone realizes he murdered an innocent]].

** In the late [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks Bronze Age]] story ''Superman vol. 1 #416: "The Einstein Connection"'' by Creator/ElliotSMaggin (a writer who had a definite soft spot for the original MadScientist ComicBook/LexLuthor), we learn that one of the few people the brilliant Luthor unabashedly considers a personal hero is UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein. While fleeing Superman at one point, he passes a body of water and sees somebody drowning. Though grumbling about it, he dives in and rescues the person, even though it costs him his escape, because he just ''can't'' bring himself to act like an S.O.B. on Einstein's birthday.

** Captain Cold has a record of this: during ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis2004'', he was noted to have sent flowers to the funeral of the murdered wife of superhero ComicBook/ElongatedMan. He's generally been portrayed as viciously mercenary, but strictly professional. It's never--well, rarely--personal. He and the Rogues also [[JustForPun stop cold]] during the middle of a robbery when they find out about it. This is partly because they knew that superheroes would be on the rampage after Sue's death, but it was also out of respect for one of their foes.

** Captain Cold has a record of this: during ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis2004'', he was noted to have sent flowers to the funeral of the murdered wife of superhero ComicBook/ElongatedMan. He's generally been portrayed as viciously mercenary, but strictly professional. It's never--well, rarely--personal. He and the Rogues also [[IncrediblyLamePun stop cold]] during the middle of a robbery when they find out about it. This is partly because they knew that superheroes would be on the rampage after Sue's death, but it was also out of respect for one of their foes.