Who is Joker’s True Identity? Exploring Jack Oswald White
Joker’s True Identity: Jack Oswald White
His real name is Jack Oswald White. Martha reveals that she even paid a visit to the Flashpoint version of Jack Oswald White, discovering him to be a struggling family man supporting his wife and child through a janitorial job at Wayne Casino. Despite living in poverty, this version of Jack is happy, never undergoing the same traumatic ordeal as seen in Batman: The Killing Joke.
While there’s a lot we may never know regarding Joker’s origin story, one key question is finally answered in the pages of Flashpoint Beyond. In issue #5, Thomas confronts his estranged wife in her cell at Arkham Asylum. Martha reveals that she forced the Psycho-Pirate (a villain notable for having extensive knowledge of the multiverse) to reveal everything he knew about the main DC Universe timeline, including the identity of that world’s Joker.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Batman story has revealed Joker’s real name. 1989’s Batman depicts him as a gangster named Jack Napier, a name that later carried over to the comics via the alternate universe of Batman: White Knight. Meanwhile, 2019’s Joker casts Joaquin Phoenix as struggling comedian Arthur Fleck. However, this revelation marks the first time Joker has been given a name in the core DC Comics continuity.
Moreover, Joker I aka Jack Oswald White possesses no known superhuman powers. Although some state he has adapted certain beyond-average endurance due to his original chemical submergence. Accounts of the Joker’s origin story have been varied and numerous. He himself has told the story of how he came to be in several different variations, saying that sometimes he remembers it one way, sometimes another; and that if he has to have a past, he ‘[prefers] it to be multiple choice.’
His first encounter with Batman was while he was acting in the identity of ‘The Red Hood’ with a gang of other thugs, committing a robbery in or near the Ace Chemical Processing Plant. He either tripped into a vat of chemicals or was accidentally pushed in by Batman. He was driven insane by a combination of exposure to the chemicals and possible brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
Although his original birth name was never clarified, some accounts depict it as Joe Kerr; however, many assume this was an alias and not his actual birth name. Finding honest work unfulfilling of his personal ambitions, he turned to crime to amass a personal fortune for himself, first gaining attention in early 1940 when he was operating as a masked professional criminal leader known as the Red Hood.
Ultimately, the Joker’s true identity is officially revealed to be Jack Oswald White. Martha Wayne discovers that White is a failed comedian who works as a janitor at Wayne Casino. It’s important to note that it was never known what his real name is because DC had never stated this until last year with the reveal of his name.
Lastly, Jack Napier, also known as the Joker, is a fictional character introduced in the 1989 superhero film Batman, directed by Tim Burton. Primarily portrayed by Jack Nicholson, the character was based on the DC Comics supervillain the Joker. However, Jack Oswald White is now recognized as the Joker’s true name, clarifying the multiple interpretations surrounding this iconic character.
How Does Arthur Fleck Fit into the Joker’s Name Mythology?
Arthur Fleck doesn’t have the best life.
However, he has a job, has his mom, has a dream, and a routine that allows him to feel part of society.
One by one, he loses those things. He’s fired. He discovers he was adopted, then abused. Furthermore, the relationship he thought he had with his female neighbor was a figment of his overly powerful imagination. Ultimately, his routine crumbles.
When those definitions of self vanish, so does Arthur Fleck. What remains is pain, rage, a twisted sense of justice, and a desire to be more than insignificant. Consequently, the alchemy of those ingredients in the cauldron of Fleck’s trauma and mental illness spawns the clown prince, the Joker.
When Joker’s stripped down to its ‘zooms’ and ‘narrative arcs,’ the intention of the movie clarifies. It’s an examination of the recipe that tilts not only an individual but a society from the humane to the inhuman. The stagnant environment, media that focuses on negative stories, policy that abandons citizenry, and unchecked mental illness—these are your ingredients. These are the conditions that, when they mix together, culminate in a hurricane of unimaginable consequence.
The media’s constant fascination with the ‘clown who killed three rich guys on the subway’ provides Arthur with a sense of importance he’s never felt before. Like a moth to the flame, he can’t keep away. As a result, the Murray Franklin Show ends up being Joker’s platform that catapults him into a symbol for the maligned and angry.
Despite the strength of a mob, a king wields more authority, controlling laws and military. However, a king is, all things considered, still mortal and limited by that mortality. So how can a king possibly compare to a god who is unlimited? Even then, in most religions, a god’s inherent celestial nature necessitates influence through religious leaders and ethereal machinations. Therefore, if someone is a non-believer, it means they don’t acknowledge the influence of any god on the world, thus reducing the omnipotent to seemingly nothing.
The Joker transcends the role of a mere superhero; he is a cultural phenomenon that embodies chaos, unpredictability, and profound psychological complexity. He continually draws audiences back for more. Fans have long grappled with the film’s tenuous grip on reality, questioning the reliability of Arthur Fleck’s story. The movie expertly navigates the blurred lines between illusion and reality. Unburdened by the constraints of fitting into a larger cinematic universe or adhering strictly to comic book lore, Joker delves into the fractured psyche of its protagonist.
Arthur’s journey during the trial in Joker: Folie à Deux paints a tragic picture of his brief interactions. A pivotal moment occurs in Arthur’s vivid daydream, where he imagines being invited as a guest on the Murray Franklin show. In this fantasy, he basks in the warmth of Murray’s attention. Arthur views him not merely as a TV host but as a surrogate father figure. This reflects Arthur’s deep-seated longing for validation. He believes that appearing on Franklin’s show would finally grant him the recognition he craves.
Arthur’s psychological journey in Joker is closely tied to the Pseudobulbar effect, which causes a disconnect between one’s emotional expressions and internal feelings. His uncontrollable laughter becomes a central theme in the film, particularly during stressful moments. It is likely linked to trauma, possibly from a childhood head injury. These involuntary bursts of laughter often emerge at the most inappropriate times, such as during his disastrous comedy act or while riding a bus. However, these outbursts tend to vanish as he evolves into the confident persona of the Joker.
The second chapter of Joker: Folie à Deux explores the deeper meaning behind the character of the Joker. As Prosecutor Harvey Dent seeks to impose a penalty on Arthur, his defense attorney argues that Arthur Fleck and the Joker are distinct personalities. This implies that Arthur lacked control over his actions. Yet, the film ultimately reveals a more intricate truth about the nature of his character. This admission recontextualizes the events of Joker, forcing Arthur to rethink his transformation into the Joker.
Arthur seems to have had the biological vulnerability to develop mental health issues. When combined with the abusive environment he was brought up in, this led him to become the ‘Joker’.
Discover the myths and realities of Arthur Fleck’s Joker, unraveling the psychological complexities that define this iconic character in the DC universe. Despite the underwhelming response, in Episode 067, Dr. David Puder and Dr. Hans Von Walter analyze the Joker movie, exploring trauma, mental health, and the cultural implications. This research focuses on Todd Phillip’s 2019 film, Joker, in which the main antagonist, Arthur Fleck, is analyzed through the philosophical lens.
Joker: Folie à Deux exposes the blurred line between fantasy and reality in Arthur’s tormented psyche. Harley’s love mirrors Arthur’s past wounds, revealing cycles of trauma and toxic fantasy.
I used DSM-5 criteria to study whether Joker/Arthur Fleck showed signs of a real mental disorder. The psychopathology Arthur exhibits is unclear, preventing diagnosis of psychotic disorder or other conditions.
What Are the Different Names for the Joker in Comics and Films?
The Joker, a prominent character in comics and films, has several aliases throughout his extensive history. Here are the notable names:
- Jack Oswald White: The ‘real name’ of the Joker as a failed comedian employed at Wayne Casino.
- A. Rekoj: The first alias he assumed, posing as the proprietor of a music store in 1940’s Detective Comics #45.
- J.O. Kerr: Adopted in 1948’s Detective Comics #148, used in variations throughout his villainous career.
- John Dough (aka Mr. Normal): Introduced in 1969’s Justice League of America #77.
- Harlan Quinn: Used in 1982’s Batman #353.
- Harry Hack: A bus driver identity in 1975’s The Joker #4, part of an elaborate scheme.
- Oberon Sexton: A British detective identity during Grant Morrison’s Batman run.
- Jack Napier: Adopted in 2012’s Red Hood and the Outlaws #14, an allusion to his true identity in the 1989 Batman film.
- Eric Border: An orderly at Arkham Asylum in Scott Snyder’s Batman comics.
Additionally, there are other names associated with the Joker:
- Jack Schadenfreude: In 1993’s Batman/Houdini: The Devil’s Workshop.
- ‘Jack’: In 2000’s Batman Chronicles #21 story ‘Citizen Wayne’.
- Joey Wayne: Bruce Wayne’s lost twin brother, in 2000’s Batman/Lobo.
- Jack Napier: In 2001’s Batman: Gotham Noir.
- Gamblin’ Jack ‘The Joker’ Dent: In 2013’s Ame-Comi Girls.
- ‘Lloyd’: In the 2016 Gotham City Garage.
- John Kane: In the 2019 graphic novel Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass.
- John Kelly: In the 2019 Black Label series Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity.
- John Napier: In the 2020 young adult graphic novel Gotham High.
The most widely recognized ‘real’ name for the Joker remains Jack Napier, introduced in Tim Burton’s Batman film. The creators have used several aliases for the character throughout comics and films.
