The history of the Joker from the Injustice series.
Injustice Universe[]
| “ | Every time you and I play, I lose. I was getting a bit bored of always losing, I thought I'd try this on easy mode for a bit. And it was easy. It was as easy as beating a puppy to death with a kitten. | „ |
| ~ The Joker explaining to Batman why he drugged Superman into killing Lois Lane |
Background[]
Earlier in his criminal career, the Joker was the archenemy of the Batman. His origin was vague, and no one knew his real name. At some point, the Joker killed Batman's second Robin, Jason Todd, by beating the boy to death with a crowbar.
At another point, the Joker seduced a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum and made her his criminal sidekick Harley Quinn. The two became pregnant at some point, with Harley never mentioning the fact to her boyfriend. Instead, she spent the pregnancy at her sister's before delivering a baby girl, who she left in her sister's care. Their daughter was named Lucy Quinzel. When Harley returned to the Joker's side, he didn't even notice she was missing.
Injustice: Year Zero[]
After Batman leaves Gotham The Joker goes on a killing rampage, killing several guards and prisoners to get out of Arkham. He breaks another inmate named Andre Chavard (a member of the Boy Commandos) out of jail to get a supposed power of a god he talked about but he refuses to say anything. So the Joker threatens to kill his grandson after he was revealed to him, this causes Andrew to cooperate and tell The Joker everything.
The Joker with his newfound power.
He ends up teaming up with Black Manta to get the powerful object, known as the Amulet of Apophis which was hidden by Alan Scott on the depths of the Mariana Trench. After he does, he ends up killing Andre by ejecting him out of the sub to be crushed by the deep ocean pressure and takes a Justice Society member Alan Scott. Throughout the rest of the story, he uses various means to kill every single one of the Justice Society members, as well as using his powers to force them to kill each other or themselves in Jay’s case.
The Joker getting the idea to use Lois to break Superman.
He then attempts to blow up the hall of justice to kill the entire league, but after a big battle he is eventually stopped loses his newly gained powers. After all that The Joker did Wonder Woman wants to kill him to put him down once and for all, but Batman refuses to kill him. During the battle, Batman would also accidentally give Joker the idea that Superman was incorruptible. While in the hospital and talking with Harley The Joker talks about how Lois is the key to breaking Superman and giving him his one bad day.
Injustice: Gods Among Us[]
Joker kidnapped a pregnant Lois Lane, killing Jimmy Olsen in the process, and synced her heart to a nuclear warhead so it would detonate if Lois' dies. Joker also laced Scarecrow's fear toxin with Kryptonite he had stolen to create a gas that could drug Superman. Tracking Lois to a submarine where Joker is hiding with Harley Quinn, Superman tries to rescue Lois only to be exposed to the gas, causing him to see Lois as Doomsday and ended up being tricked into dragging her into space. As the gas's effect wears off, Superman realized in horror and grief upon seeing Lois's lifeless body.
The Joker watching as his nuke destroys Metropolis.
As her heart stopped beating, this detonated the nuclear bomb, which destroyed Metropolis, killing 10 million citizens and even other superheroes in the process. Joker was then arrested and taken to the G.C.P.D. where Batman interrogated him. Laughing hysterically, Joker explained that he'd grown tired of trying to corrupt Batman so he decided he wanted to play the game on an "easier level" by corrupting Superman, the most powerful being on Earth. Batman, however, was confident Joker would fail just the same, but they were interrupted by a grief-stricken Superman who assaulted Joker several times and refusing to stop when Batman tries to get him to back down.
Superman killing the Joker.
Joker taunts Superman several times over the number of loved ones he's lost, belittling him for believing he can reform him and have a family, and indicates his plans to continue his schemes on an ever-larger scale. Vengeful and broken, Superman murdered him in cold blood, tearing his heart out with his bare hands, right in front of a horrified Batman while Joker laughed hysterically. It is heavily implied that Joker deliberately engineered his own death at the hands of Superman to ensure the latter's fall into villainy, something that would end up working.
Posthumous Effect and Legacy[]
Following his death, the Joker's actions have a profound negative effect on Superman, who reorganized the Justice League into the One Earth Regime, which sought to enforce world peace at any cost by killing all criminals they believed irredeemable without due process, toppled governments who neglected their people, and creating their own military and police to keep people in line. The regime also compromised enough to work with several of their archenemies and even extorted the aid of former criminals into their cause in exchange for immunity.
However, the One Earth Regime also silenced anyone who spoke up against them from government officials, reporters, and even protestors. Batman disapproved of Superman's extremist ways in achieving world peace and organized a team of heroes who shared his beliefs into the Insurgency, whose allies, even included former villains, to stop Superman's Regime. Effectively, this sparked a civil war within the Justice League, which has disbanded, that resulted in the deaths of millions and leaving Superman as Earth's most dangerous villain.
Many members of the Justice League were glad that The Joker was dead but they were also mad at Batman for leaving him alive for so long. One of the people who is really angry about this was Batman's own son Damian who, after everything that the Joker took, including Jason Todd and Lois, eventually joins Superman's Regime, betraying his own father in the process. In general, pretty much the entire world was happy that The Joker was dead and the people that had a problem with his death had more of a problem with the fact that Superman killed rather than the man that he killed, even Batman would come to understand why Superman did it even if he felt it was the wrong decision.
Other heroes that were greatly affected by Joker's destroying of Metropolis is the Teen Titans; Beast Boy and Kid Flash were killed in the blast and after Superman murdered The Joker. Superboy confronted Superman and got badly injured to the point where he would have died if Superman had not placed him and the rest of the Titans inside the Phantom Zone. The loss of the Titans would have a strong impact on Cyborg, who was motivated into joining the Regime to prevent anything like that from happening ever again.
Despite having a universal negative impact on the world, Joker's death had some positive effects, as Harley Quinn, in her isolation and grief, started to realize the depths of her crimes, which gradually led to her reforming and becoming one of Batman's most trusted allies, despite her involvement in Lois' death. Furthermore, most villains, including some of Joker's former henchmen, finally saw their boss for what he truly was.
During encounters, the topic of Joker is often discussed by Superman and Batman and the former's killing of him and the latter's refusal, knowing it would turn him into a monster like it had Superman. In the end, despite his death, the Joker got everything he wanted; he managed to succeed in his plan in tricking Superman into killing his wife & unborn child and destroying Metropolis. It didn't matter to him that he died as a consequence of that, the fact that he managed to turn Superman into a murderous tyrant as evil as him is enough.
Injustice 2[]
Story Mode[]
The Joker appears as a hallucination in Harley Quinn's mind after she was exposed to Scarecrow's fear toxin. The Joker hallucination tries to corrupt her into returning to her villainous ways by killing a hallucination of Batman. But Harley refuses and fights "Joker" proving how much she's outgrown him before defeating him. Joker is also mentioned numerous times throughout the game as his actions are still affecting the Justice League even 9 years after his death.
Battle Mode[]
The Joker appears as a playable character. Although the battle mode is overall non-canon, it's unknown how the Joker appears here. He's either a hallucination, an alternative universe version or got revived through some unknown means. Unlike most appearances, Joker here does not have as much charm to contradict his heinous acts. The intros display this by having all other characters, even those as vile as him, express their contempt for all the suffering he caused. This further showcases how vile this version of the Clown Prince of Crime truly is. His impact and full agency over his actions, show how terrifying a real-life version of him would be.
Arcade Ending[]
| “ | "I hadn't begun my day thinking I'd give a wannabe alien overlord a haircut. That was a happy accident. But what I'd first thought a distraction, inspired my life's greatest work. I found Brainiac's collection. Those poor cities from across the universe, trapped aboard his ship. There was only one thing to do! I restored them and gave Earth the reboot it so desperately needed. I stitched together a crazy quilt of alien civilizations, without regard to rhyme or reason. Afraid, confused, devolved to their basest instincts, they kill each other in the most sickening ways. And I get to sit back, munch popcorn, and enjoy the show--watching as the world burns! Hehehehahahahaha! | „ |
| ~ Joker's non-canon Arcade Ending |
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Joker watching the world burn.
During his non-canon Arcade Ending, Joker defeats Brainiac and takes over his skull ship. Despite his claims of "restoring" the cities and billions of souls that have been captured and contained, he "rebooted" Earth by forming a group of evil alien civilizations with no logical or obvious reason. The inhabitants of their respective civilizations soon began engaging in an all-out war with each other out of fear and confusion, in which they killed each other in the most gruesome ways, which Joker describes as “sickening”. He then concludes that he will then sit back and watch the "show" while eating popcorn as the world around him burns before maniacally laughing.
Main Universe[]
| “ | Your eyes. Pure evil. Just like his. | „ |
| ~ Insurgency Batman comparing mainstream Joker, with his deceased counterpart. |
The Joker from the DC Prime Universe first appears after the Justice League discovers Lex Luthor had given him a nuke to blow up Metropolis. He is seen arming the bomb next to a statue of Superman in Metropolis, much to the excitement of his universe's Harley Quinn. After Harley discovers Batman was teleporting to their location, the Joker forcefully makes her return to their van. Having a conversation with Batman, he reveals that he originally intended to "watch the fireworks" from a safe distance, but changed his mind to letting the nuke take both him and his nemesis, and takes the bomb off standby.
As he activates the bomb, multiple members of the Justice League quickly try to intercept him, only to teleport to the Regime (or parallel) universe, pulling Joker with them. Batman and Joker are separated from the others who teleported, namely Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aquaman and Green Lantern. The Joker, enraged that his trigger failed to detonate the bomb, blames Batman for their displacement and attacks him. Batman manages to subdue him, just as Regime troops appear and attempt to apprehend the two. Batman uses a sonar distrust or and smoke bomb to escape the troops, while Joker sneaks away during the ensuing chaos.
After hijacking and killing the Regime troopers in a van, the Joker tries to find his old gang by traveling to Gotham City, where he discovers he is well known in the Regime world, exclaiming; "My fame proceeds me!". Batman, having followed the Joker to Gotham, attempts to launch a surprise attack. Joker becomes aware of Batman's presence beforehand, and counters him, injuring Batman's leg.
Because of this, Joker defeated Batman and almost sprays him with Joker Venom. Just as Joker is about to "put a smile" on Batman's face, he spots alternate Hawkgirl and Yellow Lantern and runs off. Joker watches from afar as they arrest Batman and take him away. As the Joker retires to his original plan, he finds himself being approached at gunpoint by an altered Harley Quinn, now going by her real name, Harleen Quinzel.
Though he tries to persuade her that he is in fact, the Joker, Harleen insists that the Joker is dead, and that he is just another impostor. Outraged, Harleen attacks him, but is quickly subdued by him. Recognizing his fighting style, Harleen realizes he is the Joker and embraces him. The two then travel to the abandoned Arkham Asylum, where Harleen introduces Joker to the "Joker Clan", a large gang that worships Joker as a martyr, and combats the Regime through acts of terror.
The Joker addresses the Joker Clan, introducing the 5-U-93-R pill to them under the name "Happy Pill". This would provide him and the gang members with superhuman durability. The event is then cut short when Hawkgirl and Nightwing arrive with a fleet of Regime soldiers to attack the clan. The Joker is repeatedly shot with an assault rifle by a trooper, but survives and humorously thanks the "Happy Pill". Hawkgirl attacks the Joker, believing him to be the Joker from their world.
The Joker defeats Hawkgirl and attempts to remove her feathers with his knife. Nightwing/Damian Wayne notices this and quickly charges towards him. The Joker throws his playing cards at Damian, overpowering him. He proceeds to mock Nightwing for leaving Batman and becoming Superman's 'pet', believing him to still be Dick Grayson. A fight ensues, and Joker defeats Nightwing. Insurgency Batman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Green Arrow and Wonder Woman rush in, and both Hawkgirl and Nightwing were forced to retreat, thanks to Harley's call for help.
The group is surprised to see the Joker, which leads them to the conclusion that Batman was sent to the parallel dimension as well. Joker is apprehended by Insurgency Batman, who sees him just as evil as his counterpart. The Joker is later broken out of custody by Harley Quinn, despite her orders from Batman. The two of them hijack a Regime vehicle and confront Insurgency Lex Luthor on his way to assist the Insurgency forces against the Regime.
The Joker orders Harley to take down Luthor and take his suit, but she fails. Annoyed with her, the Joker fires Harley and attempts to kill her, but Luthor intervenes and subdues him. Enraged by his attempt on her life, Harley tries to kill the Joker with his knife, but Luthor convinces her to stand down, saying she's outgrown him. In addition, Harley Quinn ruined any chances at his gaining control when the Joker Clan arrived, citing that Lex Luthor was on their side while Joker wasn't.
In the epilogue, the Joker is shown being lead at gunpoint by Harley Quinn to the portal that will take him back to his dimension. There, he was likely convicted of the crimes he committed in both universes.
Arcade Ending[]
| “ | Though he had failed to elevate the Joker Clan's status, Joker was convinced a similar organization could be successful in his dimension. Joker used a series of devastating terrorist acts to frighten the populace, then convinced the more gullible among them that he was the path to security. The new Joker Clan soon had millions of members worldwide and committed regular anti-government attacks, wreaking havoc on the global economy. | „ |
| ~ Joker's non-canon Arcade Ending |
Joker becomes the leader of his own Joker Clan.
If Joker defeats Regime Superman in Arcade Mode, a non-canon ending will reveal that despite his failure to gain control of the Joker Clan in the alternate dimension, he decided to form a similar group in his original dimension, gathering millions of members by taking advantage of various disasters so as to manipulate them into believing that he is their "path" to bringing "order", becoming a sort of Messiah. Together with his newly-formed clan, they wreak havoc on the world by launching many terroristic acts on a regular basis, unleashing total chaos and destroying the global economy in the process.
Harley Quinn's Arcade Ending[]
| “ | The defeat of Superman filled Harley with confidence. She knew what she was capable of, and knew what she wanted. She travelled to the visitors' Earth and freed the Joker from prison. Returning to her world, they married in a ceremony that set Gotham ablaze. At the reception, the cake cutting ceremony took a gruesome turn. As her new husband playfully mashed her face into the cake, years of abuse took its toll. Something in Harley snapped. She used the ceremonial knife to cut Joker's throat. Still wearing her wedding gown, Harley now resides permanently in Arkham Asylum. | „ |
| ~ Harley Quinn's Arcade Ending. |
During Harley Quinn's own arcade ending, the Joker, while imprisoned in his own dimension, was broken out by the parallel dimension's Harley Quinn, who had defeated Regime Superman. She then returns to her dimension with him, and they soon married in a chaotic wedding ceremony. Unfortunately, during the wedding reception, things immediately turned sour when the Joker mashed her face into their wedding cake out of his own amusement. This made Harley snap, as she had had enough of all the abuse the Joker had inflicted on her, and she retaliated by slitting his throat with the ceremonial knife meant to cut the cake. While still wearing her wedding dress, Harley was soon arrested and confined to Arkham Asylum for the rest of her life.