History Main / RageAgainstTheReflection

** Starting in the 1980s, this was added to the Joker's backstory as well starting with Creator/AlanMoore and ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke.'' In this version, after the man that would become the Joker suffers his worst day ever, it's topped by him looking at seeing his disfigured face in a puddle as he starts ''[[LaughingMad laughing]]''. While the Joker himself admits that he might be mis-remembering this, and he's [[MultipleChoicePast retold many different stories about his past]], this particular detail tends to repeat itself.
*** One of the more famous adaptations of this story is in ''Film/Batman1989'', which also used ''The Killing Joke'' as an inspiration for the film. In this version, it comes complete with pitiful, horrified whimpering at the first glance he gets at his new face, [[GoMadFromTheRevelation then crazed laughter shortly after that]].

* ''ComicBook/TheFlash'': Mirror Master slightly {{subvert|edTrope}}s this in his origin story. After realizing he had killed his father (whom he had never met before due to being given up into foster care as a baby), Evan [=McCulloch=] checks on his mother. Evan sees she has committed suicide over the loss by smashing the mirror in the bathroom and using a piece to slit her wrists. Evan then stares at the smashed mirror for 12 hours afterwards.

* "ComicBook/SupermanAndSpiderMan": As dwelling on the accident which ruined his face, Doctor Doom removes his mask, stares at his disfigured, naked face in a mirror and angrily smashes the reflecting surface to bits. As putting his mask back on, Doom considers to ban mirrors after conquering the world.

Can occur with characters who have been [[WhatHaveIBecome transformed]] or feel like they're being forced to become something they're not. If it's the transformed variant, sometimes the reflection will [[TheMirrorShowsYourTrueSelf show their original form instead of their current form]]. Also sometimes used by characters who are either ugly and suffering because of it, or made a decision that they regret and are angry at themselves about it. Could also be used by a character who has [[CallingTheOldManOut unresolved parental issues]] and can't stand the resemblance reminding them of that relationship. Contrast DistractedByMyOwnSexy where characters like looking at themselves, and for an extreme case see HouseOfBrokenMirrors.

* In ''Film/TheCrow'', Eric Draven smashes the vanity mirror before applying the trademark makeup of the titular avenger, suggesting a severance with his past self in order to avenge the murder of himself and his fiancée.