7 Times The Joker Has Killed Batman (Including The New One)

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As a huge Batman fan, I’ve always been struck by the contrast between the hero and his arch-enemy, the Joker. Batman has this strict code against killing, but the Joker? He’s a killer, plain and simple. Throughout the comics, he’s constantly taking lives, either directly with violence or as part of his elaborate, twisted plans to mess with Batman. What makes him truly terrifying isn’t just the body count, but the fact that he treats it all like some sick joke. He’s always been, and remains, the most dangerous and unsettling of all Batman’s foes – a truly frightening villain for decades.

The Joker hasn‘t just killed villains and innocent people; there have been instances in DC Comics where he’s actually killed Batman. Although these victories are often in stories that aren’t considered official parts of the main timeline, or Batman is eventually brought back to life, the Joker does sometimes succeed in killing him. And each time, Gotham and the Joker himself face serious repercussions.

7) The Joker: Endgame

Though technically everyone comes back to life, *The Joker: Endgame* (issues #35-40 of the *Batman* comic series) deserves a mention for being a particularly intense story where the Joker seems to win. After a period of being absent, the Joker returns with a plan to finally destroy Batman. He infects the Justice League with a new Joker toxin, causing them to fight Batman, and spreads a deadly airborne version of the toxin over Gotham City. He then reveals a long-laid plan to defeat Batman and that he’s essentially immortal. The story is shockingly violent, even including a scene where the Joker cuts off Alfred’s hand.

The Joker’s been enhancing his abilities with a chemical called Dionesium, setting the stage for a fierce battle with Batman. This fight is exceptionally violent for a Batman comic, leaving both heroes seriously wounded. The conflict culminates in a cave-in, and both Batman and the Joker are believed to have died. However, Batman survives – the Dionesium somehow revives him – though it’s still considered a significant loss for the hero. When he recovers, Batman has amnesia and doesn’t remember his life as the Dark Knight, prompting James Gordon to temporarily take on the role of Batman.

6) “Kill the Batman”

In the 2020 comic *The Joker 89th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular* #1, the Elseworlds story “Kill the Batman” examines what would happen if the Joker actually succeeded in killing Batman. Surprisingly, it has a somewhat positive effect on the Joker. After years of fighting Batman, the Joker finally achieves his goal. However, while planning a final, explosive “joke” at Bruce Wayne’s funeral, he realizes that killing Batman didn’t bring him the satisfaction he anticipated, leaving him without a purpose.

The story ends with the Joker abandoning his life of crime, deeply disturbed by his actions. He unexpectedly takes a job at Gotham’s DMV, where he creates new kinds of trouble for people. “Kill the Batman” is a surprisingly subdued tale that highlights how crucial Batman is to the Joker – their conflict is what truly gives the Joker meaning. It also demonstrates that even after Batman’s death, he remains a symbol of hope.

5) Superman: Emperor Joker

In the story *Superman: Emperor Joker*, the Joker actually manages to kill Batman, thanks to the magical being Mr. Mxyptlk granting him almost limitless power to change reality. The Joker immediately uses this power to reshape the universe, and one of his first acts is to kill all the Robins and Batman himself. He captures and tortures Batman until he dies, but being all-powerful, the Joker simply revives Batman and repeats the process, endlessly torturing and killing him.

Although Batman ultimately triumphs over the Joker, and the Joker’s twisted version of reality is undone, the experience leaves lasting emotional scars on the hero. He’s deeply affected by all the deaths the Joker caused. This story powerfully demonstrates just how cruel and disturbed the Joker is, and it highlights why giving him the ability to warp reality is a dangerous idea.

4) Knight Terrors: Joker

The *Knight Terrors* event has several problems, but a particularly striking moment involves the Joker facing his own personal nightmare. In this scenario, the Joker unintentionally causes Batman’s death – a simple accident where Batman slips and falls from a rooftop. While the death itself is surprisingly unremarkable, the real horror for the Joker is the realization that he’s lost his purpose without Batman, making this his ultimate fear.

This story, much like “Kill the Batman”, shows that the Joker needs Batman to exist. Their conflict is central to who the Joker is, meaning that even if he threatens to kill Batman, actually doing so wouldn’t fulfill him.

3) “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?”

In 2009, DC Comics published a non-official story centered around Batman’s funeral. The story features characters from Batman’s past – both friends and enemies – who each recount how he met his end. It’s a grim narrative, with revelations about Batman’s death coming from unexpected sources like Alfred and Robin. The Joker plays a central role, offering a particularly disturbing account: he repeatedly injected Batman with Joker Toxin, desperately trying to force a smile. When Batman still wouldn’t smile, the Joker continued, ultimately leading to a fatal overdose.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve noticed a recurring thing in stories where the Joker actually *kills* Batman: it never makes the Joker happy. Instead, he’s left feeling… empty, because he loses the one person who truly *got* him. But this particular story really stuck with me – the idea that everyone had their own version of how Batman went down was just incredibly unsettling and strangely compelling. It wasn’t just about his death, but the *way* everyone remembered it.

2) “Going Sane”/Legends of the Dark Knight #65

The story “Going Sane,” published in 1994, presents a unique take on the Batman-Joker dynamic. In this tale, the Joker actually succeeds in killing Batman, destroying him with a bomb and discarding the remains. Surprisingly, instead of falling into despair, the Joker appears to be *cured* by Batman’s death. He recovers his sanity, undergoes reconstructive surgery, adopts a new identity, and starts a fresh life. While he seems to benefit from Batman being gone, this doesn’t last. It’s revealed that Batman survived, and upon his return, the Joker immediately reverts to his old, chaotic self.

This story explores the familiar idea that Batman and the Joker are linked, but it goes further by suggesting the Joker could actually become well-adjusted without Batman around. This raises the question of whether Batman actually helps Gotham, or if he unintentionally makes things worse, potentially even *causing* the problems he tries to solve.

1) DC K.O.

In the latest DC storyline, a massive tournament is being held to determine who can stop Darkseid from gaining ultimate power and controlling the Earth’s core. Heroes must absorb energy from the Heart of Apokolips to stand a chance, but they first have to battle each other. Sadly, Batman doesn’t even make it to the fight. Before the tournament begins, villains attack, and in the first issue, Batman is unexpectedly killed by the Joker, who fatally stabs him in the chest.

This death stands out because the Joker doesn’t seem to be questioning his choices at all. It’s also notable that Batman’s final act is to inspire Superman, giving him the drive to face future challenges. While it’s probable Batman won’t stay dead, the moment feels incredibly powerful and might be the Joker’s most significant win to date.

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2025-10-10 16:11