For anyone following along with the latest Batman comic books, you know that the Joker has taken center stage. That’s right, we’re in the midst of “The Joker War,” an ambitious crossover event chugging full-steam-ahead and plunging Gotham City into complete anarchy. The Joker’s managed to rob Batman of every gadget, penny, and hideout, and the other members of the Batman Family are next on his hit list.

So, in an effort to ensure that the Daily Star is not on that list of his, we come to you now to make amends. Today, Mr. Clown Prince of Crime, we extend an olive branch by looking back on some of your most diabolical achievements. Maybe you can use some of these as inspiration for when you take on the Gotham Gazette? But definitely not the Daily Star, right?

Great—thanks in advance!

The Joker Enters the Fight

There’s perhaps no better place to find the Joker at his most twisted and depraved than in the Mortal Kombat universe. Earlier this year, he made a highly anticipated debut as an official “Kombatant,” appearing as a DLC character in the Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack.

And, to the surprise of no one, he sure knew how to make an entrance. Bringing a maniacal, childlike sense of glee to every macabre action he takes, the Joker is the ultimate harbinger of destruction. He might be laughing every step of the way, but the damage he does is no joke and he boasts some powers/abilities that make him one of the most formidable DLC characters the game has ever seen.

What should you know before you don that purple coat and sinister smile? We’ve got you covered.

There are a ton of morbid accessories that are a part of the Joker’s arsenal, including Batman himself! Well, sort of. It’s actually a creepy Batman hand puppet, behind which lies a more menacing tool because this is Mortal Kombat after all. The Joker is no one trick pony, though…he also wields some Jack-in-the-Box weapons that explode (naturally). And rounding out his get-up is none other than an oversized cane that seems simple enough…that is until you see how he uses it.

We’re being coy here but suffice it to say that this playable experience with the Joker is not for the squeamish or faint of heart! However, for those who dare, we humbly suggest pairing your thirst for chaos with the Joker’s “KAPOW” ability. It’s pretty much a bizarre carnival trick come to life because enabling it allows you to hoist up two oversized boxing gloves and strike down anyone in your path. Plus, if you activate it as a “Krushing Blow,” you’ll unlock its full potential where the brass knuckles on the gloves (yes, you read that correctly) can double up on the damage inflicted.

But Wait, There’s More!

As fate would have it, this isn’t the Joker’s first foray into the Mortal Kombat world. Any veterans out there might also remember the very first DC and MK crossover back in 2008: Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. Feeling nostalgic yet?

In this particular release, the Joker was a main character in the game’s story mode, and he, of course, kept you guessing right up until the end on whether you could trust him or not (spoiler alert: you couldn’t…and let’s face it, you never can).

Oh wait, he might still be reading this. Of course you can trust him! Sorry about that.

It was here in this game that we got to see the Joker truly level up. Consumed by Dark Kahn’s Rage, he actually transcends his traditional human limitations, becoming both faster and stronger. This allows him to hold his own against even the most powerful characters from both the DC universe and the Mortal Kombat world. Seeing him take down characters like Batman, Deathstroke, and Sonya Blade is a demented thing of beauty. And it’s certainly a key driver behind what made his latest 2020 appearance so special and inspired.

See You at DC FanDome, Joker!

That’s about all the time we have this week, folks! To the Joker, we’re excited to keep this peace treaty going all the way through DC FanDome on August 22. We’ll see you there to talk more about these mischievous Mortal Kombat moves and what else you’ve got planned for “The Joker War.”

Until then, thanks to our amazing partners at NetherRealm Studios for bringing the Clown Prince of Crime to life in the most ruthless of ways.

And be sure to keep following along with all of DC’s social media accounts to keep up with the latest developments on the Joker’s mayhem in real-time.