Axis Chemicals
Encyclopedia
Axis Chemicals is a fictional chemical plant
in the 1989 Batman film
and in DC Comics
. It is famous for being the plant where the Red Hood
, the man who would become the Joker
fell into a vat of toxic waste
, dyeing his hair green, his skin chalk-white, and his mouth stretched into a hideously permanent grin.
, the future Joker worked as an engineer there, and later quit to become a failing stand-up comedian. He was contacted by a group of criminals to rob the plant (with his knowledge of its workings), and agreed for his wife and unborn child.
However, the plan failed when the Batman
arrived, and the Red Hood, terrified, fell into the vat of chemicals. He would escape and found that he had been transformed into the Joker.
. In "The Man Who Killed Batman," the Joker puts Sidney Debris aka "Sid the Squid," the low-level thug who "killed Batman" into a crate
and sends him into a vat of acid as somewhat of a "eulogy" to Batman. The Joker even acknowledges the plant as the place of his "accident" that made him "the happy soul he is today."
In "Batgirl Returns," Axis is name-dropped as a local chemical manufacturer by an informant called only "The Chemist" to Catwoman.
Later on in The New Batman Adventures
, Jack Ryder
is seen filming a live TV broadcast on the history of the Joker, when the Clown Prince of Crime sends Ryder into acid while on his laughing gas. The plant eventually explodes, leaving Ryder to become the Creeper.
In The Batman
, the Joker's past is revealed that he indeed worked in the chemical plant. It is later revealed that one of his hideouts is in the plant.
In Batman: The Brave and the Bold
, Red Hood
, (a heroic version of the Joker) is ambushed in his hideout, Ace Chemical plant, and is then thrown into acid by the evil Owlman
.
After the Joker shot Grissom, he took over Axis Chemicals, using it to poison beauty products in Gotham City
.
Shortly before the film's climax, Batman broke into the factory using a remote-controlled Batmobile
and destroyed it in an attempt to stop the Joker's production of his "smilex
" toxin.
Chemical plant
A chemical plant is an industrial process plant that manufactures chemicals, usually on a large scale. The general objective of a chemical plant is to create new material wealth via the chemical or biological transformation and or separation of materials. Chemical plants use special equipment,...
in the 1989 Batman film
Batman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
and in DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. It is famous for being the plant where the Red Hood
Red Hood
Red Hood is the alias used by several fictional characters, usually antagonists for Batman in the DC Universe.-Joker:The Red Hood first appeared in Detective Comics #168 "The Man Behind the Red Hood" . In the original continuity, the man later known as the Joker was a master criminal going by the...
, the man who would become the Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
fell into a vat of toxic waste
Toxic waste
Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. It spreads quite easily and can contaminate lakes and rivers. The term is often used interchangeably with “hazardous waste”, or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.Toxic waste...
, dyeing his hair green, his skin chalk-white, and his mouth stretched into a hideously permanent grin.
Comic's history
Little is known about the chemical plant before the Joker's transformation. However, in Batman: The Killing JokeBatman: The Killing Joke
Batman: The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot superhero graphic novel written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland. First published by DC Comics in 1988, it has remained in print since then, and has also been reprinted as part of the trade paperback DC Universe: The Stories of Alan...
, the future Joker worked as an engineer there, and later quit to become a failing stand-up comedian. He was contacted by a group of criminals to rob the plant (with his knowledge of its workings), and agreed for his wife and unborn child.
However, the plan failed when the Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
arrived, and the Red Hood, terrified, fell into the vat of chemicals. He would escape and found that he had been transformed into the Joker.
Television
Axis Chemicals/Ace Chemicals has appeared in Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
. In "The Man Who Killed Batman," the Joker puts Sidney Debris aka "Sid the Squid," the low-level thug who "killed Batman" into a crate
Crate
A crate is a large shipping container, often made of wood, typically used to transport large, heavy or awkward items. A crate has a self-supporting structure, with or without sheathing. For a wooden container to be a crate, all six of its sides must be put in place to result in the rated strength...
and sends him into a vat of acid as somewhat of a "eulogy" to Batman. The Joker even acknowledges the plant as the place of his "accident" that made him "the happy soul he is today."
In "Batgirl Returns," Axis is name-dropped as a local chemical manufacturer by an informant called only "The Chemist" to Catwoman.
Later on in The New Batman Adventures
The New Batman Adventures
The New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
, Jack Ryder
Creeper (comics)
The Creeper is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Showcase #73 .-Publication history:...
is seen filming a live TV broadcast on the history of the Joker, when the Clown Prince of Crime sends Ryder into acid while on his laughing gas. The plant eventually explodes, leaving Ryder to become the Creeper.
In The Batman
The Batman (TV series)
The Batman is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. It ran from 2004 to 2008, on the Saturday morning television block Kids' WB...
, the Joker's past is revealed that he indeed worked in the chemical plant. It is later revealed that one of his hideouts is in the plant.
In Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
, Red Hood
Red Hood
Red Hood is the alias used by several fictional characters, usually antagonists for Batman in the DC Universe.-Joker:The Red Hood first appeared in Detective Comics #168 "The Man Behind the Red Hood" . In the original continuity, the man later known as the Joker was a master criminal going by the...
, (a heroic version of the Joker) is ambushed in his hideout, Ace Chemical plant, and is then thrown into acid by the evil Owlman
Owlman (comics)
Owlman is the name of several fictional supervillains that appear in comic books published by DC Comics who are the intended reverse counterparts of Batman. Owlman first appeared in Justice League of America #29 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky...
.
Film
As Jack Napier (the film's name for the future Joker) was a mobster, Axis Chemicals was one of Carl Grissom's properties, but it was getting dangerous, and the police were planning a raid. As Napier suggested to burn the company's records, Grissom set Napier up to be arrested by the police during the raid. But then, Batman showed up at the facility, and when Napier tried to shoot him, Batman deflected his shots into his face, wounding Napier and causing him to fall into a massive pool of toxic chemicals. Napier survived, but was deformed by the chemicals, as his surgeon had told him; "You understand that the nerves were completely severed, Mr. Napier." Napier then left the surgeon's room and became the Joker.After the Joker shot Grissom, he took over Axis Chemicals, using it to poison beauty products in Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
.
Shortly before the film's climax, Batman broke into the factory using a remote-controlled Batmobile
Batmobile
The Batmobile is the automobile of DC Comics superhero Batman. The car has evolved along with the character from comic books to television and films. Kept in the Batcave, which it accesses through a hidden entrance, the Batmobile is a gadget-laden vehicle used by Batman in his crime-fighting...
and destroyed it in an attempt to stop the Joker's production of his "smilex
Joker venom
Joker venom, also called Joker toxin or Smilex, is a fictional toxin, a favorite murder weapon used by The Joker in the Batman franchise of movies, comics, and cartoons...
" toxin.