'The Dark Knight': 'Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular' honors the greatest Batman film ever
Spoilers for 'The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular'
There have been so many live-action adaptations of Batman and yet in all these years, there has never been a Batman movie better than Christopher Nolan's 2008 film 'The Dark Knight'. Featuring Heath Ledger's definitive portrayal of the Joker, the movie set a new standard for superhero films so it's only fitting that it received special attention in the Joker's 80th-anniversary celebration.
'The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular' is a prestige format one-shot celebrating eight decades of the Clown Prince of Crime. The collectible issue features a series of original stories by acclaimed writers and one of those stories is peppered with references to 'The Dark Knight'.
'Kill The Batman' by Gary Whitta and Greg Miller shows a possible future where Batman has been killed by the Joker. With the Caped Crusader dead, his identity is finally revealed and all of Gotham gathers to mourn the loss of its hero but the Joker is perhaps sadder than any and he prepares to off himself with a suicide vest at a memorial for the fallen vigilante.
In the story, Commissioner James Gordon tells reporters "Bruce Wayne was the hero Gotham always needed but never deserved," a play on what's possibly the most famous quote from 'The Dark Knight'. He follows that up with a reference to 'Batman Begins' saying, "He told me once, long ago, that I'd never have to thank him for everything he did for Gotham City. Well, Bruce, on behalf of everyone you ever helped, everyone you ever saved... thank you."
That's not all though. Two-Face / Harvey Dent also appears in the story, healed and whole and a judge now, and he gives a speech at the memorial saying, "As Bruce Wayne, he was a beacon of hope and humanity for all of Gotham City. As Batman he was its silent guardian. Its watchful protector. Its Dark Knight." And those are just the obvious references. In the story, the Joker is also seen wearing a t-shirt that says "Why so serious?", referencing Heath Ledger's iconic line.
By the end of the story, Joker realizes that without Batman, he has no one left to fight and that his life as the Joker has lost all meaning. So what can a sadistic psychopath do besides fight the Batman? He takes a job at the DMV, of course. 'The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular' released on June 9.
