In the upcoming issue #15 of Absolute Batman, writer Scott Snyder and guest artist Jock will reveal the origin of the series’ main villain: who else but the Joker, baby! As part of “Absolute Batman” overturning our preconceived notions of Bruce Wayne and Bat-lore, this Joker is not a clown-themed criminal mastermind. He is a grim, sullen billionaire who wields his power to keep the world in a cruel and hopeless place.
Since the “Absolute” Joker *looks* normal, does that mean he’s less monstrous? No way! Based on a previously leaked Joker character sheet by “Absolute Batman” artist Nick Dragotta, the “Absolute” Joker can transform into a huge, demonic monster. In his human form, the “Absolute” Joker resembles classic depictions of Bruce Wayne. His transformation into a monster completes the parallel; he’s a lonely billionaire with a darker alter ego, but while Batman only transforms spiritually, the Joker does so physically and horribly.
The recently revealed variant covers for “Absolute Batman” #15 offer an even closer look at the Joker. A cover drawn by Sanford Greene (see above) depicts the Joker in his human form while his monster lurks in the shadows. To see how Jock will draw Joker in the interior art, check out his cover art below:
DC Comics
Brian Bolland, artist of the most famous Joker story of all time, “Batman: The Killing Joke”, drew an “Absolute Batman” #15 cover similar to Jock’s but even more appalling.
DC Comics
Both Bolland and Jock draw the “Absolute” Joker, based on notes from Dragotta’s character sheet, with a smile that opens to reveal row after row of jagged teeth. The images bring to mind another smile-themed villain: the nameless demon from director Parker Finn’s “Smile” films.
The Absolute Joker has a smile from Smile
The first “Smile” follows therapist Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), who watches a patient named Laura (Caitlin Stasey) die in an apparent suicide. Oddly, Laura had a creepy, unbroken smile on her face when she died. Soon, Rose begins to see other people sporting similar smiles and learns that she has also been cursed to die smiling. No spoilers, but in “Smile 2,” the entity shifts its target to pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott).
So far, the “Smile” films have been a little light on backstory. We still don’t know where this malicious entity comes from or what it wants if not to continue spreading. We TO DO But I know what it looks like. In “Smile”, he peels his face off in front of Rose, revealing an incredibly deep mouth filled with row after row of teeth, the perfect look for a smile-themed demon. Skye sees the same horrible face in “Smile 2”.
The Joker is pop culture’s most famous “scary smile” villain. His appearance is inspired by Conrad Veidt’s character Gwynplaine in the 1920s film “The Man Who Laughs”, complete with Rictus smile and all. Most comic book artists depict the Joker with a wide, toothy smile, although Glasgow’s Heath Ledger’s smile in “The Dark Knight” is also a famous look. The villain of “Smile” has earned inevitable comparisons to the Joker (even here at /Film), and now it’s come full circle.
While “Absolute Batman” rejected monstrous villains and brutal body horror, “Batman” is not a horror story. The entity “Smile” represents trauma, and the films take a…dark view of how to overcome it. Batman is the antithesis of such despair, so don’t expect the Joker to smile at the end.
“Absolute Batman” #15 is scheduled for release on December 10, 2025.
