Superman may have regained his secret identity, but not all of DC’s 2023 characters are carrying on as usual. For example, Joker just got pregnant and gave birth in the latest issue of Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing.
Wait to?
Read on to find out all the details of this strange plot twistbut watch out for spoilers for Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #4.
The twist in question comes in the supporting story included in issue #4, written by Matthew Rosenberg and drawn by Francesco Francavilla. This story depicts a showdown between the Joker and Zatanna, when the latter thwarts the Clown Prince of Crime’s plot to steal Gotham’s water supply. Disgusted by Joker’s flirtation, Zatanna casts one of her signature backwards spells..
That spell ends up having unintended consequences. The next morning, Joker wakes up and finds out she’s nine months pregnant and about to give birth. He then vomits up a sentient blob of mud which quickly transforms into a small double of the Joker. We can’t imagine that Zatanna is going to be delighted with this turn of events. Or Batman, for that matter.
It’s not the first time DC has toyed with the idea of the Joker becoming a father., although that plot point is usually reserved for alternate universes and treated with a little more gravity. In Injustice: Gods Among Us, Harley Quinn reveals that she gave birth to Joker’s daughter, but gave her up for adoption rather than subject her to a life with Joker as her father. Similarly, Harley becomes the mother of twins in the Batman: White Knight universe, albeit with happier results.
What do you think of this bizarre addition to the Joker’s ongoing antics in DC Comics? Does he get over the time he stapled his own face to the wall of the GCPD headquarters?
In other recent Joker news, we finally learned the real name of this villain in the pages of Flashpoint Beyond. You can also review 7 classic Joker comics to read after watching the Joaquin Phoenix movie.
