The worlds of cinema and comics collide in official DC cover art that pictures The Dark Knight with a Joaquin Phoenix Joker-inspired makeover.

Comics and cinema collide as Batman receives a Joaquin Phoenix Joker-inspired makeover for an upcoming comic. With the release of Joker: Folie à Deux fast approaching, it’s understandable that references to the new movie are popping up in unrelated DC content, amplifying the excitement for it with artistic Easter eggs that are as enjoyable to discover as they are to dissect.

On June 25, 2024, Detective Comics #1086 by Ram V. and Javier Fernández will finally hit comic shelves. While this release date may still feel distant, the synopsis and accompanying art are sure to help tide fans over as they wait to get their hands on a copy.

DETECTIVE COMICS #1086 (2024)

Release Date:
June 25, 2024

Writers:
Ram V.

Artists:
Javier Fernández

Cover Artist:
Evan Cagle

Variant Covers:
Seb McKinnon & Sebastián Fiumara

An unexpected villain has made an appearance in Gotham, trailing chaos, destruction, and horror in their wake. Now, as chaos tears a bloody gash through the sinister order of the Orghams’ Gotham, Batman is the city’s only hope for salvation. But is the city too far gone for even the Dark Knight to save it?

Particularly noteworthy of the solicitation is Sebastián Fiumara’s variant cover for the comic. This contribution is stunning as it pictures a somber-looking statue of The Dark Knight graffitied in bright colors, with the inclusion of joker makeup that mimics that of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker.

Graffiti Transforms Statue Batman Into Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker

Like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker makeup, the Batman statue dons red and blue makeup reminiscent of a circus clown’s aesthetic with painted-on, overly raised eyebrows, a red nose, and an exaggerated smile that is synonymous with the Joker in almost every iteration of the character. I

n addition, two azure triangles frame each eye, forming a diamond-like encasing that adds to the eerie clown aesthetic. Splashes of vivid colors paint the statue, with a red smiley face emblazoned on the bat symbol on its chest, subtly mocking The Dark Knight while paying homage to Phoenix’s Joker portrayal.

With Joker: Folie à Deux set to release on October 4, 2024, it will be interesting to see if any more homages will be made to the impending movie in the realm of comics. Even more intriguing is the possibility of a comic prelude for the movie.

DC has recently engaged in mixed media ventures, providing various projects with their own comic preludes, such as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. So it’s not a far reach to speculate that Joker: Folie à Deux may also be in the running for a comic prelude.

Ram V.’s Detective Comics #1086 Will Be a Particularly Somber Issue

Fiumara’s graffitied Batman exudes a particularly somber aura, despite, or perhaps because of, the clown makeup. There’s an inherent sadness in seeing a cold, unfeeling stone version of Batman, meant to be a tribute, so thoroughly vandalized.

McKinnon’s variant cover, portraying Batman walking through a graveyard with a weeping angel statue looming above, further amplifies the somber mood of the issue. Paired with the synopsis “Batman is the city’s only hope for salvation. But is the city too far gone for even the Dark Knight to save it?” it’s unmistakable that this Batman narrative will take on a darker tone.