The Joker is the main antagonist of the 2016 animated adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke. Just like many other adaptations of the Joker, this one also wants to prove that anyone can go insane after having a bad day.
What Makes Him Sympathetic?[]
- Initially he was a chemical engineer but left his job to pursue a career as a comedian. He is unsuccessful, ends up unemployed and this causes so much financial problems for him and his family that they are forced to contend with a landlady who hates him.
- He had a wife with a child and he loved them both and wanted to provide for them. At some point he lashed out at his wife due to stress but then immediately apologized and promised her that they would find a nice apartment to live in.
- The only reason why he agreed to rob Ace Chemicals with two crooks was because he wanted to ensure that his family would have a better life.
- Moments before the robbery he learned that his wife and his child had died due to being electrocuted by a baby bottle heater accident.
- After he hears the news, he wants to quit the heist, but the two crooks still force him to participate against his will.
- During the heist he falls into a vat of chemicals that disintegrate his skin and drive him to insanity. This is the reason why he commits so many crimes in the future.
- When Batman brings up the possibility that maybe the Joker is alone in his madness and not everyone cracks under severe pressure, the Joker widens his eyes for a moments and it's clear that the revelation has affected him.
- The Joker surrenders and shows regret over his actions, even considering the possibility of redemption. However, he then declines because of the severity of his actions.
- Batman shows sympathy for the Joker when he hears that he is insane due to a trauma in his past, offers to help him rehabilitate and the two of them even share a long laugh at one of the Joker's jokes.