A city without a hero: ‘Joker’ and rethinking hegemony

Batman as enforcer of the status quo.

By Jeffrey Brown

Excerpt: “The mutually defining relationship between Batman and the Joker is a succinct and entertaining way to present parables about abstract cultural ideals like justice, morality, social compliance, and economic stratification. Underneath Batman’s cowl is a figure who champions law and order as a form of absolute moral justice. And beneath the Joker’s clown make-up is a symbol of chaos and destruction, an embodiment of anarchy and total disregard for social regulations. Numerous critics have focused on this dichotomy as the most crucial and effective component of the Batman/Joker dynamic.” Read the full article here