Warning! Potential spoilers for Future State: Gotham #8 by DC Comics
DC Comics has revealed a brand new look at the Next Joker in the DC Universe and he's a big threat in the Future State Universe. On Twitter, author Dennis Culver shared a character design page for DC's Next Joker by artist Nikola Cizmesija, which showcases the new villain's design and how frighteningly big the character will be in the Future State: Gotham #8.
In the current Future State: Gotham series, Jason Todd has taken on the role as Peacekeeper Red as part of the Magistrates fight against masked vigilantes. Todd was instructed to take down the Next Batman, who was being framed for an explosion that left many dead in Gotham City. However, instead of taking down Batman, Peacekeeper Red teamed up with the new Dark Knight to take down Warmonger, a terrorist within Gotham who was actually responsible for the deadly attacks. Additionally, the latest issue revealed Hush is playing a role in the behind-the-scenes chaos with hints about a new Joker emerging. Now, readers have a closer look at the Next Joker.
Culver, who will be taking over full-time writing duties on Future State: Gotham, shared a preview for issue number eight, which features the debut of the Next Joker. He shared Cizmesija's design for the villain, which features a rather large person (or robot?) as Future State's Clown Prince of Crime. The design is simple yet effective as the Next Joker's costume has a checkered one-piece design, with a glowing head (sort of like Ghost Rider) and diamond-shaped eyes. This version of the Joker looks like he'd fit right in at a futuristic Gotham City carnival. Check out Cizmesija's design, which shows the Next Joker towering over a silhouette of the Red Hood.
DC Comics has previously teased the arrival of the Next Joker, as after Harley Quinn captured Punchline in Future State: Gotham #4, the villain warned her of the arrival of the Next Joker. Punchline told Harley that when "he gets here, we're all gonna wish we were dead instead." It was quite the tantalizing tease for the new villain. DC previously shared a cover by Simone Di Meo starring the Next Joker.
As of now, readers don't know much about the Next Joker, other than what he looks like and how dangerous he could be. It will be fascinating to see how DC Comics implements a new Joker in the Future State timeline and how the villain's story ultimately affects that of the Red Hood and Next Batman. DC's Next Joker will make his comic debut when Future State: Gotham #8 comes to comic book stores on December 14th.
