Joker is one of DC’s most sickening characters, and just when fans thought the villain couldn’t get any worse, the comic publisher introduced the Darkseid-created Absolute Universe, unveiling an even more terrifying version of him. Now, DC has revealed the Joker’s most horrifying secret yet.
Absolute Batman writer Scott Snyder recently retweeted a variant cover by Glenn Fabry for the upcoming Absolute Batman #15. The cover showcases the Joker’s demonic, reptilian monster form that has set the internet abuzz. However, it’s Snyder’s caption that takes this already sickening depiction to even more horrifying heights.
The writer revealed, “For future ref- the red lines over his eyes are actually still his mouth. There are teeth in there :)” It’s a truly horrifying design reveal, yet undeniably cool for fans who appreciate a touch of body horror.
Scott Snyder Reveals Just How Monstrous Joker’s Mouth Really Is
Variant Cover by Glenn Fabry for Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman #15 (2025)
Fabry’s cover features a headshot of Joker in his reptilian, demonic form, a sharp contrast to his human-passing appearances in previous Absolute Batman issues. Instead of a plain, unremarkable man, this creature has rectangular pupils and mismatched eyes (one toxic green, the other bubblegum pink), making him look both grotesque and unnervingly otherworldly.
In addition to the bizarre eyes, Joker’s mouth is filled with pointed teeth and a tongue so large it rivals Venom’s. His iconic red lipstick face paint remains, but it has been taken to extremes, curling from the creature’s lips all the way up over his eyebrows, amplifying the theatrical quality of this monstrous design.
Snyder’s comment clarifies that this isn’t simply face paint. The red markings actually indicate just how far the creature’s mouth extends, a horrifying visual for anyone imagining the flesh peeled back. Snyder confirms teeth lie beneath these areas, making the design both a disturbingly imaginative evolution of Joker’s signature grin.
A Brief History of the Evolution of Joker’s Grin
Variant Covers and Main Cover for Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman #15 (2025)
Joker’s red mouth has evolved across decades and mediums. Early comics depicted his lips and mouth as permanently red, a natural part of his coloring. The 1966 Batman TV series, however, introduced the makeup era, cementing the idea of a deliberately painted mouth thanks to Cesar Romero’s portrayal of the character.
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy advanced the look further. Heath Ledger’s Joker added self-inflicted mouth and cheek scars, highlighted with red paint, emphasizing the grotesque redesign. Thus, across eras, the mouth has evolved: from chemical or natural in the Golden/Silver Age, to painted in the TV era, and psychologically scarring in the modern era, often featuring scars, lipstick, or both.
Now, fans are seeing the most horrifying evolution of Joker’s mouth yet. The red is a natural part of his extended mouth, stretching grotesquely to his eyebrows. It’s a nod to the Golden/Silver Age while embracing modern horror aesthetics. One question remains, though: When will fans witness Joker fully open his mouth, revealing the true terror of this monstrous design?
Absolute Batman #15 is available December 10, 2025, from DC Comics!