For some, screams in the night are terrifying.  But for the residents in Gotham, hearing maniacal laughter in the night, is perhaps the most terrifying thing they could hear.  The Joker brings terror to Gotham.  Even though Batman may not admit it, he is scared of what The Joker could do.  From his unpredictability, his disregard for humanity, cruel toys all the way to his under estimated IQ, The Joker brings a lot of horrifying methods to how he brings chaos.  His devilish smile brings terror all on its own.  But the level of terror The Joker brings, is going to ramp up pretty soon.  The Absolute Universe in DC is on hot streak right now.  This universe has reimaged a lot of classic characters to an extreme.  Heroes and villains have received major and obvious changes.  Some were quickly revealed.  Others, have had their reveal built up.  The Joker, in the Absolute Universe, has had his arrival slowly approach to something big.  From the moment he was teased, fans were excited to see where this version of the Clown Prince of Crime would be heading.  And in just a short amount time, fans will see a devilish version of their favorite villainous clown.

The Absolute Universe is an extreme, really bold reimaging of DC characters and lore.  It has some shades of the approach that the 90s had with comic books.  But the approach the Absolute universe has is a bit tamed and fit for specific storytelling.  Absolute Batman was a great introduction into this new universe, giving readers a taste and a foundation in what to expect from Absolute.  But one thing that fans wanted more of right away, was a further reveal of this universe’s Joker.  The first issue of Absolute Batman ending with a tease for The Joker.  He was inside some type of chamber with an assistant of his.  He was being informed of what was happening in Gotham.  He was fully aware of it and asked for Bane.  It was not what he did but more of how he looked that peaked fans’ interest.  He did appear like a classic interpretation of the character; pale skin, green hair, lengthy limbs, and his trademark smile.  However, he was draped with a cloth that appeared to be made of skinless infants.  Speculation really spiked! Fans’ familiarity was totally twisted.  After that tease, demand for this Joker was in high demand.  It was a great way to start the build-up for Absolute Joker.

Speculation only built up when it was revealed that this Joker is actually rich, juxtaposing Batman, who is stripped from his wealth.  And, completely absent from his classic look of a sinister clown.  No smile, no green hair, no pale skin.  An ordinary man.  Then the mystery only deepened when Joker received that name as a contradiction.  Joker, does not laugh, doesn’t even smile.  People noticed and gave him the name ironically.  So, he is a version of The Joker that is stripped from what makes him famous, or infamous.  That stirred more interest.

What pushed interest to an all time high, was the reveal of The Joker’s main form in this universe.  This Absolute Joker is not the clown that everyone knows him as.  This Joker is a terrifying hybrid of Pennywise, a Wendigo and a demon.  Joker’s true form is about twenty feet tall.  His limbs alone are about the same height as Absolute Batman.  He can open his mouth wide like Venom or Pennywise, with just as many teeth.  He has horns and a tail to boot.  When this was revealed, fans were quick to approve it.  Perhaps taken by surprise to how radical, how demonic The Joker looks.  But instead of disapproving this drastic look, fans were quick to welcome it through emotional support for Absolute Batman.  Fans began to wonder if Gotham is worth saving at that point.  Demanding for Batman to disregard his no kill rule.  And were worried for his mother – who is still alive in this universe – since it was said The Joker is far worse than Absolute Bane, who nearly killed Bruce’s childhood friends.  Many thought The Joker would go after her.  Since his reveal, that form has yet to be in an issue but his reputation is ever expanding.  More art has revealed Absolute Joker in different angles.  Some character details have also built up the infamy.  Needless to say, fans are anticipating the moment when Absolute Joker is finally seen in the story.

Then there are theories about The Joker’s signature laugh.  Again, The Joker is given his name ironically because he does not laugh.  Recently, some villains in this universe had a meeting.  This group is called the Justice League, serving as yet again another irony.  The human form of the Joker and Ra’s al Ghul are members of this team.  As their meeting came to end, Ra’s al Ghul, looking worried, looked right at The Joker then practically begged him not to laugh.  That has fueled some speculation that this Joker doesn’t laugh because he can’t laugh unless he wants to turn into a demon.  Fans have come the theory that once The Joker begins to laugh, he will transform into the monstrous form.  If that were true, the moment he begins to change would be perhaps be one of the best moments in recent comic book history.  A lot of support is already behind this Joker.  A lot of mystery still surrounds him.  That makes anticipation high.  Since the writers have been doing a great job in this universe, there is no doubt from The Joker’s first chuckle to him becoming the monster, will be absolute cinema.

Absolute Joker is inevitable.  His arrival is coming and it’s building up to be the best event in recent comic book history.  With each new pieces of insight to this version, be it a variant cover or a small detail about his character, it just adds fuel to the fire of anticipation.  The comic book community is in a state of excitement  because of how well done this lead up has been.  Small pieces here.  Small pieces there.  But each reveal has maximized, has truly capitalized on the small time that it had been given.  Not too much has been revealed at a time.  Which is a great way to create exciting expectation.  Absolute Joker is just around the corner and his arrival will make waves that travel well beyond Gotham and into readers’ amusement.