Not Only Does The Joker Have A Real Name—He May Be Named After A Real Person
Think of a supervillain in comic books, and the Joker won’t be too far down anyone’s list.
Having long been the arch-enemy of Batman, the archetypal psychopath is one of the most recognizable in cinematic history, with his neon hair, white face, and an eerily wide smile.
But what do we really know about the identity behind the elusive character? Not much, it seems. And while Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy offered three different origin stories for the lore surrounding the Joker, no one knows which parts are true.
Recently, however, DC Comics decided to remove some of the mystique that has surrounded the character for decades by revealing his name.
Joker's real name is finally revealed: Jack Oswald White
— Startefacts (@startefacts_) September 7, 2022
In Flashpoint Beyond #5, the Flashpoint version of Martha Wayne, who became the Joker in her universe, revealed that she was told about the Joker in the main #DC Universe. â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/BEFm98kSPN
In the Flashpoint Beyond storyline, which takes place in an alternative universe unlike the original comics, the Joker is finally revealed as failed comedian Jack Oswald White, who works at Wayne Casino cleaning toilets.
As per Marca, although the Joker has gone by different names in the past, this is the first time “he’s been made canon in the comics.”
Interestingly, the musician Jake White has jokingly alluded that the Joker’s name could have been inspired by him, taking to Instagram to thank DC Comics for using his name.
“Though his hair is usually not as blue as mine, I still take it as a flattering gesture on their part and consider it an honor. It was a lonely journey through my life being the only person with that name until now,” he wrote.
Coincidence or not, will the real Jack White (please) stand up against Batman one day?
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[via WION and Marca, cover image via Balamuraly Pushparajah | Dreamstime.com]
