After 86 Years, DC Massively Changes Batman & Joker’s Entire Dynamic

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Batman #7

For 86 years, Batman and the Joker have had one of the most definitive superhero/supervillain comic book rivalries. Viewing The Dark Knight as both his greatest foe and his best friend, DC has given The Joker a new status quo that is massively redefining their entire dynamic.

In the latest issue of Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez’s ongoing Batman series, The Dark Knight finally encounters “Patient X”, the most locked-down and secure patient in Arkham Towers, receiving cutting-edge experimental care thanks to Arkham’s Doctor Zeller and her new device known as the Crown of Storms.

While it should come as no surprise that Patient X is indeed The Joker, what is shocking is the former Clown Prince’s conversation with Batman when The Dark Knight comes to visit in the new Batman #7 (and specifically how their talk ends).

Obviously, Batman Doesn’t Trust Joker’s New “Patient X” Status Quo At All

For an unknown period of time, Joker has been undergoing treatments at Arkham Tower under the supervision of Doctor Zeller, held in a room with an electrified floor while floating in an isolated suspension tank, and hooked up to various wires and the Crown of Storm.

In theory, the Crown suppresses the neurological patterns that drive Joker’s homicidal compulsions, hence why he’s been depicted as so eerily calm and uncharacteristically polite.

However, this issue confirms that “Patient X” still remembers everything he’s done as Joker (via a unique interior gatefold page), while also having an apparent newfound focus and clarity. While it’s deeply unsettling and disturbing, Batman of course isn’t buying it for a second.

After everything Batman has endured and experienced at the hands of The Joker, there’s no universe in which the Caped Crusader simply accepts that Joker is cured. Even if the Crown is genuinely rewriting Joker’s brain chemistry, it’s highly doubtful that The Dark Knight will ever lower his guard completely.

Regardless of whether it’s all legit, the rules have 100% changed with this “New Joker”. Furthermore, the danger the classic arch-foe poses to Batman has likely increased if the final page is any indication.

DC’s New Joker Shift May Have Major Consequences…For Bruce Wayne

Here’s where things get truly crazy with this seemingly un-crazy Joker in Batman #7.

Near the end of their conversation, Joker gets Doctor Zeller to agree to mute the audio in the room, ensuring that no one will overhear the major reason why Joker wanted to speak with Batman. Apparently, Joker has learned that someone is coming not to kill Batman, but Bruce Wayne. Not Batman. Bruce.

It’s long been implied and sometimes outright confirmed that Joker knows Bruce Wayne is Batman, the Clown Prince of Crime has never really cared, his attention always being on Batman (the true face of Gotham’s greatest protector). However, this major status quo shift for Joker and his new clarity shows him not just acknowledging Batman’s secret identity outright, but also expressing concern for Bruce Wayne.

Whether that concern is genuine, manipulative, or something in between, it doesn’t really matter, as Joker paying attention to Bruce fundamentally alters their dynamic, especially if we end up with a freed Joker who’s still dark wth criminal tendencies, having become far more focused (and thus more dangerous) thanks to the Crown.

If the Crown of Storms has provided Joker with greater clarity but not full rehabilitation, Zeller’s device may have accomplished something unprecedented in Gotham. Then again, Joker could simply be adapting, using his current circumstances to present rehabilitation as camouflage or the long game (just as Batman suspects).

Either way, it’s doubtful Joker will ever be fully cured in the mainline DC Universe, meaning the stakes are no longer just about Batman versus Joker. It’s also about Bruce now. At any rate, we can for sure bet that their entire conflict and dynamic will be escalating in brand-new ways going forward.

Batman #7 is available now from DC Comics.