In DC Comics, the dysfunctional duo from Gotham City The Joker
and Batman
have been facing off for decades as an iconic villain-hero duo, whose dynamics haven’t changed much from their first interaction in 1940 until now. In new fan-made concept art, The roles of the Joker and Batman are reversed, transforming the Clown Prince of Crime into a full-fledged hero and the Dark Knight into a vengeful villain!
Fanart shared on X by The Noodle (@onebadnoodle_), this account aims to create elegantly illustrated pieces of art that highlight the best heroes and villains from across the spectrum of pop culture, while also uploading original work that showcases their unique artistic talent.
Publishing other redesigned DC characters such as Harley Quinn and the Teen Titans roster, with Cyborg, Terra, Robin and more, Noodle also revamped Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob and Patrick, Cartoon Network’s Billy and Mandy, and gave The Powerpuff Girls‘ Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup with new adult designs that bring new energy to these iconic characters.
Joker Becomes Gotham City’s “Jovial” Hero in Inventive Concept Art
Concept art design by The Noodle (@onebadnoodle_)
First crossover with Batman in Batman #1by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, The Joker has – on incredibly rare or out-of-continuity occasions – become a hero in his own rightwith his turn as a force for good usually not lasting long in either case. Most recently, acting as a positive role model in Sean Murphy’s film Batman: White Knight saga, Joker also donned Batman’s cape and cowl in the Elseworlds story Batman: I, Jokerand even became the heroic Jokester in an Earth-3 version, making this fan art a welcome addition to the Joker’s short list of good deeds.
Bringing this version of the Joker to life with vibrant tones that adhere to the Clown Prince of Crime’s usual green, white, red and purple color scheme, Noodles lean towards The Joker’s Jester Roots drawing him wearing a duochrome theatrical hoodcircus cape, baggy gloves and boots, a chunky yellow utility belt, and of course, a giant “J” logo on his chest. For the first time showing the Joker smiling in a non-threatening, non-terrifying way, Noodle illustrates this “jovial and uncomfortable prankster of the Neerdowells” springing into action while holding a playing card, which can even double as a weapon à la Batman’s Batarang.
Batman’s “Madbat” personality is the opposite of the Joker’s heroic identity in Fanart reworks
As an added bonus, Noodle shows what a Batman villain would look like in this alternative Elseworlds-style continuity, dubbing the new character “Madbat” and giving him a more realistic bat hood, a perfectly realized “bat suit” designed more like a real costume than a costume, clawed hands, and a draped, cloak-like cape that’s just as elegant as the rest of the bat. Madbat outfit. Wanting to “…shroud the world in eternal darkness”, The Noodle’s (@onebadnoodle_) reworked Batman does an excellent job acting as a foil to Clownthe new role of hero as hero, showing the potential of this new hero/villain combination.
Source: @onebadnoodle_