John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
The following contains major spoilers for Absolute Batman #15, on sale December 10 from DC Comics.
Fans are finally beginning to learn where the Absolute Joker comes from, and it is more surreal than they ever expected.
In a preview of Absolute Batman #15 (by Scott Snyder, Jock, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles) from DC Comics, Bruce Wayne finally gets Alfred Pennyworth to explain everything he knows about the enigmatic billionaire known as the Joker. From what the latter can tell, the Joker, or Jack Grimm V, comes from a long line of entertainers and industry magnates who spent a surprising amount of their money on philanthropic endeavors. Of course, these seemingly normal beginnings belie everything the Joker is known for today, and are almost surely hiding some horrifying secrets of their own.
Absolute Batman #15
- Written by SCOTT SNYDER
- Art by JOCK
- Colors by FRANK MARTIN
- Letters by CLAYTON COWLES
- Main cover art by NICK DRAGOTTA & FRANK MARTIN
- Variant covers by JOCK; BEN OLIVER; SANFORD GREENE; and JOCK & BRIAN BOLLAND
First glimpsed in a brief cameo appearance at the end of Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, the Joker of the Absolute Universe is a far cry from the Clown Prince of Crime who fans are used to. Rather than an overtly colorful force of chaos, the Absolute Joker is a coldly calculating titan of industry who has never been known to laugh at anything.
By financing projects such as Ark M, the Joker has not only further cemented his place in the world of industry but also as one of its most powerful villains. Although he operates largely sight unseen, the Joker has still been directly responsible for the rise of threats such as Bane, who tore his way through Bruce's closest friends before suffering a gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of Batman and his unrelenting allies.
Despite everything readers have seen from the Absolute Joker so far, Absolute Batman scribe Scott Snyder has spent the past few months teasing the character's more monstrous side. As seen on the main cover art by Nick Dragotta for Absolute Batman #15, the Absolute Joker is apparently capable of taking on his own hulking physique, replete with horns, spines, and massive rows of fangs that go further than anyone would expect.
In November, Snyder also commented on an image of artist Glenn Fabry's variant cover art for Absolute Batman #15, which showcases the Absolute Joker's more monstrous visage in unnerving detail. "For future [reference] — the red lines over his eyes are actually still his mouth," Snyder wrote, referring to what otherwise appears to be the Joker's makeup. "There are teeth in there," Snyder added.
Absolute Batman #15 goes on sale December 10 from DC Comics.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane
First Film Batman: The Movie
Latest Film The Batman
Upcoming Films The Batman – Part II
First TV Show Batman
Latest TV Show Batman: Caped Crusader
Batman is one of the oldest comic superheroes, with nearly a century of comics, TV-shows, films, and video games. The mild-mannered Bruce Wayne becomes Gotham City's caped crusader, protecting it from villains like The Joker, Killer Croc, The Penguin, and more. Batman is also one of DC comics' "Big Three" alongside Superman and Wonder Woman, and together the three help keep the earth safe as founding members of the Justice League.
English (US) · 