10 Worst Things That Ever Happened To Batman

7. That Time Joker Became A God - Emperor Joker

Batman Tortured Emperor Joker
DC Comics

At a glance, one could be mistaken for thinking that Emperor Joker isn't canon. Well, it isn't now, what with the New 52 and DC Rebirth and goodness knows how many other retcons changing the fabric of reality time and again. But before 2011, a story where Joker assumes the godlike powers of Mister Mxyzptlk, legitimately happened in mainstream DC continuity.

As you can probably imagine, the Clown Prince of Crime wasted no time at all in unleashing truly mind-boggling terrors upon reality. He massacres China, hauls Superman to Arkham Asylum, and decides to enact near unspeakable torture on Batman.

The above panel really doesn't do it all justice - even if the mouthless scream is nightmare fuel in its purest form. By the time Superman is able to stop Joker, Batman is left so traumatised by the events that the Man of Steel and Mxyzptlk are forced to wipe his memory, leaving the Caped Crusader blissfully unaware of the atrocities the Harlequin of Hate had committed.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.