Detective Comics #5

[superfangirl1]

After his battle with the Dollmaker, Batman is trying to keep peace in an increasingly restless Gotham City. With the flesh from Joker’s face hanging in the Gotham City Police Department, many people believe that Batman has killed the Joker. This causes a lot of anti-Batman and even pro-Joker sentiment.









Meanwhile, news reporter Charlotte Rivers investigating a story on Gotham’s newly opened Iceberg Casino, runs afoul of the club’s villainous owner.

Comments

[icon_uk]

Not really stupid when you look around at the real world.

Consider how many neo-Nazi movements still exist, worshipping a man who masterminded REAL atrocities.

Or how much fan mail real serial killers get.

[mrstatham]

This. Doesn't Charles Manson have an awful lot of fans out there, somehow? People who believe that he's an innocent man, despite the fact I think he's never actually denied his role and his plotting, and has openly declared that 'if he got out, people would *really* start dying' or words to that effect. And people still idolise him. That alone says something.

[golden_orange]

There's not huge protest marches devoted to Charles Manson, though.

[mrstatham]

Well no, it's not a perfect spot on match, but Manson is a good comparison. The man still has people out in the world who are fans and claim he's done nothing wrong. That's what's going on here. You've got people idolising the Joker and claiming he's done nothing wrong.

[golden_orange]

Yeah, Manson has fans, I'm not disputing that, but this is what appears to be a protest movement; that's on a completely different level to someone sending a serial killer love letters.

I can buy that even the Joker would have some fanboys who flock to serial killers. That after everything he's done the Joker would have enough fans to form some kind of Occupy movement which could affect an election (even a local civic one), though, is something that frankly I find utterly ridiculous.

[golden_orange]

Fair enough, there's always idiots, but I refuse to believe there's these kinds of mainstream Occupy-style protests (which is the vibe I'm getting here) where everyone identifies with the serial killing mass-murderer; neo-Nazis and serial killer fanboys/girls tend to be marginalized.

[icon_uk]

This is Gotham, where being marginalised is probably mainstream.

[golden_orange]

Maybe, but I find it hard to believe that even in Gotham City the serial killer fanboy demographic is big enough that the Mayor needs their vote get elected. I mean, that would be completely surpassing even Sin City levels of completely irredeemably fucked-up.

Particularly since the Joker makes a point of killing lots of Gotham's residents.

[icon_uk]

That might be the other reason for the movement; sucking up the guy most likely to kill you might be seen as a smart move.

[golden_orange]

... Now I have to admit, that I can actually buy.

I'm not really getting the vibe of it here (from these scans it seems like a distinctly genuine outpouring of support rather than a less sincere "oh god oh god please don't kill us" form), but that would certainly be an interesting way to take it.

[janegray]

Not with the Joker it isn't. Sucking up to him would simply get you his attention, which is always an extremely bad thing.

Look how he treats Harley, how many times he has tried to murder her, and (supposedly) he actually likes her!

Even assuming that the average person is a dumbass, I find it hard to believe that after over a decade of Joker's killing sprees Gothamites still haven't realized that the only way to avoid getting killed by the Joker is to a)be Batman or b)hope he never notices you ever.

[vitruvian23]

Here's the thing, though - depending on exactly how many he's killed, there's a good chance that any given citizen of Gotham was related to or otherwise knew personally one of his victims... and however many fans Charlie Manson may have, I'd bet a substantial amount of money that there are no Tates among them.

[aeka]

I'm going to second this, by saying I agree.

I find people like that truly scary, sometimes even moreso than the actual serial killers since they have the potential to become one themselves. Why do people actually admire people like these, or are even fascinated by the idea of committing heinous atrocities onto another human being just floors me beyond all logic.

[benuben]

Sorry, but this isn't good comparsion.

The difference is, all these people in real world have something to offer, or atleast try to defend themselves. Hitler made Germany powerful and rich. He explained why he does these atrocities. He had good explanation for all these things. He explained, why they should attack other countries, why jews don't deserve basic rights, why people should believe him. If thats the case, I can by people standing behind villains like Norman Osborn.

Joker's explanation for doing what he does: "It's fun."

Joker never pretended he's victim of society (atleast not in public). He is very open about his motives. He personaly murdered children, because he though it was funny and he made jokes about it. There is NO reason, for anyone to think he has good reason for what he does.

[icon_uk]

Joker never pretended he's victim of society (atleast not in public)

IIRC The Joker HAS publicly used the "I am the logical outcome of the modern world, which drives everyone mad. I'm just more honest about it." line.

What he finds baffling about his killings is not why he find's it funny, it's why everyone else doesn't.

The Joker is the embodiment of the Id, he lives a life of total self-gratification, ALL the time. Some (disturbing) people might find that a valid POV.

Personality cults are weird things, and the Joker, if nothing else, has BAGS of personality.

[benuben]

Okay, what is IIRC? Seriously, I am new here.

I can see such personality cults forming later, but this? I am sorry, but Joker was there only for 6 years. And don't try to use Manson comparison. This version of joker killed more than one hundred people. But using your logic, I can kinda buy that there would be people like these idiots. However, if you really make people defend someone like Joker and make protests like this, you should explain their reasons more, than just "Mentaly ill are not criminals".

[salinea]

IIRC = abrevation of "If I recall correction"

[benuben]

Thanks.

[icon_uk]

It means "If I recall correctly", and welcome to s_d! :)

[benuben]

Thanks and thanks! And I am sorry for my horrible english in upcoming coments. Still learning.

[icon_uk]

Don't worry, so am I and I've been using it as a primary language for many, many, MANY years! :)