While the main universe Joker gets his kicks tormenting Batman, an alternate version lives on an Earth so unbelievably demented, he's forced to take up the mantle of the Dark Knight. The story Batman: I, Joker is set in a distant future where Gotham has become overrun with a cult that worships the stories of Batman and his rogues gallery. The sect is run by a leader so oppressive, the most unlikely candidate rises up to free Gotham from his tyrannical rule.

Batman: I, Joker comes from the creative team of Bob Hall, Lee Loughridge, and Albert DeGuzman. An Elseworlds title, the tale takes place in a non-canon future where Batman is regarded as a figure of legend by the Church of Batman. The most holy day for the community is the Night of Blood, an event where ordinary citizens who have been involuntary altered and brainwashed to resemble Batman's classic foes are hunted down by the church's despotic leader, The Bruce.

Related: The Next Batman is Getting His Own Joker After Moving to New York

The man selected for the most villainous role in the Dark Knight's canon is Joe Collins, the leader of a resistance group aiming to take down the Church. Collins and his girlfriend, Marya, attempt to disrupt the cult's tradition until they are captured by The Bruce, who has Joe surgically altered to fill in as the Joker for the Night of Blood. Collins escapes with enough of his personality left to give him a fighting chance in taking down the Church of Batman for good. Having previously discovered the remnants of the Batcave, the new Joker stumbles upon a recording by the original Batman who urges whoever finds his message to take up the mantle and save Gotham. Despite looking like Gotham's worst nightmare, Joe dons a Batsuit and overthrows The Bruce, taking Marya on as his sidekick to rekindle the partnership of Batman and Robin once more.

I Joker Future Batman DC Comics

Though he isn't the original Joker, Collins does indeed look and act like him, albeit with just enough humanity to do the right thing. And while he may never be able to return to his old self, he becomes the savior that the future Gotham truly needed. The legend of Batman had been perverted to the point that one man was able to justify manhunts in order to suppress dissension and retain his power in the church. Ironically, seeing Batman's fight for justice and order be corrupted so badly is exactly the kind of thing that would fit the original Joker's dark sense of humor. In that regard, the idea of a heroic Joker being the only one who could stand up to a tyrannical Batman is the most logical thing about this twisted future.

The opposing forces of Batman and Joker are one of the few constants in the DC Universe, so when one went bad, it was only natural that the other went good. But unless Batman decides to switch sides, don't expect the standard Joker to be wearing the cape and cowl anytime soon.

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