DC Reveals New Canon Joker Backstory That Changes Batman Forever

3 hours ago 19

Batman Looking At Robin Suit in Batman v Superman

Published Nov 1, 2026, 8:00 PM EST

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Absolute Batman #25

Without a doubt, Batman and the Joker have one of the most recognizable rivalries in superhero comics, with decades of stories detailing the incredibly complicated relationship between Gotham's greatest hero and one of its most dangerous villains. However, a brand-new reveal continues to change the way we see the relationship between DC's newest versions of The Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime.

Looking beyond the primary DC Universe, DC's Absolute Universe collection of titles is easily one of the most popular and best-selling lines the publisher has ever had. Featuring a darker, alt-universe created by Darkseid, the entire script has been flipped for Batman and Joker. While Bruce Wayne is a civil engineer by day and a ruthless vigilante by night, Jack Grimm V has the billions of dollars, public support, a massive mansion, and even a task force of Robins to take Batman out. He's also likely immortal and capable of transforming into a monstrous Eldritch horror.

Keeping that in mind, the recently published Absolute Batman #25 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta finally pits Batman against the Joker himself, their first true showdown face-to-face. As a result, a reveal from the Joker himself intrinsically changes his entire relationship with Gotham's new vigilante, whom he's been so fascinated with, confirming Batman's role in a truly dark legacy.

Absolute Batman and Joker Just Had Their First True Showdown

Absolute Batman Faces Absolute Joker in Absolute Batman #25

Since launching in 2024, Snyder and Dragotta's Absolute Batman has gradually established Jack Grimm V as a darkly mysterious and deeply unsettling puppet master behind all The Dark Knight's biggest trials and foes. More than that, Absolute Joker is directly responsible for Bruce's evolution into Batman to begin with, with Joker having targeted the Wayne Family because Bruce's mother was part of the Court of Owls (a force for good in this alt-universe).

After sponsoring the contest and trip to the zoo and bat enclosure that resulted in the shooting and death of Thomas Wayne, Joker began "Project Batman" as a funny side project involving Bruce's childhood trauma and his future. However, Grimm has come to love the result that is The Dark Knight, having said in previous issues that Absolute Joker now can't imagine life without Batman, declaring that Bruce now belongs to him and isn't allowed to end his crusade until Joker says so.

A seemingly immortal being who's lived for generations, it's not fully known where his power and more monstrous form come from, though it's suspected to be a gruesome mix of science and dark magic (he's routinely shown surrounding himself with a disturbing biological mass that looks to be made from infant children).

As the CEO of J.K Holdings and the man behind the horrifying Ark M Project, Jack has billions at his disposal and infinite resources beyond his ability to become the literal stuff of nightmares. Now, this new issue reveals a previously unknown core truth about Absolute Joker and Batman's rivalry, going even deeper into Joker's origins and why he's chosen Bruce.

Absolute Joker Reveals Batman Is Now Part Of A Dark Legacy of Failed Heroes

Facing Absolute Joker in his cave below his mansion (complete with a giant penny and T. Rex), Batman finally sees Grimm in his true monstrous form for the first time in Absolute Batman #25. However, they're also facing each other right next to a line of display cases featuring various types of armor. This mirrors the costume display cases in the main DC Universe Batcave, as well as the memorial to Jason Todd's Robin after his death. Ben Affleck's Batman also has a similar Robin suit on display in 2016's Batman v Superman, as he too lost a Robin to the Joker in the DCEU.

However, the cases owned by Absolute Joker represent something even darker: Grimm's past rivals. These various suits of armor belonged to heroes throughout history who tried to kill him, and Joker reveals that his past rivals are the only ones in this world capable of making him laugh.

Bold Reimagining · Alternate DC Universe Test Your DC Comics
Absolute Universe Knowledge

♆️SupermanReimagined

🦇BatmanNo billions

⚔️Wonder WomanReforged

⚡FlashSpeed

🌐UniverseAbsolute

ENTER THE ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE →

DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?

ADark Crisis BInfinite Frontier CDarkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse in the current continuity DFlashpoint Beyond

✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.

In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?

AHe is raised by the government BHe grows up on Krypton CHe is raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege DHe is raised by Lex Luthor

✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.

Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?

APolice officer BEngineer / construction worker CTeacher DJournalist

✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.

Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?

ATom King BJames Tynion IV CScott Snyder DChip Zdarsky

✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.

Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?

AG. Willow Wilson BKelly Thompson CBecky Cloonan DMariko Tamaki

✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.

The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?

AHeroes without legacy BHeroes without hope CHeroes without privilege DGrounded heroes

✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.

Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?

AJeff Lemire BJoshua Williamson CMark Waid DJeremy Adams

✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.

Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?

AJim Lee BJason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art) CGrant Morrison DJorge Jiménez

✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.

✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.

REVEAL MY SCORE →

Analysis Complete Your Absolute Knowledge

/ 8

Are you an Absolute expert — or still in the main continuity?

↻ TRY AGAIN

Like Batman himself, Joker confirms that he sometimes helped these heroes along, believing that giving them a chance to get stronger and more able to oppose him would make their failures even funnier. Believing that Batman is the latest "clown" who could perhaps make him last the hardest, it's clear that Bruce's entire crusade is one big joke to Grimm as he starts brutally beating and maiming The Dark Knight in this new issue. Woefully unprepared for Grimm and his monstrous form, Batman is only saved by the arrival of Barbara Gordon and her new role as Batgirl, shooting Joker in the face before the new duo makes their escape.

While there will no doubt be more showdowns, the dark truth is simple: Absolute Batman is simply the latest in a long line of heroes, or "clowns," who have tried to bring Grimm down and failed. Bruce is just the latest participant in this tragic legacy, a truly dark twist on top of pre-existing twists on the traditional Batman and Joker dynamic that makes this series so compelling. As such, it's incredibly hard to see how Absolute Joker will ever be stopped, especially with the tease that his monstrous form is starting to evolve...

Absolute Batman #25 is on sale now from DC Comics.