The Joker is One of DC’s Living Legends, But Face It
DC Comics sports a vast arsenal of villains and rogues, yet as fans we're often subjected to the same few faces over and over. Chief among them is Batman's eternal foil, the Joker. Joker has become so synonymous with the Caped Crusader that it's hard to separate the two, and I don't say that affectionately. Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime is easily one of the most overused and overrated characters.
For decades, Batman has duked it out with the Joker across the globe. The clownish rogue has been responsible for untold numbers of catastrophes, including the murder of the second Robin, Jason Todd, and paralyzing the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon.
In short, he's had plenty of literal and figurative screentime since his introduction, and I for one am ready for someone else to take the spotlight away. We're all familiar with his game at this point, and it's been ages since I found any Joker content that felt truly original and fresh. It's time to put the clown to rest.
Joker Has Held The Spotlight For Over 80 Years – It Is Time to Let Him Go
Batman's Archvillain Lost Me Ages Ago
Joker's first appearance came in Batman #1, all the way back in 1940. That's a long time to put a single rogue up on a pedestal, yet that constantly feels like what happens with the Joker. There are always several Batman comic titles in rotation, and it's practically a guarantee that at least one of them, if not more, will actively involve or consistently reference the Joker or something he's done. I find it both inescapable and exhausting, like I can't throw a metaphorical rock without hitting a cackling clown; we're all well-aware of the heinous acts he's capable of.
Alongside extensive comic appearances, he's been a fixture in shows, film, and video games for decades, making it feel difficult to find genuinely Joker-less content.
Creating a highlight reel of Joker's "accomplishments" would be impossible, as his list of dastardly deeds is expansive. Many of his worst acts target Batfamily members in particular, but other major heroes like Superman have hardly been exempt. In short, there's no pot he hasn't had his white hand in at some point,and giving any kind of character that sort of reach puts them in danger of overexposure. We've blown well past that point. Alongside extensive comic appearances, he's been a fixture in shows, film, and video games for decades, making it feel difficult to find genuinely Joker-less content.
It Is Long Past Time For DC To Make Room For Other Gotham Rogues
Joker Has Never Been Batman's Most Interesting Foe
I'm certainly not alone in believing that Batman has one of the most complex and interesting rogue galleries in all of comic history. There are so many villains to choose from that, at best, it seems wasteful to circle back to a character we've already seen so much of. Dipping deeper into Joker's origin or adding a new spin here or there rarely changes that much, overall, and for decades I feel like I've seen nothing but the same thing - not just on comic pages, but across multiple forms of media. Gotham City is full of horrors to explore.
DC Reveals Batman's Top 3 Villains, And Yes - The Joker Made the Cut
DC.com recently posted the Bat-villains who have appeared the most in Batman comics, and two high-profile rogues join the Joker as the top choices.
In a line-up of Batman villains, I can think of at least a half-dozen I'd rather see the next big storyline go to. Black Mask, Scarecrow, Riddler, Clayface, Poison Ivy, and Mr. Freeze are all prominent, recognizable villains, and they could easily captivate audiences (new and old) as easily as Joker, all while still having plenty of new stories to tell. Dozens of writers have handled the clown over the years, contributing beautifully to the depth of the character and his unique relationship with Batman. DC continues to reinvent a wheel that needs to be taken out of rotation.
I Know Joker Isn’t Going Anywhere, But Let Me Vent Just A Bit More
Let’s Be Honest About His Contributions
Despite my complaints, I don't labor under any delusion that Joker will actually take a backseat anytime soon. Absolute Batman is DC's most recent attempt to make him interesting yet again by inverting some crucial elements that often exist in his dynamic with the Dark Knight. I'll admit, the Absolute Universe in general feels shiny and fresh, though I doubt even the brilliant creative minds behind it can truly change my tune about Joker. Audiences have seen enough of him in so many different iterations already, for over eight decades. I struggle to think of another character quite so overused.
He might be Batman's greatest rival, but the Joker is easily one of DC Comics’ most overrated and overused characters.
Joker, like Batman, has grown into a character so wildly recognized and popular that stamping his face and adding a sinister, "Hahaha!" to anything is guaranteed to pull in a considerable audience. I get it - and I agree that he remains the best philosophical foil to Batman. His place, in that regard, has been secured many times over. With that said, I'd still rather read a hundred issues of Calendar Man taking over Gotham than touch another clown-centric story. He might be Batman's greatest rival, but the Joker is easily one of DC Comics’ most overrated and overused characters.
- Created by
- Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- First Film
- Batman
