Joker
The Joker by Doug Mahnke
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Batman #1 (Spring 1940)[1]
Created by	Jerry Robinson (concept) Bill Finger Bob Kane
In story information
Alter ego	Unknown
Team affiliations	Injustice Gang Injustice League
Notable aliases	Red Hood, Jack, Joseph "Joe" Kerr, Clem Rusty, Mr. Douglas "Doug" Mahnke (pronounced MAN-key is an American Comic book Artist and Penciller, best known for his work on DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. Batman is an ongoing Comic book series featuring the DC Comics Hero of the same name. Jerry Robinson (born January 1, 1922 in Trenton, New Jersey) is an American Comic book Artist best known William "Bill" Finger ( February 8, 1914 &ndash January 18, 1974) was an American Comic strip and Comic Bob Kane (born Robert Kahn, October 24, 1915 &ndash November 3, 1998) was an American Comic book artist The Injustice Gang (also known as the Injustice Gang of the World) is a group of fictional Supervillains in the DC Comics universe. The Injustice League is the name of two Fictional teams of Supervillains in the DC Comics Universe. Red Hood is the alias used by several Fictional characters usually Antagonists for Batman in the DC Universe. Rekoj
Abilities	Highly intelligent Access to Joker venom and a variety of gadgets Experience in hand to hand combat

The Joker is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by DC Comics. A comic book (often shortened to simply comic and sometimes called a comic paper or comic magazine) is a Magazine or Book of narrative DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company The character first appeared in Batman #1 (Spring 1940), and was created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. William "Bill" Finger ( February 8, 1914 &ndash January 18, 1974) was an American Comic strip and Comic Bob Kane (born Robert Kahn, October 24, 1915 &ndash November 3, 1998) was an American Comic book artist Jerry Robinson (born January 1, 1922 in Trenton, New Jersey) is an American Comic book Artist best known The Joker is a master criminal, initially portrayed as a violent sociopath who murders people and commits crimes for his own amusement. In the sociological field, crime is the breach of a rule or Law for which some governing authority or force may ultimately prescribe a Punishment Antisocial personality disorder ( APD) is a Mental disorder.It is defined by the American Psychiatric Association 's Diagnostic and Statistical Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries The Joker is the archenemy of Batman, and has been responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon (Batgirl/Oracle) and the murders of Jason Todd (the second Robin) and Commissioner Gordon's second wife Sarah Essen. An archenemy, archfoe, archvillain or archnemesis (sometimes spelled arch-enemy, arch-foe, arch-villain or Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created Paralysed redirects here For other uses see xx Paralysed (disambiguation Paralysis is the complete loss of Muscle function Barbara "Babs" Gordon is a Fictional character appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics and in related media created by Gardner Fox Batgirl is the name of several Fictional characters appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts to the Superhero Jason Todd is a Fictional character appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics. Robin (also referred to as The Boy Wonder) is the name of several Fictional characters appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics, originally James Worthington "Jim" Gordon is a Fictional character who appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Sarah Essen Gordon is a fictional character in the DC Universe, created by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli as a supporting character in the The Joker's real identity is unknown, and there have been different takes on his origin, though each depicts him as having fallen into a vat of chemicals, which bleached his skin white, dyed his hair green and turned his lips bright red, giving him a clown-like appearance. Creation mythIn comic book terminology, an origin story is an account or Back-story revealing how a character or team gained their superpowers or the circumstances A chemical substance is a Material with a definite chemical composition. Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by their Grotesque appearance colored wigs stylistic makeup, outlandish Costumes unusually The character, later in the 1940s, began to be written as a goofy trickster-thief. In Mythology, and in the study of Folklore and Religion, a trickster is a God, Goddess, spirit, man woman or anthropomorphic That characterization continued through the late 1950s and 1960s before the character was again depicted as a vicious killer. In 2006, Wizard magazine rated the Joker as the greatest villain of all time. Wizard or Wizard The Magazine of Comics Entertainment and Pop Culture (originally titled Wizard The Guide to Comics and ^[2]

The Joker has appeared throughout the years in various media. He was portrayed by Cesar Romero in the 1960s Batman television series; Jack Nicholson in the 1989 film Batman (Nicholson's version of the Joker ranks #45 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 50 film villains); and voice actor Mark Hamill in TV's Batman: The Animated Series. Cesar Julio Romero Jr ( February 15, 1907 &ndash January 1, 1994) was a Cuban American Film and Television Batman is a 1960s American Television series, based on the DC Comic book character of the same name. John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals Batman is a 1989 Superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 AFI's 100 Years100 Heroes The term voice-over refers to a production technique where a non-diagetic voice is broadcast live or pre-recorded in Radio, Television, Film, Mark Richard Hamill (born September 25, 1951) is an American Actor, Comedian and Voice actor. Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning Heath Ledger portrayed the character in the 2008 Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight. Heath Andrew Ledger (4 April 1979 – 22 January 2008 was an Australian television and film actor Batman Begins is a 2005 American Superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by The Dark Knight is a 2008 American Superhero film directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan.

Contents 1 Publication history 1.1 Creation 1.2 1940s 1.3 1950s and 1960s 1.4 1970s-1980s 1.5 Harley Quinn 2 Fictional character biography 2.1 Origin 2.2 Criminal career 3 Powers and abilities 4 Character 5 Other versions 5.1 DC Universe 5.2 Elseworlds 5.3 Other media 6 Footnotes 7 External links

Publication history

Creation

Bill Finger, the ghost writer co-creator of Batman, brought credited Batman creator Bob Kane a photograph of actor Conrad Veidt wearing make-up for the silent film The Man Who Laughs (1928), and from this photograph the Joker was modeled. William "Bill" Finger ( February 8, 1914 &ndash January 18, 1974) was an American Comic strip and Comic A ghostwriter is a professional Writer who is paid to write books articles stories reports or other content which are officially credited to another person Bob Kane (born Robert Kahn, October 24, 1915 &ndash November 3, 1998) was an American Comic book artist Conrad Veidt ( January 22 1893 &ndash April 3 1943) was a German Actor, well known for his roles in such films as The Man Who Laughs ( 1928) is an American Silent film directed by the German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni. This influence was referenced in the graphic novel Batman: The Man Who Laughs, a retelling of the first Joker story from 1940. Batman The Man Who Laughs is a one-shot Prestige format Comic book by Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke, released in February

The credit for creation of the Joker is disputed. Kane responded in a 1994 interview to claims that Jerry Robinson created the concept of the character:

“

Bill Finger and I created the Joker. Jerry Robinson (born January 1, 1922 in Trenton, New Jersey) is an American Comic book Artist best known 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. Victor-Marie Hugo ( ( February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885) was a French Poet, Playwright, Novelist [. . . ] 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". A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper thin card or thin plastic figured with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing Card games [3]

”

Robinson, whose original Joker playing card was on public display in the exhibition "Masters of American Comics" at the Jewish Museum in New York City, New York, from September 16, 2006 to January 28, 2007, and the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum in Atlanta, Georgia from October 24, 2004 to August 28, 2005, has countered that:

“

Bill Finger knew of Conrad Veidt because Bill had been to a lot of the foreign films. The City of New York New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Events 69 - Second Battle of Bedriacum, forces under Antonius Primus the commander of the Danube armies loyal to Vespasian, defeat "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 475 - The Roman General Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his Capital Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Veidt . . . had this clown makeup with the frozen smile on his face. When Bill saw the first drawing of the Joker, he said, 'That reminds me of Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs. ' He said he would bring in some shots of that movie to show me. That's how that came about. I think in Bill's mind, he fleshed out the concept of the character. [4]

”

1940s

In his initial dozen or so appearances, starting with Batman #1 (1940), the Joker was a straightforward mass murderer, with a bizarre appearance modeled after the symbol of the Joker known from playing cards. This article deals with mass killings that are not considered Genocide. The Joker is a special card found in most modern decks of Playing cards or a Mahjong tile in some Mahjong game sets A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper thin card or thin plastic figured with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing Card games He was slated to be killed in his second appearance,^[5] but editor Whitney Ellsworth suggested that the character be spared. A hastily drawn panel, demonstrating that the Joker was still alive, was subsequently added to the comic. ^[6]

For the next several appearances, the Joker often escaped capture but suffered an apparent death (falling off a cliff, being caught in a burning building, etc. ), from which his body was not recovered. In these first dozen adventures, the Joker killed close to three dozen people.

1950s and 1960s

In the 1950s and 1960s, following the imposition of the Comics Code Authority censorship board, the Joker shifted toward becoming a harmless, cackling nuisance. The Comics Code Authority ( CCA) is part of the Comics Magazine Association of America (CMAA and was created to regulate the content of comic books in the United He disappeared from Batman stories almost entirely when Julius Schwartz took over editorship of the Batman comics in 1964. Julius "Julie" Schwartz ( June 19, 1915 – February 8, 2004) was a Jewish Comic book and Pulp magazine

1970s-1980s

In 1973, the character was revived and profoundly revised in Batman stories by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams. Dennis O'Neil (often credited as Denny O'Neil) is a Comic book Writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics Neal Adams (born June 6, 1941, Governors Island, Manhattan, New York City) is an American Comic book and Beginning in Batman #251, with "The Joker's Five Way Revenge", the Joker returns to his roots as a homicidal maniac who casually murders people on a whim, while enjoying battles of wits with Batman. Wit is a form of intellectual Humour. A wit (person is someone skilled in making witty remarks ^[7] 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. "^[8] Writer Steve Englehart and penciler Marshall Rogers, in an acclaimed run in Detective Comics #471-476 (Aug. Steve Englehart (born April 22, 1947, Indianapolis Indiana) is an American Comic book writer best known for his work for Marvel Marshall Rogers ( January 22, 1950 – March 25, 2007) was an American Comic-book artist best-known for his work at 1977 - April 1978), which went on to influence the 1989 movie Batman and be adapted for the 1990s animated series,^[9] added elements deepening the severity of the Joker's insanity. An animated cartoon is a short hand-drawn (or made with computers to look similar to something hand-drawn Film for the cinema, Television or computer In the story "The Laughing Fish", the Joker is brazen enough to disfigure fish with a rictus grin, then expect to be granted a federal trademark on them, only to start threatening and murdering bureaucrats who try to explain that obtaining such a claim on a natural resource is a legal impossibility. A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual ^[10][11]

The Joker had his own nine-issue series during the 1970s in which he faces off against a variety of both superheroes and supervillains. A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a Fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the Villain character type commonly found in Comic books, Action movies and Although he was the protagonist of the series, certain issues feature just as much murder as those in which he was the antagonist; of the nine issues, he commits murder in seven. The Protagonist or main character is the central figure of a story. An antagonist (from Greek ανταγωνιστής - antagonistes, "opponent competitor rival" is a character or The development of the Joker as a sociopath continues with the issues "A Death in the Family" (in which readers voted for the character to kill off Jason Todd)^[12] and The Killing Joke in 1988, redefining the character for DC's Modern Age after the company wide reboot following Crisis on Infinite Earths. A Death in the Family is a Batman Comic book story arc first published in the late 1980s which gave fans the ability to influence the story Batman The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot Superhero Comic book written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland Reboot, in serial Fiction, means a discarding of much or even all previous continuity in the series to start anew Crisis on Infinite Earths is a twelve-issue American comic book Limited series (identified as a "12-part maxi-series" and crossover ^[13][14]

Harley Quinn

A major addition to the character was the introduction of Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn ( Dr Harleen Quinzel) is a Fictional character, a Supervillainess, in the animated series Batman The Animated Series Originally introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, Quinn is a clinical psychiatrist who falls hopelessly in love with the Joker in Arkham Asylum and now serves as his loyal, if daffy, sidekick, costumed in a skintight harlequin suit. Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning Clinical psychology includes the scientific study and application of Psychology for the purpose of understanding preventing The Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane is a Fictional setting a Psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually in stories featuring SideKick was an early Personal Information Manager (PIM Software application by Borland launched in 1983 under Philippe Kahn Harlequin ( Arlecchino in Italian, Arlequin in French) is the most popular of the Zanni or comic servant characters from Their partnership often resembles an abusive domestic relationship, with the Joker insulting, hurting, or even attempting to kill Quinn, who remains undaunted in her devotion. Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse) occurs when a family member partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate ^[15] She was popular enough to be integrated into the comics in 1999 and a modified version of the character (less goofy, but still criminally insane and utterly committed to the Joker) was also featured on the short-lived live-action TV series Birds of Prey. Birds of Prey is a Television drama series produced in 2002 The series was developed by Laeta Kalogridis for The WB and is loosely based on

Fictional character biography

Origin

Though many have been related, a definitive backstory has never been established for the Joker in the comics, and his real name has never been confirmed. In Narratology, a back-story (also back story or backstory) is the history behind the situation extant at the start of the main story He has been portrayed as lying so often about his former life that he himself is confused as to what actually happened. As he says 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!"^[13] In Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth written by Grant Morrison, it is said that the Joker may not be insane, but have some sort of "super-sanity" in which he creates himself each day to cope with the chaotic flow of modern urban life. Arkham Asylum A Serious House on Serious Earth is a Batman Graphic novel written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Dave McKean Grant Morrison (born January 31 1960 is a Scottish Comic book writer and artist The cope (Known in Latin as pluviale 'rain coat' or cappa 'cape' is a liturgical Vestment, which may conveniently be described as a very long mantle ^[16]

The first origin account, Detective Comics #168 (February 1951), revealed that the Joker had once been a criminal known as the Red Hood. Brian Bolland (born 1951 is a British Comics Artist, known for his meticulous detailed linework and eye-catching compositions Batman The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot Superhero Comic book written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland Red Hood is the alias used by several Fictional characters usually Antagonists for Batman in the DC Universe. In the story, he was a scientist looking to steal from the company that employs him and adopts the persona of Red Hood. After committing the theft, which Batman thwarts, Red Hood falls into a vat of chemical waste. He emerges with bleached white skin, red lips, green hair, and a permanent grin. ^[17][18]

The most widely cited backstory can be seen in The Killing Joke. Batman The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot Superhero Comic book written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland It depicts him as originally being an engineer at a chemical plant who quits his job to become a stand-up comedian, only to fail miserably. Stand-up comedy is a style of comedy where the performer speaks directly to the audience with the absence of the theatrical " Fourth wall " Desperate to support his pregnant wife, Jennie, the man agrees to help two criminals break into the plant where he was formerly employed. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female In this version of the story, the Red Hood persona is given to the inside man of every job (thus it is never the same man twice); this makes the man appear to be the ringleader, allowing the two criminals to escape. During the planning, police contact him and inform him that his wife and unborn child have died in a household accident. ^[13][14]

Stricken with grief, he attempts to back out of the plan, but the criminals strong-arm him into keeping his promise. Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss it also has physical cognitive behavioral social and philosophical As soon as they enter the plant, however, they are immediately caught by security and a shoot-out ensues, in which the two criminals are killed. As the engineer tries to escape, he is confronted by Batman, who is investigating the disturbance. Terrified, the engineer leaps over a rail and plummets into a vat of chemicals. When he surfaces in the nearby reservoir, he removes the hood and sees his reflection: bleached chalk-white skin, ruby-red lips, and green hair. These events, coupled with his other misfortunes that day, drive the engineer completely insane, resulting in the birth of the Joker. ^[13][14]

The story "Pushback" (Batman: Gotham Knights # 50-55), supports part of this version of the Joker's origin story. Batman Gotham Knights was a monthly Comic book series published by DC Comics. In it, a witness (who coincidentally turns out to be Edward Nigma, a. k. a. the Riddler) recounts that the Joker's wife was kidnapped and murdered by the criminals in order to force the engineer into performing the crime. The Riddler ( Edward Nigma or Nygma, or Nashton) is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Supervillain, an enemy of In this version, the pre-accident Joker is called Jack. ^[19]

The Paul Dini-Alex Ross story "Case Study" proposes a far different theory. Paul Dini (born August 7, 1957) is an American Television producer of Animated cartoons. Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an American Comic book painter, Illustrator and This story suggests that the Joker was a sadistic gangster who worked his way up Gotham's criminal food chain until he was the leader of a powerful mob. The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century Still seeking the thrills that dirty work allowed, he created the Red Hood identity for himself so that he could commit small-time crimes. Eventually, he had his fateful first meeting with Batman, resulting in his disfigurement. However, the story suggests that the Joker retained his sanity, and researched his crimes to look like the work of a sick mind in order to pursue his vendetta against Batman.

The Joker as a mob enforcer origin is featured in the second arc of Batman Confidential (#7-12). Batman Confidential is an American monthly Comic book series from DC Comics which debuted on December 6 2006. This origin once more states his name as Jack, and eliminates the Red Hood identity. Becoming obsessed with Batman due to the sheer boredom of his work, Jack crashes a museum ball to attract Batman's attention and badly injures Lorna Shore (whom Bruce Wayne is dating). An enraged Batman disfigures his face with a batarang as he escapes. For the hard rock band see The Chelsea Smiles. A Glasgow smile (also known as a Chelsea grin or Chelsea smile) is a nickname In retaliation, a furious Batman sells Jack out to mobsters who he had crossed and they severely torture Jack in a disused chemical plant. Turning the tables, Jack kills several, but falls into an empty vat. Wild gunfire punctures the chemical tanks above him, and the resultant flood of toxins drives him mad and alters his appearance to that of the Joker. ^[20]

In the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, the Joker's origin is only hinted at in the spin-off movie, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning Batman Mask of the Phantasm (also known as Batman The Animated Movie) is a 1993 Animated Superhero film based on the fictional ^[21] In a flashback, a pre-accident Joker is seen as a driver/enforcer for Sal Valestra, one of Gotham City's crime lords. ^[21] However, in the episode "Dreams In Darkness", an Arkham Asylum doctor says that the Joker's name is Jack Napier, the same name used in the 1989 film. The Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane is a Fictional setting a Psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually in stories featuring ^[22]

Criminal career

From the Joker's first appearance in Batman #1, he has committed crimes both whimsical and inhumanly brutal, all with a logic and reasoning that, in Batman's words, "make sense to him alone. "^[23]

In Batman: The Killing Joke, the Joker shoots Barbara Gordon (then known as Batgirl and in later comics as Oracle), paralyzing her. Barbara "Babs" Gordon is a Fictional character appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics and in related media created by Gardner Fox He then kidnaps Commissioner Gordon and taunts him with enlarged photographs of his wounded daughter being undressed, in an attempt to prove that any emotionally and morally stable man can become insane after having "one really bad day. " The Joker ridicules him as an example of "the average man", a naïve weakling doomed to insanity; but fails in his attempts to drive Gordon insane as Batman saves the commissioner and even though distressed, Gordon keeps a sound mind. After this Batman tries one final time to reach the Joker, offering to rehabilitate him. The Joker refuses, but shows his appreciation by sharing a joke with Batman and allowing himself to be taken back to Arkham. ^[24]

The Joker murders Jason Todd, the second Robin, in the story "A Death in the Family". Jason Todd discovers that a woman who may be his birth mother is being blackmailed by the Joker. Blackmail is the crime of threatening to reveal substantially true information about a person to the public a family member or associates unless a demand made upon the She betrays her son to keep from having her medical supply thefts exposed, leading to Jason's brutal beating by the Joker with a crowbar. The Joker locks Jason and his mother in the warehouse where the assault took place and blows it up just as Batman arrives. Readers could vote on whether they wanted Jason Todd to survive the blast. They voted for him to die, hence Batman finds Jason's lifeless body. Jason's death has haunted Batman ever since and has intensified his obsession with his archenemy. ^[12]

In the one-shot comic Mad Love, Arkham psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel ponders whether the Joker may in fact be faking insanity so as to avoid the death penalty. Harley Quinn ( Dr Harleen Quinzel) is a Fictional character, a Supervillainess, in the animated series Batman The Animated Series Capital punishment, the death penalty or execution, is the Killing of a person by judicial process as Punishment. As she tries to treat the Joker, he recounts a tale of an abusive father and runaway mother to gain her sympathy. Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children She falls hopelessly in love with him and allows him to escape Arkham several times before she is eventually exposed. Driven over the edge with obsession, she becomes Harley Quinn, Joker's accomplice and on-and-off girlfriend. ^[25]

During the events of the No Man's Land storyline, the Joker murders Sarah Essen Gordon, Commissioner Gordon's second wife, by shooting her in the head as she tries to protect the infants that he has kidnapped. Batman No Man’s Land is an American comic book crossover storyline that ran for the whole of 1999 through the Batman comic book Sarah Essen Gordon is a fictional character in the DC Universe, created by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli as a supporting character in the He surrenders to Batman, but continues 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 "gets the joke" that Gordon has just avenged his daughter's paralysis. ^[26]

In a company-wide crossover, Last Laugh, the Joker believes himself to be dying and plans one last historic crime spree, infecting the inmates of 'The Slab,' a prison for super criminals, with Joker venom to escape. With plans to infect the entire world, he sets the super-powered inmates loose to cause mass chaos in their 'jokerized' forms. Meanwhile, he tries to ensure his "legacy" by defacing statues in his image. The entire United States declares war on the Joker under the orders of President Lex Luthor; in response, Joker sends his minions to kill the President. Lex Luthor is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Black Canary discovers that Joker's doctor modified his CAT scan to make it appear that he had a fatal tumor in an attempt to subdue him with the threat of death. Black Canary is a Fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. Computed tomography (CT is a Medical imaging method employing Tomography. See also Cancer A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells (termed neoplastic Harley Quinn, angry at the Joker's attempt to get her pregnant without marrying her, helps the heroes create an antidote to the Joker poison and return the super villains to their normal state. Believing Robin had been eaten by Killer Croc in the ensuing madness, Nightwing eventually catches up with the Joker and beats him to death. Killer Croc ( Waylon Jones) is a Fictional character in the DC universe, an enemy of Batman. For the Marduk album see Nightwing (album. For the current and most prominent holder of the Nightwing title see Dick Grayson Nightwing To keep Nightwing from having blood on his hands, Batman resuscitates the Joker. ^[27]

In "Emperor Joker", a multipart story throughout the Superman titles, the Joker steals Mister Mxyzptlk's reality altering power, remaking the entire world into a twisted caricature, with everyone in it stuck in a loop, repeating the same patterns over and over. Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon Mr Mxyzptlk ( pronounced mɪksˈjɛzpɪtˌlɪk or mɪksˈjɛzˌpɪtɫɪk) sometimes called Mxy, is a Fictional Supervillain who appears in The conflict focuses on the fate of Batman in this world, with the Joker torturing and killing his adversary every day, only to bring him back to life and do it over and over again. Superman's powerful will allows him to fight off the Joker's influence enough to make contact with the weakened Mxyzptlk, who along with a less-powerful Spectre, encourages Superman to work out the Joker's weakness before reality is destroyed by the Joker's misuse of Mxyzptlk's power. The Spectre is a fictional cosmic entity and Superhero who has appeared in numerous Comic books published by DC Comics. As time runs out, Superman realizes that the Joker still cannot erase Batman from existence, as the Joker totally defines himself by his opposition to the Dark Knight; if the Joker can't even erase one man, how can he destroy the universe? The Joker's control shattered, Mxyzptlk and the Spectre manage to reconstruct reality from the moment the Joker disrupted everything, but Batman is left broken from experiencing multiple deaths. Superman has to steal Batman's memories so that he can go on, transferring them to the Joker and leaving him catatonic. Catatonic is a syndrome of psychic and motoric-disturbances In the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association ^[28]

In the Under The Hood arc (Batman #635-650), Jason Todd returns to life. Angry at Batman for failing to avenge his death, he takes over his killer's old Red Hood identity, abducts the Joker and attempts to force Batman to shoot him. ^[29]

At the conclusion of Infinite Crisis the Joker kills Alexander Luthor, hero of the original Crisis on Infinite Earths and villain of Infinite Crisis. Alexander Luthor Jr is a DC Comics character who turned from a hero to a villain Crisis on Infinite Earths is a twelve-issue American comic book Limited series (identified as a "12-part maxi-series" and crossover Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George ^[30]

In current continuity as of January 2008, the Joker is involved in the Salvation Run miniseries, leading one of two factions of supervillains who have been exiled from Earth to a distant prison planet. Salvation Run is a seven-part 2007 - 2008 DC Comics Limited series which was designed to tie in to the company's major event series Exile means to be away from one's home (ie city state or country while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return EARTH was a short-lived Japanese vocal trio which released 6 singles and 1 album between 2000 and 2001 ^[31] In issue six of the series, Joker engages Lex Luthor in an all-out brawl. Lex Luthor is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Just as he gains the upper hand, however, the planet is invaded by Parademons. In the DC Universe, Parademons are monstrous shock troops of Apokolips used by Darkseid to maintain the order of Apokolips

Powers and abilities

The Joker commits crimes with countless "comedic" weapons (such as razor-sharp playing cards, acid-spewing flowers, cyanide pies, and lethally electric joy buzzers) and Joker venom, a deadly poison that infects his victims with a ghoulish rictus grin as they die while laughing uncontrollably. A cyanide is any Chemical compound that contains the cyano group (C≡N which consists of a Carbon Atom triple-bonded to a ^[32] This venom comes in many forms, from gas to darts to liquid poison, and has been his primary calling card from his first appearance. The Joker is immune to his venom, as stated in Batman #663 when Morrison writes that "being an avid consumer of his products, Joker's immunity to poisons has been built up over years of dedicated abuse. "^[33] He is highly intelligent and very skilled in the fields of chemistry and engineering. Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties Engineering is the Discipline and Profession of applying technical and scientific Knowledge and In a miniseries featuring Tim Drake, the third Robin, the Joker kidnaps a computer genius, admitting that he doesn't know much about computers. Timothy "Tim" Drake Wayne is a Fictional character, a Comic book Superhero from the DC Comics universe. In future issues, he is shown as very computer literate. Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently

Joker's skills in hand-to-hand combat vary considerably depending on the writer. Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as HTH or H2H is a generic term for Close quarters fighting, particularly when the outcome is potentially fatal as in Melee Some writers have shown Joker to be quite the skilled fighter, capable even of holding his own against Batman in a fight. Other writers prefer portraying Joker as being physically frail to the point that he can be defeated with a single punch. He is, however, consistently described as agile.

The Joker has cheated death numerous times, even in seemingly inescapable and lethal situations. Though he has been seen caught in explosions, been shot repeatedly, dropped from lethal heights, electrocuted, and so on, the Joker always returns to once again wreak havoc. ^[34][35]

Over several decades there have been a variety of depictions and possibilities regarding the Joker's apparent insanity. Grant Morrison's graphic novel Arkham Asylum suggests that the Joker's mental state is in fact a previously unprecedented form of "super-sanity," a form of ultra-sensory perception. Grant Morrison (born January 31 1960 is a Scottish Comic book writer and artist It also suggests that he has no true personality of his own, that on any given day he can be a harmless clown or a vicious killer, depending on which would benefit him the most. Later, during the Knightfall saga, after Scarecrow and the Joker team up and kidnap the mayor of Gotham City, Scarecrow turns on the Joker and uses his fear gas to see what Joker is afraid of. Batman Knightfall is the title given to a major Batman Story arc published by DC Comics that dominated Batman -related serial The Scarecrow ( Dr Jonathan Crane) is a DC Comics Supervillain, an enemy of Batman. To Scarecrow's surprise, the gas has no effect on Joker, who in turn beats him with a chair. In Morrison's JLA title, the Martian Manhunter, trapped in a surreal maze created by the Joker, used his shape-shifting abilities to reconfigure his own brain to emulate the Joker's chaotic thought patterns. Martian Manhunter is the Superhero alias of J'onn J'onzz, alternately known as John Jones or the Manhunter from Mars, a Fictional character Later in the same storyline, Martian Manhunter uses his telepathic powers to reorganize the Joker's mind and create momentary sanity, though with great effort and only temporarily. In those few moments, the Joker expresses regret for his many crimes and pleads for a chance at redemption.

In an alternate depiction of the Joker called Elseworlds: Distant Fires, the Joker is rendered sane by a nuclear war that deprives all super beings of their powers. In Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #145, the Joker became sane when Batman put him in one of Ra's al Ghul's Lazarus Pits after being shot, a reversal of the insanity which may come after experiencing such rejuvenation. Ra's al Ghul, sometimes written Rā's al Ghūl (رأس الغول is a DC Comics Supervillain and an enemy of Batman. A Lazarus Pit is a Fictional natural phenomenon in the DC Comics universe. However, the sanity, like the more commonplace insanity, was only temporary, and soon the Joker was back to his "normal" self. ^[36]

The character is sometimes portrayed as having a heightened sense of self-awareness that other characters do not, such as being aware of being in a comic book. This fourth wall awareness also seems to carry over to Batman: The Animated Series. The fourth wall is the imaginary wall at the front of the stage in a Proscenium Theater, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning ^[15] The Joker is the only character to talk directly into the "camera",^[15] and can be heard whistling his own theme music in the episode adaptation of the comic Mad Love. ^[37] In the Marvel vs DC crossover, he also demonstrates knowledge of the first Batman/Spider-Man crossover even though that story's events did not occur in the canonical history of either the Marvel or DC universe. Publication History DC vs Marvel Comics or Marvel Comics vs DC is a 4-issue Limited series published by DC Comics Spider-Man is a Fictional character appearing in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. This article is not about Literary canons of influential works of fiction but about the concept of a canon which defines the world of a particular fictional series On page five of "Sign of The Joker", the second half of the "Laughing Fish" storyline, the Joker turns the page for the reader, bowing and tipping his hat in mock politeness.

Character

The Joker has been referred to as the Clown Prince of Crime, the Harlequin of Hate, and the Ace of Knaves. Throughout the evolution of the DC universe, interpretations and incarnations of the Joker have taken two forms. A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with unique background elements such as an imaginary history or geography and possibly fantasy or science The original and currently dominant image is of a fiendishly intelligent lunatic with a warped, sadistic sense of humor. 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. Batman is a 1960s American Television series, based on the DC Comic book character of the same name. The 1990s cartoon Batman: The Animated Series blended these two aspects to great acclaim, although most interpretations tend to embrace one characterization or the other. The word cartoon has various meanings based on several very different forms of Visual art and Illustration. Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning ^[15]

The Joker's victims have included men, women, children, and even his own henchmen. A 1996 issue of Hitman stated that the Joker once gassed an entire kindergarten class. Hitman is a violent darkly humorous sentimental and occasionally romantic Comic book published by DC Comics, written by Garth Ennis and illustrated ( German, literally means "children's garden" is a form of education for young children which serves as a transition from home to the commencement of more formal schooling 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 not guilty by reason of insanity. In Criminal trials the insanity defenses are possible defenses by Excuse, an Affirmative defense by which Defendants argue that ^[38] In the Batman story line "War Crimes", this continued ruling of insanity is in fact made possible by the Joker's own dream team of lawyers. He is then placed in Arkham Asylum, from which he appears able to escape at will, going so far as to claim that it's just a resting ground in between his "performances". Indeed, during the "Justice" Miniseries by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross, Joker says to The Riddler he can break out at any time, he only stays in Arkham for as long as he thinks it's funny. A couple issues later, he is then seen roaming free. In the last issue, however, he is back in Arkham, apparently of his own free will.

There have been times when Batman has been tempted to put the Joker down once and for all, but has relented at the last minute. After capturing the Joker in one story, he threatens to kill his old foe, but then says, "But that would give you the final victory, making me into a killer like yourself!" Conversely, the Joker has given up many chances to kill Batman. The Joker's obsession with Batman is unique compared to other villains.

The Joker is renowned as Batman's greatest enemy. ^[39] While other villains rely on tried-and-true methods to commit crimes (such as Mr. Freeze's freeze gun or Poison Ivy's toxic plants), Joker has a variety of weapons at his disposal. Mr Freeze, real name Dr Victor Fries (pronounced as Victor "Frees" or "Freeze" is a DC Comics Supervillain, an enemy of Poison Ivy ( Pamela Lillian Isley) is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Supervillainess who is primarily an enemy of Batman. For example, the flower he wears in his lapel sprays (at any given time) acid, poisonous laughing gas, or nothing at all. In Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and much earlier in "Dreadful Birthday, Dear Joker!" (Batman #321), the Joker has a gun which at first shoots a flag saying "BANG!", but then, with another pull of the trigger, the flag fires and impales its target. ^[35][40] His most recurring gadget is a high-voltage hand-buzzer, which he uses to electrocute his victims with a handshake. Sometimes he commits crimes just for the fun of it, while on other occasions, it is part of a grand scheme; Batman has been noted to say that the Joker's plans make sense to him alone. His capricious nature, coupled with his violent streak, makes him the one villain that the DC Universe's other super-villains fear; in the Villains United and Infinite Crisis mini-series, the members of the villains' Secret Society refuse to induct the Joker for this reason. Villains United is a six-issue Comic book Limited series, written by Gail Simone with art by Dale Eaglesham and Wade von Grawbadger In the one-shot Underworld Unleashed, the Trickster remarks, "When super-villains want to scare each other, they tell Joker stories". Underworld Unleashed was a Comic book mini-series by DC Comics in 1995. The Trickster is the name of two Fictional characters DC Comics supervillains that are both enemies of the Flash.

Other versions

DC Universe

• In pre-Crisis continuity, there was a considerably older version of the Joker living on Earth-Two. Crisis on Infinite Earths is a twelve-issue American comic book Limited series (identified as a "12-part maxi-series" and crossover Earth-Two is a fictional universe appearing in American Comic book stories published by DC Comics. His silver age appearances involved his alliance with King Kull of Earth-S while battling the golden age Batman and Robin, and his later battle versus Batman's daughter the Huntress. King Kull (sometimes called the Beastman or the Beast Man) is a Fictional character, a Comic book Supervillain originally The Silver Age Huntress was Helena Wayne, the daughter of the Batman and Catwoman of Earth-Two, an alternate universe established A one shot publication providing a detailed description on each issue of the series, a list of alternate Earths, and a history of the Multiverse concept. ^[41]

• A female version of the Joker, modeled on Duela Dent, appeared as part of DC's Tangent Comics line in her own one-shot (Tangent Comics: The Joker) in 1997. Duela Dent is a fictional character in the DC Universe. She is a former member of both the Teen Titans and Titans East. Tangent Comics was a DC Comics Imprint created in 1997-1998 developed from ideas created by Dan Jurgens. ^[42] A superhero, she also appeared as a member of Tangent's Secret Six. A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a Fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do The Secret Six is the name of three distinct Fictional Comic book teams in the DC Comics universe, plus an alternate universe's fourth ^[43] The character was popular enough to merit a second one-shot, The Joker's Wild, in the second wave of Tangent Comics one year later. Recently, in Infinite Crisis, the Tangent Comics universe was revealed to have previously been Earth-97, making her the Joker of Earth-97. Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George In the new multiverse, the Tangent Universe's new numerical designation is, as revealed in Countdown: Arena #2, Earth-9. Countdown Arena is a weekly four-issue American comic book mini-series published by DC Comics. ^[44]

• In Countdown, The Joker's Earth-3 counterpart is a hero who began his career by making jokes about Owlman. Owlman is the name of several fictional Supervillains published by DC Comics who are the intended reverse counterpart of Batman When Owlman murdered Harleen Quinzel and mutilated the comedian's face, he became the Jokester. He fought Owlman and his sidekick, Talon, many a time until one night he was saved from death at Owlman's hands by The Riddler, Three-Face, and their daughter, Duela Dent. Talon is a Fictional character, a Superhero in the DC Comics universe who was first mentioned in Teen Titans #38 The four formed an alliance that was cut short by Ultraman, Superwoman, and Owlman. Ultraman is the name of several Fictional characters who are Supervillains that appear in stories published by DC Comics. Superwoman is the name given to several Fictional characters published over the years by DC Comics, most of them being like the popular Supergirl He escaped and hid until the right moment to strike back at the Crime Society of America. The Crime Syndicate, is the base name of various fictional team of Supervillains from one of DC Comics ' parallel universes and are the Evil counterparts That chance came when the Society engaged the Challengers from Beyond (Kyle Rayner, Donna Troy and Jason Todd), The Jokester followed them to Earth-15 and then to Earth-8, where he was killed by its Monitor. Kyle Rayner is a Fictional character, a Superhero from the DC Comics universe, known for most of his publication history as Green Lantern Donna Troy is a Fictional character, a superheroine in the DC Universe. Jason Todd is a Fictional character appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics. The Monitors are a group of Fictional Comic book Characters who appear in books published by DC Comics.

• In All Star Batman and Robin he is shown to have planned the murder of Dick Grayson's parents and is a mob boss. All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder is an ongoing American Comic book series published by DC Comics. He is also shown to be planning something with Catwoman. ^[45]

Elseworlds

• In Batman: Nosferatu, the Joker is the "Laughing Man", a white-faced, murderous creature, a prototype cyborg built by Luthor from one of Dr. Batman: Nosferatu is a DC Comics Comic book Elseworlds publication and is the middle of a trilogy Arkham's patients. ^[46]

• In Batman: Bloodstorm, the sequel to Batman's fight with Dracula that resulted in him being transformed into a vampire, the Joker takes charge of the remaining vampires, convincing them that he is a better leader to them alive and thinking long-term than transformed into a vampire and more concerned with his next meal. Batman & Dracula Red Rain is a 1991 Graphic novel by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, in DC Comics Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, featuring as its primary Antagonist the vampire Count Dracula. Vampires are mythological or folkloric revenants who subsist by feeding on the blood of the living Under the Joker's leadership, the vampires kill all of Gotham's major crime families, but this makes them easy prey for Batman's daylight allies. The Joker's few remaining vampire allies are killed in a last stand, but the Joker manages to kill Catwoman in the process. Catwoman is a Fictional character associated with DC Comics ' Batman franchise. Driven mad with grief, Batman breaks the Joker's neck and drains his blood, committing his first murder as a vampire. Horrified by what he has done, Batman flees after staking the Joker, but knows that, in his last breath, the Joker has won by turning Batman into a murderer. ^[47]

• In JLA: The Nail, the Joker is given access to Kryptonian weaponry by the altered Jimmy Olsen, using it to kill Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson right in front of Batman. JLA The Nail is a three-issue Comic book mini-series published by DC Comics. Krypton (ˈkrɪptən or /ˈkrɪptɒn/ from kryptos "hidden" is a Chemical element with the symbol Kr and Atomic number 36 James Bartholomew "Jimmy" Olsen is a Fictional character, a Photojournalist who appears mainly in DC Comics ’ Superman stories However, Joker loses his concentration when Catwoman intervenes, allowing Batman to escape. Batman, driven to the brink of madness with grief and rage, kills the Joker on the roof of Arkham Asylum. In the sequel, JLA: Another Nail, they have a rematch in Hell. JLA Another Nail is a continuation of events seen in the original three-part mini-series. Hell, according to many Religious beliefs, is a location in the Afterlife, which may be described as a place of suffering ^[48][49]

• In Batman: Leatherwing, the Joker is a sadistic 18th century pirate known as "The Laughing Man", although he is called Joker several times in the dialogue. Batman Leatherwing (also known as Detective Comics Annual #7 is a DC Comics Elseworlds comic book published in Piracy is Robbery committed at sea or sometimes on shore without a commission from a sovereign Nation (as distinct from Privateering ^[50]

• In Batman: In Darkest Knight, where Bruce Wayne is chosen as Green Lantern instead of Hal Jordan, he easily averts the accident that initially transformed the criminal who was once the Red Hood into the Joker. Batman In Darkest Knight is a one-shot Comic book, published in 1994 and written by Mike W Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created Harold "Hal" Jordan is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Superhero. Later, Sinestro uses his power ring to absorb Joe Chill's mind, the strain apparently causing him to become somewhat deranged, effectively filling the role of the Joker in the story. Sinestro is a Fictional character, an alien Supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Joe Chill is a fictional character in the DC Comics Batman series ^[51]

• In the future setting of Kingdom Come, the now middle-aged Joker, having killed several staff members at the Daily Planet (Perry White, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen among them), is arrested by the police. The Daily Planet is a Fictional Broadsheet Newspaper that appears in Superman stories published by DC Comics. Perry White is a Fictional character who appears in the Superman comics. Lois Lane-Kent is the primary love interest in the DC Comics ’ Superman stories James Bartholomew "Jimmy" Olsen is a Fictional character, a Photojournalist who appears mainly in DC Comics ’ Superman stories Before he can be prosecuted, he is killed by Magog, an act which eventually leads to the main storyline of Kingdom Come. Magog is a fictional Antihero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Kingdom Come #1 (May 1996 and was created by ^[52] A critic has remarked that this version of the Joker is probably based on the actor Jack Nicholson, who played the part in the 1989 Batman movie, and that the scene of his killing is "quite reminiscent. John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals Batman is a 1989 Superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. . . of Jack Ruby's killing of Lee Harvey Oswald". Jacob Rubenstein (March 25 1911 – January 3 1967 who legally changed his name to Jack Leon Ruby in 1947 was an American Nightclub operator from Lee Harvey Oswald (October 18 1939 &ndash November 24 1963 was according to three United States government investigations the assassin of U ^[52]

• Kingdom Come also includes a character called Joker's Daughter II. Duela Dent is a fictional character in the DC Universe. She is a former member of both the Teen Titans and Titans East. The graphic novel version lists each of the characters that appear in each chapter, and states that she is "one of many to follow the Joker's chaotic style". ^[52]

• Another female Joker appeared in Batgirl and Robin: Thrillkiller, written and drawn by Howard Chaykin and Dan Brereton and published in 1997-98. Howard Victor Chaykin (born October 7, 1950 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his Dan Brereton is a professional artist and illustrator who has produced notable work in the comic book field Set in 1962-64, it has Batgirl, her lover Robin, and Batman taking on corrupt establishment figures rather than all-out criminals. Their main enemy is the Joker-like Bianca Steeplechase who is assisted by a team of corrupt cops led by the Two-Face-like Detective Duell. This article is about the DC comics villain For the Nigerian musician see 2face Idibia. As part of her bid to rule the Gotham criminal underworld, she also beds the local mayors. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Harley Quinn appears in this Elseworld adventure as a late adolescent schoolgirl. Harley Quinn ( Dr Harleen Quinzel) is a Fictional character, a Supervillainess, in the animated series Batman The Animated Series Elseworlds is the publication Imprint for a group of Comic books produced by DC Comics that take place outside the company's canon Her relationship with Bianca is short-lived, but there is indication of a lesbian attraction between them. A lesbian is a Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted only to other women It is also more egalitarian than its heterosexual counterpart within mainstream DC continuity. Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning equal) is a political doctrine that holds that all people should be treated as equals and have Heterosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the opposite sex or to a heterosexual orientation Arkham is implied to be a drug rehabilitation center. Drug rehabilitation (often drug rehab or just rehab) is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency ^[53]

• In the Elseworlds novel Batman: Two Faces, the Joker takes the role of both Jack the Ripper and Mr. Hyde, becoming the exact opposite of Batman. Batman Two Faces is a DC Comics Elseworlds special published in 1998. Jack the Ripper is an alias given to an unidentified Serial killer active in the largely impoverished Whitechapel area and adjacent districts of London Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a Novella written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and first published in 1886 ^[54]

• In Gotham by Gaslight, Joker makes a cameo appearance. Gotham by Gaslight is a DC Comics Graphic novel by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola with inks by P He is a thief who attempted suicide with strychnine when he was about to be apprehended by the police. Strychnine (ˈstrɪkniːn (British US /-naɪn/ or /-nɪn/ (US His failed attempt left him disfigured and insane. ^[55]

• In Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, set after the death of the original Joker, a second Joker arises and kills several superheroes before fighting an elderly Batman and his new sidekick Catgirl. Batman The Dark Knight Strikes Again (also referred to as DK2) is a Batman mini-series by Frank Miller with Lynn The second Joker is revealed to be Dick Grayson, the original Robin, driven mad from extensive and radical gene therapy given by Lex Luthor's regime. Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a fictional Superhero that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Gene therapy is the insertion of Genes into an individual's cells and tissues to treat a Disease, and Hereditary diseases in which a Lex Luthor is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. ^[56]

• In the graphic novel Batman: Detective No. 27, two alternate versions of the Joker appear: Professor Josiah Carr, an insane member of the Confederacy responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, who plots the destruction of America; and Jack Napier, one of the two thugs responsible for the death of Wayne's parents, and pawn of the late Carr's scheme. The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, one of the last major events in the American Civil War, took place on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, when Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal Both speak the line "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?", taking inspiration from the earlier film interpretation of the character. ^[57]

• In JSA: The Liberty Files The Joker is "Jack the Grin", an albino arms dealer who is on the run after intercepting a Nazi radio message regarding Hitler's secret weapon. JSA The Liberty Files is a Comic book published by DC Comics. Albinism (from Latin albus, "white" see extended etymology) is a form of hypopigmentary Congenital disorder, The, officially National Socialist German Workers' Party, ( abbreviated NSDAP) was a Political party in Germany between 1919 and 1945 Jack, knowing he's a marked man, tries to dye his hair brown but it turns green. He goes into hiding, only to be caught by allied forces. While being transported back to the states by plane, the aircraft is shot down over Egypt. Suffering from slight amnesia, Jack shambles his way to a safe house. Amnesia (from Greek) is a condition in which Memory is disturbed The US government sends Batman, Hourman and Doctor Mid-Nite to apprehend him before he falls into Nazi hands. Hourman (spelled Hour-Man in his earliest appearances is the name of three different fictional DC Comics Superheroes the first of whom was Doctor Mid-Nite is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Superhero. ^[58]

• In Planetary/Batman: Night On Earth, the Joker of the Wildstorm universe is actually a sane - if slightly giggly - Planetary operative called Jasper, who works with that universe's Dick Grayson. Planetary is an American Comic book series created by Warren Ellis (writer and John Cassaday (artist published by the Wildstorm WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, (sometimes rendered Wildstorm) is a publishing Imprint and studio of American Comic book ^[59]

• In Batman: I, Joker, the Gotham City of the future is ruled by a cult who worships Batman and his descendant, the Bruce. Once every year, there are challengers who try to usurp the rule of Batman, but even worse, this Bruce has people taken off the street and has them turned into Batman's old enemies complete with their memories. The newest Joker, Joe Collins, was able to maintain his original memories, and dons a Batman outfit alongside a new Robin to try and destroy the cult. ^[60]

• In Superman: Speeding Bullets, in which baby Kal-El of Krypton is adopted as Bruce Wayne and grows up to be a super-powered Batman, Lex Luthor suffers an industrial accident and becomes The Joker. Superman Speeding Bullets is a DC Comics Elseworlds Prestige format one-shot Comic book published Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon Krypton (ˈkrɪptən or /ˈkrɪptɒn/ from kryptos "hidden" is a Chemical element with the symbol Kr and Atomic number 36 ^[61]

• In All-Star Batman and Robin, the Joker is a melancholy serial killer, responsible for the murder of Dick Grayson's parents. A serial killer is a person who Murders usually three or more people with a "cooling off" period between each murder and whose motivation for killing is largely based Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a fictional Superhero that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. This version sport a large tattoo of a dragon on his back, similar to the Yakuza, has a neo-Nazi hechwoman named Bruno, and is shown to be scheming with Catwoman. History Origins Despite their notoriety in modern Japan the precise origin of the Yakuza is still somewhat the subject of debate The term neo-Nazism refers to post- World War II Political movements Social movements and ideologies seeking to revive Nazism, Catwoman is a Fictional character associated with DC Comics ' Batman franchise. He has committed sex crimes with several women. ^[62]

• In "Batman/Captain America," the DC and Marvel universes co-exist in 1945. The Marvel Universe is the fictional Shared universe where most of the comic stories published by Marvel Comics take place The Joker is working to gain control of "the Gotham Project," this world's version of the atomic bomb, battling the combined forces of Captain America, Batman, Robin and Bucky, leaving a trail of dead soldiers in his wake. Bucky is the name of several fictional masked Heroes in the Marvel Comics universe. The Joker gains the bomb and takes it to his employer who turns out to be the Red Skull. The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional Comic book Supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. The Joker actually shows some morality when he realizes he's been working for a Nazi ("I may be a criminal lunatic but I'm an American criminal lunatic!") and ends up stopping the Skull from dropping the bomb from a plane. The two villains end up being dropped with the bomb over the ocean but both Batman and Captain America doubt they're truly dead. ^[63]

Other media

Main article: Joker's appearances in other media

The Joker has appeared in almost every medium in which Batman has appeared, including live-action and animated productions, and video games.

Footnotes

External links

• Why So Serious? - The Many Faces of Joker
• The Origin of Joker at DCComics.com

DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc

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