Batman: City of Bane had one of the most traumatic moments for Batman, Robin (Damian Wayne), and the readers. Bane killed Alfred Pennyworth while Damian Waye was tied to a chair. All Damian could do was watch as someone he loved and admired was murdered in front of him. He probably hears the sound of Alfred's neck breaking in his nightmares. As heartbreaking as that was, Joker had a different thought. He looked at that moment as a wasted death.
Batman: Joker War Zone No. 1 creative team
- Story title: "A Serious House"
- Writer: James Tynion IV
- Art by: Guillem March
- Colorist: Clayton Cowles
"Trauma is a weapon. One bad day can twist a person into an unspeakable monster, I know that better than anyone. You took the best weapon there was and threw it away."Joker written by James Tynion IV
After Bane was defeated and captured, Joker visited him in Arkham Asylum. The Clown Prince of Crime taunts the villain, threatens to shoot him, and makes jokes. Eventually, Bane gets annoyed and asks why he was there to kill him. That’s when Joker stopped smiling and said he was disappointed in him because Bane is, “better than this.” He was referring to the Monster from Santa Prisca not taking Alfred out in front of Batman.
Joker says that the butler (Alfred) is different and that Bane had a chance to hurt Bruce Wayne deeper than he ever could. Instead, he did it in front of Robin and didn’t even call Batman on the phone as he killed Alfred. Joker said that Bane is no longer the man who broke the Bat. He’s now the guy who broke the Baby Bird.
"Keep the mask. People might actually mistake you for something scary in it."Joker written by James Tynion IV
I came across the moment again and had a new appreciation for it. It hit hard the first time, but some things don’t hold up years later. This isn’t one of those scenes. It shows that writer James Tynion understands who The Clown Prince of Crime is beyond the facepaint.
Because of the jokes and clown-themed weapons, people forget who he is. He looks at crime as an art form and holds certain villains to a higher standard. Especially someone who broke Batman like no one else has twice. So, when Joker heard what someone in the villain community did to Gotham, he was probably proud. But then he realized he ruined something that could have changed everything.
I suggest going back and reading "A Serious House". It’s one of those times when you may develop a new appreciation for a classic DC Comics villain. Joker’s been around for a while and remains popular because he’s evolved. When fans of Batman look back at Joker’s most notorious moments this will be his most underrated.
What did you think of this moment? Is this this one of Joker’s best? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.