Batman / Batman Joker

Does Joker Know Bruce Wayne Is Batman?

The Joker and Batman have always been two sides of the same coin, with their complex relationship being one of the most intriguing aspects of the Batman mythos. The Joker is one of the most notorious villains in all of comic book history, and his obsession with the Dark Knight has led many fans to wonder if he knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman. In this article, we will explore this question in-depth and examine all the evidence to see if we can come to a definitive answer.

Clues from the Comics

There have been many instances in the comics where it seems like The Joker knows who Batman really is. One example is in “Batman: Death of the Family,” where The Joker kidnaps members of the Bat-Family and seemingly knows who they are without their masks on. However, it’s later revealed that he doesn’t actually know Batman’s true identity.

In “Batman: Endgame,” The Joker claims that he’s always known who Batman really is but doesn’t reveal his identity before dying. This could be seen as proof that The Joker knows who Bruce Wayne is, but it’s worth noting that this story takes place outside of regular continuity.

Theories and Speculation

There are various theories and speculations about whether or not The Joker knows Bruce Wayne’s secret identity. Some fans believe that The Joker must know who Batman really is because he’s too smart not to figure it out. Others argue that he doesn’t care about Bruce Wayne at all and only sees him as a means to an end when it comes to tormenting Batman.

Another theory suggests that The Joker does know who Batman really is but chooses not to reveal his secret because he wants to keep playing their dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. Alternatively, some people believe that The Joker deliberately avoids finding out Bruce Wayne’s true identity because he enjoys having multiple possible Targets for his attacks.

The Official Answer

Despite all the speculation and theories, the official answer is that The Joker does not know that Bruce Wayne is Batman. This was confirmed by the late, great Batman writer Denny O’Neil, who stated that The Joker’s obsession with Batman doesn’t extend to his personal life. According to O’Neil, The Joker sees Bruce Wayne as just another rich person and doesn’t have any interest in his secret identity.

In conclusion, while there have been instances in the comics where it seems like The Joker knows who Batman really is, the official answer is that he doesn’t. While there will always be room for speculation and debate among fans, we can rest assured that Bruce Wayne’s secret identity remains safe from The Joker’s clutches.