Joker Taunts Nightwing With The Killing Joke Story | Screen Rant
The Joker is one twisted individual. One of his most violent, insane actions was when he paralyzed Barbara Gordon by shooting her in the back in Batman: The Killing Joke. In a new cover for Nightwing's upcoming run-in with the villain, the Clown Prince of Crime taunts the hero with the past.
In Batman: The Killing Joke (1989) by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, the Joker's origin is famously explored set against the present day, where he kidnaps and shoots Barbara Gordon. The moment had lasting impacts on the DC Comics universe and proved the Joker was willing to do anything to get to Batman. The bullet ends up paralyzing Barbara, which led to the former Batgirl becoming Oracle. It's incredibly tragic. So, naturally, the Joker jokes about it when running into members of the Bat-Family.
In the current Nightwing arc, Ric Grayson is trying to remember who he is after getting shot in the head by the KGBeast. While he's slowly remembering bits and pieces of his past life, he's set to run into the Joker in Nightwing #71. In a new dialogue cover released by DC Comics, the Joker makes a pretty messed up joke that refers to both Barbara in Batman: The Killing Joke and Nightwing's own shooting. "So a sidekick runs into a bullet... stop me if you've heard this one before," a Cesar Romero-inspired Joker tells Nightwing.
The Joker is a professional at getting under his opponent's skin, and in the case, you have to think the remarks would hurt and confuse Nightwing. Unfortunately, jokes are the last thing Nightwing needs to worry about as he's set to be captured and tied up in an effort to draw out Batman. With the 'Joker War' coming and Joker knowing the secret identities of the Bat-Family, the meet-up will be a prelude of more violent things to come. Nightwing will need to figure out a way to get out of Joker's hold, as the last thing he (or anyone on the Bat-Family needs) is to run into a bullet.
Check out the solicitation for Nightwing #71 as well as a textless version of the cover.
- Nightwing #71
- Written by Dan Jurgens
- Art by Ronan Cliquet
- Cover art by Travis Moore
- Having a chat with the Clown Prince of Crime is scary enough...being captured, tied down, and forced to listen to him is something else! Especially when you're Ric Grayson, and The Joker just wants you out of action so he can get to the Dark Knight. With no idea what his history with The Joker might be, Ric doesn't find this situation one bit funny.
- In comic shops June 10, 2020.