Jokerz
| Jokerz | |
|---|---|
Promotional image of Batman Beyond featuring the street gang Jokerz, with the new Batman in pursuit.
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Batman Beyond |
| Created by |
Paul Dini (writer) Bruce Timm (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Member(s) | see below |
The Jokerz is the name of a fictional street gang in the DC animated universe featured in Batman Beyond. The elements of the Jokerz later crossed over into the mainstream comics.
The Jokerz are a notorious street gang 35 years in the future of Gotham City that take their inspiration from the super-villain Joker, who had mysteriously disappears for decades following his final battle with the original Batman. They tend to dress in clownish costumes and make-up, as did their namesake, but have none of the style or humor of the original. However, they are occasionally clashed with the Dark Knight's successor, and his allies.
The Jokerz are known to be rivals of another street gang known as the T's.
In the animated series Batman Beyond, Batman battled different versions of the gang on several occasions. In a Justice League Unlimited episode the member Ghoul stated that there are 9,453 active Jokerz that are divided into approximately 200 separate groups (however, it is likely that the proliferation of the Jokerz membership is due to Chronos' manipulation of the time stream).
There have been three featured groups of the Jokerz:
In the series episode "Joyride" the Jokerz are shown initiating a new member. The initiation involves an abandoned mineshaft. During the sequence the leader of the group shines a flashlight toward the bottom of the shaft. When the bottom of the shaft is illuminated the viewer is shown a close up of a skeleton. The remains of the skeleton's clothing are purple with a white flower over its chest, suggesting that it may belonged to the Joker.
In the comic book series Batman Beyond Unlimited, it is revealed that Doug Tan (The brother of Dana Tan, Terry McGinnis' girlfriend) becomes the leader of the Jokerz gang. Tan declares himself as the Joker King, leading the Jokerz to cause chaos in the Neo-Gotham City, intending to follow the Joker's footsteps but ultimately killed following the first and last battle with Batman and his allies.
In the mainstream comics, Dick Grayson (who was operating as Batman at the time) encountered a gang called the Jokerz which is led by a man impersonating the real Joker.
The first group of Jokerz was introduced in the series premiere "Rebirth", committing petty pranks and harassment before being framed for the murder of Terry's father. They have appeared throughout the series since.
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Wikipedia