Bao Pham is the teenage vigilante that has been smashing clown heads during James Tynion Iv’s Joker War. Bao lost his parents to the Joker’s criminal exploits and his life was forever changed. When The Clown Prince of Crime took over Gotham during the events of Joker War all the criminals of Gotham wanted to be part of the largest-ever Joker Gang.
The clowns quickly invaded Bao’s neighborhood in The Narrows, a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Gotham. Bao decided to take a stand as the Clownhunter. He began hunting the clowns in Gotham and killed every one that he could find.
During this chaotic time in Gotham, Clownhunter was seen as a hero because he protected the innocent and punished the criminals. He was the swift and decisive justice that Batman had not been. Despite his unsightly methods, he put a permanent end to the criminals that he hunted and Gotham was appreciative.
Batman was able to beat The Joker and reclaim Gotham with the help of Harley Quinn and the Bat-family. The Joker War was over but Clownhunter was not ready to hang up his helmet and bat. After Joker War Batman approaches Bao and tells him his days of vigilantism are over. Bruce refuses to turn him in because he doesn’t believe the system will help reform Clownhunter. Bruce leaves him with a warning but Bao is determined to finish his mission.
Clownhunter takes his swing at Harley Quinn believing she should be held accountable for her past actions. Bao is clearly out of his league as Harley easily dodges his attacks and subdues him. It’s clear that Bao’s fury is here to stay and his crusade is not over. He is beginning to become a nuisance for Batman but time in a youth detention center will not help the troubled young teen.
Like Jason Todd, Bao is a perfect candidate to be recruited into the Bat-family. He is an orphan with clear rage issues (sound familiar?). He has a knack for strategy and has bested many older foes. Clownhunter has become quite the capable vigilante on his own. With the right training, Bao could protect Gotham along with the Bat-family. Can the Clownhunter be reformed?
