The latest chapter in the Joker’s nefarious tale may be DC Comics’ archvillain’s most unusual yet: he’s getting pregnant.
In the latest installment of the DC Comics series, The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing, Batman’s nemesis actually carries and gives birth to a child.
If that sounds strange, that’s what the graphic novel company intended. On its website, DC Comics advertised the issue as Joker’s “weirdest caper ever.”
Readers might be tempted to think this is part of DC’s attempt at awakening, LGBTQ-inclusive storytelling, with The Joker being a transgender man going through a typical pregnancy, although it’s not quite that simple.
In this book, created by Matthew Rosenberg and Carmine Di Giandomenico, the “clown prince of crime” becomes pregnant through an unnatural curse and literally gives birth in a vomit-inducing manner.
The backstory to this latest installment describes how Joker wanted to pursue an heir in a more traditional way, courting superheroine Zatanna in order to start a family with him. Though his advances are rebuffed and Joker turns the tables in a surprisingly disturbing way.
In DC’s universe, Zatanna is a magic user who can cast spells by speaking backwards. Troubled by the Joker’s attempt to woo her, she casts a spell on him to ensure “no one ever will.” [the Joker’s] Baby,” says the comic.
Although, like many spells in fiction, the curse doesn’t work as intended. Instead of turning Joker into a woman repeller as expected, the spell causes the villain to become pregnant himself and have his own baby.
The way this happens during issue is possibly one of the weirdest DC Comics moments in recent memory. Joker gives birth by vomiting a type of brown mucus that forms into a baby boy that looks exactly like Joker as it leaves his body.
The comic shows Joker and his offspring staring at each other in love. A shared thought bubble between the Jokers shows that both are thinking at the same time, “He’s so handsome.”
Needless to say, not everyone is a fan of this new Batman story. Critics have taken to Twitter in recent days to voice their unease, and many have pointed to what they say is strange political implications.
Former GOP congressional candidate Robby Starbuck commented on the new issue, tweeting: “In the new Joker comic he becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child. Yes, the Joker is trans now. At least the character is the Joker, because a pregnant woman thinking she’s a pregnant man is the definition of a Joker. Who is fed up with this madness anymore?”
Conservative influencer Nick Adams observed: “The latest installment of the comic book ‘The Joker: The Man Who Stoped Laughing’ features a scene where the Joker – a MAN – becomes pregnant. That’s not how it works! I am calling for a complete and total BOYCOTT of the Joker until further notice. What’s next, an all-electric Batmobile?!”
Seemingly upset by the ridiculousness, YouTube talk show host Steven Steele tweeted, “JUST IN: DC Comics got The Joker pregnant in their latest issue because of course they did.”
YouTuber and comics commentator Ethan Van Sciver slammed the post, writing, “DC Comics continues to get weirder, allowing more perverts and fetishists to make grotesque smut out of their classic characters. Guys, BATMAN is your last sellable comic franchise.”
Discussing one of the more disturbing scenes portrayed in the issue, he added, “Regular readers might not like Atomic Skull Joker giving a antenatal pelvic exam.”
This quirky addition to the Batman/Joker saga is available now at most major comic book stores, as well as Amazon and Apple.