The DC Universe has found incredible success with The Penguin, leading to proposals for other The Batman spinoffs, including a new rumor for a Joker series. That show may be fated to fail unless Batman plays an integral role in the show. While the Joker has been incredibly popular, the disastrous box office results for Joker: Folie à Deux have called into question the character’s viability as a lead. Still, Joker has been an incredible draw, and a spinoff series may actually seem like a good idea, until one recognizes how different this character is from Penguin.

Matt Reeves’ epic crime saga is set to expand with an unbelievable story in The Batman – Part II. Despite the impending launch of the new DC Universe under Peter Safran and James Gunn, the success of The Penguin has made this world of Batman and his rogues feel vital to the DC brand. Moving forward, however, will be difficult. With two different DC Universes existing at the same time, the version from The Batman will have to differentiate itself from the larger DC canon, and the Joker series will have to ensure it does one vital thing.

Barry Keoghan’s Joker Reportedly Could Get His Own Spin-Off Next

A New Spinoff Starring The Clown Prince Of Crime Seems To Be In The Works

The latest details suggest that a Barry Keoghan-starring Joker series is in the works. Following the viewership and critical acclaim for The Penguin, it makes sense that Warner Bros. and DC Studios would look to replicate that success with another character from The Batman. Joker has consistently proven himself to be the most popular foe in Batman’s rogues gallery, and viewership for the series, especially following The Penguin, would likely be very high. Rather than moving forward with a new villain like Clayface, it appears the franchise intends to focus heavily on the Joker.

Many actors have played the Joker, and each has done something unique with their spin on the character. The character has played a main and supporting role in major films, has appeared in an unusual form on television series like Gotham, and has even starred in his own titular film duology. What has not yet been done with the character is a premium streaming series. Following this, a Joker show on HBO would be the best way to be able to do something truly new and unique with the character.

Joker’s Story Is Good, But It Doesn’t Work Without Batman

Joker And Batman Are Two Sides Of The Same Coin

There is, however, one condition that is necessary for any Joker series to work. In order for this to succeed, the show will have to take a very different path than The Penguin has, and will have to feature the character of Batman prominently. Joker and Bruce Wayne have often been portrayed as two sides of the same coin, and this is formative and necessary to understand for the character’s path to the small screen. Even the Joaquin Phoenix-starring Joker tied the character in with Batman in its final scene.

This Joker appears to be a threat in Gotham already, so this story would not be an origin. Without that room to play in, it is vital that Robert Pattinson’s Batman be able to play a large role in the series. Joker is the madness to Batman’s control, with the two being designed as foils of each other. Joker’s violence and destruction feel groundless and pointless without the opportunity to tie the villain into Batman’s story. Unlike in The Penguin, Batman would have to play a major role here.

Joker Would Amplify The One Distracting Issue With Penguin

The Story In The Penguin Seems Likely To Attract Batman’s Notice

The Penguin has been an incredible and shocking series, although some of the more significant events that have occurred should have attracted Batman’s attention. This has led to speculation that perhaps Batman has quit Gotham City. While The Penguin has actually done a great job of crafting a story that does not require Batman to show up, it does feel strange not to see him defending the city. Details of his absence may be explained in The Batman Part II, which would be a satisfying way to tie the stories together.

If there is a story about the Joker, however, and that story does anything significant, it is inevitable that Batman would have to appear prominently. While Batman is in the first few years of his career, and while he cannot be everywhere, the opening of The Batman clearly shows that he is a known force in the city, and that his presence is used to scare off evildoers. Continuing any future spinoffs in this world without Batman would feel strange, and would raise far too many questions to avoid.

If HBO and Warner Bros./DC Studios decide to move forward with a Joker series, they will need to ensure that they have a strong story that is true to the character’s roots. This will require the presence of Batman in some kind of significant capacity in a way that The Penguin did not. While other villains may seem like the better choice at this time, the fact is that a Joker series is actually the logical next step for both the character and The Batman universe. It remains to be seen if this will come to fruition.