Ranking the 15 greatest DC Comics rivalries of all-time
1. Batman and Joker
The damage Joker caused to Batman’s life far exceeds what Lex did to Superman. There’s an argument to be made for Batman and Joker as the greatest rivalry in all of comics.
It started back in 1951 when DC Comics first introduced The Joker in The Man Behind the Red Hood. Before becoming the Clown Prince of Crime, the man without a name ran with the Red Hood Gang. While on the run from Batman, he leaped into a vat of acid; giving birth to The Joker.
So, it’s safe to say, Batman bears the responsibility of Joker’s existence. Batman indirectly created a man who lacks reason; his sole purpose is chaos. He does whatever he wants, whenever he wants and Batman, for better or worse, is there to stop him.
There are two epic moments in the pages of DC Comics that happened in 1988 cementing Joker and Batman’s rivalry. A rivalry that’s arguably the bloodiest in all of comics.
The first was in the Joker origin of sorts, Batman: The Killing Joke. Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s novel gives fans an in-depth look at how vile Joker is. After shooting and consequently paralyzing Barbara Gordon, he takes nude pictures of her. Then goes on to kidnap and torture her father, Jim Gordon.
When Batman finally catches him, the two share a laugh over a joke. Fan theories suggest The Dark Knight finally killed Joker, but we’ll never know for sure.
The next turning point in their rivalry saw the Joker brutally beat Jason Todd resulting in the young Robin’s death. Like any long-standing rivalry, it doesn’t stop there, though.
Next. Ranking every live-action Batman movie from worst to best. dark
It’s hard to top a rivalry that’s played out over all forums; shows, cartoons, and movies. For nearly 70-years these two have come face to face without an end in sight. Which makes their rivalry the best in DC Comics!