One of the most compelling things about the Joker is the uncertainty surrounding his true identity and origin story. These elements have long been among DC’s best-kept secrets and a defining staple of the character. However, after 85 years, DC is finally breaking away from tradition and has just given the Gotham rogue a definitive origin.
Full disclosure, this definitive origin and name reveal applies to the Absolute Universe’s Joker, who is still part of mainstream continuity but is not the Joker of Earth-Prime. However, even though this is not the clown fans have followed for decades, it marks a major break from DC tradition, which has historically kept the villain’s identity and origins murky at best, no matter the version of the character.
Beyond breaking tradition, it’s significant because it officially restores the horror element to the character after a long period in which fans had grown desensitized or even bored by the Main Universe Joker’s antics.
Hitman Alfred Pennyworth Reveals the History of the Grimm Family
Comic Page Comes from Scott Snyder’s ABSOLUTE BATMAN #15 (2025) – Art by Jock
It is none other than hitman Alfred Pennyworth who reveals Joker’s origin story via his narration in Absolute Batman #15, explaining the villain’s identity to Bruce. At the start of their conversation, Bruce asks about billionaire Jack Grimm V, wanting to know exactly who the man is.
Alfred begins by looking back on Jack’s supposed lineage, tracing it to the villain’s alleged great-grandfather, Joseph “Jack” Grimm I. He was a child street performer who dressed as a clown, later investing in a theater and other entertainment ventures that were eventually expanded and inherited by his descendants.
Alfred goes on to say that the male heirs of the Grimm lineage invested in movies, TV, and online gaming, and the family donated heavily to children’s causes. Jack Grimm V continued this legacy in both entertainment and charity. At this point, Bruce knows that there is a “smoking gun” that Alfred is skirting around, and after some prodding, Alfred finally reveals what he believes to be the truth about the Grimm family.
There Is No Grimm Family, There Is Only Jack Grimm I (& He’s the Joker)
Comic Page Comes from Scott Snyder’s ABSOLUTE BATMAN #15 (2025) – Art by Jock
Alfred discloses that he believes a “darker project” is at work, dropping the bombshell that he suspects there is no Grimm family. Instead, there has always been only one Jack Grimm, who has used the blood of children to create a “terrible elixir” that has granted him a form of sick immortality.
Almost hysterical, Alfred continues, “Maybe it’s just infernal science. Maybe it’s some dark pact, I don’t know! Maybe it’s #$%& both. And I know how it sounds, kid! I know. But look at him, he’s something terrible, Bruce. A nightmare thing that stalks the earth, not a man who never laughs at anything, but a beast that’s always laughing at us. He’s the Joker.”
It’s true that this origin reveal, in which Jack Grimm V began life as a sinister little clown boy who, through dark science or some unknown pact, harvested the blood of children to gain immortality and become a demonic creature, sounds like a wild theory. But the art accompanying Alfred’s narration (read: Joker’s side of the story) suggests this is more than a crackpot idea and is truly the origin story of Absolute Joker.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #15 is available now from DC Comics!