Bat Sign
The Bat sign looms over the night sky every time Gordon lights the searchlight with the bat emblem on it. The distress signal that summons Batman to show up and defend Gotham City is a sign of hope. The city has been taken over by criminals and the police are overwhelmed to extent of relying on the superhero. The sign is a beacon of hope because it symbolizes justice for the innocent civilians of Gotham. In the dark, the signal shines bright not only to alert the superhero but to remind the people that justice will prevail. It's thus a symbol of fear to the criminals that hound the city for their own amusement or financial gain.
Joker Playing Card
In poker, the joker card is considered a wild card as opposed to the natural cards in the deck. The Joker uses the card to announce his presence and signify his intention to wreak havoc in the scene. Therefore the card symbolizes anarchy and madness that he is about to inflict on the city. On every occasion, the card appears the Joker goes on a rampage disregarding rules akin to the card’s ability in the game of poker. The villain has no moral code because he believes his actions are necessary evils to bring balance in the world.
Joker’s Face
The Joker’s face is an image that appears frequently in the graphic novel complete with the sinister grin that defines his character. The villain has laughing episodes during his torturous or murderous antics that instill fear and confusion in his victims. The face is clown-like with bright green hair, red lips, and pale white skin which is typically associated with fun. Though he embraces fun even in his lair, it is coupled with horror and death hence his face symbolizes this unnatural combination.
Batcave
The Batcave is the only place the caped hero can don both his persona and his real identity as Bruce Wayne. The cave serves as his secret headquarters and command center that keeps tabs on the crises in the city. It symbolizes safety and protection for the hero himself and also for the people of Gotham. Moreover, it represents secrecy which is the most important weapon for a crusader such as Batman. Other than physical strength and gadgets, secrecy is the tool that makes his vocation possible.
Circus
The circus is where the Joker’s funhouse is located, which demonstrates his perception of the world. The world is just a huge playground to him that he can exert his madness without accountability whosoever. At the funhouse he tortures Gordon and later Batman with mind-bending tricks that are ludicrous yet fatal at the same time. The circus symbolizes the absurdist attitude that the crown prince of crime adopted since his accident. To Batman, the world is grim but to the Joker it is comical because he acknowledges the futility of life and order.
