What was coulrophobia? Why did the people in this city suffer from coulrophobia?
In the past, long ago, before this term had become synonymous with that smile, everyone knew clowns as comical, mysterious, mischievous pranksters.
But in recent years, more and more people in Gotham had developed coulrophobia, and likewise, that fear could only develop in two directions.
One was to keep swallowing their anger and do everything in their power not to lose their lives when this dark city descended into chaos.
The other was to develop hallucinations akin to Stockholm Syndrome, begin worshipping the Joker, begin laughing alongside him, and gradually become him.
The image of the clown appeared in the records of every civilization, from China to Rome, from indigenous peoples to high society. Their comedy usually came from greedy desires for food, sex, and alcohol, along with violent behavior.
Sometimes vulgar things were funnier, and clowns were the ones who carried those jokes. Yet this direct stab at the absurdity of human nature always felt a little too naked, too full of malice.
But Gotham's was different. He reflected this society in bizarre ways.
Whether it was Gotham's good fortune or misfortune, he rarely made those lowbrow jokes. What he preferred were darker methods.
Year after year, day after day, that laughter always echoed through this concrete forest.
His form of comedy had gradually changed the meaning of the word "clown" itself. Now, whenever people on Earth mentioned clowns, he was the first one they thought of.
Comedy was communication, not deception. A smile reflected a person's true emotions; it was not a mask standing before those emotions, making them look pure and evil.
The Joker's performances and malicious attacks had never been related. What he represented was love.
When you looked at him, you felt