What does Batman call Joker?

What Does Batman Call the Joker?

Quite simply – he calls him "Joker." While other Gotham rogues have earned various nicknames from the Dark Knight over the years, Batman consistently just uses the Clown Prince of Crime‘s adopted criminal moniker when addressing his nemesis.

Why No Pet Names?

Batman showing the Joker a minimum level of respect by calling him by name, rather than a condescending sobriquet, highlights the unique dynamic between these two ideological foils. Despite all the violence and mayhem Joker inflicts, he remains perhaps the only one of Batman‘s enemies that the hero begrudgingly acknowledges as an intellectual equal of sorts.

As seen in comic storylines like The Killing Joke and A Death in the Family, the Joker represents chaos and madness that viciously contrasts Batman‘s rigorous adherence to order. As the Joker tells Batman in The Dark Knight film:

"I don‘t, I don‘t want to kill you! What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No, no, NO! No. You… you… complete me."

Occasional Variations

Batman has on very rare occasions resorted to other terms for the Joker, but usually only when exposed to toxins/chemicals or suffering intense rage or madness.

For example, in Batman Adventures: Mad Love when relaying how Harley Quinn nearly killed the Joker before him, Batman mockingly calls the villain "Puddin‘" – the affectionate nickname used by Harley. This shows just how utterly Batman looks down on Joker needing rescue by his own bumbling henchwoman.

Why So Serious?

Ultimately, Batman calling Joker only by his chosen criminal name reinforces just how seriously he takes this foe. Despite the Joker‘s outrageous appearance and behavior, Batman affords him a minimum level of gravitas – something he rarely extends to other enemies. It‘s a subtle acknowledgement of the eternal struggle between them – one Batman expects to wage until his last breath.

Or as Alfred sums it up nicely in The Dark Knight:

"Some men aren‘t looking for anything logical, like money. They can‘t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."

References in Batman Media

Across Batman‘s 80+ years in comics, TV shows and films, "Joker" remains the predominant form of address:

* Estimate based on dialogue analysis

** Mostly "Puddin‘" references

^^ Sampled data from B:TAS, JL Unlimited, Harley Quinn animated series

^^^ Mostly "Puddin‘" references

++++ Live-action tally from Batman ‘66, Burton/Schumacher films, Nolan trilogy

So in the vast majority of appearances over the past eight decades, Batman‘s canonical nickname for his mortal nemesis remains simply "Joker."

Unique Dynamic Drives Batman

What underpins Batman‘s restraint in how he addresses Joker? As I touched on earlier, it stems from the unique, interdependent dynamic between hero and villain – two opposite poles of chaos vs order that define one other.

Joker once told Batman in the comics:

"I don‘t want to kill you. What would I do without you?"

Batman likely feels the same deep down. Without his complete antithesis challenging him constantly, what purpose would the Dark Knight‘s crusade even serve?

There is an unspoken, reluctant respect between them – dueling embodiments of philosophical forces far greater than either individual.

So when Batman growls "Joker!" while grasping the villain‘s garish purple lapels, he does so through gritted teeth – conveying disgust but also grudging acceptance of their eternal war.

That is why Batman simply calls him Joker.