DC Comics Announces ‘The Joker Year One’ Which Promises To Reveal The Terrible Secrets Behind The Clown Prince Of Crime

Over the years we’ve had retellings of virtually all the highest ranking DC heroes, but we haven’t seen too many origins stories involving its vilest villains. And I can’t think of anyone worse than The Joker in terms of body counts and amorality. But now DC Comics and Chip Zdarsky promise some “terrible secret behind (Batman’s) greatest enemy,” kicking off in Batman #142 and continuing throughBatman #143 and Batman #144. Along for the ride are Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Andrea Sorrentino, Alejandro Sánchez and Dave Stewart.

“DC’s ongoing Dawn of DC publishing initiative is heading toward a thrilling, high-stakes adventure in 2024, and in February, within the pages of Batman, readers will discover a terrifying story featuring the greatest villain in pop culture history! After the current “Mindbomb” story concludes in January’s Batman #141, the Dark Knight will discover the terrible secret behind his greatest enemy! Told in three parts, “The Joker Year One” will ship weekly in February 2024.”

Here’s more on each of the three-issue story-arc:

“In part one, the tragic “death” of the leader of the Red Hood Gang in a vat of chemicals has become the subject of myth…but what is the heartbreaking and gruesome tale of the monster who walked away from that violent birth? From the first pages of “The Joker Year One” onward, eager readers will be questioning everything they know about The Joker!

And how does it affect Batman’s distant future? Within each issue of “The Joker Year One,” artists Andrea Sorrentino and Dave Stewart illustrate a story juxtaposed to show the far-reaching impact The Joker will have on DC’s Caped Crusader!”

Batman #142, written by Zdarsky with art by Camuncoli, Nesi, Sorrentino, Sánchez and colours by Dave Stewart, will be out on February 6, 2024.

Following that, only a week later, will be Batman #143 out on February 13th, 2024:

“The terrifying tale of “The Joker Year One” continues as a mysterious figure from Batman’s past has come into Joker’s orbit, changing the Clown Prince of Crime forever! And what secrets does the re-formed Red Hood Gang have for Batman’s future?” 

Then we have the grand finale in Batman #144, out on February 20th, 2024:

“The climactic, chilling conclusion to “The Joker Year One,” delivering massive repercussions for the future! The Red Hood Gang is on a rampage and the only man who can stop them…is The Joker! And can Batman stop a devastating new virus in a future where The Joker looms over everything?”

Personally, I’m loving what Zdarsky is cooking up and what he’s been doing on Batman so far, and after a pretty brief run too. I do hope he’s here to stay as this feels like all the makings of a classic in the making. Roll on February!