The Joker really isn’t going to like Deadpool’s latest insult, which mocks the Clown Prince of Crime’s most iconic image. The Merc with a Mouth may be in the middle of a crossover with Batman, but Wade Wilson is taking the time to skewer the Dark Knight’s greatest enemy. And this time, Deadpool is literally ripping into DC Comics history.
Per Bleeding Cool, with DC/Marvel Batman/Deadpool #1 just weeks away, DC Comics revealed that it would be putting out new, retailer-exclusive covers from artists such as Guillem March, Clay Mann, and Dustin Nguyen. But one cover that truly stands out from the pack is one by artist Brian Bolland, and it puts one of the crossover’s stars in the spotlight.
True to Deadpool’s meta sensibilities, the Bolland variant sees Deadpool ripping up arguably one of Bolland’s most well-known covers, the cover for Batman: The Killing Joke. The Marvel icon is stone-faced as he rips the cover in two. Joker’s only representation in this particular variant is in the cover Deadpool is ripping up, making it a hilarious and scathing insult.
Deadpool Rips Up the Cover to Joker’s Most Famous Story
Wade Wilson is Clearly Not a Fan of Batman: The Killing Joke
Interestingly enough, this crossover event began in September, with the Marvel-published comic, Marvel/DC Deadpool/Batman #1. During the main story, the Joker reached out beyond the DC multiverse to find someone who could push Joker to greater heights. But while Deadpool was briefly useful to Joker, the mouthy mercenary quickly became too much trouble for the Harlequin of Hate.
The meta-aware Deadpool is always at his best when he’s dishing out slights that work on multiple levels. Wade knows that The Killing Joke is a seminal story for many Batman fans. But the one person who’d almost certainly hate this dig is the Joker himself, who considers the events of that story one of his finest plans ever.
Deadpool Doesn’t Hold Back in This Hilarious Recreation
Brian Bolland Uses Wade Wilson’s Meta Humor to His Advantage
Of course, this cover was created by Bolland and at the end of the day, he’s really only poking fun at himself and his work. It’s the kind of madcap thing that can only exist in an official Marvel and DC crossover. So as insulting as it might be to the Joker, Deadpool’s just embracing the fun of the concept.
DC/Marvel Batman/Deadpool #1 is available from DC Comics on November 19th, 2025.
- First Appearance
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The New Mutants
- Alias
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Wade Wilson
- Alliance
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X-Men, Avengers, Astonishing Avengers, Deadpool Corps, Frightful Four, Great Lakes Initiative, Heroes for Hire, Mercs for Money, Secret Defenders, Six Pack, Thunderbolts, Weapon X, X-Force
- Race
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Mutant