By: Charles Singh
Batman and The Joker’s war just ended in Batman #100. Gotham has been completely transformed by Joker’s plot to get Gothamites to lose faith in their hero. One theme stood out amongst the many complex themes presented in Joker War. Batman and The Joker’s rivalry is getting…stale. Even the writers are growing weary of the eternal game of cat and mouse that The World’s Greatest Detective and Clown Prince of Crime have been playing. So much so, that writer Jason Tynion IV decided to shake things up by forcing Batman to choose between saving Joker’s life or the lives of innocents.
Harley, Clownhunter, and many other Batman characters have hinted at the flaw in Batman’s moral code. Sparing The Joker’s life has ultimately cost Gotham city many innocent lives. The villain gets captured only to escape and harm more citizens. People in Gotham are tired of living their lives in fear of The Joker and his next attempt to get Batman’s attention.
In Batman #100 Bruce chooses to leave Joker with a bomb strapped to his chest and save Harley. Harley gives Bruce an ultimatum and he finally makes the right decision by leaving The Joker behind. He is aware that The Joker could escape and survive but left him without knowing whether he would choose to escape or not. Harley forced Batman to finally disrupt the pattern that has developed over the last 80 years.
But Why Does Batman Need Better Villains?
The Joker isn’t the only Batman villain that has become predictable. The motives that drive members of Batman’s gallery of rogues are well-known. Joker and Riddler usually try to challenge Batman. Penguin is usually after wealth. Ras Al Ghul desires power. Mr. Freeze, a cure for his wife. What happened to villains that are evil just for the sake of being evil? Where is Victor Zsaaz when you need him?
The World’s Greatest Detective hasn’t done much difficult sleuthing as of late. It’s easy to challenge a static character because they remain the same regardless of their experiences. Batman is being thrust into the future post-Joker War and he is not prepared. New vigilantes and villains like Clownhunter and Punchline are from a new generation. Batman’s antiquated sense of morality just isn’t getting the job done according to the citizens of Gotham. They are ready for a new champion, and may soon get one.
Batman needs better villains because story arcs have gotten monotonous. Villain character motivations have become far too predictable. Readers know all the major villain backstories. We are also familiar with the rich textual history of the Batman franchise. James Tynion IV’s Joker War has proven that the Batman title is ready for drastic changes.
Alfred is dead. Jim Gordon has been replaced as police commissioner. Gotham city has lost faith in Batman. Everything is Bruce’s life has changed after Joker War. Batman and the Gotham of the future need new villains to keep the title innovative and continue to fan the flame that Tynion sparked. Bruce must face new villains in order to grow and adapt to the new Gotham. With the Future State event on the horizon, it is clear DC is looking to shake things up for the Caped Crusader and the heroes of DC Comics.
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