The Batman universe may be larger than ever before with upcoming movies like BvS: Batman Vs. Superman and The Dark Knight Rises. But one of the most popular parts about the mythological Batman is his famous battle with the Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime is no stranger to beatings and it’s always been one of the defining characteristics of his twisted personality. Few rivals for Batman can match up to the Joker in terms of comic book history. But now that we’re getting a movie every two years, it’s time to see just how long the ‘Drama King’ can last against the ‘Joker’s Wild Card.’
Which Batman Will Prevail?
With so much talk of the Dark Knight and his many alter egos, it’s hard to know which Batman we’re talking about. But when you boil it down there is only one Batman and it’s the version that we always knew and loved. In the DCAU following the death of Bruce Wayne, billionaire philanthropist, playboy, and occasional murder suspect, Dick Grayson assumes the mantle of Batman. While it’s never been confirmed whether or not Bruce’s death was actually part of a conspiracy, Dick takes the blame for his late friend’s actions and becomes the Dark Knight. While it’s debatable whether or not Bruce’s death was actually part of a plan, it’s certain that Dick’s dedication to crime-fighting is what keeps the Batman tradition alive.
Dick Grayson continues to play the role of Batman in present-day comics, movies, and television shows so it only makes sense that fans would want to see him win the fight. The Batman Who Lived for a while took the opportunity to play a game that we’ve come to expect from the popular caped crusader. The rules were simple: Each week I would list five things that I thought Dick Grayson would do if he ever beat the Joker in a fight. While it was fun to come up with these five actions, it was even more fun to watch Dick give it his all and see if these predictions would come true. Some of them did and some of them didn’t but one thing is for sure: Dick Grayson is no pushover. He’s got the heart and the guts of a vigilante and he’s not going down without a fight.
Can Harley Quinn Help The Joker?
Harley Quinn is one of several characters from the DC Comics universe to cross over into the mainstream media in a way that didn’t feel forced. After appearing alongside the Joker in the 1989 film, Batman, Harley has become as much a part of the Batman mythology as any other adversary. She gets her own spin-off show, currently in its fourth season on Netflix, and will soon appear in an upcoming live-action Suicide Squad movie. This is in addition to her presence in many of the best-selling DC Comics’ titles like Year One and Batman: White Knight. Not only does Harley have one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment, she’s also proven that she can hold her own against some of the best Batman had to offer.
That being said, it’s not always been easy for Harley to stand up to the Joker. The two share a love-hate relationship that’s been characterized by brutal fights and plenty of casualties. In fact, it was only recently that the Joker’s craziness managed to overtake Harley. In the comics, it was a battle for the very survival of the species and Joker’s attempts to possess her led to them having children together. It was a truly epic fight and I’d have to say that I, for one, am very glad that it’s over. The Joker is no longer the king of crime and Harley is finally starting to find her feet. It’ll be interesting to see if she decides to stay true to herself or continue down the path to redemption that she’s been traveling since her introduction in Batman.
Will The New 52 Help The Joker’s Rebuild?
After a ten year hiatus, The Joker returned to the small screen in the form of The Joker (voiced by Alec Baldwin). The character is more focused on chaos and terror than his previous incarnations and makes use of some of the newest toys from DC’s massive relaunch earlier this year. While there are many differences between the versions of The Joker, they all share the same twisted sense of humor and a drive to see anarchy prevail. It’s good to have the Clown Prince of Crime back and he looks like he has plenty to offer the Batman movies of the future. That being said, it’s always risky trying to rebuild a character that’s been around for so long. If the new direction isn’t accepted by the fans then it could spell trouble for the filmmakers. We’ll have to see how the series plays out to find out if this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship or if it’s just another failed attempt by the Joker to keep his throne.