Given all that’s transpired over the past few days, I think it’s safe to say we can put our suspicions as to whether or not Gotham‘s series finale will feature the Joker to bed. After all, there was that grainy photo showing Cameron Monaghan sporting a purple suit and heavy makeup making its rounds, and then a couple of hi-res shots shortly thereafter.
To the surprise of nobody, this heavily scarred and mostly bald take on the Clown Prince of Crime is being met with both cheers and jeers. After all, Jeremiah Valeska already looks like the Ace of Knaves in the most classic sense, only with differences in lipstick and hair colors.
Truth be told, this unfamiliar appearance may have been inspired by the comic books themselves. Those familiar with Earth-2 as it existed before the days of the New 52 might remember how its version of the Joker (seen below) actually outlived Bruce Wayne, and went on to confound Robin and Huntress. And though Gotham‘s Mr. J boasts only a few strands of stringy hair, his ‘do could’ve been influenced by that handsome Hulk Hogan-style skullet.
Come to think of it, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen such a thing outside of comics. During one of Batman: The Brave and the Bold‘s standout episodes, “Knights of Tomorrow!,” viewers were treated to a possible future that saw Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle murdered by the Joker’s successor, only to have the original reveal himself as being not unlike the Earth-2 version we’ve been discussing. But most unfortunate for those two evildoers, Batman (Dick Grayson) and Robin (Damian Wayne) thwarted their scheme in the end.
I guess we’ll ultimately have to tune in for Gotham‘s series finale this spring in order to learn more, but before then, don’t miss what’s sure to be a pivotal moment during “Ace Chemicals” this Thursday night on Fox.