The DCeased version of The Joker represents the Clown Prince of Crime transformed into a bloodthirsty, techno-organic 'Anti-Living' creature on Earth-55. Infected through a digital screen in DCeased #1, he becomes Gotham City's Patient Zero before being abruptly executed by Harley Quinn in issue #2.
La Scena
In DCeased #1, the Anti-Life Equation is corrupted into a techno-organic virus transmitted across Earth's digital telecommunications networks. The Joker becomes Gotham City's Patient Zero after looking at a digital screen, instantly transforming into a violent, flesh-eating monster. In DCeased #2, the decaying, infected Joker ambushes Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. Realizing that the real Joker is no longer inside him—noting that 'He's not laughing... he's just hungry'—Harley Quinn shoots and kills the zombified Joker with a shotgun, ending his reign before he can infect others across Gotham.
Significato
Although The Joker's physical presence in the main storyline is brief, his infection is a crucial catalyst for the entire DCeased universe. As Gotham's Patient Zero, his sudden transformation establishes the existential threat of the Anti-Life virus and sets an uncompromisingly dark tone for Earth-55. His swift execution at the hands of Harley Quinn frees her from his toxic hold, initiating her defining transformation into a central protagonist and hero throughout subsequent spin-offs such as DCeased: Unkillables.
Design
Designed by writer Tom Taylor and artists Trevor Hairsine and Stefano Guadiano, the Anti-Living Joker wears his iconic purple suit, heavily tattered, stained, and weathered from zombie aggression. His physical appearance exhibits gruesome undead decay, featuring sunken bloodshot eyes, pale greyish skin, wild unkempt green hair, a severely damaged cheek, and exposed teeth. Stripped of his trademark playful smirk, his facial expression is locked in a hollow, ravenous snarl.
Per il Collezionista
**DC Essentials: DCeased The Joker 7-Inch Action Figure (2020)**: Released in August 2020 by DC Direct and sculpted by Steve Kiwus and Paul Harding, this 7-inch figure captures his decaying zombie appearance from issues #1–2, including damaged facial features and exposed teeth.
**DC Essentials / McFarlane Toys Re-release (2022)**: Re-distributed to retail markets following McFarlane Toys' distribution partnership with DC Direct.
**DCeased: A Zombicide Game Miniatures (2024–2026)**: Produced by CMON and Spin Master, featuring an official Zombie Hero: The Joker miniature in the Arkham Asylum Expansion and a Kickstarter Exclusive Super Hero: The Joker miniature.
Dietro le Quinte
💡The Joker was co-created for the Earth-55 universe by Tom Taylor, Trevor Hairsine, and Stefano Guadiano.
💡Harley Quinn's realization before shooting him—'He's not laughing... he's just hungry'—became one of the most memorable quotes of the initial miniseries.
💡Flashbacks in DCeased: Unkillables #1–3 explore the chaotic aftermath in Gotham immediately following Joker's death.
💡The Joker becomes Gotham City's Patient Zero in DCeased #1 simply by looking at a infected digital screen.
💡Harley Quinn kills the zombified Joker in issue #2 after noticing he stopped laughing and was only hungry.
💡DCeased: A Zombicide Game offers both an infected Zombie Hero and an uninfected Super Hero miniature of The Joker.
Cronologia
2019
DCeased #1–6 is published, introducing Earth-55 and Zombie Joker in issues #1 and #2.
2019
DCeased: A Good Day to Die #1 companion issue is released.
2020
DCeased: Unkillables, Hope at World's End, and Dead Planet series expand the storyline.
2020
DC Direct releases the DC Essentials DCeased The Joker 7-inch figure.
2022
McFarlane Toys redistributes the DC Direct DCeased figure line; DCeased: War of the Undead Gods debuts.
2024
CMON crowdfunds DCeased: A Zombicide Game, featuring official Joker miniatures.
2026
DC Comics releases the complete DCeased Omnibus collecting all 40 issues of the Earth-55 saga.
