37 Years Later, This Batman Theory Perfectly Solves The Killing Joke's Biggest Mystery

37 Years Later, This Batman Theory Perfectly Solves The Killing Joke's Biggest Mystery Two images of Batman laughing with Hahahahaha written between them.Custom image created by Robert Wood By  Evan D. Mullicane Published 22 minutes ago Evan Mullicane is the senior editor and founder of Screen Rant's anime section. Having started as a writer for the Comics Team at the beginning of the Pandemic, Evan was swiftly promoted from writer to editor, and then from editor to lead of Screen Rant's newly established anime vertical. Throughout his time with Screen Rant, Evan has made a handful of appearances at conventions such as Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in Anime and Comics history. In addition to editing anime and manga articles for Screen Rant, Evan is also a science fiction and fantasy author. In 2018 and 2019, his short story "The Demon's Mother" won honorable mentions from the Writers of the Future contest. You can find Evan on Twitter @EvanDM and BlueSky @evandmu.bsky.socia Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The Killing Joke has ranked among Batman's most influential stories ever since it was published in 1988. Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's darkly twisted take on the Dark Knight and Joker has been influencing DC Comics for decades.

Though many images from the series remain iconic, few have left readers quite as puzzled as the last page, depicting Joker and Batman sharing a laugh over a joke told by the Clown Prince of Crime. Some, like comics legend Grant Morrison, have stated this page depicts Batman strangling Joker, while others maintain there is no mystery to the scene.

A viral new theory, courtesy of Reddit user Hardcorepro-cycloid, however, postulates that fans have been missing the last scene's point for decades.

The True "Killing Joke" Is the Idea That Batman Could Ever Rehabilitate The Joker

Page from The Killing Joke where Batman and Joker share a laugh.

After Batman makes a final bid to try and rehabilitate his nemesis, the clown responds in typical fashion. Joker's gut-busting joke in the classic comic sees two inmates escaping from an asylum. To make it out, the duo has to leap between buildings.

While one makes it across with ease, the other is too afraid. The first offers to shine his flashlight across the gap to create a bridge, to which the second contends that his accomplice would just turn off the flashlight when he was halfway across.

According to the theory gaining traction on Reddit, the two inmates are metaphors for Batman and Joker.

Joker is essentially saying: You can't help me because you're just as insane as I am. Batman is laughing because its absurd that the second most insane person in gotham just offered to rehabilitate the most insane person in gotham.

Fans in the comments section of the Reddit post seem to agree with the poster, with users like Mr-OhLordHaveMercy stating, "This is the best take I've ever seen on this. Honestly, I just thought it was one more joke. I didn't even think it had a deeper meaning."

Given the speculation that Batman kills Joker at Killing Joke's end, the more grounded take posed by the theory offers some new clarity on what the iconic ending could mean for Batman and Joker's relationship.

There's a lot to like about the theory, which might naturally make readers wonder how it lines up with the creators' intentions for the book.

Alan Moore Revealed The Real Intent Behind The Killing Joke's Ending Years Ago

The Joker holds half of a Batman mask in DC Comics

In a 2015 Q&A on Goodreads, Alan Moore responded directly to a fan inquiring about the Killing Joke's ending. While his official statement doesn't directly contradict the theory put forth by Hardcorepro-cycloid, it does show that a deeper meaning may not have been intended.

My intention at the end of that book was to have the two characters simply experiencing a brief moment of lucidity in their ongoing very weird and probably fatal relationship with each other, reaching a moment where they both perceive the hell that they are in, and can only laugh at their preposterous situation.

Clearly, despite Moore's track record of inscrutability, his words here indicate that he hadn't intended much deeper meaning in the joke or in Batman laughing alongside his mortal enemy.

That being said, that doesn't mean the theory isn't true. Moore's writing is layered enough that The Killing Joke's last panel works whether it's a metaphor or if it's just a funny idea.

Batman and Joker are destined to battle until the heat death of the universe, which is why it's so interesting that the two shared a light-hearted moment of shared humanity in The Killing Joke's iconic final scene.

• Batman Alias Bruce Wayne FIRST APP Detective Comics #27 (1939) Created By Bob Kane, Bill Finger Franchise D.C. Race Human First Appearance Detective Comics

  One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

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• Joker (2019) Movie Poster Joker Created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson, Todd Phillips, Scott Silver First Film Joker Upcoming Films Joker: Folie a Deux Cast Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson Movie(s) Joker, Joker: Folie a Deux Character(s) The Joker, Harley Quinn, Murray Franklin, Sophie Dumond, Penny Fleck

  The Joker franchise is centered around one of the most iconic villains in comic book history, primarily known as Batman's archenemy. The franchise has explored various interpretations of the character across different media, including film, television, and video games. The character's portrayal ranges from a maniacal criminal mastermind to a tragic figure, as seen in the 2019 film Joker, which provided a gritty origin story for the character

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