Comic books are no strangers to pushing boundaries and blending fiction with reality in ways that spark intrigue. However, this sometimes leads to some pretty controversial takes. One of the most infamous examples came in 1988 when DC Comics revealed that the Joker, Batman’s arch-nemesis, had become the United Nations ambassador for Iran.
This bold narrative choice came during a particularly dark era for the Batman series. However, the storyline’s provocative ties to a real-world country were later retconned, replacing Iran with the fictional Qurac. So, here’s a dive into how this unusual plot unfolded.
The Joker’s Dark Diplomatic Turn
In the legendary storyline ‘A Death in the Family,’ the Joker reached new heights of villainy. After brutally murdering Jason Todd, he struck a deal with the Iranian government and became their UN ambassador. This shocking development granted him full diplomatic immunity.
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Not only was the Clown Prince of Crime shielded from justice, but his newfound power also allowed him to make a speech before the UN General Assembly. Naturally, the speech wasn’t without a sinister twist. True to character, the Joker used his platform to attempt mass murder, planting a bomb at the assembly.
However, Superman, disguised as a delegate, thwarted the attack in time. The story culminated in a high-stakes chase that saw the Joker apparently die in a helicopter crash.
While this storyline is remembered for its grim tone and the fan-driven decision to kill Jason Todd, the inclusion of Iran as a narrative element sparked significant controversy.
DC Created A Fictional Country Named ‘Qurac’ To Replace Iran
As DC moved forward, they recognized the need to distance their stories from real-world controversies. Around the same time, the company introduced the fictional Middle Eastern country of Qurac to serve as a stand-in for volatile nations like Iran and Iraq. In ‘Birds of Prey #16 (2000)’, DC rewrote the Joker’s connection to Iran, replacing it with Qurac.
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Additionally, in this retconned storyline, the Joker escapes custody following the No Man’s Land event and allies with Qurac. His new scheme involves orchestrating a nuclear attack on New York City. However, his plans are foiled by Power Girl and Black Canary, who ignore diplomatic immunity to bring him down.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Barbara Gordon, operating as Oracle, kidnaps the Joker and forces him to help stop the missiles threatening New York. While the retcon preserved the dramatic elements of the original tale, it removed the real-world political undertones. So, DC avoided associating their villain with a real country without totally changing the storyline.
