Despite the name, the Clown is far from funny for most DC fans, with a sense of humor that is more sadistic than entertaining. For years, I could safely say that nothing the Clown Prince of Crime had ever done or said made me laugh out loud – so when I found myself actually laughing at one of his 'jokes', I was completely caught off guard.
I believe that injecting some authentic, albeit twisted, humor into the Joker's personality could be the key to reinvigorating his character.
Despite my appreciation for dark humor, I've never found the Clown Prince of Crime's “jokes” remotely funny – mainly because they weren't meant to be. A central part of the Joker's character is his obsession with humor despite having no trace of it, which only amplifies his menace as his amusement comes from the suffering of others, evoking disgust rather than laughter in readers.
Given that the Joker's lack of humor is such a well-established trait, I was caught completely off guard when one of his 'jokes' on Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman Batman: Dark Patterns #1 made me laugh out loud.
I can't believe Joker actually made me laugh out loud with a golden touch of dark humor
Main cover by Hayden Sherman for Batman: Dark Patterns #1 (2024)
Batman: Dark Patterns #1 launches the new miniseries by Watters and Sherman, set in the early years of Batman's career. This story brings the Dark Knight back to his street roots, with a renewed focus on his defining detective skills. In the first issue, Batman meets with Lt. Jim Gordon at the crime scene, where he is introduced to the GCPD's consultant forensic pathologist, Dr. Pulling Gordon aside, the Dark Knight bluntly expresses his distrust of the new consultant, citing signs of substance abuse.
Gordon then reveals that Dr. Sereika is the best option they have, explaining that Gotham's previous coroner resigned over a year ago after receiving a bouquet of flowers from the Joker, complete with a card that read: “To my favorite collaborator.” When I read that line, I actually laughed out loud, completely taken aback that I found something the Joker did genuinely funny. Was it dark? Absolutely, but not so dark that it overshadows the humor. This was an exceptionally clever moment of writing on Watters' part, staying true to the character of the Joker while injecting a rare touch of genuine humor into his typically dark antics.
The Joker's sense of humor is anything but funny (and Grant Morrison proved it)
Panel comes from Batman and Robin #14 (2010)
One of the reasons the Joker intervened Batman: Dark Patterns caught me so off guard is that I'm so used to feeling nothing but disgust for the Clown Prince of Crime, especially his so-called “humor.” In my opinion, Joker's typical 'humor' is perfectly exemplified in Grant Morrison's film Batman and Robinand run. In issue #14, Damian faces an imprisoned Joker, locking himself in the detention room with the clown. Turning the tables on Joker, Robin hits him with a crowbar while interrogating him. However, Joker manages to turn the situation in his favor, incapacitating Damian and preparing to attack him with the crowbar.
The Joker then comments that he initially didn't find Damian funny when they first met, but admits that he could be wrong. “A Robin who lets me manipulate him into a locked room situation? A Robin who even brings his own crowbar to the party? You might be the funniest one yet.” he says. Although there is a layer of irony here, for most readers this scene is not funny in the laugh-out-loud sense. Instead of, It perfectly reflects the Joker's idea of humor – manipulative, cruel and completely unfunny. This is the kind of Joker humor I'm used to, so I wasn't prepared to encounter the clown's genuine, laugh-out-loud dark humor in Batman: Dark Patterns #1.
Honestly, I wouldn't be mad if DC gave the Joker a sense of humor (in fact, I'd love to)
Something about the Joker needs to change (and the answer might be his humor)
While I understand that Joker's lack of humor is an intentional choice by DC, I honestly wouldn't mind seeing his character revitalized with the addition of genuine humor.– as long as you stay true to your unbalanced nature. Watters' writings in Batman: Dark Patterns proves that this is entirely possible, and at this point in the Joker's long legacy, I'm tired of his character. The shock factor of his atrocities has long since lost its appeal from an entertainment standpoint, leaving me bored with it. However, I believe that injecting some authentic, albeit twisted, humor into Joker persona can be the key to reinvigorating your character.
Batman: Dark Patterns #1 is now available from DC Comics!