WARNING: The following contains spoilers for "Fool's Gold," a story in Batman: Secret Files #3 by James Tynion IV, Sumit Kumar, FCO Plascencia and Carlos M. Mangual, on sale now.
Batman may not have the superhuman resources or physical powers of his fellow Justice League members, but his wealth and his resources from Wayne Enterprises are enough to buy him the best powers money can buy. Wayne's wealth has continuously adapted his technological capabilities; those capabilities have been the downfall of many of Gotham's greatest villains. It's no wonder that Joker would benefit from Wayne's fortune, and that's precisely what Joker plans on doing in the upcoming "Joker War" event.
However, it's not going to be as easy as it sounds, even for Gotham's most celebrated criminal. Even if the Joker manages to kill Batman, Batman: Secret Files #3 revealed who the beneficiaries of Wayne's fortune are. While the identities of the beneficiaries aren't too surprising, this seemingly inconsequential detail could bring down Bruce Wayne's crime-fighting empire.
The Joker and his new partner Punchline track down Deathstroke and pitch him on a plot that would see them work together. Deathstroke is dismissive and reassures Joker he isn't interested in any partnership. When Deathstroke tells the Joker he doesn't "work with his kind of crazy," the Joker smiles and reveals that he knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
After that, Joker reveals that he's going after every penny of Wayne's fortune. Joker tells Deathstroke that the problem isn't just getting the money from Bruce Wayne. Bruce's money has five beneficiaries, including the late Alfred Pennyworth and Dick Grayson, who's spent the past several months without a clue about his real identity. There are three other beneficiaries referred to as "baby bats," which might imply the former and current Robins: Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne.
While the fact that Joker has this information to begin with is troubling, Bruce dividing up his fortune between his closest allies is no surprise. Alfred not being around to claim his cut could complicate Joker's plan, but his share would most likely be divided among the other living beneficiaries. Still, Dick's injuries and his subsequent brainwashing by the Joker himself gives the villain a massive advantage in seizing Bruce's fortune. And for Deathstroke's part in the plan, the Joker even offers him Dick Grayson's share.
Joker recognizes Batman's advantage over Gotham's villains. His resources have afforded Bruce a life as a successful crime fighter, and Wayne's fortune makes up for his lack of numbers or lack of super physical attributes. The devastation Joker and his crew could unleash on Gotham with even a fifth of Wayne's fortune is unfathomable.
Joker has the unique ability to throw Batman into an existential crisis, and this plan is yet another heinous attempt to physically and mentally break Batman. Joker's plan drags Bruce's loved ones in the middle of a war that seems like the Joker's deadliest scheme yet.
With Alfred dead and Dick Grayson firmly under his control, the Joker could be targeting Bruce's remaining beneficiaries to make a brainwashed Dick Grayson the only heir to the Wayne empire. While Batman has never really hesitated to put his loved ones in danger, his wealth can't afford his family safety from the Joker. And if Joker's past actions indicate how he'll respond, the Joker could very well manipulate that to his own twisted benefit.
Between an infestation of new villains and the Joker's plans, things aren't looking good for Gotham right now, and this new strategy is different than any other he's attempted before. If he controls the Wayne wealth, Joker could effectively shutdown those heroes who have stood in his way before. On the final page of Batman: Secret Files #3, Deathstroke leaves Batman with a warning about what's coming. If the Joker's plan is as dangerous as its shaping up to be, Batman would be wise to tale Deathstroke's words to heart.