9 Cool Batman: Knightquest Moments Everyone Forgets About

6. The Joker And Batman Relationship During This Time

Jean-Paul Valley Azrael Batman
DC Comics

His relationship with his villains defines Batman, which is never more true than in the case of the Joker.

The Clown Prince of Crime is Batman's dark reflection; a horrible mirror image of how life could have been had Bruce Wayne made a different choice after what happened that night in Crime Alley.

These two are locked in a constant struggle, with Joker developing an all-consuming obsession with the Dark Knight Detective. His crimes became less about material gains or spreading chaos, and more about getting the attention of the object of his twisted affections.

When "Az-Bats" saves a missing teenage girl, dressed as Robin, from plummeting to her death, he happens upon the Joker making a movie about the destruction of Batman. Seeing Azrael in action, it takes only a few moments for the Jester of Genocide to discover that the man behind the mask is an imposter.

Then, readers are treated to a moment of absurdist humour where the Joker walks away; refusing to indulge the pretender in his delusions and sulking about how much time he had wasted on a faux-Batman.

Unlike his ill-advised ponytail, Joker's "Bat-Lite" antagonism would become a recurring theme with Jean-Paul Valley in all his future guises.

Contributor
Contributor

Kevin McHugh is a code-monkey by day and a purveyor of the unpleasant by night. Having had several comics published by Future Quake Press he is now moving into prose. An avid fan of punk rock, cheap horror movies and even cheaper fast-food Kevin can be found pontificating either on Twitter or over at WhatCulture Comics where he is a regular contributor. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two daughters.