Batman comic books: Is Three Jokers essential reading?

During the DC Comics event Darkseid War, Batman learned a secret that blew his mind. He discovered there was more than one Joker (read Justice League No. 42 for that moment). It took five years for DC Comics to explain what happened, but Batman: Three Jokers was worth the wait.

Batman: Three Jokers was one of DC Comics Black Label mini-series. That means there was more adult content than a normal comic book. It also comes with the idea that the story isn’t canon. However, in this case, the concept of more than one Joker calls back to the previously mentioned Darkseid War.

Moments from Batman: Three Jokers are mentioned throughout the Batman comics, but things are still undecided. For example, during Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Scorched Earth No. 1, Riddler points out that there is more than one Joker. Batman says he knows, but, before Batman disconnects the call, Riddler is about to say something Bruce may not know. Whether or not it connects to Three Jokers remains to be seen.

Is Batman: Three Jokers essential reading

Is Batman: Three Jokers needed for continuity? Not really. You could go without reading it and still understand everything currently happening. It’s a little disappointing since something happens between Jason and Barbara that never comes up again. However, it's worth reading because it's entertaining and a good representation of Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood.

From Batman, you get the detective, the overprotective leader, and the stubborn vigilante. Barbara Gordon’s trauma from the Joker (Batman: Killing Joke) is brought up leading to more character development. Then there’s Red Hood who continues to show growth and maturity. He also does something people wish Batman had done years ago.

Lastly, Three Jokers showed why Joker's methods, style, and more changed. They weren't the same person. The Comedian shooting Barbara (Batman: The Killing Joke) in her house and kidnapping James Gordon was more personal than before. The Clown killing Jason Todd (A Death in the Family) was unlike the Joker. He never went that far with Batman's family. It was a major turning point for him as a villain. The Criminal was serious. This one explained why one Joker wasn't all acid flowers and hand buzzers because laughing physically hurt him.

Knowing they weren't the same person makes Joker's mystique even better. We may have seen the three Jokers, but who’s to say they’re the only ones? Joker lies and Riddler doesn't tell Bruce what he knew. Even if he did, as smart as Riddler is, Joker has outwitted him before. We’ll never really know what’s true with Joker and that’s a good thing. Let his origin remain one of the few mysteries in comics.

Stay tuned to Caped Crusades for more on Batman, Joker, and the rest of the Bat Family.