Ever since the release of Batman (1989), there has been a lot of debate about whether or not Joker knew who Batman was. The movie shows us that Joker did discover the identity of Bruce Wayne, but there are several interpretations of this event. In this article, we will explore the evidence and arguments for and against Joker knowing Batman’s true identity.
The Evidence that Joker Knew
There are several pieces of evidence that suggest that Joker did know who Batman was:
- The Newspaper Clipping: In a scene early in the movie, we see Jack Napier (who later becomes the Joker) looking at a newspaper clipping with a picture of Bruce Wayne. This suggests that Napier may have already known who Bruce Wayne was before becoming the Joker.
- The Party Scene: During a party at Wayne Manor, the Joker confronts Vicki Vale and says to her, “You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight” Later on, he repeats this line to Batman during their final showdown.
This suggests that Joker knows who Batman is and is taunting him.
- The Final Confrontation: During their final showdown, when Batman removes his mask, the Joker says, “You’re Vicki’s mystery man Goodnight, Gotham City!” This implies that he knew all along who Batman was and was simply waiting for him to confirm it.
The Evidence that Joker Did Not Know
Despite these pieces of evidence, there are also arguments that suggest that Joker did not know who Batman was:
- The Chemical Plant Scene: When Jack Napier falls into a vat of chemicals and emerges as the Joker, he asks his henchmen who Batman is. This suggests that he did not know who Batman was before becoming the Joker.
- The Parade Scene: During the parade, Joker says to Batman, “You made me, remember
You dropped me into that vat of chemicals.” This implies that Joker did not know that Batman was Bruce Wayne until after he became the Joker.
- The Batcave Scene: When the Joker and his henchmen invade the Batcave, he seems genuinely surprised to see Bruce Wayne there. If he already knew who Batman was, it seems unlikely that he would be surprised to see Bruce Wayne in the Batcave.
The Bottom Line
So did Joker know who Batman was in Batman (1989) The truth is that we may never know for sure.
Both arguments have their merits and there are valid points on both sides. However, from a storytelling perspective, it makes more sense for Joker to know who Batman is. This adds an extra layer of tension and drama to their final confrontation and makes their relationship more complex and interesting.
In conclusion, while there are compelling arguments on both sides of this debate, it ultimately comes down to personal interpretation. Whether or not you believe that Joker knew who Batman was in Batman (1989), there’s no denying that it remains one of the most iconic superhero movies of all time.