Though theJokermade a brief appearance in the debut issue ofAbsoluteBatman, fans have yet to see him again, even as the series reaches its fourth issue. Fortunately, Scott Snyder recently teased the Joker’s return, revealing which issues he will appear in next and discussing how the villain will be unlike anything Batman has ever encountered.
With Absolute Batman and Joker, fans will witness two unknown variables colliding in a way that’s distinctly unique to Earth-Prime continuity.
On July 19, 2025, Scott Snyder sat down with theOwen Likes More Comics YouTube channel, where they discussed all thingsAbsolute Batman. Over the course of the hour-long conversation, fans were treated to plenty of exciting teasers.
However, the most intriguing moment came when the two delved into Absolute Joker, a character first teased at the end ofAbsolute Batman#1 but who has yet to return to the narrative. Snyder shared which upcoming issues fans can expect to see the Gotham rogue play a major role, along withhints about what sets this version of the Joker apart from his Earth-Prime counterpart.
“…the Joker Isn’t Anything Like Batman Has Faced…”:Scott Snyder Teases New Absolute Joker Crumbs
Comic Panel of Absolute Joker Comes FromAbsolute Batman#1 (2024) – Art by Nick Dragotta
Whendiscussing Absolute Joker, Snyder explained that"the Joker isn’t anything like Batman has faced"because Absolute Batman is unlike anything we’ve ever seen as well. In other words, this version of the Gotham rogue will be drastically different from what both fans and the Dark Knight have encountered before because the Bruce Wayne of the Absolute Universe is equally different. As a result,fans will witness two unknown variables colliding in a way that’s distinctly unique compared to Earth-Prime continuities.Snyder further elaborated that another key factor in what makes this Joker so different is his financial situation.
InAbsolute Batman#1, it was revealed that in this universe, theJoker is the billionaire, not Batman.This meansJoker is the one who has“the resources and the cave—who has the vehicles,”as Snyder put it. He teased that fans will get their first major hint about this Joker in issue #7 ofAbsolute Batman, but the true depth of how different he is from his Earth-Prime counterpart won’t become clear until issues #13 or #14. It seems fans will need to hold out for quite some time to have their questions about the Absolute Joker answered.
Scott Snyder: In this world, the Joker isn’t anything like Batman has faced because Batman is like nothing [as well]. Where they are headed is so interesting to me. I don’t want to spoil too much because this doesn’t happen until Issue 13 or 14, even beyond that really, but I wanted the Joker to be the one who has the resources and the cave - who has the vehicles in this.
He’s not sitting there as a clown, he’s very different from that in this [story]. You’ll start to learn about him soon actually; The first big hint about [Joker] comes in Issue 7.
DC Is Gearing Up For an Unexplored Batman & Joker Dynamic in the Absolute Universe
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Frank Quitely forAbsolute Batman#6 (2025)
By confirming that the Joker is the one with the resources in this universe, it’s clear why this version of the character will be unlike anything Batman has faced before. Typically, the Joker doesn’t have access to billions of dollars or immense resources. This dynamic will undoubtedly shift the battlefield between the two, with Bruce already starting at a disadvantage in terms of resources. However, ifAbsolute Batmanhas demonstrated anything, it’s that this version of Bruce is even more resourceful than his Earth-Prime counterpart. Despite the odds, fans can expect him to bring his A-game when facing theJoker.
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The Joker
The Joker is a psychopathic criminal mastermind with a warped sense of humor. Initially introduced as a remorseless serial killer, the character evolved over time, often oscillating between a prankster and a homicidal maniac. His relationship with Batman is one of the most complex in comic book history, defined by their mutual obsession. Over the decades, the Joker has become an enduring icon of chaos and madness, embodying the antithesis of Batman’s order and justice.
