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Batman: Elseworlds
Batman: Dark Joker the Wild
It is a forest full of mystery, enchantment... and unspeakable evil. Here, two foes join in terrible battle. One, The Dark Joker, is a demented sorcerer who lives to cause suffering; the other, the eerie Bat-man, is a malformed outcast with a terrible secret.
92 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Doug Moench
2,077 books123 followersDoug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok. Moench has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics and many other smaller companies; he has written hundreds of issues of many different comics, and created dozens of characters, such as Moon Knight. In 1973, Moench became the de facto lead writer for the Marvel black-and-white magazine imprint Curtis Magazines. He contributed to the entire runs of Planet of the Apes, Rampaging Hulk (continuing on the title when it changed its name to The Hulk!) and Doc Savage, while also serving as a regular scribe for virtually every other Curtis title during the course of the imprint's existence. Moench is perhaps best known for his work on Batman, whose title he wrote from 1983–1986 and then again from 1992–1998. (He also wrote the companion title Detective Comics from 1983–1986.)
Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy. The pair are probably best known for their work on Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, which they worked on together from 1974–1977. They also co-created Six from Sirius, Slash Maraud, and S.C.I. Spy, and have worked together on comics projects featuring Batman, Conan the Barbarian and James Bond.
Moench has frequently been paired with the artist and inker team of Kelley Jones and John Beatty on several Elseworlds Graphic Novels and a long run of the monthly Batman comic.
Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy. The pair are probably best known for their work on Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, which they worked on together from 1974–1977. They also co-created Six from Sirius, Slash Maraud, and S.C.I. Spy, and have worked together on comics projects featuring Batman, Conan the Barbarian and James Bond.
Moench has frequently been paired with the artist and inker team of Kelley Jones and John Beatty on several Elseworlds Graphic Novels and a long run of the monthly Batman comic.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 22, 2017
not so good
November 19, 2016
Doug Moench and Kelly Jones bring us an Elseworld tale of the Batman. The son of two sorcerors, whose parents were killed by the Dark Joker.
In this medieval world, many of the villages are built in the trees, having little contact with each other. The attacks by the Joker and his demons goes unnoticed by most until it is too late. A pretty brutal tale of betrayal and mistrust. A different take on the origin of the Batman and his battle with his arch-foe.
In this medieval world, many of the villages are built in the trees, having little contact with each other. The attacks by the Joker and his demons goes unnoticed by most until it is too late. A pretty brutal tale of betrayal and mistrust. A different take on the origin of the Batman and his battle with his arch-foe.
October 18, 2020
An Elseworlds story in which the evil sorcerer known as the Dark Joker kills his enemies Majister and Lilandra, only to be confronted decades later by their offspring, the Bat-Man.
This book is freakin' weird.
I know that the Elseworlds line was an opportunity to explore alternate versions of familiar characters, but Moench has taken a real leap off the deep end with this. Set in a pseudo-medieval fantasy setting, here we're presented with a Joker who's not insane, just sadistic and enjoys eating the brains out of the decapitated skulls of his enemies. We also get a Batman who is literally a man-sized bat and his sister who is a woman that can transform into a cat.
This isn't so much an alternate version of the Batman mythos as it is a mistranslation of it (it's like the Japanese Spider-Man who goes by Supaidaman and has a giant robot). Honestly, only the town official Jaymes has any character correlation with who he's based on.
Had this been a completely original dark fantasy tale it might've had something going for it but the weirdly interpreted Batman elements mean that it doesn't work on any level.
Some nice artwork though.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
This book is freakin' weird.
I know that the Elseworlds line was an opportunity to explore alternate versions of familiar characters, but Moench has taken a real leap off the deep end with this. Set in a pseudo-medieval fantasy setting, here we're presented with a Joker who's not insane, just sadistic and enjoys eating the brains out of the decapitated skulls of his enemies. We also get a Batman who is literally a man-sized bat and his sister who is a woman that can transform into a cat.
This isn't so much an alternate version of the Batman mythos as it is a mistranslation of it (it's like the Japanese Spider-Man who goes by Supaidaman and has a giant robot). Honestly, only the town official Jaymes has any character correlation with who he's based on.
Had this been a completely original dark fantasy tale it might've had something going for it but the weirdly interpreted Batman elements mean that it doesn't work on any level.
Some nice artwork though.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
November 28, 2019
Inoffensive if unspectacular one off from the Elseworlds line, by the same team who did those Batman/Dracula Elseworlds story. Essentially transplants Joker, Gordon, Batman and his parents into a medieval fantasy realm and lets go with a standard riff on that concept. Feels somewhat Dark Tower inspired. Nice art, easy read.
November 21, 2024
The pitch of this elseworld comic dc comic one shot of “what if batman and joker were written in the style of a lord dunsany fantasy story with dark magic and might” is a very cool one! One that largely makes up for a couple of its shortcomings here in there at points in this comic!
That being said I loved the art in this and the writing is serviceable enough for what it sets out to do!
That being said I loved the art in this and the writing is serviceable enough for what it sets out to do!
July 6, 2022
7/10
I really liked this Esleworld. The medieval setting is fun to explore and the Joker as a dark sorcerer is a cool concept. Batman himself could have been done better in my opinion but I enjoyed the story.
I really liked this Esleworld. The medieval setting is fun to explore and the Joker as a dark sorcerer is a cool concept. Batman himself could have been done better in my opinion but I enjoyed the story.
February 24, 2020
La historia es tan grotesca y absurda que no puedo ponerle más de dos estrellas, a pesar del arte de Kelley Jones. Otro elseworld desechable
April 3, 2020
Just imagine if Doug Moench actually let Kelley Jones's art tell some of the story for once instead of narrating every last inch.
January 17, 2021
I liked this one quite a bit. A dark and bizarre Elseworlds story. Moench and Jones are a great Batman team.
October 23, 2021
Just no.
January 14, 2022
This comic is just all kinds of wild.
October 11, 2025
The joker looks different in every panel bro. But cool concept
November 26, 2012
Written by Doug Moench. Art by Kelley Jones and John Beatty. In this Elseworlds tale, the sorcerer known as the Dark Joker battle endlessly against the macabre creature known as the Bat-Man for the fate of all mankind.
Bat-Man is a fearsome winged creature who is half man and half beast. He is the child of two sorcerers named Majister and Lilandra who created him in the hopes that he would be able to defeat their greatest enemy, the Dark Joker. His parents were murdered shortly after his own birth, and he grew up in solitude as an untamed monster living in the wilderness and feeding off animals. At the time when Joker had almost reached his maximum power, Batman learned he had an older sister named Saressa and she taught him and cultured him so he could live up to his destiny. Shortly afterward she perished in battle against Dark Joker and he swore revenge for his family. Batman made an alliance with the people of hightown and their leader Jaymes to fight the villain's demonic armies before they took over the entire area. In the climactic battle, as their forces clashed, Batman had an epic confrontation with the Dark Joker and beat him physically before throwing him to his death from a great height and splattering his brains. Having avenged his loved ones, Batman makes it clear that he will always be there to fight evil and they should signal him if they ever need him again. Then he flies off ambiguously into the night.
This character exists within an Elseworlds continuity, and as such is not a part of the mainstream DC Universe; they may also exist within the 52 Multiverse.
Bat-Man is a fearsome winged creature who is half man and half beast. He is the child of two sorcerers named Majister and Lilandra who created him in the hopes that he would be able to defeat their greatest enemy, the Dark Joker. His parents were murdered shortly after his own birth, and he grew up in solitude as an untamed monster living in the wilderness and feeding off animals. At the time when Joker had almost reached his maximum power, Batman learned he had an older sister named Saressa and she taught him and cultured him so he could live up to his destiny. Shortly afterward she perished in battle against Dark Joker and he swore revenge for his family. Batman made an alliance with the people of hightown and their leader Jaymes to fight the villain's demonic armies before they took over the entire area. In the climactic battle, as their forces clashed, Batman had an epic confrontation with the Dark Joker and beat him physically before throwing him to his death from a great height and splattering his brains. Having avenged his loved ones, Batman makes it clear that he will always be there to fight evil and they should signal him if they ever need him again. Then he flies off ambiguously into the night.
This character exists within an Elseworlds continuity, and as such is not a part of the mainstream DC Universe; they may also exist within the 52 Multiverse.
February 24, 2011
doug moench has that great talent to write batman stories that at once totally screw with the mythology, while also feeling right at home in the dc universe. and a dark fantasy arc featuring dark joker as an evil sorcerer and the batman as a half-formed beast of the forest left for dead upon the slaying of his magical parents fits that bill perfectly. completed with kelley jones' drawing, perfect for the tone. and i swear, todd klein is the best letterer in the business. awesome multiverse story
September 3, 2012
One of the first of the longer Elsewords graphic novels. An interesting idea, but in the end is more style of substance. The art is beautiful, but the story is a little too 'fantasy' for it's own good.
July 5, 2016
Moench and Jones teamed up before they struck gold with the Batman / Dracula Elseworlds books. This is kind of a dark fairy tale. Batman is a true Bat-Man created to destroy the wizard Joker. The story doesn't make much sense and doesn't really work.
December 18, 2010
Storyline ok but a bit dire. Didn't like it.
May 31, 2012
It got better as it went along. Kelley Jones is one of my all-time favourite artists.
January 17, 2022
This is truly an Elseworlds book.
It is an engaging story.
The art is brilliant.
It's uncomfortable.
It's a great story, but not for the more innocent.
It is an engaging story.
The art is brilliant.
It's uncomfortable.
It's a great story, but not for the more innocent.
November 22, 2012
Actually really liked this one. This is the kind of content DC needs to be optioning for a new Batman film. Such a mixture of canonical elements with high fantasy is pretty invigorating.
October 26, 2014
There really is something off when Batman becomes more of an Etrigan rather than a Constantine, given any magic-related Elseworlds creation.
February 12, 2016
An OK batman story. I did not enjoy the art used for this book. Recommended
October 19, 2013
Couldn't even finish this one. The art is stellar but the story and writing are redunkulous.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews