The Joker is no stranger to killing sprees, but his most outlandish one just so happens to be the villain's smartest method of escape. Joker: Last Laugh #1 reveals the clever plan that incorporates the Clown Prince of Crime's proficiency in murder.
The city of Gotham is beset by plenty of murderers and maniacs helping cultivate the dangerous atmosphere that Gotham is known for. But no one is as feared or excels in the art of killing like the Joker. Since he first came onto the scene, ready to challenge his beloved Batman, Joker has been haunting Gotham with his demented gags, leading trails of bodies wherever he goes. It's hard to say just how many people the Joker has killed exactly, but what's known is that he has no qualms about ending anyone's life. Not to mention, the Joker is one to push himself and find new, creative ways to kill innocent people.
One Joker Victim Is Also The Villain's Cleverest Act
But the Harlequin of Hate outdid himself when it came to one of his victims, and it may have been the most ingenious applications of his ‘talents’. In Joker’s Last Laugh #1 by Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty, and Pete Woods, the Joker has just found out that he has an inoperable tumor and his time is limited. Rather than take his diagnosis lying down, the clown springs into action with a plan and immediately riles up the maximum security facility he’s incarcerated in. As the prisoners riot, Joker finds the small-time villain Multi-Man and confirms that the villain has the ability to gain a new power every time he dies. Joker proceeds to murder Multi-Man over seventy times until he gains the ability to burn through walls, aiding Joker's escape plan.
It goes without saying that when it comes to racking up body counts, the Joker has a good number under his belt. But this is probably one of the few times he’s gone on a killing spree with only one person involved. Not only that, to make sure Multi-Man came back with a different power, Joker had to murder his fellow prisoner a different way every time, meaning Joker found seventy-seven different ways to kill someone in a time-crunch. It’s an absolutely ghoulish thought, but it’s actually one of the most brilliant plans the Joker may have pulled off.
Even Joker Can Have Moments Of Brilliance
Most look at the Joker and don’t see a planner. The Joker loves creating chaos and improvisation, things that don’t exactly gel with long-term planning. But while Joker loves killing people for a gag, he’s nothing if not dedicated to his work. So when he discovered the secret to launching a successful escape lied in repeatedly killing someone, of course he would relish the opportunity. Not only is there an element of black comedy to the situation, it’s the chance for him to show that his ‘skills’ can even be used in a clever way. The Joker’s one-man massacre is horrifying, but a surprisingly smart ploy from a devious mind like his.