Barry Keoghan's Joker Draws Comparisons to New 52 Death of the Family Joker

The Joker and Batman have crossed paths across many different forms of media, with the latest coming in the feature film The Batman. Director Matt Reeves recently released a deleted scene of Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight and Barry Keoghan's Joker, with the two having a conversation in Arkham Asylum. There's already been lots of reaction to the five-minute-long deleted scene, with Keoghan expressing he has "no words" after seeing his Clown Prince of Crime all over social media. Fans have already started comparing the look of The Batman's Joker to the one introduced in The New 52 DC Comics event "Death of the Family."

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo were the creative team behind 2012's "Death of the Family" crossover in the Batman family of titles. It featured The Joker attempting to systematically take out Batman's supporting cast of characters such as Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Commissioner Jim Gordon. It also takes its name from 1988's controversial "A Death in the Family" which concluded with Joker murdering Jason Todd.

One of the big visual takeaways from "Death of the Family" was Joker's face. He had his face removed while an inmate at Arkham Asylum and hung up on his cell wall. When he later went to reattach his face to his body, it was loose-fitting, making Joker look even more sinister than he normally does. Keoghan as The Joker favors "Death of the Family" Joker from a distance, and fans were quick to call it out on social media.

Reeves decided to include Joker in The Batman to help flesh out and establish his version of Gotham City as one already in the process of seeing Batman's rogues gallery take shape:

"It's not an Easter egg scene," Reeves told Variety. "It's not one of those end credits Marvel or DC scenes where it's going, like, 'Hey, here's the next movie!' In fact, I have no idea when or if we would return to that character in the movies. I thought it'd be really neat if so much of the fabric of Gotham just already existed."

"...I never was trying to say like, 'Hey, guess what, here's the Joker. Next movie!'" he added. "The idea was more to say, 'Hey, look, if you think that trouble is going to go away in Gotham, you can forget it. It's already here. And it's already delicious.'"

You can read the fan reaction comparing The Batman's Joker to The New 52 "Death of the Family" Joker below.

Getting Death of the Family Joker Vibes

Holy shit this gives me Death of the Family Joker vibes. Totally a different take (and a frightening one at that) on the character that I can get behind

— Mert (@ButcherOfVelen) March 24, 2022

New 52 Inspiration

Probably this looks is full inspired on New 52 The Death of The Family Joker

— Graziella – Art student (@ellagrazie_art) March 24, 2022

Death of the Family Design?

DEATH OF THE FAMILY JOKER DESIGN???? I won

— #1 celtics hater (@notnorth_) March 24, 2022

You Gotta Look for the Clues

wondering if all the scarring and bald spots are a hint at a “Death Of The Family” stye Joker, where he literally had his face sewn back on #TheBatman #rataalada

— shy babylon (@shybabylon) March 24, 2022

We Like What We've Seen So Far

So I really like what we’ve seen of Barry Keoghan’s Joker. Major Death of the Family vibes. I want more for sure

— Chris Panella (@chrispanella_) March 24, 2022

There's Some Azzarello/Berjemo Joker in There Too

This Joker reminds me of the Azzarello/Berjemo Joker, with a bit of the Death of the Family Joker.

— Joe (@archangelzxv) March 24, 2022

Will Joker Remain a Side Character?

yeah, he definitely gives that death of the family joker vibes. I can fuck with that. I'm just tired of seeing the joker. I don't mind if he's a side character though

— Joe Byron (@TheSimbaPikachu) March 24, 2022

It's All a Vibe

Barry keoghan’s joker is giving me real death of the family new 52 joker vibes😳

— Andy (@AndyZ1o) March 24, 2022

Give the Makeup Crew Their Flowers

I’m actually glad Matt Reeves deleted this. The film already had a lot. Keep the Joker for another film.

Plus his face in the end looked so much like “Death of a family”’s Joker 😬 Make-up crew for The Batman deserves some awards.

— JUSTXCAZ (@JXVGamez) March 24, 2022

One Fan Is Turning Around

I'll be honest: after seeing this, I'm coming around a bit to this approach of the Joker. Obviously pulling some inspiration from Death of the Family, in addition to Long Halloween & Arkham Asylum (comic).

The big issue remains is that the scene that was left in doesn't fit.

— Travless (@Travless_) March 24, 2022