Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Redirect|The Joker|other uses|Joker (disambiguation)<!-- Note: "Joker (disambiguation)" not "Joker" per [[WP:DISAMBIG#Links to disambiguation pages]]. -->}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox superhero
| character_name = The Joker
| image = Manwholaughs.jpg
|converted=y
| caption = The Joker on the cover of ''[[Batman: The Man Who Laughs]]''.<br />Art by [[Doug Mahnke]]
| real_name = <!--Please do not replace with anything else. The mainstream comics have never given a real name.-->
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| debut = ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #1 (Spring 1940)<ref name="Debut"/>
| creators = {{ubl|
*[[Jerry Robinson]]
*[[Bill Finger]]
*[[Bob Kane]]
}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|
*[[Injustice Gang]]
*[[Injustice League]]
*[[Secret Society of Super Villains|The Society]]
*[[Club of Heroes#Other versions|Club of Villains]]}}
| aliases = [[Red Hood]]<ref name="redhoodorigin"/>
| powers = {{plainlist|
*Genius-level intelligence
*Expert chemist and engineer
*Skilled in hand-to-hand combat
}}
| IOM_alter_ego =
| cat = super
| subcat = DC Comics
| hero =
| villain = y
| sortkey = The Joker
}}
The '''Joker''' is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]], a comic book [[supervillain]] appearing in publications by [[DC Comics]]. The character was created by [[Jerry Robinson]], [[Bill Finger]] and [[Bob Kane]], and first appeared in ''[[Batman (comic)|Batman]]'' #1 (Spring 1940). The credit for creating the character is disputed, as both Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for the Joker's design, but acknowledged Finger's writing contribution. Intended to be killed off during his initial appearance, the Joker was spared by editorial intervention, allowing the character to endure as the archenemy of the superhero [[Batman]].
Throughout his comic book appearances, the Joker is portrayed as a highly intelligent, master criminal. Originally introduced as a [[Psychopathy|psychopath]] with a warped and sadistic sense of humor, the character became a goofy prankster in the late 1950s in response to the regulation of the [[Comics Code Authority]], before being returned to his darker, homicidal roots in the early 1970s. As Batman's nemesis, Joker has been a part of many of the defining stories of that character, including the paralysis of Batman's ally [[Batgirl]], and the murder of [[Jason Todd]], Batman's ward and the second [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]. The Joker has been given a variety of origin stories throughout his seven decades in publication, but the most common has him falling into a tank of chemical waste, which bleaches his skin white, turns his hair green and his lips bright red, with the resulting disfigurement driving him insane. Presented as the complete antithesis to Batman's character, the Joker has been repeatedly analyzed by critics as the perfect adversary for the superhero.
One of the most iconic and recognized characters in popular culture, the Joker has been repeatedly identified as one of, if not the greatest comic book villain, and one of the most popular fictional characters. The Joker's prevalence has seen him adapted into a variety of merchandise, such as clothing and collectable items, real-world structures such as theme park attractions, and references in an array of media.
The Joker has appeared as an adversary for Batman across a wide spectrum of media in both live-action and animated incarnations, including the 1960s ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' television series where he is portrayed by [[Cesar Romero]], and in film by [[Jack Nicholson]] in ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989), and [[Heath Ledger]] in ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' (2008), for which Ledger posthumously earned the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]. [[Mark Hamill]], [[Brent Spiner]] and [[Michael Emerson]], among many others, have voiced the character in animation.
==Publication history==
=== Creation ===
[[File:Jerry-Robinson-Joker-Sketch-Card.jpg|thumb|upright|Jerry Robinson's 1940 concept sketch of the Joker.]]
[[Jerry Robinson]], [[Bill Finger]] and [[Bob Kane]] are generally considered to be responsible for creating the Joker, but much like his arch-enemy Batman, the character's origins are disputed, with each man providing their own version of his conception and their role therein. Accepted elements of the characters inspiration include a photo of actor [[Conrad Veidt]] in ''[[The Man Who Laughs (1928 film)|The Man Who Laughs]]'' (1928) seen by Finger, and a [[Joker (playing card)|Joker playing card]] provided by Robinson. Individually, Finger would state that he also found inspiration from an image he saw at [[Steeplechase Park]] on [[Coney Island]], and Robinson cited a sketch he had made in 1940 as the source of the Joker's design. Although Kane adamantly refused to share credit over many of his characters and would refuse to credit Robinson's involvement up until Kane's death, many comic historians credit give credit to Robinson as the Joker's creator, with development by Finger.<ref name="Creation1"/><ref name="Creation2"/><ref name="Creation4"/> In a 1994 interview, Kane said:
{{quote|Bill Finger and I created the Joker. Bill was the writer. Jerry Robinson came to me with a playing card of the Joker. That's the way I sum it up. [The Joker] looks like Conrad Veidt — you know, the actor in ''The Man Who Laughs'', [the 1928 movie based on the novel] by [[Victor Hugo]]. [...] Bill Finger had a book with a photograph of Conrad Veidt and showed it to me and said, 'Here's the Joker'. Jerry Robinson had absolutely nothing to do with it, but he'll always say he created it till he dies. He brought in a [[playing card]], which we used for a couple of issues for him [the Joker] to use as his playing card.<ref name="Creation101"/>}}<!--There are probably other places where Kane said this; this is the most succinct I could find online.-->
Robinson however credits himself, Finger and Kane for playing a role in the Joker's creation. Robinson countered that he created the Joker to be Batman's larger-than-life nemesis when extra stories needed to be written quickly for ''Batman'' #1, and that he received credit for the story in a college course.<ref name="Creation102"/> Robinson said:
{{quote|In that first meeting when I showed them that sketch of the Joker, Bill said it reminded him of Conrad Veidt in ''The Man Who Laughs''. That was the first mention of it...He can be credited and Bob himself, we all played a role in it. The concept was mine. Bill finished that first script from my outline of the persona and what should happen in the first story. He wrote the script of that, so he really was co-creator, and Bob and I did the visuals, so Bob was also.<ref name="Creation103"/>}}
Robinson was only 17 years old when he was hired as an assistant by Kane in 1939. Kane had noticed Robinson wearing a white jacket decorated with his own illustrations.<ref name="Creation4"/><ref name="Creation3"/> Starting as a letterer and background inker, Robinson quickly became the primary artist on the newly created ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' comic book series. In a 1984 interview on creating the Joker, Robinson said that he wanted a supreme arch-villain who could test Batman, but was not another typical crime lord or gangster. Robinson wanted a character who was more exotic and enduring, to serve as a continuing source of conflict for Batman in the vein of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty, and thus designed a diabolically sinister but clownish villain.<ref name="Creation5"/> Robinson found villains more interesting characters and his studies at Columbia University had taught him that some characters are built on their contradictions which led him to give the Joker a sense of humor. Robinson said that the name came first, followed by the image of the playing card from a deck he often had at hand.<ref name="Creation7"/> He said "I wanted somebody visually exciting. I wanted somebody that would make an indelible impression, would be bizarre, would be memorable like the Hunchback of Notre Dame or any other villains that had unique physical characters."<ref name="Creation8"/> Robinson told Finger of his concept by phone, before later providing sketches of the character accompanied by images of what would become his iconic Joker playing card design. Finger thought the concept was not yet complete, providing the aforementioned image of Conrad Veidt bearing a ghastly, permanent rictus grin. An interview from the same time period saw Kane dispute Robinson's story, but because Finger had given credit to Robinson, historians generally accept Robinson's version of events.<ref name="Creation5"/> By 2011, Robinson, Finger, and Kane had died, leaving the complete story unresolved.<ref name="Creation2"/><ref name="Creation5"/><ref name="GoldenAge6"/>
===Golden Age===
[[File:Comic Book - The Joker (1940).jpg|thumb|left|From the Joker's debut in ''[[Batman]]'' #1 (Spring 1940)]]
The Joker debuted in ''Batman'' #1 (1940) as Batman's first villain, a handful of months after Batman's own debut in ''Detective Comics'' #27 (May 1939). The Joker's initial appearance depicted him as a remorseless serial killer with a mirthless grin, and an appearance modelled after a Joker playing card, who killed his victims with "Joker Venom"—a toxin that left their faces stretched with a [[Risus sardonicus|smile]].{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=21}} The character was to be killed in his second appearance in ''Batman'' #1 after being stabbed in the heart. Finger wanted the Joker to die, as he was concerned that allowing recurring villains would make Batman appear inept, but he was overruled by then-editor [[Whitney Ellsworth]] who suggested that the character be spared. A hastily-drawn panel, demonstrating that the Joker was still alive, was subsequently added to the comic.<ref>''Batman From the 30s to the 70s'', Bonanza Books, 1970</ref><ref name="GoldenAge1"/><ref name="GoldenAge3"/> The Joker went on to appear in nine of ''Batman''{{'}}s first twelve issues.<ref name="GoldenAge2"/>
The Joker's frequent appearances quickly defined him as the archenemy of the dynamic duo Batman and Robin, with his murderous persona continuing to claim lives and even derail a train. By issue #13, Kane's work on the ''Batman'' syndicated newspaper strip left him little time for the comic book, leaving artist [[Dick Sprang]] to take over his duties, and editor Jack Schiff to collaborate on stories with Finger. It was during this era that the first signs of change in the Joker began to appear, with the character kidnapping and ransoming Robin, only to be thwarted when the ransom is paid with a personal check, preventing him from claiming his money without being arrested. Around the same time, DC Comics had found it was easier to market their stories to kids without the darker elements that had originated the characters.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=24, 27}} The 1942 cover of ''Detective Comics'' #69, known as "Double Guns" (as it depicts the Joker emerging from a genie lamp, wielding two guns at Batman and Robin) is considered one of the greatest superhero comic covers of the Golden Age. Ironically, this was the only image to show the character using traditional guns. Robinson said that other common villains of the time used guns, and the creative team wanted the Joker to be more resourceful, in order to be a worthy adversary for Batman.<ref name="Creation7"/>
===Silver Age===
The Joker was one of the few popular villains who continued making regular appearances in Batman comics from the Golden Age into the Silver Age, as Batman comics continued publication through the rise of mystery and romance comics. In 1951, Finger wrote an origin story for the Joker in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #168 which introduced the concept of him formerly being the criminal [[Red Hood]], and his disfigurement being the result of falling into a chemical vat.<ref name="SilverAge1"/> The 1954 enactment of the [[Comics Code Authority]] banned gore, innuendo and excessive violence, stripping Batman of his menace, and transformed the Joker into a goofy, thieving trickster, with none of the homicidal tendencies featured in his original incarnation.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=171}} The use of the character lessened somewhat by the mid-sixties, when [[Julius Schwartz]] took over editorship of the Batman comics in 1964, and the character remained largely absent throughout the decade.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/><ref name="GoldenAge5"/> This version of the character was adapted into the 1966 television series ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]''.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/> The campy show's popularity saw Schwartz instructed to keep the comics of a similar tone, but as the show's success waned so too did ''Batman'' series. Once the series had ended in 1968, Schwartz was free to begin reversing the trend.<ref name="GoldenAge5"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=173}} The Silver Age introduced defining character traits like the use of acid-squirting flowers, trick guns, and the committing of goofy, elaborate crimes.<ref name="Personality2"/>
===Bronze Age===
[[File:Comic Book - Batman 251 Cover (1973).jpg|185px|thumb|The cover to ''Batman'' #251 (Sept. 1973) featuring the story "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" which returned the Joker to his crazed murderer roots. Art by [[Neal Adams]].]]
In 1973, after a four-year disappearance,<ref name="Personality2"/> the character was revived and profoundly revised in Batman stories by writer [[Dennis O'Neil]] and artist [[Neal Adams]]. Beginning in ''Batman'' #251, with "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge", the Joker returns to his roots as a homicidal maniac who murders people on a whim, while enjoying battles of wits with Batman.<ref name="BronzeAge1"/><ref name="BronzeAge2"/><ref name="BronzeAge3"/> The story began a trend where the Joker was used more sparingly as a central character.<ref name="BronzeAge10"/> O'Neil said his idea was "simply to take it back to where it started. I went to the DC library and read some of the early stories. I tried to get a sense of what Kane and Finger were after."<ref name="BronzeAge8"/><ref name="BronzeAge4"/> O'Neil's 1973 run introduced the concept of Joker's legally defined insanity, that resulted in the Joker being sent to Arkham Asylum (then Arkham Hospital) following its creation in 1974, instead of prison.<ref name="BronzeAge20"/> Adams also modified the character's appearance, changing his more average body type to look taller and leaner, with an extended jaw.<ref name="BronzeAge9"/>
The 1970s were a testbed of experimentation at DC, leading to the Joker becoming the first villain to headline as the star of his own ongoing comic book series, [[Joker (comic book)|''The Joker'']], in 1975.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=176}} The series followed the character's interactions with other supervillains, and the first issue was written by O'Neil.<ref name="1975JokerComic"/> Stories forged a balance between promoting the Joker's characteristic criminality and making him a likable protagonist that readers could support. He murdered thugs and random civilians, but he never fought Batman, preventing ''The Joker'' from becoming about good triumphing over evil, but a scenario where Joker's brand of villainy won out over rival expressions of the same.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=177}} Because the Comics Code Authority mandated that villains receive punishment, each issue ended with the Joker apprehended; this limited the scope of stories that could be told and, combined with the series never finding an audience, ''The Joker'' was cancelled after only 9 issues, despite a "next issue" advert promoting an appearance by the [[Justice League]].<ref name="1975JokerComic"/>{{sfn|Duncan Smith|2013|p=380}}{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=177}}
When [[Jenette Kahn]] became DC editor in 1976, she redeveloped the company's many struggling titles, and under her tenure the Joker would become one of DC's most terrifying characters.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=177}} Writer [[Steve Englehart]] and penciler [[Marshall Rogers]], in an acclaimed eight-issue run in ''Detective Comics'' #471-476 (Aug. 1977 - April 1978), which went on to influence the 1989 movie ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' and be adapted for the [[Batman: the Animated Series|1990s animated series]],<ref name="BronzeAge4"/><ref name="BronzeAge20"/> added elements deepening the severity of the Joker's insanity. In their story "The Laughing Fish", the Joker is brazen enough to disfigure fish with a rictus grin, then expects to be granted a federal [[trademark]] on them, only to start killing bureaucrats who try to explain that obtaining such a claim on a [[natural resource]] is legally impossible.<ref name="BronzeAge20"/><ref name="BronzeAge5"/><ref name="BronzeAge6"/><ref name="BronzeAge7"/> Rogers also expanded on Adams' character design, adding a fedora and trench coat to the Joker's wardrobe.<ref name="BronzeAge9"/> Discussing his Joker, Englehart said "He was this very crazy, scary character. I really wanted to get back to the idea of Batman fighting insane murderers at 3 a.m. under the full moon, as the clouds scuttled by."<ref name="GoldenAge1"/>
===Modern Age===
Years after the end of the 1966 television series, sales of ''Batman'' continued to dwindle and teetered on the edge of cancellation. It was in the 1980s that the series started to turn around and the Joker was allowed to come into his own as part of the "Dark Age" of comics, an era of mature tales depicting death and destruction. The move was derided for moving away from the tamer superheroes and villains, but comic audiences were no longer largely children.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=182}} Only a few months after ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' launched the era by rebooting DC Comics characters, killing off Silver Age icons like the Flash and Supergirl and undoing decades of continuity, [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]]'s prestige format ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' (1986), reimagined Batman as an older, retired hero, and the Joker as a lipstick-wearing celebrity who is catatonic without his foe.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=183}}<ref name="BronzeAge9"/><ref name="ModernAge1"/><ref name="ModernAge2"/><ref name="ModernAge4"/> The late 1980s saw the Joker have a large impact on Batman and his supporting cast. In the 1988-89 story arc "[[Batman: A Death in the Family|A Death in the Family]]", the Joker murdered Batman's sidekick, the second Robin ([[Jason Todd]]). Fans had never accepted Todd, and rather than modify his character, DC opted to let them vote on his fate at the Joker's hands; a 28 vote margin saw the Joker beat Todd to death with a crowbar. The story altered the Batman universe, Joker was no longer a killer of anonymous bystanders, he was responsible for the death of a character core to the Batman fiction, which had a lasting effect on future stories.<ref name="ModernAge5"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=108}}
The 1988 graphic novel ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke|The Killing Joke]]'' by [[Alan Moore]] and [[Brian Bolland]] expanded on the Joker's origins, defining the character as a failed comedian who donned the Red Hood identity to help support his pregnant wife.<ref name="SilverAge1"/><ref>Greenberger and Manning, p. 38: "Offering keen insight into both the minds of the Joker and Batman, this special is considered by most Batman fans to be the definitive Joker story of all time."</ref> Unlike ''The Dark Knight Returns'', ''The Killing Joke'' took place within mainstream continuity.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=188}} The story is cited as one of the greatest Joker stories ever written, and had a significant influence on later comic stories, including the forced retirement of then-[[Barbara Gordon|Batgirl]] Barbara Gordon following her paralysis at Joker's hands, and films like ''Batman'' (1989) and ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' (2008).<ref name="ModernAge10"/><ref name="ModernAge11"/> [[Grant Morrison]]'s ''[[Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth]]'' (1989) explores the psychoses of the Joker, Batman and his other rogues while trapped in the eponymous facility.<ref name="ModernAge12"/><ref name="ModernAge13"/>
The 1992 animated series introduced a female sidekick for the Joker in the form of [[Harley Quinn]], a psychologist who falls for—and ends up in an abusive relationship with—the Joker, becoming his supervillain accomplice. The character proved so popular that in 1999, she was adapted into the comics as the Joker's romantic interest.<ref name="ModernAge15"/> Following the 2011 reboot of DC Comics' story continuity, the Joker appeared in his first major storyline "[[Death of the Family]]" (2012) by writer [[Scott Snyder]] and artist [[Greg Capullo]], which explores the dependent relationship between Joker and Batman, and causes a separation between Batman and his adopted family.<ref name="GoldenAge2"/><ref name="ModernAge14"/>
==Fictional character biography==
The character of Joker has undergone many revisions over his seven decades in publication. The generally accepted and consistent aspect of the character is that while disguised as the criminal Red Hood, he fell into a vat of chemicals while being pursued by Batman, and that these chemicals bleached his skin white, dyed his hair green and his lips ruby red, driving him insane. The context for wearing the Red Hood costume and who he was before his chemical bath have changed over time.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/>
The Joker is introduced in ''Batman'' #1 (1940), where he publicly announces that he will kill three of Gotham's prominent citizens, including the mayor, Henry Claridge. The police provide protection for Claridge but the Joker had poisoned him before making his announcement, and Claridge dies stricken with a perpetual grin on his face, as Joker's first public victim. The Joker attempts to poison Robin with the same deadly Joker Venom, but Batman defeats Joker and sends him to prison.<ref name="JokerBioGeek2"/> From his debut, the Joker has committed crimes both whimsical and brutal, all with a logic and reasoning that, in Batman's words, "make sense to him alone."<ref name="Bio101"/> ''Detective Comics'' #168 (1951) introduced the Joker's earliest origin story, casting him as the Red Hood, a criminal who, during his final heist, vanished after leaping into a vat of chemicals to escape Batman. The resulting disfigurement led him to take the name Joker from the playing card he now resembled.<ref name="SilverAge1"/> The Joker's Silver Age transformation into a figure of fun was established in 1952's "The Joker's Millions", in which the Joker is obsessed with maintaining the illusion of wealth and celebrity status as a criminal folk hero, afraid to let Gotham's citizens know that he is penniless and was tricked out of his fortune.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=27}} The 1970s redefined the character as a murderous psychopath. "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" follows the Joker taking violent revenge on the former gang members who betrayed him,<ref name="BronzeAge10"/> and "The Laughing Fish" sees Joker chemically add his visage to Gotham's fish in hopes of profiting from the copyright, and killing bureaucrats who deny his copyright request.
[[File:Jokerkillingjoke.png|thumb|left|The Joker goes insane after emerging from the canal of chemical-waste that bleaches his skin white, dyes his hair green and his lips ruby red, in ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke]]'' (1988)]]
The 1980s saw the Joker target Batman's family, including beating then-Robin Jason Todd to death, shooting and paralysing then-Batgirl Barbara Gordon, and torturing her father [[James Gordon (comics)|Commissioner Gordon]] in an attempt to prove that it only takes one bad day to turn any man into a psychopath.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=188}} ''Batman: The Killing Joke'' (1988) explores a possible origin for the Joker, portraying him as a failed comedian pressured into committing crime as the Red Hood to support his pregnant wife. Batman's interference causes him to leap into a chemical vat that disfigures his skin and, combined with the trauma of his wife's earlier accidental death, the man goes insane, creating the Joker. He remarks that this story may not be true, preferring his past to be "multiple choice". Batman offers to rehabilitate his old foe and end their rivalry. Joker refuses, but shows his appreciation by sharing a joke with Batman.<ref name="Killing Joke"/> The Joker's maiming of Barbara ultimately turned her into a more important character in the DC Universe as Oracle, a data gatherer and informant for superheroes, although she eventually took her revenge in ''[[Birds of Prey (comics)|Birds of Prey]]'' by shattering his teeth, destroying his smile.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=188}} Todd's death is detailed in the 1988 story "A Death in the Family". Todd's death haunted Batman, and for the first time made him consider killing the Joker.<ref name="ModernAge5"/>
During the 1999 "[[No Man's Land (comics)|No Man's Land]]" storyline, the Joker murders Commissioner Gordon's second wife, [[Sarah Essen Gordon|Sarah]] as she shields a group of infants.<ref name="ComicNoManLand"/> He proceeds to taunt Gordon, provoking the commissioner to shoot him in the kneecap. The Joker laments that he may never walk again, and then collapses with laughter as he realizes that the Commissioner has avenged Barbara's paralysis.<ref name="Bio102"/> The story also introduced the Joker's girlfriend Harley Quinn.<ref name="ModernAge15"/>
The 2000s launched with the crossover story "Emperor Joker", in which the Joker steals [[Mister Mxyzptlk]]'s reality-altering power and remaking the universe in his own image. Joker tortures and kills Batman daily before resurrecting him. The Joker attempts to destroy the universe but is unwilling to erase Batman from existence, causing him to lose control and allow [[Superman]], Mxyzptlk and the [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]] to defeat him. Batman is left broken by his experience and Superman erases Batman's memories so that he can go on.<ref name="ComicEmperorJoker"/> "Joker's Last Laugh" (2001) sees the Joker convinced of his own impending death in an attempt to shock rehabilitate him. Instead the Joker, flanked by an army of "Jokerized" supervillains, launches his final crime spree. Believing that Robin has been killed in the chaos, [[Dick Grayson]] beats Joker to death. Batman resuscitates his foe to keep Grayson from becoming a murderer.<ref name="Bio103"/>
"[[Batman: Under the Hood|Under the Hood]]" (2005) resurrects Todd who attempts to force Batman to avenge his death by killing the Joker. Joker finds the conflict between the pair more rewarding than Todd's death.<ref name="ComicUndertheHood"/> The Joker kills [[Alexander Luthor, Jr.|Alexander Luthor]] in ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' (2005) for excluding him from the [[Secret Society of Super Villains]], who considered Joker too unpredictable.<ref name="ComicInfiniteCrisis7"/> Morrison's "[[Batman & Son]]" (2006) removed Joker from stories after the character was shot in the face by a deranged police officer impersonating Batman, and left scarred and disabled. Joker returned in "The Clown at Midnight" (2007) as a cruel and unknowable force who awakens from his post-injury catatonia and tries to kill Harley to prove to Batman that he had become more than human.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=195}} The 2008 story arc "[[Batman R.I.P.]]" sees Joker recruited into the [[Black Glove]]'s plans to destroy Batman. He plays along conscious that Batman will survive their attempt.<ref name="ComicBatmanRIP"/><ref name="ComicDCUniverseZero"/> Following Batman's apparent death in "[[Final Crisis]]" (2008), Grayson investigates a series of murders which lead him to a disguised Joker.<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin12"/> After the Joker is arrested, then-Robin [[Damian Wayne]] beats him with a crowbar; Joker realizes this Robin is Batman's son, noting their physical resemblance.<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin13"/> Joker escapes and launches an attack on the Black Glove. Guided to a climatic confrontation, Grayson and Damian are aided against Joker and the Black Glove by the return of Batman: and the Joker is captured.
In the 2010s, DC's [[The New 52]], a 2011 relaunch of their titles, sees the Joker have his own face cut off.<ref name="JokerBioGeek"/> He disappears for a year, returning to launch an attack on Batman's entire extended family in "Death of the Family" so that he and Batman can be "the best hero and villain they can be". The conclusion of the storyline sees the Joker fall off a cliff into a dark abyss.<ref name="DotF1"/>
===Other versions===
{{Main|Alternative versions of Joker}}
A multitude of [[parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]]s exist in DC Comics' publications that have allowed writers to introduce variations on the Joker where the character's origins, behavior, and morality differ from the mainstream setting.<ref name="Multiverse"/> Titles like ''The Dark Knight Returns'' are able to depict the final battle between an aged Batman and Joker,<ref name="ModernAge1"/> while others portray the aftermath of the Joker's death at the hands of various characters, including Superman.<ref name="OtherKingdom"/><ref name="OtherInjustice"/> Others still portray distant futures where the latest incarnation of the Joker is a hero attempting to take down that era's tyrannical Batman, or where the Joker exists as a computer virus.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=38}} In some stories the Joker is someone else entirely, such as "[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]" in which Batman's mother [[Martha Wayne]] becomes the Joker in response to her son's murder,<ref name="OtherFlashpoint"/> or ''[[Superman: Speeding Bullets]]'' in which [[Lex Luthor]] becomes the Joker in a world where Superman becomes Batman.<ref name="OtherSpeeding"/>
==Characterization==
The Joker has been referred to as the Clown Prince of Crime (or Chaos), the Harlequin of Hate (Havoc), and the Ace of Knaves. Throughout the evolution of the [[DC Universe]], interpretations and incarnations of the Joker have taken two forms. The original and currently dominant image is of an extreme [[Psychopathy|psychopath]]{{sfn|Langley|2013|p=130}} possessing genius intelligence and a warped, sadistic sense of humor.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Cracking Up: American Humor in a Time of Conflict|last=Lewis|first=Paul|year=2006|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=0-226-47699-5|pages=31–34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sabin|first=Roger|authorlink=Roger Sabin|title=Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels|page=61|isbn=0-7148-3008-9|publisher=Phaidon|year=1996}}</ref> The other interpretation of the character, popular in the late 1940s through 1960s comic books as well as the 1960s television series, is that of an eccentric but harmless prankster and thief. The Joker is typically depicted in a purple suit with a long-tailed, padded-shoulder jacket, string tie, a pair of gloves, striped pants, and [[Spats (footwear)|spats]] covering pointed-toe shoes. This outfit is sometimes accompanied by a wide-brimmed hat. This look is such a fundamental aspect of the character that, when the 2004 animated series ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'' costumed the Joker in a straitjacket, it quickly redesigned him to feature his familiar suit.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=69}}
In the graphic novel ''The Joker: Devil's Advocate'', the Joker is reported to have killed well over 2,000 people. Despite having murdered enough people to get the [[death penalty]] thousands of times over, he is always found [[Insanity defense|not guilty by reason of insanity]].<ref name="JokerDevilsAdvocate"/>{{sfn|Langley|2013|p=162-163}} The Joker is renowned as Batman's greatest enemy.<ref name="IGNJokerBiography"/> His unpredictable, homicidal nature makes him one of the most feared supervillains in the DC Universe; in the ''[[Villains United]]'' and ''Infinite Crisis'' mini-series, the members of the villains' Secret Society refuse to induct the Joker for this reason. In the mini-series ''[[Underworld Unleashed]]'', the [[Trickster (comics)|Trickster]] remarks, "When super-villains want to scare each other, they tell Joker stories."<ref name="BatmanUnauthorized"/> All of Gotham's villains feel threatened by the Joker, and depending on the circumstances he is as likely to fight with his rivals for control of the city, as he is to team up with them for more entertaining outcomes.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=83}}
Despite this—and his tendency to kill his subordinates on a whim—the Joker has no difficulty employing henchmen with his seemingly infinite cash supply, and they are too afraid of their employer to refuse his requests for them to wear red clown noses or to laugh at the Joker's jokes.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}} The Joker is sometimes shown to keep [[hyena]]s as pets; this trait was introduced in the 1977 animated series ''[[The New Adventures of Batman]]''.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}}
===Personality===
The Joker's main characteristic is his apparent insanity, although he is not described as fitting any particular psychological disorder. He displays a lack of conscience and empathy, and no concern over right and wrong demonstrating extreme psychopathy. In ''A Serious House on Serious Earth'', Joker is described as only being capable of processing sensory information from the outside world by simply adapting to it, causing him to create a new personality every day depending on what would benefit him most, explaining why he is sometimes a mischievous clown and at others a psychopathic killer.{{sfn|Langley|2013|pp=180-181}} ''The Killing Joke'', in which Joker serves as an unreliable narrator, depicts the root of his insanity as having "one bad day", in this case losing his wife and unborn child, and being disfigured by chemicals, although he is unsure if this is what really happened. He tries and fails to prove that anyone can become like him after one bad day, by psychologically and physically torturing Commissioner Gordon.<ref name="Personality2"/> Batman offers to rehabilitate his foe, but the Joker apologizes that he cannot accept the offer, believing it is too late for him to be saved.<ref name="PersonalityTKJ"/> Other interpretations show him as fully aware of how his actions affect others and his insanity is merely an act.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=37}} Comics scholar [[Peter Coogan]] describes the Joker as trying to reshape reality to fit himself by imposing his visage on his victims, and even fish, in an attempt to make the world comprehensible by creating a twisted parody of himself. Englehart's "The Laughing Fish" shows the characters illogical nature, attempting to copyright fish that bear his face, and not understanding why threatening the copyright clerk cannot produce the desired result.{{sfn|Langley|2013|pp=183-184}}<ref name="BronzeAge20"/>
Joker is alternatively depicted as a sexual and asexual being. In ''The Dark Knight Returns'' and ''Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth'', Joker openly flirts with Batman, leaving open to interpretation whether their relationship contains homoerotic undertones, or if Joker is simply attempting to manipulate his nemesis. Frank Miller interpreted the character as fixated on death and not interested in a sexual relationship, while Robinson believes that Joker is capable of having a girlfriend.{{sfn|Duncan Smith|2013|p=379}} His abusive romantic relationship with Harley Quinn is the subject of debate. Although Joker keeps her at his side, he frequently causes her physical harm, even throwing her out of a window without checking to see if she survived afterwards. While Harley is in love with (and presumably sexually attracted to) him, the Joker does not return her feelings, chiding her for distracting him from other plans.{{sfn|Langley|2013|pp=177-180}}
Snyder's "Death of the Family" presents Joker as being in love with Batman, though not in a traditional romantic way. The Joker believes he makes Batman better, and that Batman loves him for it, justifying why Batman has not killed him.<ref name="ModernAge14"/><ref name="CharacterDOTF"/> The Joker and Batman represent complete opposites: the extroverted Joker wearing colorful garb and embraces chaos, while the introverted Batman wears monochrome colors and represents order and discipline. The Joker is often represented as defining his existence by his conflict with Batman. In "Going Sane" (1994), Joker attempts to lead a normal life following Batman's apparent death, only to instantly become the Joker again when Batman reappears, and in "Emperor Joker", an omnipotent Joker attempts to erase Batman from existence, but is unable to do so without undoing himself. Much like the Joker wears no mask and simply is the Joker, he believes Batman is Batman with or without the costume, and repeatedly ignores attempts to learn his true identity as he has no interest in what lies behind Batman's mask.{{sfn|Manning|2011|pp=37-38}}<ref name="JokerBioGeek3"/> Similarly, when given the opportunity to kill Batman, Joker opts not to, believing that without their game, winning is pointless.{{sfn|Manning|p=105}} The Joker has no desire for typical criminal goals like money or power, and his acts are designed only to continue his game with Batman.<ref name="JokerBioGeek"/>
''[[Batman: Knightfall|Knightfall]]'' (1993) sees the supervillain [[Scarecrow (DC Comics)|Scarecrow]] use his fear gas to expose Joker's fears but it has no effect on him.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} The Joker has sometimes been temporarily rendered sane through different means, such as telepathic manipulation, or through the use of a life-restoring [[Lazarus Pit]]—an experience that typically induces insanity in the subject.<ref name="ComicLotDarkKnight145"/> In these moments the Joker is depicted as expressing remorse for his acts. However, during a medically-induced sanity in ''[[Batman: Cacophony]]'', the Joker tells Batman: "I don't hate you 'cause I'm crazy. I'm crazy 'cause I hate you", before confirming that he will only stop killing people when Batman is dead.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
===Skills and equipment===
The Joker has no inherent superhuman abilities.<ref name="ImpactWhatCulture"/> Instead, he commits crimes with a variety of weaponized thematic props such as a deck of razor-tipped playing cards, rolling marbles, [[Jack-in-the-box|Jacks-in-the-box]] that contain unpleasant surprises, and exploding cigars capable of detonating with enough force to level a building. The flower in his lapel sprays potent acid, and his hand often contains a lethal [[joy buzzer]] that emits a million volts of electricity.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=70}} His most notable weapon however, is Joker Venom, a toxin delivered in liquid or gaseous forms that sends its targets into fits of uncontrollable laughter, while more potent doses can lead to paralysis, coma, or death, and leaves the victim with a ghoulish and pained [[Risus sardonicus|rictus grin]]. The Joker has employed venom since his debut, and only he knows the formula. He is shown to be gifted enough with chemistry to produce the toxin from typical household chemicals. Another version of the venom used in "Joker's Last Laugh", transforms the victims' appearance to resemble the Joker, and makes them susceptible to his orders.<ref name="JokerBioGeek2"/><ref name="WeaponsVenom"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=69, 124}} The Joker is immune to most poisons as well as venom; in ''Batman'' #663 (2007), Morrison writes that "being an avid consumer of his products, the Joker's immunity to poisons has been built up over years of dedicated abuse".<ref name="Batman663"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=69}}
The Joker's arsenal is inspired by his nemesis' own thematic weaponry like batarangs. In "The Joker's Utility Belt" (1952), he replicated Batman's [[Batman's utility belt|utility belt]], stocked with particularly non-lethal items like Mexican jumping beans and sneezing powder.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=70}} Furthering his imitation of Batman's gear, in 1942's "The Joker Follows Suit", the Joker built the antitheses of Batman's [[Batplane]] and [[Batmobile]]: the Jokergyro and Jokermobile, the latter decorated with an oversized Joker face on its hood. He also created a Joker signal that criminals could use to summon him for their heists.{{sfn|Manning|2011|pp=70,75}} The Jokermobile lasted for several decades, going through variations alongside the Batmobile. His technical genius is not limited by practicality, allowing him to transform buildings into deathtraps, launch a gas attack on the city, or rain down poisoned glass shards on it's citizens from an airship.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}}
Joker is portrayed as physically skilled in melee combat. From his initial appearances where he equals Batman, defeating him in a swordfight and nearly killing him, and others where he completely overwhelms Batman but chooses not to kill him.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=24, 37-38, 105}} He is also talented with firearms, although even his guns are theatrical-his long-barreled revolver often releases a flag bearing the onomatopoeiac message "Bang", with a second pull of the trigger launching the flag like a harpoon, skewering the target.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=70}} Although he is a formidable fighter, Joker's best asset is his mind.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=38}} He is shown to be highly intelligent and skilled in the fields of [[chemistry]] and [[engineering]], as well an expert with explosives. From his first appearance onward, he has been consistently portrayed as capable of [[Broadcast signal intrusion|hijacking broadcasts]]—usually news programs—of both the television and radio varieties. The Joker has been shown kidnapping a computer genius, and admitting that he does not know much about computers, although later writers have portrayed him as very [[computer literacy|computer literate]].{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
===Various origins===
{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="They’ve given many origins of the Joker, how he came to be. That doesn’t seem to matter—just how he is now. I never intended to give a reason for his appearance. We discussed that and Bill [Finger] and I never wanted to change it at that time. I thought—and he agreed—that it takes away some of the essential mystery."|source=– The Joker's creator Jerry Robinson{{sfn|Langley|2013|p=180}}|style=padding:10px; background-color: #EFEFEF;}}
Though many have been related, a definitive [[back-story]] has never been established for the Joker. Portrayed as an unreliable narrator, the character is unsure of who he was before, and how he became the Joker, stating in ''The Killing Joke'': "Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another... if I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!"<ref name="TKJ"/><ref name="Origin3"/> The earliest origin appeared in ''Detective Comics'' #168 (February 1951), nearly a decade after the character's debut. In that story, the Joker is depicted as a lab worker who becomes the Red Hood to steal $1 million from his employers and then retire. He falls into a vat of chemical waste after his heist is thwarted by Batman, emerging with bleached white skin, red lips, green hair and a persistent grin.<ref name="Origin1"/><ref name="Origin2"/>
This origin served as the basis for Moore's ''The Killing Joke'', depicting the most widely cited origin tale. In the story, the Joker has a pregnant wife, and quits his lab job to become a stand-up comedian, only to fail miserably. He agrees to help mobsters commit a robbery for money, and is forced to wear the pill-shaped Red Hood for his part. The heist goes wrong and the comedian leaps into a chemical vat to escape Batman, later resurfacing with the familiar disfigurement. Coupled with the earlier accidental death of his wife and unborn child, the comedian goes insane and becomes the Joker. This version of events has been referenced in many stories since, including ''[[Batman: The Man Who Laughs]]'' when Batman deduces that Red Hood survived his fall and became the Joker, ''Batman'' #450 when Joker dons the Red Hood costume to aid his recovery after the events of ''A Death in the Family'' only to find the experience too traumatic, and "Death of the Family".<ref name="Killing Joke"/><ref name="TKJ"/><ref name="Origin2"/> Other stories have expanded on ''The Killing Joke'' origin, such as "Pushback" (''[[Batman: Gotham Knights]]'' #50-55), where the [[Riddler]] recounts that the Joker's wife was murdered by a corrupt cop working for the mobsters to help coerce the comedian.<ref name="Origin2"/> "Payback" shows pictures of the pre-disfigurement Joker — identified as "Jack" — with his wife.<ref name="OriginPushback"/>
The story however is far from definitive and the Joker's unreliable memory has allowed writers to develop many alternate origins for the character.<ref name="Origin2"/> In the [[Paul Dini]]-[[Alex Ross]] story "Case Study", the Joker is shown as a sadistic gangster who becomes a mob boss, but creates the Red Hood identity for himself to allow him to still experience the thrill of performing small-time crimes. Eventually, he has his fateful first meeting with Batman, resulting in his disfigurement. It is implied that Joker remains sane, and feigns insanity to avoid the death penalty. ''[[Batman Confidential]]'' (#7-12) portrays the character as a criminal named Jack who is too gifted to find normal crimes challenging. He encounters and becomes obsessed with Batman during a heist, and embarks on a crime spree to draw Batman's attention. Jack wounds the girlfriend of Batman's alter-ego, and a vengeful Batman scars Jack's face, giving him a [[Glasgow smile|permanent grin]]. Batman gives Jack's information to mobsters, who torture Jack in a chemical plant. Jack escapes, but falls into an empty vat as wild gunfire punctures the chemical tanks above him, and the resultant flood of chemicals used in [[anti-psychotic]] medication alters his appearance, completing his transformation into the Joker.<ref name="ComicBatmanConfidential"/>
''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #31 explores the Joker's childhood when the [[Atom (comics)|Atom]] assists in an operation on the Joker's brain, and sees memories of the villain committing various brutal crimes before his disfigurement: savagely beating a bully, and burning his parents alive after they find him killing pets.<ref name="BraveandBold31Review"/> The Joker himself has claimed all manner of origins, including being the child of an abusive father who broke his nose, and the long-lived jester of an Egyptian pharaoh. As Batman says: "Like any other comedian, he uses whatever material will work".{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=136}}
==Cultural impact==
The Joker is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable fictional characters in pop culture, arguably of similarly renown to his nemesis Batman.<ref name="ImpactComplex"/><ref name="ImpactLATimes"/><ref name="ImpactIGN2"/> In 2006, the Joker was listed at number 1 on ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine's 100 Greatest Villains of All Time.<ref name="ImpactWizard"/> In 2008, ''Wizard''{{'}}s list of the 200 Greatest Comic Book Characters of All Time placed Joker at number 5,<ref name="ImpactWizard2"/> and at number 8 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s list of the 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters (the highest ranked villain on both lists).<ref name="ImpactEmpire"/> In 2009, Joker ranked at number 2 on [[IGN]]'s list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains.<ref name="ImpactIGN"/> In 2013, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' and WhatCulture named Joker the greatest comic book villain of all time, and IGN listed him as the top DC Comics villain.<ref name="ImpactWhatCulture"/><ref name="ImpactComplex"/><ref name="ImpactIGN2013"/>
''[[TV Guide]]'' included [[Caesar Romero]]'s interpretation of the character in a 2013 list of the "60 nastiest villains of all time",<ref name="ImpactTVGuide"/> he was listed at number 45 on the villains list as part of the [[American Film Institute]]'s [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains|100 Heroes & Villains]],<ref name="ImpactAFI100"/> and his portrayal in ''The Dark Knight'' positioned him at number 3 on ''Empire'' magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Movie Characters.<ref name="ImpactEmpire100"/> The character has inspired theme park attractions like [[The Joker's Jinx]] rollercoaster in [[Maryland]], and appeared as a character in story-based rides like [[Batman Adventure – The Ride]] and [[The Dark Knight Coaster]].<ref name="CulturalCoaster1"/><ref name="CulturalCoaster2"/><ref name="CulturalCoaster3"/><ref name="CulturalCoaster4"/>
The Jokermobile was a popular toy; a Corgi [[Die-cast toy|die-cast metal]] replica saw success in the 1950s while in the 1970s, a Joker-styled, [[Flower power]]-era [[Volkswagen Type 2|Volkswagen microbus]] was released by [[Mego Corporation|Mego]].{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}}
===In other media===
{{Main|Joker in other media}}
{{multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| footer = The many faces of the Joker: (from left to right) [[Cesar Romero]] in 1973, [[Jack Nicholson]] in 1976, [[Mark Hamill]] in 2010 and [[Heath Ledger]] in 2006. Romero played the Joker in the 1960s [[Batman (TV series)|''Batman'' TV series]], Nicholson played the character in [[Tim Burton]]'s 1989 film ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', Hamill voiced the Joker in animation and video games for two decades, and Ledger won an Academy Award for [[The Joker (The Dark Knight)|his interpretation of the character]] in ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' 2008.
| image1 = Cesar Romero 3 Allan Warren.jpg
| width1 = 120
| image2 = Jack Nicholson - 1976.jpg
| width2 = 150
| image3 = Mark Hamill 2010.jpg
| width3 = 140
| image4 = Heath Ledger 2006 - Cropped, Facing Left.jpg
| width4 = 154
}}
The Joker has appeared in various media aside from comic books, including television series and several films in both animated and live-action forms. The earliest adaptation of the character was in the 1966 television series ''Batman'' where he is portrayed as a cackling prankster by [[Cesar Romero]], reflecting the character's contemporary comic counterpart.<ref name="Media4"/><ref name="IGNManyFacesofJoker"/> In the following years, the character made a variety of appearances in animated form including 1968's ''[[The Adventures of Batman]]'' (voiced by [[Larry Storch]]),<ref name="MediaStorch"/> 1977's ''[[The New Adventures of Batman]]'' (voiced by [[Lennie Weinrib]]),<ref name="MediaWeinrib"/> and 1985's ''[[The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians]]'' (voiced by [[Frank Welker]]).<ref name="MediaWelker"/><ref name="MediaWelker2"/> The darker version of the Joker made his big screen debut in 1989's ''Batman'' portrayed by [[Jack Nicholson]]. The film went on to earn over $400 million at the worldwide box office. The role was considered to overshadow Batman's own, and would become a defining performance in Nicholson's filmography.<ref name="Media3"/> The film's success lead to 1992's television series ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''. Voiced by actor [[Mark Hamill]], the Joker and show retained the darker tone of the comics with stories acceptable for young children.<ref name="Media1"/><ref name="Media2"/> Hamill's Joker is considered one of the defining portrayals of the character and in the following years he would voice the character in spin off movies like ''[[Batman: Mask of the Phantasm]]'' (1993) and ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]'' (2000), video games such as ''[[Batman: Vengeance]]'' (2001), and related series like ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' (1996), ''[[Static Shock]]'' (2000), and ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' (2001), as well as action figures, toys, and amusement park voice overs.<ref name="Media8"/><ref name="Media9"/><ref name="MediaSShock"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=17}} A heavily redesigned Joker (voiced by [[Kevin Michael Richardson]]) appeared in 2004's ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]''. Richardson was the first African-American to portray the character.<ref name="MediaTheBatman"/><ref name="MediaTheBatman2"/>
Following the successful 2005 Batman film reboot ''[[Batman Begins]]'' directed by [[Christopher Nolan]] that ended with a teaser for the Joker's involvement in a sequel, the character would return to the big screen in 2008's ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' where he is portrayed by [[Heath Ledger]] as an avatar of anarchy and chaos.<ref name="Media5"/><ref name="MediaTDK"/> While ''Batman Begins'' took a worldwide total of $370 million,<ref name="MediaTDK4"/> ''The Dark Knight'' went on to earn over $1 billion, becoming the highest grossing film of that year, and setting several records at the time including highest grossing midnight opening, opening day, and opening weekend.<ref name="MediaTDK2"/><ref name="MediaTDK3"/> Ledger posthumously won an [[Academy Award]] for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, the first time any superhero film had won an Academy Award for acting.<ref name="Media6"/><ref name="Media7"/> From the late 2010s, the Joker featured in a variety of animated projects such as 2009's ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' (voiced by [[Jeff Bennett]]),<ref name="MediaTBatB"/> 2011's ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' (voiced by [[Brent Spiner]]),<ref name="MediaYJ"/> and comic book story adaptations including ''[[Batman: Under the Red Hood]]'' (2010) where he is voiced by [[John DiMaggio]]. In 2012, actor [[Michael Emerson]] provided the character's voice in the two-part animated adaptation of ''[[Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (film)|The Dark Knight Returns]]''.<ref name="Media12"/><ref name="Media13"/>
The Joker has also been featured in several video games. Hamill returned to voice the character in the critically acclaimed 2009 video game ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]'', its equally acclaimed 2011 sequel ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'' and the multiplayer game ''[[DC Universe Online]]''.<ref name="MediaDCU"/> After two decades portraying the character, Hamill retired from the role following ''Arkham City'', and was replaced by voice actor [[Troy Baker]] in the 2013 sequel ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]''.<ref name="Media8"/><ref name="Media10"/><ref name="Media11"/> [[Richard Epcar]] voiced the Joker in the fighting game ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'' (2008), and would reprise the role in the 2013 follow-up ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]''.<ref name="MediaMKvsDCU"/><ref name="MediaIGAU"/> The character has also appeared in ''[[Lego Batman: The Videogame]]'' (2008), and ''[[Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes]]'' (2012) and its [[Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite|animated adaptation]] (voiced in both by [[Christopher Corey Smith]]).<ref name="MediaLego1"/><ref name="MediaLego2"/>
==See also==
* [[List of Batman Family adversaries]]
* [[Evil clown]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="1975JokerComic">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=BIZARRO BACK ISSUES: THE JOKER’S SOLO SERIES (1975) |url=http://comicsalliance.com/bizarro-back-issues-the-jokers-solo-series-1975/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=September 12, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/WCmtW|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Batman663">{{Cite comic | Writer = Morrison, Grant | Artist = Van Fleet, John | Story = The Clown at Midnight | Title = Batman #663 | Issue = 663 | Date = April 2007 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 22 | Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="BatmanUnauthorized">{{cite book|last=Anders|first=Lou|title=Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City|publisher=[[BenBella Books]]|year=2008|pages=29|chapter=Two of a Kind|isbn=9781935251316|quote=By 2007, the Joker was indisputably one of the most dangerous and insane villains in DC's entire universe. This is evidenced in the 1995 three-issue ''Underworld Unleashed'', in which Flash-nemesis the Trickster said, 'When super-villains want to scare each other, they tell Joker stories.'}}</ref>
<ref name="Bio101">{{Cite web|first=Bill|last=Ramey|url=http://www.batman-on-film.com/comics_jett_batman1_review2.html|title=Comic Review: Batman #1, Part 2|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=March 11, 2007|publisher=Batman on Film|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100722160210/http://www.batman-on-film.com/comics_jett_batman1_review2.html|archivedate=July 22, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Bio102">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/no-mans-land/42106/|title=No Man's Land (comics)|accessdate=May 9, 2008|publisher=Comic Vine|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090131215911/http://www.comicvine.com/no-mans-land/39-42106/|archivedate=January 31, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Bio103">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/joker-last-laugh/46441/|title=Joker: Last Laugh (comics)|accessdate=May 9, 2008|publisher=Comic Vine|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090131215231/http://www.comicvine.com/joker-last-laugh/39-46441/|archivedate=January 31, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="BraveandBold31Review">{{Cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/106/1062409p1.html |title=The Brave and the Bold #31 review }}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge1">{{cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 156 |quote = After decades as an irritating prankster, Batman's greatest enemy re-established himself as a homicidal harlequin in this issue...this classic tale by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams introduced a dynamic that remains to this day: the Joker's dependence on Batman as his only worthy opponent.}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge2">{{cite book|last = Greenberger|first = Robert|authorlink = Robert Greenberger|last2 = Manning| first2 = Matthew K.|author2-link = |title = The Batman Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the Batcave|publisher = [[Running Press]]|year = 2009|isbn = 0-7624-3663-8|page= 161 and 163 |quote = In 1973, O'Neil alongside frequent collaborator Neal Adams forged the landmark 'The Joker's Five-Way Revenge' in ''Batman'' #251, in which the Clown Prince of Crime returned to his murderous ways, killing his victims with his trademark Joker Venom and taking much delight from their sufferings.}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge3">{{Cite web|first=Mark S.|last=Reinhart|url=http://www.batman-on-film.com/bathistory_thejokers5wayrevenge_msreinhart.html|title=The Joker's 5 Way Revenge|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=October 4, 2006|publisher=Batman on Film}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=40748|title=Batman Artist Rogers is Dead|accessdate=May 2, 2008|date=March 28, 2007|quote=Even though their Batman run was only six issues, the three laid the foundation for later Batman comics. Their stories include the classic 'Laughing Fish' (in which the Joker's face appeared on fish); they were adapted for ''Batman: The Animated Series'' in the 1990s. Earlier drafts of the 1989 Batman film with Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight were based heavily on their work|publisher=Sci Fi|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080411230610/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=40748 |archivedate=April 11, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge5">{{Cite web|first=Cullen|last=Waters|url=http://welltuncares.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/laughing_fish_comic_review/|title=Detective Comics #475 (The Laughing Fish) and #476 (The Sign of the Joker)|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=The Writer Journal of Cullen M. M. Waters}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge6">{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Phillips|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/01/rogues-gallery-the-joker?page=2|title=Rogue's Gallery: The Joker|accessdate=November 18, 2013|date=January 18, 2008|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[j2 Global]]|page=2|quote=[T]he Joker decides to brand every fish product in Gotham with his trademark grin, going so far as to blackmail and murder copyright officials until he's compensated for his hideous innovation.|archiveurl=http://archive.is/Ode3X|archivedate=November 18, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge7">Greenberger and Manning, p. 163: "In this fondly remembered tale that was later adapted into an episode of the 1990s cartoon ''Batman: The Animated Series'', the Joker poisoned the harbors of Gotham so that the fish would all bear his signature grin, a look the Joker then tried to trademark in order to collect royalties."</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge8">{{Cite book|author=Pearson, Roberta E.; Uricchio, William|chapter=Notes from the Batcave: An Interview with Dennis O'Neil.|title=The Many Lives of the Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and His Media|publisher=Routledge: London|year=1991|page=18|isbn=0-85170-276-7}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge9">{{cite web |first=Daniel|last=Phillips | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/08/why-so-serious-the-many-looks-of-joker?page=2 | title =Why So Serious?: The Many Looks of Joker (Page 2) | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date = December 8, 2008| accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl= http://archive.is/uUBjF |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge10">{{cite web |first=Seb|last=Patrick| url =http://www.denofgeek.com/books-comics/batman/11301/10-essential-joker-stories | title =10 Essential Joker Stories | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |work=Den of Geek | date=July 15, 2008 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/nxr8H |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge20">{{cite web | url =http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/2009/08/09/joker-steve-englehart-the-laughing-fish/ | title =Joker Panel Interview: Steve Englehart on The Laughing Fish | publisher=[[The Ongoing Adventures of Rocket Llama]] | date=August 9, 2009 | accessdate =October 18, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/sMHs6 |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CharacterDOTF">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=SCOTT SNYDER ON ‘DEATH OF THE FAMILY’: ‘IT’S A LOVE LETTER TO BATMAN FROM THE JOKER’ [INTERVIEW] |url=http://comicsalliance.com/batman-death-of-the-family-scott-snyder-interview/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=November 29, 2012 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/fW5wj |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<!--ref name="ComicBatman663">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 663|Date = April 2007|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref-->
<ref name="ComicBatmanConfidential">{{Cite comic| Writer = [[Andy Diggle|Diggle, Andy]], [[Michael Green (writer)|Green, Michael]], [[Tony Bedard]] | Artist= [[Whilce Portacio|Portacio, Whilce]], Friend, Richard, [[Denys Cowan|Cowan, Denys]], [[Rags Morales|Morales, Rags]] | Title = Batman Confidential: Lovers & Madmen (#7-12)| Date = 2006 – present| Publisher = DC Comics| Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicBatmanRIP">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 681|Date = November 2008|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin12">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman and Robin (comic book)|Batman and Robin]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 12|Date = May 2010|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin13">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman and Robin (comic book)|Batman and Robin]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 13|Date = July 2010|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<!--ref name="ComicBatmanTDK3">{{Cite comic | Writer = Miller, Frank | Artist = Miller, Frank | Story = "Hunt the Dark Knight" | Title = Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | Issue = #3 | Date = May 1986 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Panel = }}</ref-->
<ref name="ComicDCUniverseZero">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Geoff Johns|Johns, Geoff]] and [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = DC Universe Zero|Volume = 1|Issue = 1|Date = April 2008|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicEmperorJoker">{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Jeph Loeb|Loeb, Jeph]] | Cowriters = [[J. M. DeMatteis|DeMatteis, J.M.]], [[Mark Schultz (comics)|Schultz, Mark]], [[Joe Kelly (comics)|Kelly, Joe]] | Penciller = [[Ed McGuiness|McGuiness, Ed]] | Copencillers =Miller, Mike, [[Doug Mahnke|Mahnke, Doug]], [[Kano (comics)|Kano]] | Inker = [[Cam Smith|Smith, Cam]], Marzan, Jose, Nguyen, Tom, [[John McCrea|McCrea, John]], Alquiza, Marlo, Durrurthy, Armando, various others | Coinkers = | Story = | Title = Superman: Emperor Joker | Volume = Superman #160-161, Adventures of Superman #582-583, Action Comics 769-770, Superman: The Man of Steel 104-105, and Emperor Joker. | Date = January 2007 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 224 | Panel =
f|ID = 9781401211936 }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicInfiniteCrisis7">{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Geoff Johns|Johns, Geoff]] | Penciller = [[Phil Jimenez|Jimenez, Phil]], [[George Pérez|Pérez, George]], [[Ivan Reis|Reis, Ivan]], Bennet, Joe | Inker = [[Andy Lanning|Lanning, Andy]], [[George Pérez|Pérez, George]], [[Ivan Reis|Reis, Ivan]] [[Jerry Ordway|Ordway, Jerry]], Parsons, Sean, [[Art Thibert|Thibert, Art]] | Story = Infinite Crisis #7 | Title = Infinite Crisis #7 | Issue = 7 | Date = June 2006 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 31 | Panel = 6-7 }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicLotDarkKnight145">{{Cite comic | Writer = Dixon, Chuck | Artist = [[Jim Aparo|Aparo, Jim]], Cebollero, John | Story | Title = Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight | Issue = 145 | Date = September 2001 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 32 | Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicNoManLand">{{cite web| first=Rob|last=Bricken | title=The Joker's 10 Craziest Kills |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/09/the_jokers_10_craziest_kills.php |publisher=[[Village Voice Media]] | work=Topless Robot |date=September 11, 2009 |accessdate=February 10, 2014 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/hTNsJ|archivedate=February 10, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicUndertheHood">{{Cite comic | Writers = [[Doug Mahnke|Mahnke, Doug]], [[Judd Winick|Winick, Judd]], [[Paul Lee|Lee, Paul]] | Penciller = | Copencillers =
|Inker = | Coinkers = | Story = | Title = Batman: Under The Hood | Issue = 635-641 | Date = November 2005 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 176
|Panel = | ID = 9781401207564 }}</ref>
<ref name="Creation1">{{cite web|first=Sean |last=O'Neal |title=R.I.P. Jerry Robinson, creator of the Joker |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/rip-jerry-robinson-creator-of-the-joker,66257/ |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=December 8, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/qMAWC |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation2">{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Seifert |title="He Made Batman, No One Else. Kane Had Nothing To Do With It. Bill Did It All" – Carmine Infantino On Bill Finger | url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/08/12/he-made-batman-no-one-else-kane-had-nothing-to-do-with-it-bill-did-it-all-carmine-infantino-on-bill-finger/ |publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]] |date=August 12, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/53Qwn |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation3">{{cite web|title=Cartoonist who drew Batman's arch enemy The Joker dies aged 89 | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2072034/Jerry-Robinson-death-Cartoonist-drew-Batmans-arch-enemy-Joker-dies-aged-89.html |work=[[Daily Mail]] |accessdate=December 9, 2011 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/jCrFo |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation4">{{cite web|title=Jerry Robinson| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/art-obituaries/8952039/Jerry-Robinson.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=December 12, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/VsY8I |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation5">{{cite web|title=R.I.P. Jerry Robinson… | url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/52287 |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date= December 15, 2011|accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/rDfdu |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation7">{{cite web|title=Holy Toledo that's expensive: 'Rarest' Superman and Batman covers set to go on sale for £1MILLION | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328046/Rarest-Superman-Batman-covers-set-sale-1MILLION.html |work=[[Daily Mail]] |date=November 9, 2010 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/J2fuh|archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation8">{{cite web|first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders|title=R.I.P. Jerry Robinson, Creator of Batman's Nemesis, the Joker |url=http://io9.com/5866373/rip-jerry-robinson-creator-of-batmans-nemesis-the-joker |work=[[io9]] |date=August 12, 2011 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/K281S |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation101">Kane in {{Cite web|url=http://franklovece.com/webexclusives.html| authorlink=Frank Lovece | first= Frank | last=Lovece |title= Web Exclusives — Bob Kane interview | publisher = Frank Lovece (official site of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' writer) | date = 17 May 1994 |accessdate=2010-12-29 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20120905235103/http://franklovece.com/webexclusives.html | archivedate= September 5, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation102">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/2009/07/21/interview-meet-the-jokers-maker-jerry-robinson/ |title=Meet the Joker's Maker, Jerry Robinson" (interview) |work=Rocket Llama World Headquarters |accessdate=July 21, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation103">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/2009/08/05/interview-the-jokers-maker-tackles-the-man-who-laughs |title=The Joker's Maker Tackles ''The Man Who Laughs''" (interview) |publisher=Rocket Llama World Headquarters |accessdate=August 5, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster1">{{cite web|first=Arthur |last=Levine |title=Six Flags America |url=http://themeparks.about.com/od/sixflagsparks/a/sixflagsamerica_2.htm |publisher=[[About.com]] |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3fE0O |archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster2">{{cite web| title=Joker's Jinx - Six Flags America (Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA) |url=http://rcdb.com/544.htm?dt=126&d=34 |work=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]] |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/f4kdu |archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster3">{{cite web| title=Dark Knight - Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, New Jersey, USA) |url=http://rcdb.com/4047.htm?dt=126&d=275 |work=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]] |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/4ij1v|archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster4">{{cite web| first=Adrian |last=Beiting | title=The 10 Greatest Theme Park Rides Based on Nerdy Properties |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/12/the_10_greatest_theme_park_rides_based_on_nerdy_pr.php |publisher=[[Village Voice Media]] | work=Topless Robot |date=December 8, 2009 | accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/g6Zeb|archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Debut">Newsstand on-sale date April 25, 1940 per: {{Cite web| title = The first ad for ''Batman'' #1 | publisher = DC Comics | url = http://www.goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm | accessdate =October 23, 2006 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090202101606/http://goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm |archivedate=February 2, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="DotF1">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Scott Snyder|Snyder, Scott]]|Title = Batman |story=Death of the Family|Issue = 13 |Date = September 2011|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge1">{{Cite news|first=Alex| last=Cohen | title =The Joker: Torn Between Goof And Evil | url =http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92572470 |publisher=[[NPR]] | date=July 16, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/YRo7h|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge2">{{Cite news|first=Geoff| last=Boucher | title =The Joker returns to ‘Batman’ pages, building on 72-year history | url =http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/the-joker-returns-to-batman-pages-building-on-72-year-history/#/8 |work=Los Angeles Times | date=August 1, 2012 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/jaH8D|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge3">{{Cite news| first=Simon |last=Gallagher | title =10 Terrible Mistakes That Almost Ruined Batman For Everyone | url =http://whatculture.com/comics/10-terrible-mistakes-that-almost-ruined-batman-for-everyone.php/11 |publisher = What Culture | date =September 1, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/XrM0k |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge5">{{Cite news| first=J.C. |last=Macek III | title =Spotlight on The Dark Knight: 'The Smile on the Bat' | url =http://www.popmatters.com/post/168727-spotlight-on-the-dark-knight-the-smile-on-the-bat/ |work =[[PopMatters]] | date =February 26, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/daE2a |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge6">{{Cite news| first=George Gene |last=Gustines | title =The Joker in the Deck: Birth of a Supervillain | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/books/05robinson.html?_r=0 |work =[[The New York Times]] | date =October 4, 2010 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/uPxbR |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="IGNJokerBiography">{{Cite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923882_biography.html|title=IGN: Joker Biography|accessdate=May 18, 2008|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
<ref name="IGNManyFacesofJoker">{{Cite web|first=Daniel|last=Phillips|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/841/841564p1.html|title=Why So Serious? - The Many Faces of Joker|quote=Sure, the basics have always been there: The Joker's maniacal grin, his green hair, red lips and purple suit.|accessdate=May 2, 2008|date=December 14, 2007|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactAFI100">{{cite web|first=|last= |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/09/greatest-comic-book-villains/the-joker |publisher=[[American Film Institute]] |date=June 2003|accessdate=February 3, 2014 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/7wAa8 |archivedate=February 3, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactComplex">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Serafino |title=The 25 Greatest Comic Book Villains of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/09/greatest-comic-book-villains/the-joker |publisher=Complex Media |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=September 8, 2013 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Y4OIv |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactEmpire">{{Cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/50greatestcomiccharacters/default.asp?c=8 |title=The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |year=2008|accessdate=December 26, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/dawF3 |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactEmpire100">{{cite web|first= |last= |title=The 100 Greatest Movie Characters - The Joker |url=http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=3 |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |year=2009 |accessdate=December 26, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/C6z9L |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactIGN">{{cite web |first=Daniel|last=Phillips | url =http://uk.comics.ign.com/top-100-villains/2.html | title =Top 100 Comic Book Villains - Number 2: The Joker | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | year=2009| accessdate =January 14, 2014 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/7C4jU |archivedate=January 14, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactIGN2">{{cite web |first=Daniel|last=Phillips | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/08/why-so-serious-the-many-looks-of-joker | title =Why So Serious?: The Many Looks of Joker | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date = December 8, 2008| accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl= http://archive.is/HmDT6|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactIGN2013">{{cite web |first=Jesse |last=Schedeen | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/11/23/the-top-25-villains-of-dc-comics?page=5 | title =The Top 25 Villains of DC Comics| publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =November 22, 2013| accessdate =January 14, 2014 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/QN0lb|archivedate=January 14, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactLATimes">{{Cite news|first=Geoff| last=Boucher | title =‘Joker’ creator Jerry Robinson reflects on Gotham and the golden age | url =http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/joker-creator-jerry-robinson-reflects-on-gotham-and-the-golden-age/ |work=Los Angeles Times | date =May 6, 2009 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/fUW4C |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactTVGuide">Bretts, Bruce; Roush, Matt; (March 25, 2013). "Baddies to the Bone: The 60 nastiest villains of all time". ''[[TV Guide]]''. pp. 14 - 15.</ref>
<ref name="ImpactWhatCulture">{{Cite news| title =100 Greatest Comic Book Villains Of All Time | url =http://whatculture.com/comics/100-greatest-comic-book-villains-of-all-time.php/35|publisher = What Culture | date =October 6, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/SbQW7 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactWizard">{{Cite journal|author=<!--Staff--> |date=July 2006 |title=Top 100 Greatest Villains |journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |volume=1 |issue= 177}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactWizard2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/05240810thgreatestcharacters2.html |title=THE 200 GREATEST COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME |date=May 23, 2008 |publisher=Wizarduniverse.com |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20091003165505/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/05240810thgreatestcharacters2.html |archivedate=October 3, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerBioGeek">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner | title=Geek’S 20 Greatest Joker Moments Ever, Part I |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-25-best-joker-moments-ever-part-i-29607.html |publisher=[[Geek Monthly|Geek Exchange]] |date=December 21, 2012 |accessdate=December 27, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/nLAet |archivedate=December 27, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerBioGeek2">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner | title=Geek’S 20 Greatest Joker Moments Ever, Part II |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-20-greatest-joker-moments-ever-part-ii-29791.html |publisher=[[Geek Monthly|Geek Exchange]] |date=December 21, 2012 |accessdate=December 27, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/TESHZ |archivedate=December 27, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerBioGeek3">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner | title=Geek’S 20 Greatest Joker Moments Ever, Part III |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-20-greatest-joker-moments-ever-part-iii-30505.html|publisher=[[Geek Monthly|Geek Exchange]] |date=December 21, 2012 |accessdate=December 27, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/RzyGB |archivedate=December 27, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerDevilsAdvocate">{{Cite web|first=Hilary|last=Goldstein|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/618/618664p1.html|title=The Joker: Devil's Advocate|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=May 24, 2005|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
<ref name="Killing Joke">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/the-killing-joke/40503/|title=The Killing Joke|accessdate=May 3, 2008|publisher=Comic Vine|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090131215939/http://www.comicvine.com/the-killing-joke/39-40503/|archivedate=January 31, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Media1">{{cite web|title=Top 10 Comic to TV Adaptations |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/06/22/top-10-comic-to-tv-adaptations?page=3 |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=June 21, 2007 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/OiTk8 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media2">{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Joker |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-joker-2008-pg,0,3865696.photogallery?index=lat-joker8_igaeb3kf20080718123115 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/uCNVA |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media3">{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Joker |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-joker-2008-pg,0,3865696.photogallery?index=la-joker-07-photo |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Xn7m1 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media4">{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Joker |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-joker-2008-pg,0,3865696.photogallery?index=la-joker-03-photo |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/M5Y3I |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media5">{{cite web|first=Dan |last=Jolin |title=The Making Of The Joker |url=http://www.empireonline.com/features/heath-ledger-joker |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/NaVU9 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media6">{{cite web|first=Kirsten |last=Acuna |title=Everyone Was Also Furious With The Initial Casting Of Heath Ledger As The Joker |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/heath-ledger-was-criticized-before-played-joker-2013-8 |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |date=August 23, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/U408I |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media7">{{cite web|title='Slumdog Millionaire' fulfills its Oscar destiny |url=http://www.today.com/id/29332714#.UlnRLlBtgbJ |work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]] |date=February 23, 2009 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3qjeg |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media8">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=MARK HAMILL RETIRES FROM HIS ROLE AS THE JOKER AFTER 19 YEARS |url=http://comicsalliance.com/mark-hamill-retires-the-joker-arkham-city/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=October 19, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/E8ZJm |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media9">{{cite web|first=Oliver |last=Sava |title=Mask Of The Phantasm |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/mask-of-the-phantasm,54695/ |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/2NIrR |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media10">{{cite web|first=Sean |last=Keane |title=New York Comic Con 2013: The Electrocutioner takes on the Dark Knight in 'Batman: Arkham Origins' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/electrocutioner-takes-dark-knight-batman-arkham-origins-article-1.1485779 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=October 14, 2013 |accessdate=October 16, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/y2TJY |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media11">{{cite web|first=Adam |last=Rosenberg |title='ARKHAM ORIGINS' STARS TALK THE FIRST MEETING OF BATMAN AND THE JOKER |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/batman-vs-joker-arkham-origins-stars-on-the-challenge-of-becoming-iconic-characters/2/ |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=October 15, 2013 |accessdate=October 16, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/wC5a8 |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media12">{{cite web|first=Kevin |last=Melrose |title=MICHAEL EMERSON TAKES ON THE JOKER IN 'BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS' |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=40818 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=September 4, 2012 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/yCWJ9 |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media13">{{cite web|first=Alasdair |last=Wilkins |title=Under the Red Hood cuts through Batman's baggage to reveal the dark side of his legacy |url=http://io9.com/5601910/batman-under-the-red-hood-tosses-the-comics-baggage-to-reveal-the-dark-side-of-the-bat+legacy |work=[[io9]] |date=August 1, 2010 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/5xopF |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaDCU">{{cite news|first=Hugh |last=Armitage |title=Mark Hamill returns as Joker in 'DC Universe Online' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a382293/mark-hamill-returns-as-joker-in-dc-universe-online.html |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=May 18, 2012 |accessdate=December 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Phuj9 |archivedate=December 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaIGAU">{{cite web|first=Daniel |last=Nye Griffiths |title=Injustice: Gods Among Us - Review |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2013/04/22/injustice-gods-among-us-review/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 22, 2013 |accessdate=December 8, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/F7Q3I |archivedate=December 8, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaLego1">{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Watts |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/51374/joker-harley-quinn-in-lego |title=Joker, Harley Quinn In LEGO Batman Screenshots | date=February 18, 2008 |accessdate=December 26, 2013 |publisher=[[GameFly]] | work=[[Shacknews]] |archiveurl=http://archive.is/JGlFF|archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaLego2">{{cite web|first=|last= |title=Anime USA Welcomes Voice Actor, Christopher Corey Smith |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/press-release/2013-07-22/anime-usa-welcomes-voice-actor-christopher-corey-smith |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=July 22, 2013 |accessdate=December 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3rxBS |archivedate=December 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaMKvsDCU">{{cite web|first=Michael |last=Thompson |title=Review: Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe |url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/11/review-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/ |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=November 18, 2008 |accessdate=December 8, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Nqt8z |archivedate=December 8, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaSShock">{{cite web|first=Jim |last=Reilly |title=Mark Hamill Retires From Joker Role |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/10/20/looks-like-mark-hamill-is-done-with-the-joker.aspx |publisher=[[GameStop]]|work=[[Game Informer]]|date=October 20, 2011 |accessdate=December 22, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/Ohu6R | archivedate=December 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTBatB">{{cite web|first=Kethlene |last=Jean-Jacques |title=Jeff Bennett: Joker Through the Years |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joker-through-the-years/jeff-bennett-the-joker/ |work=[[Celebuzz]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/2qCr5 |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTheBatman">{{cite web|first=Kethlene |last=Jean-Jacques |title=Kevin Michael Richardson: Joker Through the Years |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joker-through-the-years/kevin-michael-richardson-joker/ |work=[[Celebuzz]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/RHhgN |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTheBatman2">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Mason |title=The Batman - The Review! |url=http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/86715-the-batman---the-review |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |work=SuperHeroHype |date=September 12, 2004 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/YXrMQ |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaStorch">{{cite web |title=Batman and The Joker : Through the Years |url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/batman-and-joker-through-the-years-1318457529-slideshow/the-adventures-of-batman-olan-soule-and-larry-storch-photo-1318536044.html |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/FCx0s |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK">{{cite web|first=Scott |last=Mendelson |title='Cloudy 2', 'Batman Begins', And 5 More Hits That Survived "Disappointing" Debuts |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/10/03/cloudy-2-batman-begins-and-5-more-hits-that-survived-disappointing-debuts/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=October 3, 2013 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/rVqf9 |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK2">{{cite web|first=Scott |last=Mendelson |title=How 'The Dark Knight' Proved Irrelevance Of Box Office Rank |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/09/17/how-the-dark-knight-proved-irrelevance-of-box-office-rank/ | work=[[Forbes]] |date=September 17, 2013 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/XEtsW |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK3">{{cite news|first=Pamela | last=McClintock |title=Box Office Milestone: 'Dark Knight Rises' Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-dark-knight-rises-warner-bros-christopher-nolan-christian-bale-367476 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date= September 2, 2012|accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/0Msu1 |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK4">{{cite news | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batmanbegins.htm |title=Batman Begins | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=October 17, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/4W6xN |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaWeinrib">{{cite web|first=Kethlene |last=Jean-Jacques |title=Lennie Weinrib: Joker Through the Years |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joker-through-the-years/lennie-weinrib-joker/ |work=[[Celebuzz]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/nAzKj |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaWelker">{{cite web|first=Steve |last=Fritz |title=Animated Shorts - Actor Lends Voice to the Joker Legacy|url=http://www.newsarama.com/2617-animated-shorts-actor-lends-voice-to-the-joker-legacy.html |work=[[Newsarama]] |date=April 7, 2009 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/88RLC |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaWelker2">{{cite web |title=The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985 – 1986) |url=http://www.dccomics.com/tv/the-super-powers-team-galactic-guardians-1985-1986 |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |work=DC Comics.com |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/V1tuA |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaYJ">{{cite web|first=Will|last=Harris |title=Brent Spiner on playing Conan O’Brien, Data on Star Trek, and Brent Spiner |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/brent-spiner-on-playing-conan-obrien-data-on-istar-81664 |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=June 22, 2012 |accessdate=December 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/pNx2J |archivedate=December 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge1">{{cite web|title=Batman: The Dark Knight Returns |url=http://www.cracked.com/funny-2382-batman-dark-knight-returns/ |work=[[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/g7T9H |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge2">{{cite web|first=Joe |last=Strike | title=Frank Miller's 'Dark Knight' brought Batman back to life |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/frank-miller-dark-knight-brought-batman-back-life-article-1.351685 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/UK2z3 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge4">{{cite web |first=Joey |last=Esposito | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/07/09/scott-snyder-talks-about-the-jokers-brutal-return | title =Scott Snyder Talks About the Joker's Brutal Return | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =July 9, 2012 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/XPuFW |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge5">{{cite web |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/06/09/batman-a-death-in-the-family-review | title =Batman: A Death in the Family Review | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =June 9, 2005 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/hD3S7 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge10">{{cite web |first=Seb|last=Patrick| url =http://www.denofgeek.com/books-comics/5774/batman-the-killing-joke-deluxe-edition-review | title =Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe Edition review | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |work=Den of Geek | date =April 28, 2008 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/bJ0hE |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge11">{{cite web |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/05/25/batman-the-killing-joke-review | title =Batman: The Killing Joke Review | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =May 24, 2005 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/OuIX2 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge12">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Serafino |title=The 25 Best DC Comics Of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/08/the-25-best-dc-comics-of-all-time/arkham-asylum-a-serious-house-on-serious-earth|publisher=Complex Media |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=August 22, 2011 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/qJ2um |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge13">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Serafino |title=The 25 Best DC Comics Of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/07/the-25-best-batman-comics-of-all-time/arkham-asylum-a-serious-house-on-serious-earth |publisher=Complex Media |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=July 17, 2012 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/2AzXG |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge14">{{cite web|first=Jeffrey|last=Renaud |title=SCOTT SNYDER PLAYS JOKER IN 'DEATH OF THE FAMILY' |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43743 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=February 14, 2013 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/OUUWh |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge15">{{cite web |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/05/25/batman-harley-quinn-review | title =Batman: Harley Quinn Review | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =May 24, 2005 | accessdate =October 15, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/tSru6 |archivedate=October 15, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Multiverse">{{cite web|first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders|title=The Multiverse Is Strictly Business, Says DC Comics Czar|url=http://io9.com/360573/the-multiverse-is-strictly-business-says-dc-comics-czar |work=[[io9]] |date=25 February 2008 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/pIAe5 |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Origin1">{{Cite web|first=Matt|last=Hunt|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/joker1.htm|title=How the Joker works|accessdate=May 2, 2008|publisher=Howstuffworks}}</ref>
<ref name="Origin2">{{Cite news| first=Chris|last=Quicksilver | title =Chemicals & Chaos: The Joker’s (Many) Bizarre Origins| url =http://whatculture.com/comics/chemicals-chaos-jokers-many-bizarre-origins.php |publisher = What Culture | date=October 23, 2013 |accessdate=December 31, 2013| archiveurl=http://archive.is/wdA2p |archivedate=December 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Origin3">{{cite web |first=Seb|last=Patrick| url =http://www.denofgeek.us/books-comics/the-joker/231615/the-joker-the-nature-of-batmans-greatest-foe | title =The Joker: The Nature of Batman's Greatest Foe | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |work=Den of Geek | date=December 13, 2013 | accessdate =December 26, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/2fwiN |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OriginPushback">{{Cite comic| Writer = Devin Grayson, Scott Beatty, A.J. Lieberman| Cowriters = | Penciller = Dale Eaglesham, Paul Ryan, Roger Robinson, Al Barrionuevo| Copencillers =| Inker = John Floyd| Coinkers = | Story = | Title = Batman: Gotham Knights| Volume = 50-55| Issue = 74| Date = March 2000 - April 2006| Publisher = DC Comics| Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="OtherFlashpoint">{{cite web|first=Iann |last=Narcisse |title=Review: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #3 |url=http://www.craveonline.com/comics/reviews/172067-review-batman-knight-of-vengeance-3 |work=[[CraveOnline]] |date=August 3, 2011 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/0SIIg |archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OtherInjustice">{{cite web|first=Evan |last=Narcisse |title=In This Week’s Injustice Comic, Superman Does the One Thing Batman Never Would |url=http://kotaku.com/5982927/in-this-weeks-injustice-comic-superman-does-the-one-thing-batman-never-would |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=August 2, 2013 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Mr3m8|archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OtherKingdom">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner |title=GEEK’S 20 GREATEST JOKER MOMENTS EVER, PART III |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-20-greatest-joker-moments-ever-part-iii-30505.html |publisher=Geek Exchange |date=April 1, 2013 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/gRtXY |archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OtherSpeeding">{{cite web| first=Greggoru |last=Basore| title=The 5 Worst and 5 Best Elseworld Origin Stories with Superman |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/the_5_worst_elseworld_origin_stories_with_superman.php |publisher=[[Village Voice Media]] | work=Topless Robot |date=November 21, 2012 | accessdate=November 16, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3ErkZ |archivedate=November 16, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Personality2">{{cite web|first=John |last=Parker |title=THE EVOLUTION OF THE JOKER: STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS |url=http://comicsalliance.com/joker-history-batman/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=November 7, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/unqnq |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="PersonalityTKJ">{{cite web|first=Joseph|last=Hughes |title=SO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT THE END OF ‘THE KILLING JOKE’? [OPINION] |url=http://comicsalliance.com/batman-killing-joke-ending-grant-morrison-alan-moore-brian-bolland-dc/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=August 19, 2013 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Knqrs|archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="redhoodorigin">{{Cite comic| writer=Bill Finger| penciller=Lew Sayre Schwartz, Win Mortimer| inker=George Roussos| story=The Man Behind the Red Hood| title=Detective Comics| volume= 1| issue= 168| date=February 1951| publisher=Detective Comics| panel= }}</ref>
<ref name="SilverAge1">{{cite web|title=The Origins Of! The Joker|url=http://www.cracked.com/funny-5775-the-origins-of21-joker/ |work=[[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/s6XI4 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="TKJ">{{Cite comic| writer = [[Alan Moore|Moore, Alan]]| artist = Bolland, Brian| title = The Killing Joke|date = 1988| publisher = [[DC Comics]]| Panel = | ID = 1401209270}}</ref>
<ref name="WeaponsVenom">{{cite web |first=Justin Jude|last=Carmona | url =http://www.comicsbulletin.com/columns/289/top-10-weapons-in-comics/ | title =Top 10 Weapons In Comics | publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]] | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/BVHkP |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
}}
{{refbegin}}
;Books
* {{cite book |last1=Duncan|first1=Randy |last2=Smith |first2=Matthew J. |title=Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman, Volume 1 |year=2013 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group|Greenwood Press]] |location=Westport, Connecticut |isbn=978-0313399237 |pages= |ref={{sfnref|Duncan Smith|2013}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Langley|first1=Travis |title=Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight |year=2012 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |location=New York City, New York |isbn=978-1-118-16765-6 |pages= |ref={{sfnref|Langley|2013}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Manning |first1=Matthew K. |title=The Joker: A Visual History of the Clown Prince of Crime |year=2011 |publisher=[[Universe Publishing]] |location= |isbn=978-0789322470 |pages= |ref={{sfnref|Manning|2011}}}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Batman (comics)#The Joker|The Joker}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://stars.ign.com/articles/841/841564p1.html Why So Serious? - The Many Faces of Joker]
* {{DCdatabase|Joker}}
{{Batman}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Links to related topics
|list1=
{{1966-1968 Batman television series}}
{{1989–1997 Batman film series}}
{{Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy}}
{{Batman: Arkham}}
{{Legion of Doom (Super Friends)}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joker (comics)}}
[[Category:Characters created by Bill Finger]]
[[Category:Characters created by Bob Kane]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jerry Robinson]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1940]]
[[Category:Fictional clowns]]
[[Category:Fictional gangsters]]
[[Category:Fictional chemists]]
[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional serial killers]]
[[Category:Golden Age supervillains]]
[[Category:Video game bosses]]
[[Category:Fictional people with neurological or psychological disorders]]
[[Category:Fictional comedians]]
[[Category:Fictional engineers]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Redirect|The Joker|other uses|Joker (disambiguation)<!-- Note: "Joker (disambiguation)" not "Joker" per [[WP:DISAMBIG#Links to disambiguation pages]]. -->}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox superhero
| character_name = The Joker
| image = Manwholaughs.jpg
|converted=y
| caption = The Joker on the cover of ''[[Batman: The Man Who Laughs]]''.<br />Art by [[Doug Mahnke]]
| real_name = <!--Please do not replace with anything else. The mainstream comics have never given a real name.-->
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| debut = ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #1 (Spring 1940)<ref name="Debut"/>
| creators = {{ubl|
*[[Jerry Robinson]]
*[[Bill Finger]]
*[[Bob Kane]]
}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|
*[[Injustice Gang]]
*[[Injustice League]]
*[[Secret Society of Super Villains|The Society]]
*[[Club of Heroes#Other versions|Club of Villains]]}}
| aliases = [[Red Hood]]<ref name="redhoodorigin"/>
| powers = {{plainlist|
*Genius-level intelligence
*Expert chemist and engineer
*Skilled in hand-to-hand combat
}}
| IOM_alter_ego =
| cat = super
| subcat = DC Comics
| hero =
| villain = y
| sortkey = The Joker
}}
The '''Joker''' is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]], a comic book [[supervillain]] appearing in publications by [[DC Comics]]. The character was created by [[Jerry Robinson]], [[Bill Finger]] and [[Bob Kane]], and first appeared in ''[[Batman (comic)|Batman]]'' #1 (Spring 1940). The credit for creating the character is disputed, as both Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for the Joker's design, but acknowledged Finger's writing contribution. Intended to be killed off during his initial appearance, the Joker was spared by editorial intervention, allowing the character to endure as the archenemy of the superhero [[Batman]].
Throughout his comic book appearances, the Joker is portrayed as a highly intelligent, master criminal. Originally introduced as a [[Psychopathy|psychopath]] with a warped and sadistic sense of humor, the character became a goofy prankster in the late 1950s in response to the regulation of the [[Comics Code Authority]], before being returned to his darker, homicidal roots in the early 1970s. As Batman's nemesis, Joker has been a part of many of the defining stories of that character, including the paralysis of Batman's ally [[Batgirl]], and the murder of [[Jason Todd]], Batman's ward and the second [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]. The Joker has been given a variety of origin stories throughout his seven decades in publication, but the most common has him falling into a tank of chemical waste, which bleaches his skin white, turns his hair green and his lips bright red, with the resulting disfigurement driving him insane. Presented as the complete antithesis to Batman's character, the Joker has been repeatedly analyzed by critics as the perfect adversary for the superhero.
One of the most iconic and recognized characters in popular culture, the Joker has been repeatedly identified as one of, if not the greatest comic book villain, and one of the most popular fictional characters. The Joker's prevalence has seen him adapted into a variety of merchandise, such as clothing and collectable items, real-world structures such as theme park attractions, and references in an array of media.
The Joker has appeared as an adversary for Batman across a wide spectrum of media in both live-action and animated incarnations, including the 1960s ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' television series where he is portrayed by [[Cesar Romero]], and in film by [[Jack Nicholson]] in ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989), and [[Heath Ledger]] in ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' (2008), for which Ledger posthumously earned the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]. [[Mark Hamill]], [[Brent Spiner]] and [[Michael Emerson]], among many others, have voiced the character in animation.
==Publication history==
=== Creation ===
[[File:Jerry-Robinson-Joker-Sketch-Card.jpg|thumb|upright|Jerry Robinson's 1940 concept sketch of the Joker.]]
[[Jerry Robinson]], [[Bill Finger]] and [[Bob Kane]] are generally considered to be responsible for creating the Joker, but much like his arch-enemy Batman, the character's origins are disputed, with each man providing their own version of his conception and their role therein. Accepted elements of the characters inspiration include a photo of actor [[Conrad Veidt]] in ''[[The Man Who Laughs (1928 film)|The Man Who Laughs]]'' (1928) seen by Finger, and a [[Joker (playing card)|Joker playing card]] provided by Robinson. Individually, Finger would state that he also found inspiration from an image he saw at [[Steeplechase Park]] on [[Coney Island]], and Robinson cited a sketch he had made in 1940 as the source of the Joker's design. Although Kane adamantly refused to share credit over many of his characters and would refuse to credit Robinson's involvement up until Kane's death, many comic historians credit give credit to Robinson as the Joker's creator, with development by Finger.<ref name="Creation1"/><ref name="Creation2"/><ref name="Creation4"/> In a 1994 interview, Kane said:
{{quote|Bill Finger and I created the Joker. Bill was the writer. Jerry Robinson came to me with a playing card of the Joker. That's the way I sum it up. [The Joker] looks like Conrad Veidt — you know, the actor in ''The Man Who Laughs'', [the 1928 movie based on the novel] by [[Victor Hugo]]. [...] Bill Finger had a book with a photograph of Conrad Veidt and showed it to me and said, 'Here's the Joker'. Jerry Robinson had absolutely nothing to do with it, but he'll always say he created it till he dies. He brought in a [[playing card]], which we used for a couple of issues for him [the Joker] to use as his playing card.<ref name="Creation101"/>}}<!--There are probably other places where Kane said this; this is the most succinct I could find online.-->
Robinson however credits himself, Finger and Kane for playing a role in the Joker's creation. Robinson countered that he created the Joker to be Batman's larger-than-life nemesis when extra stories needed to be written quickly for ''Batman'' #1, and that he received credit for the story in a college course.<ref name="Creation102"/> Robinson said:
{{quote|In that first meeting when I showed them that sketch of the Joker, Bill said it reminded him of Conrad Veidt in ''The Man Who Laughs''. That was the first mention of it...He can be credited and Bob himself, we all played a role in it. The concept was mine. Bill finished that first script from my outline of the persona and what should happen in the first story. He wrote the script of that, so he really was co-creator, and Bob and I did the visuals, so Bob was also.<ref name="Creation103"/>}}
Robinson was only 17 years old when he was hired as an assistant by Kane in 1939. Kane had noticed Robinson wearing a white jacket decorated with his own illustrations.<ref name="Creation4"/><ref name="Creation3"/> Starting as a letterer and background inker, Robinson quickly became the primary artist on the newly created ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' comic book series. In a 1984 interview on creating the Joker, Robinson said that he wanted a supreme arch-villain who could test Batman, but was not another typical crime lord or gangster. Robinson wanted a character who was more exotic and enduring, to serve as a continuing source of conflict for Batman in the vein of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty, and thus designed a diabolically sinister but clownish villain.<ref name="Creation5"/> Robinson found villains more interesting characters and his studies at Columbia University had taught him that some characters are built on their contradictions which led him to give the Joker a sense of humor. Robinson said that the name came first, followed by the image of the playing card from a deck he often had at hand.<ref name="Creation7"/> He said "I wanted somebody visually exciting. I wanted somebody that would make an indelible impression, would be bizarre, would be memorable like the Hunchback of Notre Dame or any other villains that had unique physical characters."<ref name="Creation8"/> Robinson told Finger of his concept by phone, before later providing sketches of the character accompanied by images of what would become his iconic Joker playing card design. Finger thought the concept was not yet complete, providing the aforementioned image of Conrad Veidt bearing a ghastly, permanent rictus grin. An interview from the same time period saw Kane dispute Robinson's story, but because Finger had given credit to Robinson, historians generally accept Robinson's version of events.<ref name="Creation5"/> By 2011, Robinson, Finger, and Kane had died, leaving the complete story unresolved.<ref name="Creation2"/><ref name="Creation5"/><ref name="GoldenAge6"/>
===Golden Age===
[[File:Comic Book - The Joker (1940).jpg|thumb|left|From the Joker's debut in ''[[Batman]]'' #1 (Spring 1940)]]
The Joker debuted in ''Batman'' #1 (1940) as Batman's first villain, a handful of months after Batman's own debut in ''Detective Comics'' #27 (May 1939). The Joker's initial appearance depicted him as a remorseless serial killer with a mirthless grin, and an appearance modelled after a Joker playing card, who killed his victims with "Joker Venom"—a toxin that left their faces stretched with a [[Risus sardonicus|smile]].{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=21}} The character was to be killed in his second appearance in ''Batman'' #1 after being stabbed in the heart. Finger wanted the Joker to die, as he was concerned that allowing recurring villains would make Batman appear inept, but he was overruled by then-editor [[Whitney Ellsworth]] who suggested that the character be spared. A hastily-drawn panel, demonstrating that the Joker was still alive, was subsequently added to the comic.<ref>''Batman From the 30s to the 70s'', Bonanza Books, 1970</ref><ref name="GoldenAge1"/><ref name="GoldenAge3"/> The Joker went on to appear in nine of ''Batman''{{'}}s first twelve issues.<ref name="GoldenAge2"/>
The Joker's frequent appearances quickly defined him as the archenemy of the dynamic duo Batman and Robin, with his murderous persona continuing to claim lives and even derail a train. By issue #13, Kane's work on the ''Batman'' syndicated newspaper strip left him little time for the comic book, leaving artist [[Dick Sprang]] to take over his duties, and editor Jack Schiff to collaborate on stories with Finger. It was during this era that the first signs of change in the Joker began to appear, with the character kidnapping and ransoming Robin, only to be thwarted when the ransom is paid with a personal check, preventing him from claiming his money without being arrested. Around the same time, DC Comics had found it was easier to market their stories to kids without the darker elements that had originated the characters.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=24, 27}} The 1942 cover of ''Detective Comics'' #69, known as "Double Guns" (as it depicts the Joker emerging from a genie lamp, wielding two guns at Batman and Robin) is considered one of the greatest superhero comic covers of the Golden Age. Ironically, this was the only image to show the character using traditional guns. Robinson said that other common villains of the time used guns, and the creative team wanted the Joker to be more resourceful, in order to be a worthy adversary for Batman.<ref name="Creation7"/>
===Silver Age===
The Joker was one of the few popular villains who continued making regular appearances in Batman comics from the Golden Age into the Silver Age, as Batman comics continued publication through the rise of mystery and romance comics. In 1951, Finger wrote an origin story for the Joker in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #168 which introduced the concept of him formerly being the criminal [[Red Hood]], and his disfigurement being the result of falling into a chemical vat.<ref name="SilverAge1"/> The 1954 enactment of the [[Comics Code Authority]] banned gore, innuendo and excessive violence, stripping Batman of his menace, and transformed the Joker into a goofy, thieving trickster, with none of the homicidal tendencies featured in his original incarnation.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=171}} The use of the character lessened somewhat by the mid-sixties, when [[Julius Schwartz]] took over editorship of the Batman comics in 1964, and the character remained largely absent throughout the decade.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/><ref name="GoldenAge5"/> This version of the character was adapted into the 1966 television series ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]''.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/> The campy show's popularity saw Schwartz instructed to keep the comics of a similar tone, but as the show's success waned so too did ''Batman'' series. Once the series had ended in 1968, Schwartz was free to begin reversing the trend.<ref name="GoldenAge5"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=173}} The Silver Age introduced defining character traits like the use of acid-squirting flowers, trick guns, and the committing of goofy, elaborate crimes.<ref name="Personality2"/>
===Bronze Age===
[[File:Comic Book - Batman 251 Cover (1973).jpg|185px|thumb|The cover to ''Batman'' #251 (Sept. 1973) featuring the story "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" which returned the Joker to his crazed murderer roots. Art by [[Neal Adams]].]]
In 1973, after a four-year disappearance,<ref name="Personality2"/> the character was revived and profoundly revised in Batman stories by writer [[Dennis O'Neil]] and artist [[Neal Adams]]. Beginning in ''Batman'' #251, with "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge", the Joker returns to his roots as a homicidal maniac who murders people on a whim, while enjoying battles of wits with Batman.<ref name="BronzeAge1"/><ref name="BronzeAge2"/><ref name="BronzeAge3"/> The story began a trend where the Joker was used more sparingly as a central character.<ref name="BronzeAge10"/> O'Neil said his idea was "simply to take it back to where it started. I went to the DC library and read some of the early stories. I tried to get a sense of what Kane and Finger were after."<ref name="BronzeAge8"/><ref name="BronzeAge4"/> O'Neil's 1973 run introduced the concept of Joker's legally defined insanity, that resulted in the Joker being sent to Arkham Asylum (then Arkham Hospital) following its creation in 1974, instead of prison.<ref name="BronzeAge20"/> Adams also modified the character's appearance, changing his more average body type to look taller and leaner, with an extended jaw.<ref name="BronzeAge9"/>
The 1970s were a testbed of experimentation at DC, leading to the Joker becoming the first villain to headline as the star of his own ongoing comic book series, [[Joker (comic book)|''The Joker'']], in 1975.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=176}} The series followed the character's interactions with other supervillains, and the first issue was written by O'Neil.<ref name="1975JokerComic"/> Stories forged a balance between promoting the Joker's characteristic criminality and making him a likable protagonist that readers could support. He murdered thugs and random civilians, but he never fought Batman, preventing ''The Joker'' from becoming about good triumphing over evil, but a scenario where Joker's brand of villainy won out over rival expressions of the same.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=177}} Because the Comics Code Authority mandated that villains receive punishment, each issue ended with the Joker apprehended; this limited the scope of stories that could be told and, combined with the series never finding an audience, ''The Joker'' was cancelled after only 9 issues, despite a "next issue" advert promoting an appearance by the [[Justice League]].<ref name="1975JokerComic"/>{{sfn|Duncan Smith|2013|p=380}}{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=177}}
When [[Jenette Kahn]] became DC editor in 1976, she redeveloped the company's many struggling titles, and under her tenure the Joker would become one of DC's most terrifying characters.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=177}} Writer [[Steve Englehart]] and penciler [[Marshall Rogers]], in an acclaimed eight-issue run in ''Detective Comics'' #471-476 (Aug. 1977 - April 1978), which went on to influence the 1989 movie ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' and be adapted for the [[Batman: the Animated Series|1990s animated series]],<ref name="BronzeAge4"/><ref name="BronzeAge20"/> added elements deepening the severity of the Joker's insanity. In their story "The Laughing Fish", the Joker is brazen enough to disfigure fish with a rictus grin, then expects to be granted a federal [[trademark]] on them, only to start killing bureaucrats who try to explain that obtaining such a claim on a [[natural resource]] is legally impossible.<ref name="BronzeAge20"/><ref name="BronzeAge5"/><ref name="BronzeAge6"/><ref name="BronzeAge7"/> Rogers also expanded on Adams' character design, adding a fedora and trench coat to the Joker's wardrobe.<ref name="BronzeAge9"/> Discussing his Joker, Englehart said "He was this very crazy, scary character. I really wanted to get back to the idea of Batman fighting insane murderers at 3 a.m. under the full moon, as the clouds scuttled by."<ref name="GoldenAge1"/>
===Modern Age===
Years after the end of the 1966 television series, sales of ''Batman'' continued to dwindle and teetered on the edge of cancellation. It was in the 1980s that the series started to turn around and the Joker was allowed to come into his own as part of the "Dark Age" of comics, an era of mature tales depicting death and destruction. The move was derided for moving away from the tamer superheroes and villains, but comic audiences were no longer largely children.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=182}} Only a few months after ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' launched the era by rebooting DC Comics characters, killing off Silver Age icons like the Flash and Supergirl and undoing decades of continuity, [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]]'s prestige format ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' (1986), reimagined Batman as an older, retired hero, and the Joker as a lipstick-wearing celebrity who is catatonic without his foe.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=183}}<ref name="BronzeAge9"/><ref name="ModernAge1"/><ref name="ModernAge2"/><ref name="ModernAge4"/> The late 1980s saw the Joker have a large impact on Batman and his supporting cast. In the 1988-89 story arc "[[Batman: A Death in the Family|A Death in the Family]]", the Joker murdered Batman's sidekick, the second Robin ([[Jason Todd]]). Fans had never accepted Todd, and rather than modify his character, DC opted to let them vote on his fate at the Joker's hands; a 28 vote margin saw the Joker beat Todd to death with a crowbar. The story altered the Batman universe, Joker was no longer a killer of anonymous bystanders, he was responsible for the death of a character core to the Batman fiction, which had a lasting effect on future stories.<ref name="ModernAge5"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=108}}
The 1988 graphic novel ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke|The Killing Joke]]'' by [[Alan Moore]] and [[Brian Bolland]] expanded on the Joker's origins, defining the character as a failed comedian who donned the Red Hood identity to help support his pregnant wife.<ref name="SilverAge1"/><ref>Greenberger and Manning, p. 38: "Offering keen insight into both the minds of the Joker and Batman, this special is considered by most Batman fans to be the definitive Joker story of all time."</ref> Unlike ''The Dark Knight Returns'', ''The Killing Joke'' took place within mainstream continuity.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=188}} The story is cited as one of the greatest Joker stories ever written, and had a significant influence on later comic stories, including the forced retirement of then-[[Barbara Gordon|Batgirl]] Barbara Gordon following her paralysis at Joker's hands, and films like ''Batman'' (1989) and ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' (2008).<ref name="ModernAge10"/><ref name="ModernAge11"/> [[Grant Morrison]]'s ''[[Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth]]'' (1989) explores the psychoses of the Joker, Batman and his other rogues while trapped in the eponymous facility.<ref name="ModernAge12"/><ref name="ModernAge13"/>
The 1992 animated series introduced a female sidekick for the Joker in the form of [[Harley Quinn]], a psychologist who falls for—and ends up in an abusive relationship with—the Joker, becoming his supervillain accomplice. The character proved so popular that in 1999, she was adapted into the comics as the Joker's romantic interest.<ref name="ModernAge15"/> Following the 2011 reboot of DC Comics' story continuity, the Joker appeared in his first major storyline "[[Death of the Family]]" (2012) by writer [[Scott Snyder]] and artist [[Greg Capullo]], which explores the dependent relationship between Joker and Batman, and causes a separation between Batman and his adopted family.<ref name="GoldenAge2"/><ref name="ModernAge14"/>
==Fictional character biography==
The character of Joker has undergone many revisions over his seven decades in publication. The generally accepted and consistent aspect of the character is that while disguised as the criminal Red Hood, he fell into a vat of chemicals while being pursued by Batman, and that these chemicals bleached his skin white, dyed his hair green and his lips ruby red, driving him insane. The context for wearing the Red Hood costume and who he was before his chemical bath have changed over time.<ref name="GoldenAge1"/>
The Joker is introduced in ''Batman'' #1 (1940), where he publicly announces that he will kill three of Gotham's prominent citizens, including the mayor, Henry Claridge. The police provide protection for Claridge but the Joker had poisoned him before making his announcement, and Claridge dies stricken with a perpetual grin on his face, as Joker's first public victim. The Joker attempts to poison Robin with the same deadly Joker Venom, but Batman defeats Joker and sends him to prison.<ref name="JokerBioGeek2"/> From his debut, the Joker has committed crimes both whimsical and brutal, all with a logic and reasoning that, in Batman's words, "make sense to him alone."<ref name="Bio101"/> ''Detective Comics'' #168 (1951) introduced the Joker's earliest origin story, casting him as the Red Hood, a criminal who, during his final heist, vanished after leaping into a vat of chemicals to escape Batman. The resulting disfigurement led him to take the name Joker from the playing card he now resembled.<ref name="SilverAge1"/> The Joker's Silver Age transformation into a figure of fun was established in 1952's "The Joker's Millions", in which the Joker is obsessed with maintaining the illusion of wealth and celebrity status as a criminal folk hero, afraid to let Gotham's citizens know that he is penniless and was tricked out of his fortune.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=27}} The 1970s redefined the character as a murderous psychopath. "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" follows the Joker taking violent revenge on the former gang members who betrayed him,<ref name="BronzeAge10"/> and "The Laughing Fish" sees Joker chemically add his visage to Gotham's fish in hopes of profiting from the copyright, and killing bureaucrats who deny his copyright request.
[[File:Jokerkillingjoke.png|thumb|left|The Joker goes insane after emerging from the canal of chemical-waste that bleaches his skin white, dyes his hair green and his lips ruby red, in ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke]]'' (1988)]]
The 1980s saw the Joker target Batman's family, including beating then-Robin Jason Todd to death, shooting and paralysing then-Batgirl Barbara Gordon, and torturing her father [[James Gordon (comics)|Commissioner Gordon]] in an attempt to prove that it only takes one bad day to turn any man into a psychopath.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=188}} ''Batman: The Killing Joke'' (1988) explores a possible origin for the Joker, portraying him as a failed comedian pressured into committing crime as the Red Hood to support his pregnant wife. Batman's interference causes him to leap into a chemical vat that disfigures his skin and, combined with the trauma of his wife's earlier accidental death, the man goes insane, creating the Joker. He remarks that this story may not be true, preferring his past to be "multiple choice". Batman offers to rehabilitate his old foe and end their rivalry. Joker refuses, but shows his appreciation by sharing a joke with Batman.<ref name="Killing Joke"/> The Joker's maiming of Barbara ultimately turned her into a more important character in the DC Universe as Oracle, a data gatherer and informant for superheroes, although she eventually took her revenge in ''[[Birds of Prey (comics)|Birds of Prey]]'' by shattering his teeth, destroying his smile.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=188}} Todd's death is detailed in the 1988 story "A Death in the Family". Todd's death haunted Batman, and for the first time made him consider killing the Joker.<ref name="ModernAge5"/>
During the 1999 "[[No Man's Land (comics)|No Man's Land]]" storyline, the Joker murders Commissioner Gordon's second wife, [[Sarah Essen Gordon|Sarah]] as she shields a group of infants.<ref name="ComicNoManLand"/> He proceeds to taunt Gordon, provoking the commissioner to shoot him in the kneecap. The Joker laments that he may never walk again, and then collapses with laughter as he realizes that the Commissioner has avenged Barbara's paralysis.<ref name="Bio102"/> The story also introduced the Joker's girlfriend Harley Quinn.<ref name="ModernAge15"/>
The 2000s launched with the crossover story "Emperor Joker", in which the Joker steals [[Mister Mxyzptlk]]'s reality-altering power and remaking the universe in his own image. Joker tortures and kills Batman daily before resurrecting him. The Joker attempts to destroy the universe but is unwilling to erase Batman from existence, causing him to lose control and allow [[Superman]], Mxyzptlk and the [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]] to defeat him. Batman is left broken by his experience and Superman erases Batman's memories so that he can go on.<ref name="ComicEmperorJoker"/> "Joker's Last Laugh" (2001) sees the Joker convinced of his own impending death in an attempt to shock rehabilitate him. Instead the Joker, flanked by an army of "Jokerized" supervillains, launches his final crime spree. Believing that Robin has been killed in the chaos, [[Dick Grayson]] beats Joker to death. Batman resuscitates his foe to keep Grayson from becoming a murderer.<ref name="Bio103"/>
"[[Batman: Under the Hood|Under the Hood]]" (2005) resurrects Todd who attempts to force Batman to avenge his death by killing the Joker. Joker finds the conflict between the pair more rewarding than Todd's death.<ref name="ComicUndertheHood"/> The Joker kills [[Alexander Luthor, Jr.|Alexander Luthor]] in ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' (2005) for excluding him from the [[Secret Society of Super Villains]], who considered Joker too unpredictable.<ref name="ComicInfiniteCrisis7"/> Morrison's "[[Batman & Son]]" (2006) removed Joker from stories after the character was shot in the face by a deranged police officer impersonating Batman, and left scarred and disabled. Joker returned in "The Clown at Midnight" (2007) as a cruel and unknowable force who awakens from his post-injury catatonia and tries to kill Harley to prove to Batman that he had become more than human.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=195}} The 2008 story arc "[[Batman R.I.P.]]" sees Joker recruited into the [[Black Glove]]'s plans to destroy Batman. He plays along conscious that Batman will survive their attempt.<ref name="ComicBatmanRIP"/><ref name="ComicDCUniverseZero"/> Following Batman's apparent death in "[[Final Crisis]]" (2008), Grayson investigates a series of murders which lead him to a disguised Joker.<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin12"/> After the Joker is arrested, then-Robin [[Damian Wayne]] beats him with a crowbar; Joker realizes this Robin is Batman's son, noting their physical resemblance.<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin13"/> Joker escapes and launches an attack on the Black Glove. Guided to a climatic confrontation, Grayson and Damian are aided against Joker and the Black Glove by the return of Batman: and the Joker is captured.
In the 2010s, DC's [[The New 52]], a 2011 relaunch of their titles, sees the Joker have his own face cut off.<ref name="JokerBioGeek"/> He disappears for a year, returning to launch an attack on Batman's entire extended family in "Death of the Family" so that he and Batman can be "the best hero and villain they can be". The conclusion of the storyline sees the Joker fall off a cliff into a dark abyss.<ref name="DotF1"/>
===Other versions===
{{Main|Alternative versions of Joker}}
A multitude of [[parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]]s exist in DC Comics' publications that have allowed writers to introduce variations on the Joker where the character's origins, behavior, and morality differ from the mainstream setting.<ref name="Multiverse"/> Titles like ''The Dark Knight Returns'' are able to depict the final battle between an aged Batman and Joker,<ref name="ModernAge1"/> while others portray the aftermath of the Joker's death at the hands of various characters, including Superman.<ref name="OtherKingdom"/><ref name="OtherInjustice"/> Others still portray distant futures where the latest incarnation of the Joker is a hero attempting to take down that era's tyrannical Batman, or where the Joker exists as a computer virus.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=38}} In some stories the Joker is someone else entirely, such as "[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]" in which Batman's mother [[Martha Wayne]] becomes the Joker in response to her son's murder,<ref name="OtherFlashpoint"/> or ''[[Superman: Speeding Bullets]]'' in which [[Lex Luthor]] becomes the Joker in a world where Superman becomes Batman.<ref name="OtherSpeeding"/>
==Characterization==
The Joker has been referred to as the Clown Prince of Crime (or Chaos), the Harlequin of Hate (Havoc), and the Ace of Knaves. Throughout the evolution of the [[DC Universe]], interpretations and incarnations of the Joker have taken two forms. The original and currently dominant image is of an extreme [[Psychopathy|psychopath]]{{sfn|Langley|2013|p=130}} possessing genius intelligence and a warped, sadistic sense of humor.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Cracking Up: American Humor in a Time of Conflict|last=Lewis|first=Paul|year=2006|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=0-226-47699-5|pages=31–34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sabin|first=Roger|authorlink=Roger Sabin|title=Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels|page=61|isbn=0-7148-3008-9|publisher=Phaidon|year=1996}}</ref> The other interpretation of the character, popular in the late 1940s through 1960s comic books as well as the 1960s television series, is that of an eccentric but harmless prankster and thief. The Joker is typically depicted in a purple suit with a long-tailed, padded-shoulder jacket, string tie, a pair of gloves, striped pants, and [[Spats (footwear)|spats]] covering pointed-toe shoes. This outfit is sometimes accompanied by a wide-brimmed hat. This look is such a fundamental aspect of the character that, when the 2004 animated series ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'' costumed the Joker in a straitjacket, it quickly redesigned him to feature his familiar suit.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=69}}
In the graphic novel ''The Joker: Devil's Advocate'', the Joker is reported to have killed well over 2,000 people. Despite having murdered enough people to get the [[death penalty]] thousands of times over, he is always found [[Insanity defense|not guilty by reason of insanity]].<ref name="JokerDevilsAdvocate"/>{{sfn|Langley|2013|p=162-163}} The Joker is renowned as Batman's greatest enemy.<ref name="IGNJokerBiography"/> His unpredictable, homicidal nature makes him one of the most feared supervillains in the DC Universe; in the ''[[Villains United]]'' and ''Infinite Crisis'' mini-series, the members of the villains' Secret Society refuse to induct the Joker for this reason. In the mini-series ''[[Underworld Unleashed]]'', the [[Trickster (comics)|Trickster]] remarks, "When super-villains want to scare each other, they tell Joker stories."<ref name="BatmanUnauthorized"/> All of Gotham's villains feel threatened by the Joker, and depending on the circumstances he is as likely to fight with his rivals for control of the city, as he is to team up with them for more entertaining outcomes.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=83}}
Despite this—and his tendency to kill his subordinates on a whim—the Joker has no difficulty employing henchmen with his seemingly infinite cash supply, and they are too afraid of their employer to refuse his requests for them to wear red clown noses or to laugh at the Joker's jokes.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}} ''Batman'' #186 (1966) introduced the Joker's first sidekick, a one-shot character named Gaggy Gagsworth who was short and dressed like a clown, that was later resurrected as an enemy to his replacement, Harley Quinn.<ref name="SidekickGaggy"/><ref name="SidekickGaggy2"/> The Joker is sometimes shown to keep [[hyena]]s as pets; this trait was introduced in the 1977 animated series ''[[The New Adventures of Batman]]''.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}}
===Personality===
The Joker's main characteristic is his apparent insanity, although he is not described as fitting any particular psychological disorder. He displays a lack of conscience and empathy, and no concern over right and wrong demonstrating extreme psychopathy. In ''A Serious House on Serious Earth'', Joker is described as only being capable of processing sensory information from the outside world by simply adapting to it, causing him to create a new personality every day depending on what would benefit him most, explaining why he is sometimes a mischievous clown and at others a psychopathic killer.{{sfn|Langley|2013|pp=180-181}} ''The Killing Joke'', in which Joker serves as an unreliable narrator, depicts the root of his insanity as having "one bad day", in this case losing his wife and unborn child, and being disfigured by chemicals, although he is unsure if this is what really happened. He tries and fails to prove that anyone can become like him after one bad day, by psychologically and physically torturing Commissioner Gordon.<ref name="Personality2"/> Batman offers to rehabilitate his foe, but the Joker apologizes that he cannot accept the offer, believing it is too late for him to be saved.<ref name="PersonalityTKJ"/> Other interpretations show him as fully aware of how his actions affect others and his insanity is merely an act.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=37}} Comics scholar [[Peter Coogan]] describes the Joker as trying to reshape reality to fit himself by imposing his visage on his victims, and even fish, in an attempt to make the world comprehensible by creating a twisted parody of himself. Englehart's "The Laughing Fish" shows the characters illogical nature, attempting to copyright fish that bear his face, and not understanding why threatening the copyright clerk cannot produce the desired result.{{sfn|Langley|2013|pp=183-184}}<ref name="BronzeAge20"/>
Joker is alternatively depicted as a sexual and asexual being. In ''The Dark Knight Returns'' and ''Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth'', Joker openly flirts with Batman, leaving open to interpretation whether their relationship contains homoerotic undertones, or if Joker is simply attempting to manipulate his nemesis. Frank Miller interpreted the character as fixated on death and not interested in a sexual relationship, while Robinson believes that Joker is capable of having a girlfriend.{{sfn|Duncan Smith|2013|p=379}} His abusive romantic relationship with Harley Quinn is the subject of debate. Although Joker keeps her at his side, he frequently causes her physical harm, even throwing her out of a window without checking to see if she survived afterwards. While Harley is in love with (and presumably sexually attracted to) him, the Joker does not return her feelings, chiding her for distracting him from other plans.{{sfn|Langley|2013|pp=177-180}}
Snyder's "Death of the Family" presents Joker as being in love with Batman, though not in a traditional romantic way. The Joker believes he makes Batman better, and that Batman loves him for it, justifying why Batman has not killed him.<ref name="ModernAge14"/><ref name="CharacterDOTF"/> The Joker and Batman represent complete opposites: the extroverted Joker wearing colorful garb and embraces chaos, while the introverted Batman wears monochrome colors and represents order and discipline. The Joker is often represented as defining his existence by his conflict with Batman. In "Going Sane" (1994), Joker attempts to lead a normal life following Batman's apparent death, only to instantly become the Joker again when Batman reappears, and in "Emperor Joker", an omnipotent Joker attempts to erase Batman from existence, but is unable to do so without undoing himself. Much like the Joker wears no mask and simply is the Joker, he believes Batman is Batman with or without the costume, and repeatedly ignores attempts to learn his true identity as he has no interest in what lies behind Batman's mask.{{sfn|Manning|2011|pp=37-38}}<ref name="JokerBioGeek3"/> Similarly, when given the opportunity to kill Batman, Joker opts not to, believing that without their game, winning is pointless.{{sfn|Manning|p=105}} The Joker has no desire for typical criminal goals like money or power, and his acts are designed only to continue his game with Batman.<ref name="JokerBioGeek"/>
''[[Batman: Knightfall|Knightfall]]'' (1993) sees the supervillain [[Scarecrow (DC Comics)|Scarecrow]] use his fear gas to expose Joker's fears but it has no effect on him.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} The Joker has sometimes been temporarily rendered sane through different means, such as telepathic manipulation, or through the use of a life-restoring [[Lazarus Pit]]—an experience that typically induces insanity in the subject.<ref name="ComicLotDarkKnight145"/> In these moments the Joker is depicted as expressing remorse for his acts. However, during a medically-induced sanity in ''[[Batman: Cacophony]]'', the Joker tells Batman: "I don't hate you 'cause I'm crazy. I'm crazy 'cause I hate you", before confirming that he will only stop killing people when Batman is dead.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
===Skills and equipment===
The Joker has no inherent superhuman abilities.<ref name="ImpactWhatCulture"/> Instead, he commits crimes with a variety of weaponized thematic props such as a deck of razor-tipped playing cards, rolling marbles, [[Jack-in-the-box|Jacks-in-the-box]] that contain unpleasant surprises, and exploding cigars capable of detonating with enough force to level a building. The flower in his lapel sprays potent acid, and his hand often contains a lethal [[joy buzzer]] that emits a million volts of electricity.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=70}} His most notable weapon however, is Joker Venom, a toxin delivered in liquid or gaseous forms that sends its targets into fits of uncontrollable laughter, while more potent doses can lead to paralysis, coma, or death, and leaves the victim with a ghoulish and pained [[Risus sardonicus|rictus grin]]. The Joker has employed venom since his debut, and only he knows the formula. He is shown to be gifted enough with chemistry to produce the toxin from typical household chemicals. Another version of the venom used in "Joker's Last Laugh", transforms the victims' appearance to resemble the Joker, and makes them susceptible to his orders.<ref name="JokerBioGeek2"/><ref name="WeaponsVenom"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=69, 124}} The Joker is immune to most poisons as well as venom; in ''Batman'' #663 (2007), Morrison writes that "being an avid consumer of his products, the Joker's immunity to poisons has been built up over years of dedicated abuse".<ref name="Batman663"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=69}}
The Joker's arsenal is inspired by his nemesis' own thematic weaponry like batarangs. In "The Joker's Utility Belt" (1952), he replicated Batman's [[Batman's utility belt|utility belt]], stocked with particularly non-lethal items like Mexican jumping beans and sneezing powder.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=70}} Furthering his imitation of Batman's gear, in 1942's "The Joker Follows Suit", the Joker built the antitheses of Batman's [[Batplane]] and [[Batmobile]]: the Jokergyro and Jokermobile, the latter decorated with an oversized Joker face on its hood. He also created a Joker signal that criminals could use to summon him for their heists.{{sfn|Manning|2011|pp=70,75}} The Jokermobile lasted for several decades, going through variations alongside the Batmobile. His technical genius is not limited by practicality, allowing him to transform buildings into deathtraps, launch a gas attack on the city, or rain down poisoned glass shards on it's citizens from an airship.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}}
Joker is portrayed as physically skilled in melee combat. From his initial appearances where he equals Batman, defeating him in a swordfight and nearly killing him, and others where he completely overwhelms Batman but chooses not to kill him.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=24, 37-38, 105}} He is also talented with firearms, although even his guns are theatrical-his long-barreled revolver often releases a flag bearing the onomatopoeiac message "Bang", with a second pull of the trigger launching the flag like a harpoon, skewering the target.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=70}} Although he is a formidable fighter, Joker's best asset is his mind.{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=38}} He is shown to be highly intelligent and skilled in the fields of [[chemistry]] and [[engineering]], as well an expert with explosives. From his first appearance onward, he has been consistently portrayed as capable of [[Broadcast signal intrusion|hijacking broadcasts]]—usually news programs—of both the television and radio varieties. The Joker has been shown kidnapping a computer genius, and admitting that he does not know much about computers, although later writers have portrayed him as very [[computer literacy|computer literate]].{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
===Various origins===
{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="They’ve given many origins of the Joker, how he came to be. That doesn’t seem to matter—just how he is now. I never intended to give a reason for his appearance. We discussed that and Bill [Finger] and I never wanted to change it at that time. I thought—and he agreed—that it takes away some of the essential mystery."|source=– The Joker's creator Jerry Robinson{{sfn|Langley|2013|p=180}}|style=padding:10px; background-color: #EFEFEF;}}
Though many have been related, a definitive [[back-story]] has never been established for the Joker. Portrayed as an unreliable narrator, the character is unsure of who he was before, and how he became the Joker, stating in ''The Killing Joke'': "Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another... if I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!"<ref name="TKJ"/><ref name="Origin3"/> The earliest origin appeared in ''Detective Comics'' #168 (February 1951), nearly a decade after the character's debut. In that story, the Joker is depicted as a lab worker who becomes the Red Hood to steal $1 million from his employers and then retire. He falls into a vat of chemical waste after his heist is thwarted by Batman, emerging with bleached white skin, red lips, green hair and a persistent grin.<ref name="Origin1"/><ref name="Origin2"/>
This origin served as the basis for Moore's ''The Killing Joke'', depicting the most widely cited origin tale. In the story, the Joker has a pregnant wife, and quits his lab job to become a stand-up comedian, only to fail miserably. He agrees to help mobsters commit a robbery for money, and is forced to wear the pill-shaped Red Hood for his part. The heist goes wrong and the comedian leaps into a chemical vat to escape Batman, later resurfacing with the familiar disfigurement. Coupled with the earlier accidental death of his wife and unborn child, the comedian goes insane and becomes the Joker. This version of events has been referenced in many stories since, including ''[[Batman: The Man Who Laughs]]'' when Batman deduces that Red Hood survived his fall and became the Joker, ''Batman'' #450 when Joker dons the Red Hood costume to aid his recovery after the events of ''A Death in the Family'' only to find the experience too traumatic, and "Death of the Family".<ref name="Killing Joke"/><ref name="TKJ"/><ref name="Origin2"/> Other stories have expanded on ''The Killing Joke'' origin, such as "Pushback" (''[[Batman: Gotham Knights]]'' #50-55), where the [[Riddler]] recounts that the Joker's wife was murdered by a corrupt cop working for the mobsters to help coerce the comedian.<ref name="Origin2"/> "Payback" shows pictures of the pre-disfigurement Joker — identified as "Jack" — with his wife.<ref name="OriginPushback"/>
The story however is far from definitive and the Joker's unreliable memory has allowed writers to develop many alternate origins for the character.<ref name="Origin2"/> In the [[Paul Dini]]-[[Alex Ross]] story "Case Study", the Joker is shown as a sadistic gangster who becomes a mob boss, but creates the Red Hood identity for himself to allow him to still experience the thrill of performing small-time crimes. Eventually, he has his fateful first meeting with Batman, resulting in his disfigurement. It is implied that Joker remains sane, and feigns insanity to avoid the death penalty. ''[[Batman Confidential]]'' (#7-12) portrays the character as a criminal named Jack who is too gifted to find normal crimes challenging. He encounters and becomes obsessed with Batman during a heist, and embarks on a crime spree to draw Batman's attention. Jack wounds the girlfriend of Batman's alter-ego, and a vengeful Batman scars Jack's face, giving him a [[Glasgow smile|permanent grin]]. Batman gives Jack's information to mobsters, who torture Jack in a chemical plant. Jack escapes, but falls into an empty vat as wild gunfire punctures the chemical tanks above him, and the resultant flood of chemicals used in [[anti-psychotic]] medication alters his appearance, completing his transformation into the Joker.<ref name="ComicBatmanConfidential"/>
''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #31 explores the Joker's childhood when the [[Atom (comics)|Atom]] assists in an operation on the Joker's brain, and sees memories of the villain committing various brutal crimes before his disfigurement: savagely beating a bully, and burning his parents alive after they find him killing pets.<ref name="BraveandBold31Review"/> The Joker himself has claimed all manner of origins, including being the child of an abusive father who broke his nose, and the long-lived jester of an Egyptian pharaoh. As Batman says: "Like any other comedian, he uses whatever material will work".{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=136}}
==Cultural impact==
The Joker is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable fictional characters in pop culture, arguably of similarly renown to his nemesis Batman.<ref name="ImpactComplex"/><ref name="ImpactLATimes"/><ref name="ImpactIGN2"/> In 2006, the Joker was listed at number 1 on ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine's 100 Greatest Villains of All Time.<ref name="ImpactWizard"/> In 2008, ''Wizard''{{'}}s list of the 200 Greatest Comic Book Characters of All Time placed Joker at number 5,<ref name="ImpactWizard2"/> and at number 8 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s list of the 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters (the highest ranked villain on both lists).<ref name="ImpactEmpire"/> In 2009, Joker ranked at number 2 on [[IGN]]'s list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains.<ref name="ImpactIGN"/> In 2013, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' and WhatCulture named Joker the greatest comic book villain of all time, and IGN listed him as the top DC Comics villain.<ref name="ImpactWhatCulture"/><ref name="ImpactComplex"/><ref name="ImpactIGN2013"/>
''[[TV Guide]]'' included [[Caesar Romero]]'s interpretation of the character in a 2013 list of the "60 nastiest villains of all time",<ref name="ImpactTVGuide"/> he was listed at number 45 on the villains list as part of the [[American Film Institute]]'s [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains|100 Heroes & Villains]],<ref name="ImpactAFI100"/> and his portrayal in ''The Dark Knight'' positioned him at number 3 on ''Empire'' magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Movie Characters.<ref name="ImpactEmpire100"/> The character has inspired theme park attractions like [[The Joker's Jinx]] rollercoaster in [[Maryland]], and appeared as a character in story-based rides like [[Batman Adventure – The Ride]] and [[The Dark Knight Coaster]].<ref name="CulturalCoaster1"/><ref name="CulturalCoaster2"/><ref name="CulturalCoaster3"/><ref name="CulturalCoaster4"/>
The Jokermobile was a popular toy; a Corgi [[Die-cast toy|die-cast metal]] replica saw success in the 1950s while in the 1970s, a Joker-styled, [[Flower power]]-era [[Volkswagen Type 2|Volkswagen microbus]] was released by [[Mego Corporation|Mego]].{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=75}}
===In other media===
{{Main|Joker in other media}}
{{multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| footer = The many faces of the Joker: (from left to right) [[Cesar Romero]] in 1973, [[Jack Nicholson]] in 1976, [[Mark Hamill]] in 2010 and [[Heath Ledger]] in 2006. Romero played the Joker in the 1960s [[Batman (TV series)|''Batman'' TV series]], Nicholson played the character in [[Tim Burton]]'s 1989 film ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', Hamill voiced the Joker in animation and video games for two decades, and Ledger won an Academy Award for [[The Joker (The Dark Knight)|his interpretation of the character]] in ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' 2008.
| image1 = Cesar Romero 3 Allan Warren.jpg
| width1 = 120
| image2 = Jack Nicholson - 1976.jpg
| width2 = 150
| image3 = Mark Hamill 2010.jpg
| width3 = 140
| image4 = Heath Ledger 2006 - Cropped, Facing Left.jpg
| width4 = 154
}}
The Joker has appeared in various media aside from comic books, including television series and several films in both animated and live-action forms. The earliest adaptation of the character was in the 1966 television series ''Batman'' where he is portrayed as a cackling prankster by [[Cesar Romero]], reflecting the character's contemporary comic counterpart.<ref name="Media4"/><ref name="IGNManyFacesofJoker"/> In the following years, the character made a variety of appearances in animated form including 1968's ''[[The Adventures of Batman]]'' (voiced by [[Larry Storch]]),<ref name="MediaStorch"/> 1977's ''[[The New Adventures of Batman]]'' (voiced by [[Lennie Weinrib]]),<ref name="MediaWeinrib"/> and 1985's ''[[The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians]]'' (voiced by [[Frank Welker]]).<ref name="MediaWelker"/><ref name="MediaWelker2"/> The darker version of the Joker made his big screen debut in 1989's ''Batman'' portrayed by [[Jack Nicholson]]. The film went on to earn over $400 million at the worldwide box office. The role was considered to overshadow Batman's own, and would become a defining performance in Nicholson's filmography.<ref name="Media3"/> The film's success lead to 1992's television series ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''. Voiced by actor [[Mark Hamill]], the Joker and show retained the darker tone of the comics with stories acceptable for young children.<ref name="Media1"/><ref name="Media2"/> Hamill's Joker is considered one of the defining portrayals of the character and in the following years he would voice the character in spin off movies like ''[[Batman: Mask of the Phantasm]]'' (1993) and ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]'' (2000), video games such as ''[[Batman: Vengeance]]'' (2001), and related series like ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' (1996), ''[[Static Shock]]'' (2000), and ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' (2001), as well as action figures, toys, and amusement park voice overs.<ref name="Media8"/><ref name="Media9"/><ref name="MediaSShock"/>{{sfn|Manning|2011|p=17}} A heavily redesigned Joker (voiced by [[Kevin Michael Richardson]]) appeared in 2004's ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]''. Richardson was the first African-American to portray the character.<ref name="MediaTheBatman"/><ref name="MediaTheBatman2"/>
Following the successful 2005 Batman film reboot ''[[Batman Begins]]'' directed by [[Christopher Nolan]] that ended with a teaser for the Joker's involvement in a sequel, the character would return to the big screen in 2008's ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'' where he is portrayed by [[Heath Ledger]] as an avatar of anarchy and chaos.<ref name="Media5"/><ref name="MediaTDK"/> While ''Batman Begins'' took a worldwide total of $370 million,<ref name="MediaTDK4"/> ''The Dark Knight'' went on to earn over $1 billion, becoming the highest grossing film of that year, and setting several records at the time including highest grossing midnight opening, opening day, and opening weekend.<ref name="MediaTDK2"/><ref name="MediaTDK3"/> Ledger posthumously won an [[Academy Award]] for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, the first time any superhero film had won an Academy Award for acting.<ref name="Media6"/><ref name="Media7"/> From the late 2010s, the Joker featured in a variety of animated projects such as 2009's ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' (voiced by [[Jeff Bennett]]),<ref name="MediaTBatB"/> 2011's ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' (voiced by [[Brent Spiner]]),<ref name="MediaYJ"/> and comic book story adaptations including ''[[Batman: Under the Red Hood]]'' (2010) where he is voiced by [[John DiMaggio]]. In 2012, actor [[Michael Emerson]] provided the character's voice in the two-part animated adaptation of ''[[Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (film)|The Dark Knight Returns]]''.<ref name="Media12"/><ref name="Media13"/>
The Joker has also been featured in several video games. Hamill returned to voice the character in the critically acclaimed 2009 video game ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]'', its equally acclaimed 2011 sequel ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'' and the multiplayer game ''[[DC Universe Online]]''.<ref name="MediaDCU"/> After two decades portraying the character, Hamill retired from the role following ''Arkham City'', and was replaced by voice actor [[Troy Baker]] in the 2013 sequel ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]''.<ref name="Media8"/><ref name="Media10"/><ref name="Media11"/> [[Richard Epcar]] voiced the Joker in the fighting game ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'' (2008), and would reprise the role in the 2013 follow-up ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]''.<ref name="MediaMKvsDCU"/><ref name="MediaIGAU"/> The character has also appeared in ''[[Lego Batman: The Videogame]]'' (2008), and ''[[Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes]]'' (2012) and its [[Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite|animated adaptation]] (voiced in both by [[Christopher Corey Smith]]).<ref name="MediaLego1"/><ref name="MediaLego2"/>
==See also==
* [[List of Batman Family adversaries]]
* [[Evil clown]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="1975JokerComic">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=BIZARRO BACK ISSUES: THE JOKER’S SOLO SERIES (1975) |url=http://comicsalliance.com/bizarro-back-issues-the-jokers-solo-series-1975/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=September 12, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/WCmtW|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Batman663">{{Cite comic | Writer = Morrison, Grant | Artist = Van Fleet, John | Story = The Clown at Midnight | Title = Batman #663 | Issue = 663 | Date = April 2007 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 22 | Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="BatmanUnauthorized">{{cite book|last=Anders|first=Lou|title=Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City|publisher=[[BenBella Books]]|year=2008|pages=29|chapter=Two of a Kind|isbn=9781935251316|quote=By 2007, the Joker was indisputably one of the most dangerous and insane villains in DC's entire universe. This is evidenced in the 1995 three-issue ''Underworld Unleashed'', in which Flash-nemesis the Trickster said, 'When super-villains want to scare each other, they tell Joker stories.'}}</ref>
<ref name="Bio101">{{Cite web|first=Bill|last=Ramey|url=http://www.batman-on-film.com/comics_jett_batman1_review2.html|title=Comic Review: Batman #1, Part 2|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=March 11, 2007|publisher=Batman on Film|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100722160210/http://www.batman-on-film.com/comics_jett_batman1_review2.html|archivedate=July 22, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Bio102">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/no-mans-land/42106/|title=No Man's Land (comics)|accessdate=May 9, 2008|publisher=Comic Vine|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090131215911/http://www.comicvine.com/no-mans-land/39-42106/|archivedate=January 31, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Bio103">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/joker-last-laugh/46441/|title=Joker: Last Laugh (comics)|accessdate=May 9, 2008|publisher=Comic Vine|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090131215231/http://www.comicvine.com/joker-last-laugh/39-46441/|archivedate=January 31, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="BraveandBold31Review">{{Cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/106/1062409p1.html |title=The Brave and the Bold #31 review }}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge1">{{cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 156 |quote = After decades as an irritating prankster, Batman's greatest enemy re-established himself as a homicidal harlequin in this issue...this classic tale by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams introduced a dynamic that remains to this day: the Joker's dependence on Batman as his only worthy opponent.}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge2">{{cite book|last = Greenberger|first = Robert|authorlink = Robert Greenberger|last2 = Manning| first2 = Matthew K.|author2-link = |title = The Batman Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the Batcave|publisher = [[Running Press]]|year = 2009|isbn = 0-7624-3663-8|page= 161 and 163 |quote = In 1973, O'Neil alongside frequent collaborator Neal Adams forged the landmark 'The Joker's Five-Way Revenge' in ''Batman'' #251, in which the Clown Prince of Crime returned to his murderous ways, killing his victims with his trademark Joker Venom and taking much delight from their sufferings.}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge3">{{Cite web|first=Mark S.|last=Reinhart|url=http://www.batman-on-film.com/bathistory_thejokers5wayrevenge_msreinhart.html|title=The Joker's 5 Way Revenge|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=October 4, 2006|publisher=Batman on Film}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=40748|title=Batman Artist Rogers is Dead|accessdate=May 2, 2008|date=March 28, 2007|quote=Even though their Batman run was only six issues, the three laid the foundation for later Batman comics. Their stories include the classic 'Laughing Fish' (in which the Joker's face appeared on fish); they were adapted for ''Batman: The Animated Series'' in the 1990s. Earlier drafts of the 1989 Batman film with Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight were based heavily on their work|publisher=Sci Fi|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080411230610/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=40748 |archivedate=April 11, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge5">{{Cite web|first=Cullen|last=Waters|url=http://welltuncares.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/laughing_fish_comic_review/|title=Detective Comics #475 (The Laughing Fish) and #476 (The Sign of the Joker)|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=The Writer Journal of Cullen M. M. Waters}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge6">{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Phillips|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/01/rogues-gallery-the-joker?page=2|title=Rogue's Gallery: The Joker|accessdate=November 18, 2013|date=January 18, 2008|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[j2 Global]]|page=2|quote=[T]he Joker decides to brand every fish product in Gotham with his trademark grin, going so far as to blackmail and murder copyright officials until he's compensated for his hideous innovation.|archiveurl=http://archive.is/Ode3X|archivedate=November 18, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge7">Greenberger and Manning, p. 163: "In this fondly remembered tale that was later adapted into an episode of the 1990s cartoon ''Batman: The Animated Series'', the Joker poisoned the harbors of Gotham so that the fish would all bear his signature grin, a look the Joker then tried to trademark in order to collect royalties."</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge8">{{Cite book|author=Pearson, Roberta E.; Uricchio, William|chapter=Notes from the Batcave: An Interview with Dennis O'Neil.|title=The Many Lives of the Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and His Media|publisher=Routledge: London|year=1991|page=18|isbn=0-85170-276-7}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge9">{{cite web |first=Daniel|last=Phillips | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/08/why-so-serious-the-many-looks-of-joker?page=2 | title =Why So Serious?: The Many Looks of Joker (Page 2) | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date = December 8, 2008| accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl= http://archive.is/uUBjF |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge10">{{cite web |first=Seb|last=Patrick| url =http://www.denofgeek.com/books-comics/batman/11301/10-essential-joker-stories | title =10 Essential Joker Stories | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |work=Den of Geek | date=July 15, 2008 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/nxr8H |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="BronzeAge20">{{cite web | url =http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/2009/08/09/joker-steve-englehart-the-laughing-fish/ | title =Joker Panel Interview: Steve Englehart on The Laughing Fish | publisher=[[The Ongoing Adventures of Rocket Llama]] | date=August 9, 2009 | accessdate =October 18, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/sMHs6 |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CharacterDOTF">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=SCOTT SNYDER ON ‘DEATH OF THE FAMILY’: ‘IT’S A LOVE LETTER TO BATMAN FROM THE JOKER’ [INTERVIEW] |url=http://comicsalliance.com/batman-death-of-the-family-scott-snyder-interview/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=November 29, 2012 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/fW5wj |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<!--ref name="ComicBatman663">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 663|Date = April 2007|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref-->
<ref name="ComicBatmanConfidential">{{Cite comic| Writer = [[Andy Diggle|Diggle, Andy]], [[Michael Green (writer)|Green, Michael]], [[Tony Bedard]] | Artist= [[Whilce Portacio|Portacio, Whilce]], Friend, Richard, [[Denys Cowan|Cowan, Denys]], [[Rags Morales|Morales, Rags]] | Title = Batman Confidential: Lovers & Madmen (#7-12)| Date = 2006 – present| Publisher = DC Comics| Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicBatmanRIP">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 681|Date = November 2008|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin12">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman and Robin (comic book)|Batman and Robin]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 12|Date = May 2010|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicBatmanRobin13">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = [[Batman and Robin (comic book)|Batman and Robin]]|Volume = 1|Issue = 13|Date = July 2010|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<!--ref name="ComicBatmanTDK3">{{Cite comic | Writer = Miller, Frank | Artist = Miller, Frank | Story = "Hunt the Dark Knight" | Title = Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | Issue = #3 | Date = May 1986 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Panel = }}</ref-->
<ref name="ComicDCUniverseZero">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Geoff Johns|Johns, Geoff]] and [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]|Title = DC Universe Zero|Volume = 1|Issue = 1|Date = April 2008|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicEmperorJoker">{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Jeph Loeb|Loeb, Jeph]] | Cowriters = [[J. M. DeMatteis|DeMatteis, J.M.]], [[Mark Schultz (comics)|Schultz, Mark]], [[Joe Kelly (comics)|Kelly, Joe]] | Penciller = [[Ed McGuiness|McGuiness, Ed]] | Copencillers =Miller, Mike, [[Doug Mahnke|Mahnke, Doug]], [[Kano (comics)|Kano]] | Inker = [[Cam Smith|Smith, Cam]], Marzan, Jose, Nguyen, Tom, [[John McCrea|McCrea, John]], Alquiza, Marlo, Durrurthy, Armando, various others | Coinkers = | Story = | Title = Superman: Emperor Joker | Volume = Superman #160-161, Adventures of Superman #582-583, Action Comics 769-770, Superman: The Man of Steel 104-105, and Emperor Joker. | Date = January 2007 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 224 | Panel =
f|ID = 9781401211936 }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicInfiniteCrisis7">{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Geoff Johns|Johns, Geoff]] | Penciller = [[Phil Jimenez|Jimenez, Phil]], [[George Pérez|Pérez, George]], [[Ivan Reis|Reis, Ivan]], Bennet, Joe | Inker = [[Andy Lanning|Lanning, Andy]], [[George Pérez|Pérez, George]], [[Ivan Reis|Reis, Ivan]] [[Jerry Ordway|Ordway, Jerry]], Parsons, Sean, [[Art Thibert|Thibert, Art]] | Story = Infinite Crisis #7 | Title = Infinite Crisis #7 | Issue = 7 | Date = June 2006 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 31 | Panel = 6-7 }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicLotDarkKnight145">{{Cite comic | Writer = Dixon, Chuck | Artist = [[Jim Aparo|Aparo, Jim]], Cebollero, John | Story | Title = Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight | Issue = 145 | Date = September 2001 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 32 | Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="ComicNoManLand">{{cite web| first=Rob|last=Bricken | title=The Joker's 10 Craziest Kills |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/09/the_jokers_10_craziest_kills.php |publisher=[[Village Voice Media]] | work=Topless Robot |date=September 11, 2009 |accessdate=February 10, 2014 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/hTNsJ|archivedate=February 10, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ComicUndertheHood">{{Cite comic | Writers = [[Doug Mahnke|Mahnke, Doug]], [[Judd Winick|Winick, Judd]], [[Paul Lee|Lee, Paul]] | Penciller = | Copencillers =
|Inker = | Coinkers = | Story = | Title = Batman: Under The Hood | Issue = 635-641 | Date = November 2005 | Publisher = [[DC Comics]] | Page = 176
|Panel = | ID = 9781401207564 }}</ref>
<ref name="Creation1">{{cite web|first=Sean |last=O'Neal |title=R.I.P. Jerry Robinson, creator of the Joker |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/rip-jerry-robinson-creator-of-the-joker,66257/ |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=December 8, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/qMAWC |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation2">{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Seifert |title="He Made Batman, No One Else. Kane Had Nothing To Do With It. Bill Did It All" – Carmine Infantino On Bill Finger | url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/08/12/he-made-batman-no-one-else-kane-had-nothing-to-do-with-it-bill-did-it-all-carmine-infantino-on-bill-finger/ |publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]] |date=August 12, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/53Qwn |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation3">{{cite web|title=Cartoonist who drew Batman's arch enemy The Joker dies aged 89 | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2072034/Jerry-Robinson-death-Cartoonist-drew-Batmans-arch-enemy-Joker-dies-aged-89.html |work=[[Daily Mail]] |accessdate=December 9, 2011 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/jCrFo |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation4">{{cite web|title=Jerry Robinson| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/art-obituaries/8952039/Jerry-Robinson.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=December 12, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/VsY8I |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation5">{{cite web|title=R.I.P. Jerry Robinson… | url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/52287 |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date= December 15, 2011|accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/rDfdu |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation7">{{cite web|title=Holy Toledo that's expensive: 'Rarest' Superman and Batman covers set to go on sale for £1MILLION | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328046/Rarest-Superman-Batman-covers-set-sale-1MILLION.html |work=[[Daily Mail]] |date=November 9, 2010 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/J2fuh|archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation8">{{cite web|first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders|title=R.I.P. Jerry Robinson, Creator of Batman's Nemesis, the Joker |url=http://io9.com/5866373/rip-jerry-robinson-creator-of-batmans-nemesis-the-joker |work=[[io9]] |date=August 12, 2011 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/K281S |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation101">Kane in {{Cite web|url=http://franklovece.com/webexclusives.html| authorlink=Frank Lovece | first= Frank | last=Lovece |title= Web Exclusives — Bob Kane interview | publisher = Frank Lovece (official site of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' writer) | date = 17 May 1994 |accessdate=2010-12-29 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20120905235103/http://franklovece.com/webexclusives.html | archivedate= September 5, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation102">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/2009/07/21/interview-meet-the-jokers-maker-jerry-robinson/ |title=Meet the Joker's Maker, Jerry Robinson" (interview) |work=Rocket Llama World Headquarters |accessdate=July 21, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Creation103">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/2009/08/05/interview-the-jokers-maker-tackles-the-man-who-laughs |title=The Joker's Maker Tackles ''The Man Who Laughs''" (interview) |publisher=Rocket Llama World Headquarters |accessdate=August 5, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster1">{{cite web|first=Arthur |last=Levine |title=Six Flags America |url=http://themeparks.about.com/od/sixflagsparks/a/sixflagsamerica_2.htm |publisher=[[About.com]] |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3fE0O |archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster2">{{cite web| title=Joker's Jinx - Six Flags America (Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA) |url=http://rcdb.com/544.htm?dt=126&d=34 |work=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]] |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/f4kdu |archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster3">{{cite web| title=Dark Knight - Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, New Jersey, USA) |url=http://rcdb.com/4047.htm?dt=126&d=275 |work=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]] |accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/4ij1v|archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="CulturalCoaster4">{{cite web| first=Adrian |last=Beiting | title=The 10 Greatest Theme Park Rides Based on Nerdy Properties |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/12/the_10_greatest_theme_park_rides_based_on_nerdy_pr.php |publisher=[[Village Voice Media]] | work=Topless Robot |date=December 8, 2009 | accessdate=October 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/g6Zeb|archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Debut">Newsstand on-sale date April 25, 1940 per: {{Cite web| title = The first ad for ''Batman'' #1 | publisher = DC Comics | url = http://www.goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm | accessdate =October 23, 2006 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090202101606/http://goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm |archivedate=February 2, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="DotF1">{{Cite comic|Writer = [[Scott Snyder|Snyder, Scott]]|Title = Batman |story=Death of the Family|Issue = 13 |Date = September 2011|Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge1">{{Cite news|first=Alex| last=Cohen | title =The Joker: Torn Between Goof And Evil | url =http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92572470 |publisher=[[NPR]] | date=July 16, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/YRo7h|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge2">{{Cite news|first=Geoff| last=Boucher | title =The Joker returns to ‘Batman’ pages, building on 72-year history | url =http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/the-joker-returns-to-batman-pages-building-on-72-year-history/#/8 |work=Los Angeles Times | date=August 1, 2012 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/jaH8D|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge3">{{Cite news| first=Simon |last=Gallagher | title =10 Terrible Mistakes That Almost Ruined Batman For Everyone | url =http://whatculture.com/comics/10-terrible-mistakes-that-almost-ruined-batman-for-everyone.php/11 |publisher = What Culture | date =September 1, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/XrM0k |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge5">{{Cite news| first=J.C. |last=Macek III | title =Spotlight on The Dark Knight: 'The Smile on the Bat' | url =http://www.popmatters.com/post/168727-spotlight-on-the-dark-knight-the-smile-on-the-bat/ |work =[[PopMatters]] | date =February 26, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/daE2a |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="GoldenAge6">{{Cite news| first=George Gene |last=Gustines | title =The Joker in the Deck: Birth of a Supervillain | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/books/05robinson.html?_r=0 |work =[[The New York Times]] | date =October 4, 2010 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/uPxbR |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="IGNJokerBiography">{{Cite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923882_biography.html|title=IGN: Joker Biography|accessdate=May 18, 2008|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
<ref name="IGNManyFacesofJoker">{{Cite web|first=Daniel|last=Phillips|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/841/841564p1.html|title=Why So Serious? - The Many Faces of Joker|quote=Sure, the basics have always been there: The Joker's maniacal grin, his green hair, red lips and purple suit.|accessdate=May 2, 2008|date=December 14, 2007|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactAFI100">{{cite web|first=|last= |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/09/greatest-comic-book-villains/the-joker |publisher=[[American Film Institute]] |date=June 2003|accessdate=February 3, 2014 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/7wAa8 |archivedate=February 3, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactComplex">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Serafino |title=The 25 Greatest Comic Book Villains of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/09/greatest-comic-book-villains/the-joker |publisher=Complex Media |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=September 8, 2013 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Y4OIv |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactEmpire">{{Cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/50greatestcomiccharacters/default.asp?c=8 |title=The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |year=2008|accessdate=December 26, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/dawF3 |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactEmpire100">{{cite web|first= |last= |title=The 100 Greatest Movie Characters - The Joker |url=http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=3 |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |year=2009 |accessdate=December 26, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/C6z9L |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactIGN">{{cite web |first=Daniel|last=Phillips | url =http://uk.comics.ign.com/top-100-villains/2.html | title =Top 100 Comic Book Villains - Number 2: The Joker | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | year=2009| accessdate =January 14, 2014 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/7C4jU |archivedate=January 14, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactIGN2">{{cite web |first=Daniel|last=Phillips | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/08/why-so-serious-the-many-looks-of-joker | title =Why So Serious?: The Many Looks of Joker | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date = December 8, 2008| accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl= http://archive.is/HmDT6|archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactIGN2013">{{cite web |first=Jesse |last=Schedeen | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/11/23/the-top-25-villains-of-dc-comics?page=5 | title =The Top 25 Villains of DC Comics| publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =November 22, 2013| accessdate =January 14, 2014 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/QN0lb|archivedate=January 14, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactLATimes">{{Cite news|first=Geoff| last=Boucher | title =‘Joker’ creator Jerry Robinson reflects on Gotham and the golden age | url =http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/joker-creator-jerry-robinson-reflects-on-gotham-and-the-golden-age/ |work=Los Angeles Times | date =May 6, 2009 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/fUW4C |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactTVGuide">Bretts, Bruce; Roush, Matt; (March 25, 2013). "Baddies to the Bone: The 60 nastiest villains of all time". ''[[TV Guide]]''. pp. 14 - 15.</ref>
<ref name="ImpactWhatCulture">{{Cite news| title =100 Greatest Comic Book Villains Of All Time | url =http://whatculture.com/comics/100-greatest-comic-book-villains-of-all-time.php/35|publisher = What Culture | date =October 6, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/SbQW7 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactWizard">{{Cite journal|author=<!--Staff--> |date=July 2006 |title=Top 100 Greatest Villains |journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |volume=1 |issue= 177}}</ref>
<ref name="ImpactWizard2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/05240810thgreatestcharacters2.html |title=THE 200 GREATEST COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME |date=May 23, 2008 |publisher=Wizarduniverse.com |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20091003165505/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/05240810thgreatestcharacters2.html |archivedate=October 3, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerBioGeek">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner | title=Geek’S 20 Greatest Joker Moments Ever, Part I |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-25-best-joker-moments-ever-part-i-29607.html |publisher=[[Geek Monthly|Geek Exchange]] |date=December 21, 2012 |accessdate=December 27, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/nLAet |archivedate=December 27, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerBioGeek2">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner | title=Geek’S 20 Greatest Joker Moments Ever, Part II |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-20-greatest-joker-moments-ever-part-ii-29791.html |publisher=[[Geek Monthly|Geek Exchange]] |date=December 21, 2012 |accessdate=December 27, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/TESHZ |archivedate=December 27, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerBioGeek3">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner | title=Geek’S 20 Greatest Joker Moments Ever, Part III |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-20-greatest-joker-moments-ever-part-iii-30505.html|publisher=[[Geek Monthly|Geek Exchange]] |date=December 21, 2012 |accessdate=December 27, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/RzyGB |archivedate=December 27, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="JokerDevilsAdvocate">{{Cite web|first=Hilary|last=Goldstein|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/618/618664p1.html|title=The Joker: Devil's Advocate|accessdate=May 3, 2008|date=May 24, 2005|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
<ref name="Killing Joke">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/the-killing-joke/40503/|title=The Killing Joke|accessdate=May 3, 2008|publisher=Comic Vine|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090131215939/http://www.comicvine.com/the-killing-joke/39-40503/|archivedate=January 31, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Media1">{{cite web|title=Top 10 Comic to TV Adaptations |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/06/22/top-10-comic-to-tv-adaptations?page=3 |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=June 21, 2007 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/OiTk8 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media2">{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Joker |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-joker-2008-pg,0,3865696.photogallery?index=lat-joker8_igaeb3kf20080718123115 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/uCNVA |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media3">{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Joker |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-joker-2008-pg,0,3865696.photogallery?index=la-joker-07-photo |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Xn7m1 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media4">{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Joker |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-joker-2008-pg,0,3865696.photogallery?index=la-joker-03-photo |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/M5Y3I |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media5">{{cite web|first=Dan |last=Jolin |title=The Making Of The Joker |url=http://www.empireonline.com/features/heath-ledger-joker |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/NaVU9 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media6">{{cite web|first=Kirsten |last=Acuna |title=Everyone Was Also Furious With The Initial Casting Of Heath Ledger As The Joker |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/heath-ledger-was-criticized-before-played-joker-2013-8 |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |date=August 23, 2013 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/U408I |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media7">{{cite web|title='Slumdog Millionaire' fulfills its Oscar destiny |url=http://www.today.com/id/29332714#.UlnRLlBtgbJ |work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]] |date=February 23, 2009 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3qjeg |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media8">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=MARK HAMILL RETIRES FROM HIS ROLE AS THE JOKER AFTER 19 YEARS |url=http://comicsalliance.com/mark-hamill-retires-the-joker-arkham-city/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=October 19, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/E8ZJm |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media9">{{cite web|first=Oliver |last=Sava |title=Mask Of The Phantasm |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/mask-of-the-phantasm,54695/ |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/2NIrR |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media10">{{cite web|first=Sean |last=Keane |title=New York Comic Con 2013: The Electrocutioner takes on the Dark Knight in 'Batman: Arkham Origins' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/electrocutioner-takes-dark-knight-batman-arkham-origins-article-1.1485779 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=October 14, 2013 |accessdate=October 16, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/y2TJY |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media11">{{cite web|first=Adam |last=Rosenberg |title='ARKHAM ORIGINS' STARS TALK THE FIRST MEETING OF BATMAN AND THE JOKER |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/batman-vs-joker-arkham-origins-stars-on-the-challenge-of-becoming-iconic-characters/2/ |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=October 15, 2013 |accessdate=October 16, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/wC5a8 |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media12">{{cite web|first=Kevin |last=Melrose |title=MICHAEL EMERSON TAKES ON THE JOKER IN 'BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS' |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=40818 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=September 4, 2012 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/yCWJ9 |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Media13">{{cite web|first=Alasdair |last=Wilkins |title=Under the Red Hood cuts through Batman's baggage to reveal the dark side of his legacy |url=http://io9.com/5601910/batman-under-the-red-hood-tosses-the-comics-baggage-to-reveal-the-dark-side-of-the-bat+legacy |work=[[io9]] |date=August 1, 2010 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/5xopF |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaDCU">{{cite news|first=Hugh |last=Armitage |title=Mark Hamill returns as Joker in 'DC Universe Online' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a382293/mark-hamill-returns-as-joker-in-dc-universe-online.html |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=May 18, 2012 |accessdate=December 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Phuj9 |archivedate=December 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaIGAU">{{cite web|first=Daniel |last=Nye Griffiths |title=Injustice: Gods Among Us - Review |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2013/04/22/injustice-gods-among-us-review/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 22, 2013 |accessdate=December 8, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/F7Q3I |archivedate=December 8, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaLego1">{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Watts |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/51374/joker-harley-quinn-in-lego |title=Joker, Harley Quinn In LEGO Batman Screenshots | date=February 18, 2008 |accessdate=December 26, 2013 |publisher=[[GameFly]] | work=[[Shacknews]] |archiveurl=http://archive.is/JGlFF|archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaLego2">{{cite web|first=|last= |title=Anime USA Welcomes Voice Actor, Christopher Corey Smith |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/press-release/2013-07-22/anime-usa-welcomes-voice-actor-christopher-corey-smith |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=July 22, 2013 |accessdate=December 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3rxBS |archivedate=December 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaMKvsDCU">{{cite web|first=Michael |last=Thompson |title=Review: Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe |url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/11/review-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/ |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=November 18, 2008 |accessdate=December 8, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Nqt8z |archivedate=December 8, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaSShock">{{cite web|first=Jim |last=Reilly |title=Mark Hamill Retires From Joker Role |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/10/20/looks-like-mark-hamill-is-done-with-the-joker.aspx |publisher=[[GameStop]]|work=[[Game Informer]]|date=October 20, 2011 |accessdate=December 22, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/Ohu6R | archivedate=December 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTBatB">{{cite web|first=Kethlene |last=Jean-Jacques |title=Jeff Bennett: Joker Through the Years |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joker-through-the-years/jeff-bennett-the-joker/ |work=[[Celebuzz]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/2qCr5 |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTheBatman">{{cite web|first=Kethlene |last=Jean-Jacques |title=Kevin Michael Richardson: Joker Through the Years |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joker-through-the-years/kevin-michael-richardson-joker/ |work=[[Celebuzz]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/RHhgN |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTheBatman2">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Mason |title=The Batman - The Review! |url=http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/86715-the-batman---the-review |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |work=SuperHeroHype |date=September 12, 2004 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/YXrMQ |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaStorch">{{cite web |title=Batman and The Joker : Through the Years |url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/batman-and-joker-through-the-years-1318457529-slideshow/the-adventures-of-batman-olan-soule-and-larry-storch-photo-1318536044.html |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/FCx0s |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK">{{cite web|first=Scott |last=Mendelson |title='Cloudy 2', 'Batman Begins', And 5 More Hits That Survived "Disappointing" Debuts |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/10/03/cloudy-2-batman-begins-and-5-more-hits-that-survived-disappointing-debuts/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=October 3, 2013 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/rVqf9 |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK2">{{cite web|first=Scott |last=Mendelson |title=How 'The Dark Knight' Proved Irrelevance Of Box Office Rank |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/09/17/how-the-dark-knight-proved-irrelevance-of-box-office-rank/ | work=[[Forbes]] |date=September 17, 2013 |accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/XEtsW |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK3">{{cite news|first=Pamela | last=McClintock |title=Box Office Milestone: 'Dark Knight Rises' Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-dark-knight-rises-warner-bros-christopher-nolan-christian-bale-367476 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date= September 2, 2012|accessdate=October 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/0Msu1 |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaTDK4">{{cite news | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batmanbegins.htm |title=Batman Begins | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=October 17, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/4W6xN |archivedate=October 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaWeinrib">{{cite web|first=Kethlene |last=Jean-Jacques |title=Lennie Weinrib: Joker Through the Years |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joker-through-the-years/lennie-weinrib-joker/ |work=[[Celebuzz]] |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/nAzKj |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaWelker">{{cite web|first=Steve |last=Fritz |title=Animated Shorts - Actor Lends Voice to the Joker Legacy|url=http://www.newsarama.com/2617-animated-shorts-actor-lends-voice-to-the-joker-legacy.html |work=[[Newsarama]] |date=April 7, 2009 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/88RLC |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaWelker2">{{cite web |title=The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985 – 1986) |url=http://www.dccomics.com/tv/the-super-powers-team-galactic-guardians-1985-1986 |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |work=DC Comics.com |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/V1tuA |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="MediaYJ">{{cite web|first=Will|last=Harris |title=Brent Spiner on playing Conan O’Brien, Data on Star Trek, and Brent Spiner |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/brent-spiner-on-playing-conan-obrien-data-on-istar-81664 |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=June 22, 2012 |accessdate=December 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/pNx2J |archivedate=December 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge1">{{cite web|title=Batman: The Dark Knight Returns |url=http://www.cracked.com/funny-2382-batman-dark-knight-returns/ |work=[[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/g7T9H |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge2">{{cite web|first=Joe |last=Strike | title=Frank Miller's 'Dark Knight' brought Batman back to life |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/frank-miller-dark-knight-brought-batman-back-life-article-1.351685 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/UK2z3 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge4">{{cite web |first=Joey |last=Esposito | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/07/09/scott-snyder-talks-about-the-jokers-brutal-return | title =Scott Snyder Talks About the Joker's Brutal Return | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =July 9, 2012 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/XPuFW |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge5">{{cite web |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/06/09/batman-a-death-in-the-family-review | title =Batman: A Death in the Family Review | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =June 9, 2005 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/hD3S7 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge10">{{cite web |first=Seb|last=Patrick| url =http://www.denofgeek.com/books-comics/5774/batman-the-killing-joke-deluxe-edition-review | title =Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe Edition review | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |work=Den of Geek | date =April 28, 2008 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/bJ0hE |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge11">{{cite web |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/05/25/batman-the-killing-joke-review | title =Batman: The Killing Joke Review | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =May 24, 2005 | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/OuIX2 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge12">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Serafino |title=The 25 Best DC Comics Of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/08/the-25-best-dc-comics-of-all-time/arkham-asylum-a-serious-house-on-serious-earth|publisher=Complex Media |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=August 22, 2011 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/qJ2um |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge13">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Serafino |title=The 25 Best DC Comics Of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/07/the-25-best-batman-comics-of-all-time/arkham-asylum-a-serious-house-on-serious-earth |publisher=Complex Media |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=July 17, 2012 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/2AzXG |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge14">{{cite web|first=Jeffrey|last=Renaud |title=SCOTT SNYDER PLAYS JOKER IN 'DEATH OF THE FAMILY' |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43743 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=February 14, 2013 |accessdate=October 11, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/OUUWh |archivedate=October 11, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="ModernAge15">{{cite web |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein | url =http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/05/25/batman-harley-quinn-review | title =Batman: Harley Quinn Review | publisher=[[J2 Global]] |work=[[IGN]] | date =May 24, 2005 | accessdate =October 15, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/tSru6 |archivedate=October 15, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Multiverse">{{cite web|first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders|title=The Multiverse Is Strictly Business, Says DC Comics Czar|url=http://io9.com/360573/the-multiverse-is-strictly-business-says-dc-comics-czar |work=[[io9]] |date=25 February 2008 |accessdate=October 18, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/pIAe5 |archivedate=October 18, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Origin1">{{Cite web|first=Matt|last=Hunt|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/joker1.htm|title=How the Joker works|accessdate=May 2, 2008|publisher=Howstuffworks}}</ref>
<ref name="Origin2">{{Cite news| first=Chris|last=Quicksilver | title =Chemicals & Chaos: The Joker’s (Many) Bizarre Origins| url =http://whatculture.com/comics/chemicals-chaos-jokers-many-bizarre-origins.php |publisher = What Culture | date=October 23, 2013 |accessdate=December 31, 2013| archiveurl=http://archive.is/wdA2p |archivedate=December 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Origin3">{{cite web |first=Seb|last=Patrick| url =http://www.denofgeek.us/books-comics/the-joker/231615/the-joker-the-nature-of-batmans-greatest-foe | title =The Joker: The Nature of Batman's Greatest Foe | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |work=Den of Geek | date=December 13, 2013 | accessdate =December 26, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/2fwiN |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OriginPushback">{{Cite comic| Writer = Devin Grayson, Scott Beatty, A.J. Lieberman| Cowriters = | Penciller = Dale Eaglesham, Paul Ryan, Roger Robinson, Al Barrionuevo| Copencillers =| Inker = John Floyd| Coinkers = | Story = | Title = Batman: Gotham Knights| Volume = 50-55| Issue = 74| Date = March 2000 - April 2006| Publisher = DC Comics| Panel = }}</ref>
<ref name="OtherFlashpoint">{{cite web|first=Iann |last=Narcisse |title=Review: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #3 |url=http://www.craveonline.com/comics/reviews/172067-review-batman-knight-of-vengeance-3 |work=[[CraveOnline]] |date=August 3, 2011 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/0SIIg |archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OtherInjustice">{{cite web|first=Evan |last=Narcisse |title=In This Week’s Injustice Comic, Superman Does the One Thing Batman Never Would |url=http://kotaku.com/5982927/in-this-weeks-injustice-comic-superman-does-the-one-thing-batman-never-would |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=August 2, 2013 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Mr3m8|archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OtherKingdom">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Kroner |title=GEEK’S 20 GREATEST JOKER MOMENTS EVER, PART III |url=http://www.geekexchange.com/geeks-20-greatest-joker-moments-ever-part-iii-30505.html |publisher=Geek Exchange |date=April 1, 2013 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/gRtXY |archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="OtherSpeeding">{{cite web| first=Greggoru |last=Basore| title=The 5 Worst and 5 Best Elseworld Origin Stories with Superman |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/11/the_5_worst_elseworld_origin_stories_with_superman.php |publisher=[[Village Voice Media]] | work=Topless Robot |date=November 21, 2012 | accessdate=November 16, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/3ErkZ |archivedate=November 16, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="Personality2">{{cite web|first=John |last=Parker |title=THE EVOLUTION OF THE JOKER: STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS |url=http://comicsalliance.com/joker-history-batman/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=November 7, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/unqnq |archivedate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="PersonalityTKJ">{{cite web|first=Joseph|last=Hughes |title=SO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT THE END OF ‘THE KILLING JOKE’? [OPINION] |url=http://comicsalliance.com/batman-killing-joke-ending-grant-morrison-alan-moore-brian-bolland-dc/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=August 19, 2013 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/Knqrs|archivedate=October 20, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="redhoodorigin">{{Cite comic| writer=Bill Finger| penciller=Lew Sayre Schwartz, Win Mortimer| inker=George Roussos| story=The Man Behind the Red Hood| title=Detective Comics| volume= 1| issue= 168| date=February 1951| publisher=Detective Comics| panel= }}</ref>
<ref name="SidekickGaggy">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=Bizarro Back Issues: The Strange Saga Of The Joker’S Daughter (1976) |url=http://comicsalliance.com/bizarro-back-issues-batman-joker-daughter/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=January 15, 2013 |accessdate=February 12, 2014 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/W8efQ|archivedate=February 12, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="SidekickGaggy2">{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Sims |title=Ask Chris #173: The Trouble With The Joker’S Girlfriend Harley Quinn |url=http://comicsalliance.com/harley-quinn-paul-dini-bruce-timm-dc-ask-chris/|publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |work=Comics Alliance |date=December 6, 2013 |accessdate=February 12, 2014 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/u6QKK |archivedate=February 12, 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="SilverAge1">{{cite web|title=The Origins Of! The Joker|url=http://www.cracked.com/funny-5775-the-origins-of21-joker/ |work=[[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]] |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/s6XI4 |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
<ref name="TKJ">{{Cite comic| writer = [[Alan Moore|Moore, Alan]]| artist = Bolland, Brian| title = The Killing Joke|date = 1988| publisher = [[DC Comics]]| Panel = | ID = 1401209270}}</ref>
<ref name="WeaponsVenom">{{cite web |first=Justin Jude|last=Carmona | url =http://www.comicsbulletin.com/columns/289/top-10-weapons-in-comics/ | title =Top 10 Weapons In Comics | publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]] | accessdate =October 12, 2013 | archiveurl=http://archive.is/BVHkP |archivedate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
}}
{{refbegin}}
;Books
* {{cite book |last1=Duncan|first1=Randy |last2=Smith |first2=Matthew J. |title=Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman, Volume 1 |year=2013 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group|Greenwood Press]] |location=Westport, Connecticut |isbn=978-0313399237 |pages= |ref={{sfnref|Duncan Smith|2013}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Langley|first1=Travis |title=Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight |year=2012 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |location=New York City, New York |isbn=978-1-118-16765-6 |pages= |ref={{sfnref|Langley|2013}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Manning |first1=Matthew K. |title=The Joker: A Visual History of the Clown Prince of Crime |year=2011 |publisher=[[Universe Publishing]] |location= |isbn=978-0789322470 |pages= |ref={{sfnref|Manning|2011}}}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Batman (comics)#The Joker|The Joker}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://stars.ign.com/articles/841/841564p1.html Why So Serious? - The Many Faces of Joker]
* {{DCdatabase|Joker}}
{{Batman}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Links to related topics
|list1=
{{1966-1968 Batman television series}}
{{1989–1997 Batman film series}}
{{Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy}}
{{Batman: Arkham}}
{{Legion of Doom (Super Friends)}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joker (comics)}}
[[Category:Characters created by Bill Finger]]
[[Category:Characters created by Bob Kane]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jerry Robinson]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1940]]
[[Category:Fictional clowns]]
[[Category:Fictional gangsters]]
[[Category:Fictional chemists]]
[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional serial killers]]
[[Category:Golden Age supervillains]]
[[Category:Video game bosses]]
[[Category:Fictional people with neurological or psychological disorders]]
[[Category:Fictional comedians]]
[[Category:Fictional engineers]]' |
