Joker, Gotham City’s Clown Prince of Crime, has long been unrivaled as the most heinous Batman super-villain in any canon’s iteration of the character. He’s also around in so many storylines and continuities that it is virtually impossible for him to not be included in the conversation, even with villains such as Zsasz, Mad Hatter, or Professor Pyg being as barbaric as they are.
In the Prime DC universe, and specifically Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez’s ongoing Batman run, Joker is no longer a villain (for now, at least). We meet him for the first time in this relaunch as he’s suspended in a fluid tank and has supposedly been treated by the Crown of Storms, a device designed by Dr. Annika Zeller to regulate emotions for rehabilitative purposes.
If legitimately successful, Joker will effectively be sane. That might not forecast that he will become a do-gooder, necessarily, but there’s a greater opportunity for another villain to fill that vacuum, and the immortal Vandal Savage is vying for that seat with every act against Batman and the Bat-Family.
As of Batman #10, GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage will have solidified himself as Gotham’s most atrocious villain. The solicitation for Batman #10 reads as follows:
ONE DARK NIGHT CAN’T KEEP THE BATMAN DOWN! The GCPD’s Operation Peregrine struck a deep blow to the heart of the Bat-Family. But while Savage and his TUCOs celebrate their victory, Batman is about to set the record straight. He knows how to take a punch. He knows how to get back up. And he’s about to show Vandal Savage, the Minotaur, and anyone else who threatens Gotham City exactly what they’re messing with. Superstars Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez continue their triumphant run with the best character in comics!
The most Joker-esque that Savage has been so far is in this upcoming issue, where he observes Wayne Manor reduced to rubble in a sea of flames (after Batman and Robin purposefully blew it up at the end of Batman #9) and laughs maniacally. Still, he’s been a threat to Batman and the Bat-Family basically since issue #1, and it will be interesting to see how he and his TUCO squads’ assault will escalate as the run goes on.
Batman #10 is scheduled to be released on June 3, 2026.
Created By
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
Alias
Bruce Wayne
Alliance
Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
Race
Human
Franchise
D.C.
One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
English (US) ·