DC Officially Showcases Joker Redesign and Codename Change for Batman's New Comic

Published Mar 4, 2026, 9:30 AM EST

Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.

Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.

Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.

Joker Is Healed... And Looks Terrifying

In today's Batman #7 - from Matt Fraction, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey and Clayton Cowles - Batman is contacted by the Joker, who asks to speak to him. When Batman arrives at Arkham Tower, he's informed that Joker has transformed. A new device known as the "Crown of Storms" is being used to manage his brain electricity, granting him a measure of sanity and clarity.

To keep the staff safe, Joker is "isolated in a float tank. Intubated for nutrients and oxygen. Cranial implants convert his thoughts to speech." The room around him is booby-trapped, intended to incapacitate anyone who comes to free or harm him.

Shaved, floating and hooked up to countless machines, Joker is a terrifying sight, but one who claims to understand and regret his crimes, begging Batman to make sure he's never freed.

In his new state, Joker is known as Patient Ten - a name given to him by Dr. Zeller, who is responsible for his transformation and healing. Despite her insistence, it's a name that Batman refuses to use, wary of Joker's apparent sanity. However, even he is shaken by Joker's final words...

Joker Knows Batman's True Identity... And Warns of a New Threat

As Batman leaves 'Patient Ten', the Joker warns him that someone is coming to kill him. While Batman shrugs off the warning, Joker addresses him by name, saying, "Someone's coming to kill you. Bruce."

Joker admits he's only heard the faintest whisper of what's coming for Batman, stating, "I don't know who and I can't stop it." However, it's clear they're coming for Batman's civilian identity, and may even know that billionaire Bruce Wayne is Gotham's Dark Knight.

Joker's new transformation into Patient Ten turns him into Gotham's Hannibal Lecter - an incredibly dangerous killer who can nevertheless help Batman in his investigation into a unique threat.

While Joker is still far from being a hero, it's fascinating to see him embrace sanity, admitting he is driven by a deep loneliness and asking only one thing of Batman - "You must never let me leave this container."

Batman #7 is available now from DC Comics.

Created By Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson

First Appearance Batman (1940)

Alias Red Hood, Clown Prince of Crime, Ace of Knaves

RELATIONSHIPS Batman (archenemy), Harley Quinn (former psychiatrist, on-and-off girlfriend), Penguin (frequent collaborator), Two-Face (frequent collaborator)

Alliance Injustice League, Legion of Doom, Injustice Gang