Summary
- The iconic Jack Nicholson Joker makes a spiritual return in Batman '89: Echoes #2, influencing characters in unique ways.
- Harley Quinn, Maynard, and a Joker-inspired Dr. Jonathan Crane all embody the impact of the criminal clown's reign in Gotham.
- The legacy of The Joker endures in Batman '89 universe as seen through new villains and psychological impacts on Gotham City.
Warning: Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #2!The version of The Joker played by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman movie is back in an entirely new way. The Burton series has received sequels in comic book form (first Batman '89, now the ongoing Batman '89: Echoes), but with Nicholson's Joker falling to his death at the end of the original movie, readers have not expected him to return in these comics.
The Joker does, however, receive a unique, spiritual comeback beginning in Batman '89: Echoes #2. The issue is littered with characters who aren't The Joker, but do eerily exhibit his characteristics. Chief among these characters are this universe's Harley Quinn, her clown patients, and an inmate named Maynard who shares a moment with Bruce Wayne that's reminiscent of The Killing Joke.
Last year, Tim Burton's Joker briefly appeared in Batman #900 in a cameo where DC's main canon Batman hops from universe to universe in order to stop dead Jokers who have been reviving across the multiverse. The events of that comic, though, are not canon to Echoes.
There's evidence to suggest the creative team is keeping The Joker alive — not literally, but in a spiritual sense. Characters embodying the spirit of the criminal highlight the impact Joker's escapades had on Gotham, without undoing the impact of his death for audiences.
The Joker is Back - But Not How Audiences Would Expect
Batman '89: Echoes #2 by Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones, Leonardo Ito, and Carlos M. Mangual
For reasons yet to be revealed, Dr. Jonathan Crane (one reminiscent of Jeff Goldblum), where he's taken to the section of the facility referred to as "Shady Lane." There, he becomes acquainted with Maynard, an inmate who noticeably goes into fits of laughter while causing chaos, similar to The Joker.
Comparisons to The Joker seem all the more pronounced when one of the first s the two share together directly parallels the laugh Batman and Joker share Madonna-esque Harley Quinn is taking part in a mysterious "master plan" that may follow in the footsteps of The Joker. Harley ends the issue by speaking with her patients, encouraging them to wear their true faces: clown makeup. As Dr. Harleen Quinzel, it's been established that she's developed an obsession with both The Joker and Batman through her psychotherapy.
Harley Quinn's obsession has gotten deep enough to the point that in the last issue, Dr. Q is seen interviewing The Joker's girlfriend who he scarred horribly in the original 1989 movie. The Joker himself remains dead, but he's constantly seen in the background behind Harley Quinn, almost like a shadow hovering over both Harley herself and Gotham as a whole. It's also worth noting that a fear slideshow Crane shows Bruce features a clown with a smile as sinister as The Joker's.
The Batman '89 Sequel's Title Just Took On a Whole New Meaning
If there proves to be any validity to this Joker theory, it could add new meaning to the title of this comic book sequel, Batman '89: Echoes. The Joker has returned much like an echo across Gotham City, reverberating across the city and through other people. He can't literally be seen in the flesh, but he can be seen in other people, sometimes alongside them and, in other cases, in them. Case in point, as mentioned before, The Joker is a heavily discussed topic on Dr. Q's talk show.
Harley Quinn is obviously influenced by The Joker and appears to be lining up her own legion of cronies to follow in his footsteps at the end of this issue.
During the talk show, there are stock images and footage of the late Mr. J showcased. That's the closest example where readers actually get to see The Joker. He may not physically be there, but The Joker is very much there in spirit. Harley Quinn is obviously influenced by The Joker and appears to be lining up her own legion of cronies to follow in his footsteps at the end of this issue.
Then, there's the co-villain of this series, Dr. Jonathan Crane, whose incorporation of a sinister clown in his fear slideshow for Bruce cannot be a coincidence. It could be merely a hint that he's aware that Robert Lowery is actually Bruce Wayne (or at the very least, he knows this mystery man is secretly Batman). However, it could also suggest even bigger implications regarding the world-building going on within the Burtonverse. It's a sign of just how much the Gotham citizens remain shell-shocked by The Joker's presence when he was alive.
The Joker's Legacy Endures in Tim Burton's Batman Universe
The Joker was alive for only one of the Batman movies, but in a way, his presence does echo through the sequel, Batman Returns, by way of the movie's Red Triangle Gang. The gang work for The Penguin, but they start appearing in Gotham shortly after Joker's demise, likely taking inspiration directly from The Joker. The same can be said for Batman '89: Echoes. Quinn and her patients seem to exist as a direct response to The Joker, but Maynard serves as a more subtle approach to reinventing the late Jack Napier.
It's already been implied that Maynard could be this universe's equivalent of The Riddler, and that may very well be the case. However, the incessant laughter and the parallel to The Killing Joke would suggest a connection of some sort with The Joker. Maynard could wind up being an amalgamation of both The Riddler and The Joker, or perhaps this version of The Riddler is directly inspired by The Joker.
Finally, Crane's slideshow depicting a smiling clown could be a way of tapping in to the fears that have plagued Gotham since The Joker's death. The Joker may be dead and gone, but the impact he made on the city — namely, the people he killed, the places he robbed, and the hysteria he caused — left an impressionable toll on people that still breeds terror even in his absence.
The Echoes title is appropriate, as The Joker haunts Gotham City long after his death. His presence struck enough fear into the hearts of citizens to shroud Gotham in darkness, and his influence stretches into new villains who hope to keep Gotham contained within that same darkness. The truth is that Batman '89: Echoes showcases how much damage The Joker's initial reign of terror did to Gotham City, well beyond the damage seen in the original Tim Burton Batman movies.
Batman '89: Echoes #2 is on sale now from DC Comics.
Batman
- Release Date
- June 23, 1989
- Runtime
- 126 Minutes
- Director
- Tim Burton
WHERE TO WATCH
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson's chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce's trusty butler named Alfred.
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