1) The Dark Knight Rises Novelization Explained His Absence
It’s a constant source of discussion for Bat-fans whether we would have seen more of Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight Rises if the actor had not tragically passed away when he did. In the event, the decision was made to remove all mention of the character from the movie. While that was certainly the most respectful decision, it does leave the question of where the heck is the Joker during Bane’s reign of terror?
Well, the film’s official novelization written by Greg Cox is on hand to explain. A brief mention is made to the Joker when it is detailed that, after the Dent Act was passed, all of Arkham Asylum’s inmates were moved to Blackgate Prison. All except the Joker, that is, who was left there all on his lonesome. As a result, he was never broken out by Bane.