WARNING! Spoilers for Batman: Dark Age #6Batman's darkest enemy since his debut in 1940, and although he's been granted ample opportunities to kill him, Batman always refuses to take his life. Now, that choice has paid off at long last, as the Joker changes his ways as a direct result of Bruce Wayne's influence in one alternate universe. The Joker's redemption arc marks a momentous occasion in DC lore and proves that Batman's mercy isn't entirely unfounded.

Nightwing's untimely death. He explains that Nightwing had died by falling, and when he tried to catch him, he inadvertently caught the Joker's hand instead.

After Batman saves his life, the Joker is successfully convinced to stop being a villain in a groundbreaking change to his usual characterization, which redefines his longtime rivalry with the Dark Knight.

The Joker Gets His Long-Awaited Redemption After Batman Saves His Life

Thanks to Batman, the Clown Prince of Crime Changes His Ways

In this universe, the Joker is a comedian and former children's clown in Gotham City whose luck takes a grisly turn when he's caught in an explosion disturbing new Joker design, he gets rejected, so he resorts to crime as his only remaining option.

Batman: Dark Age's innovative retelling of Batman lore serves as a follow-up to Superman: Space Age by the same creative team, available now digitally and in collected editions from DC Comics!

The Joker changes his ways after Batman saves him. He is inspired by Batman to get his act together, and after a prison stint, Bruce himself picks the Joker up to help him kick off his new life as a positive contributor to Gotham society. Years down the line, though Bruce misre these events, the Joker assures him that he not only paid to physically repair the damage done to him, but Batman gave him a second chance and, as the Joker puts it, "made me want to live." In at least one universe, Batman has officially redeemed his worst enemy.

Batman's Refusal to Kill the Joker Pays Off as the Dark Knight Successfully Redeems His Nemesis

Batman Finally Gets Through to the Joker After Countless Failed Attempts

Batman has made an attempt to save the Joker many times before. In DC's main continuity, he consistently spares his nemesis' life in spite of it being a fruitless endeavor. Thomas Wayne's adherence to the Hippocratic Oath, Bruce adheres to his fundamental belief that the worst of the worst can still be rehabilitated - including, potentially, the Joker.

In The Killing Joke #1 by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, Batman voices his desire to save the Joker in some capacity. He says, "We could work together. I could rehabilitate you. [...] We don't have to kill each other." Batman and the Joker are perpetually on opposite sides of the war in Gotham, yet no matter how low he sinks, Batman continues to spare his enemy because of his loyalty to his moral stance. Despite Batman's unending efforts to get through to him, the Joker's assault of Batgirl in this same story proves that, unlike certain variants, he might not be worth saving in the end.

The Joker's Capacity for Redemption Varies Between DC Continuities

Could the DC Universe's Main Joker Ever Truly Become Good?

The Joker from this alternate universe may have enough good in him to change his wicked ways with Bruce's encouragement, but it's difficult to say whether the same holds true for the Joker of DC's main continuity. After all, while Dark Age's Joker is a stand-up comedian whose tragic origin can be empathized with, the same can't be said for the regular take on the Joker.

Even if there are elements of tragedy to his past, the Joker has committed such despicable deeds - including his infamous murder of Jason Todd's Robin - that he is most likely beyond salvation. Batman can keep trying to reach him, but the Joker hasn't shown any sign of bettering himself in the near future. Batman's greatest enemy is too far gone after what he's done to the people of Gotham, and the Joker's redemption in this story could very well be the only one he gets.

Batman: Dark Age #6 is available now from DC Comics.