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The unexpected new guide to the escaped Arkham Asylum patients could radically change how Gotham City sees the various villains.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Arkham City: Order of the World #5 by Dan Watters, Dani, Dave Stewart, and Aditya Bidikar, now on sale from DC Comics
The patients of Arkham Asylum are typically unwell figures from across Gotham City — often with terrifying superpowers. Despite being often imprisoned by Batman in what is supposed to be a hospital, many of them were only ever treated as threats. But one unlikely figure who didn’t might be the key to saving them.
Dr. Joy’s role in Arkham City: The Order of the World has quietly turned her into an unexpectedly impressive leader of Arkham Asylum’s most dangerous and unwell patients. If she continues in that role, she could become one of the best chances the villains have at redemption yet.
Arkham City: The Order of the World largely focuses on Jacosta Joy, a former doctor employed by Arkham Asylum. One of the handfuls of survivors of the A-Day Massacre that closed the Arkham, Dr. Joy has been dedicated herself to helping the escaped patients deal with the world. But she’s been blowing past the limits she previously believed about herself — even helping the Ten-Eyed Man remain out of the hands of the authorities. Arkham City: New World Order #5 sees her decision to try and help the patients instead of turning them in exposed to the general public. But she still retains some of her authority in the eyes of the villains. She’s the one who convinces the surprising pair of Nocturna and Doctor Phosphorus to bring Azrael to the hospital after seriously wounding him — likely saving his life.
Instead of fighting them or attacking them, she does this by reasoning with the villains in a way Batman and his allies never have. Dr. Joy actually talks with the villains and convinces them to do more heroic acts. But Dr. Joy also begins to understand the disgust and hate faced by the villains for the simple act of existing. Even helping save a child from the Ten-Eyed Man results in disgust being thrown her way. Dr. Joy ultimately leaves with the villains, quietly setting her up as a unique leader of the group. In effect, Dr. Joy could do more good for Gotham City with the villains than she’s ever done at Arkham. If Dr. Joy remains with the dangerous group, she could help further influence them away from dangerous impulses. With her help, they could finally learn how to grow outside the killers they’ve become.
Doctor Joy’s willingness to work with the villains and talk with them gives her a unique perspective on them. Villains who’d otherwise be capable of casually killing anyone in their path prove more willing to talk and reason about what they do next. It’s a fascinating idea, especially as the concept of mental health if further addressed in Batman comics. Detective Comics has been largely focused on Arkham Tower and the ways it’s trying to control and forcibly rehabilitate villains. But Dr. Joy presents a more unique opportunity for the future of Gotham City than the violent kind of mission Azarael has embraced can.
She could unite the villains under her wing, becoming a Leslie Thompkins-esque figure for the unwell criminals of Gotham City. Her influence could result in positive growth, potentially saving unknown numbers of lives down the line. When Dr. Joy is there, the villains are polite and patient, instead of violent and angry. If Dr. Joy is able to lead her former patients away from Professor Pyg’s newly built asylum, she could become a crucial figure in the future of Gotham City.
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