Absolute Joker’s Dark Secret Makes Batman Villain Even More Fearsome

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During the first year of the “Absolute Batman” series, the villain known as “Absolute Joker” remained largely enigmatic. We only knew he was a wealthy, private man involved in shady activities. But a recent story has uncovered a truth about his past that’s even more disturbing than what we already knew.

Scott Snyder wrote and Jock illustrated Absolute Batman #15, which delves into the origins of the Absolute Joker. The story reveals what Alfred Pennyworth, after years of secretly investigating him, has discovered. Alfred shares this history with Bruce Wayne, explaining that the Joker is actually Jack Grimm V, part of a wealthy family that made its fortune in entertainment. The original Jack Grimm, from the Victorian era, started as a clown before becoming a successful theater owner and known philanthropist. Having been an orphan himself, Jack Grimm I was particularly dedicated to supporting children’s charities.

The story frequently shifts between the past and scenes of Jack Grimm V on a hunting trip to one of his private, unexplored islands. Pennyworth believes Grimm uses these islands to imprison his rivals, later hunting them as a twisted game. While this is true, it’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true danger of Absolute Joker.

What is the dark secret of Absolute Joker?

When Absolute Joker finally finds who he’s been looking for, he transforms into a terrifying, dragon-like creature that still bears the Joker’s signature look. This transformation wasn’t a surprise, though – previews of the comic already showed Jack Grimm V’s true form. All the variant covers for Absolute Batman #15 featured this monstrous villain. The real shock comes earlier in the story: a man stranded on an island for over thirty years suddenly recognizes Jack Grimm V, even after decades of isolation.

As this unfolds, Pennyworth suggests that Jack Grimm I discovered a way to live forever, possibly through the orphans he aided. He isn’t sure if it involved magic or a twisted experiment, but he believes the Absolute Joker has become something not human and thrives on the pain of others.

The issue ends with a shocking reveal. Jack Grimm V goes back to his mansion in Gotham City, greeted by his faithful butler. He tells the butler he’s going “to the cave” and then disappears through a hidden passage behind a grandfather clock. In a darkly ironic twist—something The Joker would surely appreciate—he’s been reborn in the Absolute Universe as a twisted version of Bruce Wayne.

Absolute Batman #15 is now available at comic shops everywhere.

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2025-12-10 19:18