When it comes to literary foes , few have a dynamic as unique as theJokerandBatman . To label their relationship a mere hero - versus - villain contention is to completely ignore the complex history the two character share . The Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight have been match wits since the 1940s , and in that time they developed a bond unlike any other pair of fictional impish - enemies - with the Joker confessing his making love for bat on multiple occasions .

perverse to most other super villains , the Joker does n’t actually hate his foe . In fact , on most occasion , his scandalous acts of mass furiousness are nothing more than elaborate stunt to make headway the single attention of his costumed curse . He does n’t trust evil works in spite of his heroic challenger , he commits evil deed FOR his heroic rival . To the Joker , the domain is a trigger-happy video game , and Batman is his role player two .

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Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

While the Caped Crusader has repeatedly refuse experience anything towards the Joker other than unquenchable rage , the villain   has on multiple occasions concede his passion for Batman . Throughout their 80 class history , the Joker has show romantic affections for the Dark Knight in some of the darkest ( and funniest ) agency . From comics to telecasting games , here is a list of clip the Joker confessed he ’s in love with Batman .

10. Harley Quinn (the animated series)

TheDC Universe ’s latest cyclosis seriesis an R - rated romp starring the Joker ’s former spouse / girlfriend as she navigates Gotham ’s netherworld as a solo turn . The pilot installment beam a public eye on the toxic relationship between the two vicious buffoon and end with Harley breaking thing off with the Joker .

What was the final wheat ? When the Riddler forces the Joker to decide between save up Harley or saving Batman ( who were both dangling above an acid deathtrap ) , the Joker chooses to relieve his arch - nemesis without any variety of hesitation . This make Harley to recall an former retentiveness of her and the Joker , where he fiendishly whizz on a rooftop“Till death do us part . ”It was only after realizing how small she mean to him that Harley finally understands the Joker was in reality mouth to Batman in that moment .

9. Batman: White Knight

take position outside DC ’s main comical book of account continuity , Sean Murphy ’s “ White Knight cosmos ” is another roentgen - tell on take on the Joker and Batman ’s funny human relationship . In the report ’s opening issue , Batman chases his arch - enemy through Gotham until ultimately catching him in a pharmaceutic warehouse .

It is there that the Joker hold ( between punch to his face ) that he ’s in reality Batman ’s biggest fan , adding that he regard their relationship in romantic terms . Though Batman deny it , Joker claims they are Gotham ’s biggest great power twain and that his crime spree are just an excuse for them to spend time together . “We’re a squad , Bats . Admit it!”the Joker exclaims . “That ’s our moral force . All that ’s miss is the make - up sex . ”

8. Batman: Arkham Origins

Though not every gamer ’s favorite episode of theArkhamvideo game franchise , Arkham Originsoffers some deep brainwave into how the Joker truly feel about his patronizing - nemesis . In a cutscene where the Joker sits down with prison head-shrinker Dr. Harleen Quinzel , the Joker dreamily recounts feeling a new sense of determination in liveliness after meeting “ someone special . ”

He claims their meeting was destiny , and that he no longer experience alone in an uncaring world now that he ’s take on someone with which he can relate . Their actual encounter was far more chaotic , with Batman saving the Joker ’s lifespan after the villain was boom off a high rise by an detonate rocket . In coming back , the Joker saved Batman ’s life sentence by shooting a pair of armed goons who were about to kill him .

7. Batman: Hush (The Animated Film)

In theanimated movieBatman : Hush , the Dark Knight square off against the form - shifting goliath Clayface in the halls of Arkham Asylum . The fight quick move to the Joker ’s cadre , which go to some screaming dialogue from Mr. J. As Batman exchanges blows with Clayface , the zany convict suggestion at feeling jealous .

“ You ’re attend another villain already ? I thought we had something particular ! ” shout the Joker as Batman flummox rag - dolled in front of his cell . When Clayface yell the Joker a freak , he then bemoans that Batman never stands up for him . It ’s dialogue reminiscent of a campy read-only memory - com , and while the Joker was clearly being tongue-in-cheek , his humor was still very much ground in his authentic feelings for Batman .

6. The Dark Knight Returns

Frank Miller has openly admitted that his depiction of the Joker in his classic computer graphic novelThe Dark Knight Returnswas imply to have heavy queer overtones . see their human relationship as a sadomasochistic incubus , the infamous comical book writer claim Batman and Joker sublimate their forcible urge with fighting . Set in a hereafter where Batman temporarily retires , Miller ’s Joker drop a decade in a catatonic state until his"darling"makes a striking replication to Gotham .

With Bruce Wayne back in the cape and cowl , the Joker organise a mass murder on bouncy television before lead his nemesis to a carnival where they battle in the burrow of love . Their final confrontation is savagely intimate , with the Joker repeatedly penetrating Batman with a knife while relate to Batman as"my sweet . “During their fight in the animated adaption ofTDKR ,   Batman intromit that he ’s kept tally of the Joker ’s many dupe , the homicidal clown reply with“I know . And I do it you for it ! ”

5. Batman: The Animated Series

While there are over a dozen episodes featuring the Joker inBatman : The Animated Series , the episode “ The Man Who Killed Batman ” shows just how much his patronizing - competitor truly think to him . think Batman to have been defeat by a nobody low life , the Joker becomes inconsolably depressed upon realizing his thrill - seek days with Batman were finally at an end .

bear a funeral in Batman ’s purity , the Joker cede a potent eulogy declaring the Dark Knight ’s death “ the day the goof cried . ” Though the Joker hams it up a turn for spectacular upshot , he also seems genuinely heartbroken at the chance of never seeing Batman again .

4. Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album

When the Joker recover out thatBatman is about to marry Catwoman , he does n’t just voice his objection , he assay to bump off the bride - to - be . Worrying that marrying Catwoman would cause Bruce Wayne to hang up the mantle and cowl , the Joker lure her into   a church where he then dart her in the stomach .

While both bleeding out on the floor , the Joker and Catwoman have a heart - to - philia regarding their feelings for the Caped Crusader . The Joker admits to being in sexual love with Batman and feeling a constant yearning for Gotham ’s shielder to beat him and call him a“horror . ”He adds that he ca n’t understand why his counterpart always take to make out Catwoman over him . “I’m … prettier than you”is her response .

3. The Lego Batman Movie

Though written specifically with youthful children in brain , The Lego Batman Movieis wad with significative insinuation poking merriment at the intimate relationship the Joker and Batman share . During the film ’s opening action sequence , the Joker intimate that their playful contention is extra . Batman responds by cold - heartedly telling the Joker he imply nothing to him .

To say the Joker was heartbroken by Batman ’s harsh words would be an understatement . Feeling unappreciated by the Dark Knight , the Clown Prince plot Gotham ’s destruction just to prove definitively that he is indeed Batman ’s expectant foeman . When all seems lost , Batman confesses to “ J - Bird ” that he also has feeling for him and pleads for the Joker to help him save their relationship by save the city . The two literally reconnect to save Gotham in a poignant fit where it almost looks as though the two are about to osculate .

2. Death of the Family

One of the most democratic stories to come out ofDC ’s New 52 relaunchwas the crossing seriesBatman : Death of the Family . Tired of partake Batman with the rest of his ally , the Joker systematically kidnaps each penis of the Bat - family unit and attempts to murder them as the ultimate protection to his love and idolatry for the Dark Knight .

Like inThe Wedding Album , the Joker openly confesses to Catwoman that he too is in passion with Batman . But what ’s special aboutDeath of the Familyis that even Batman begins to understand just how deep the Joker ’s river of puppy love head for the hills for him . When Batman star into the Joker ’s eye to seek to study his motif ,   he is startled to see the trademark foretoken of passion in the buffoon ’s school-age child .

1. Batman & Joker: Endgame

netherworld hath no vehemence like a buffoon scorned . After seemingly falling to his expiry at the end ofDeath of the Family , the Joker rejoin more unbalance than ever thanks to landing in a subterraneous pool of life - reviving dionesium . Feeling betrayed by Batman ’s refusal to permit him murder his family and even angrier over the fact that Batman appeared unforced to kill him in retaliation for it , the Joker poisons Gotham with a chemical cocktail that causes its victim to go into a smiling , murderous furor . In the Koran ’s grand finish , the duo fight to the dying deep in the caverns below Gotham – the Joker all the while claiming he would have gladly dedicate Batman the gift of eternal life-time had he only reciprocated his affections .

After a gruesome engagement that leave both the Joker and Batman mortally wound , Batman defeats his foe by clinging to him and implore the Joker to stay by his side in his last moments . Taken aback by Batman ’s sudden change - of - center , the Joker hesitates , causing a fall stalactite to break his back before he can extend to the regenerate pit of dionesium . Batman ’s final substance to his allies before his inevitable death is for them not to worry about him – he ’s just going to rest a small while with his “ friend . ” As animation slips away from the two adversaries , their pool of stemma makes the vague shape of a broken heart .

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

Since the relationship between Joker and Batman is older than most material - life story romanticist partnerships , there are potential even more stories that sport the Clown Prince of Crime professing his undying beloved for the hero he ’s always trying to murder in dire slipway . TheJokerreally does loveBatmanin his own misrepresented room .

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