Joker
Creation & Design
The Joker was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, inspired by a playing card design and the character from the 1928 film 'The Man Who Laughs'.Early Years
Initially portrayed as a remorseless killer, the Joker's character evolved into a more complex figure, embodying chaos and anarchy.Character Development
Over the decades, the Joker has transformed from a simple villain to a complex character representing chaos, insanity, and the darker aspects of humanity.Cultural Reception
The Joker is widely regarded as one of the greatest comic book villains of all time, receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal in various media.Character Details
Real Name:
Unknown
Aliases:
Clown Prince of Crime, Harlequin of Hate, The Ace of Knaves
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Injustice Gang, Suicide Squad, Legion of Doom
Abilities:
Genius-level intellect, Expert chemist, Master of disguise, Unpredictable behavior
Equipment:
Joker venom, Acme products, Various weapons
Weight:
190lbs
Height:
6' 3"
Eye Color:
Green
Hair Color:
Green
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Batman #1
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Detective Comics #40
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Clayface, Basil Karlo
1st cover appearance of the Joker in Detective Comics
1st appearance and origin of Clayface, Basil Karlo
1st cover appearance of the Joker in Detective Comics
Batman #2
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of the Joker
2nd appearance of Catwoman, Selina Kyle and first time she is referred to as Cat Woman, used interchangeably with The Cat
2nd appearance of the Joker
2nd appearance of Catwoman, Selina Kyle and first time she is referred to as Cat Woman, used interchangeably with The Cat
Detective Comics #45
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Joker in a Detective Comics story, previously appeared on the cover of Detective Comics #40
1st appearance of the Joker in a Detective Comics story, previously appeared on the cover of Detective Comics #40
Detective Comics #62
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jerry Robinson featuring the Joker
Batman #11
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
3rd overall cover appearance of the Joker, first cover appearance in the Batman title
3rd overall cover appearance of the Joker, first cover appearance in the Batman title
Detective Comics #64
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Boy Commandos
This issue marked the beginning transformation of the Joker from a homicidal maniac into a goofy character that persisted until Batman #251 when Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams revived the Joker after a four year absence, reintroducing his homicidal side
1st appearance and origin of Boy Commandos
This issue marked the beginning transformation of the Joker from a homicidal maniac into a goofy character that persisted until Batman #251 when Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams revived the Joker after a four year absence, reintroducing his homicidal side
Detective Comics #69
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jerry Robinson featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #71
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jerry Robinson featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #76
DC
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jerry Robinson featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #85
DC
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Dick Sprang featuring the Joker
Batman #23
DC
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Dick Sprang
Detective Comics #91
DC
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Dick Sprang featuring the Joker
Batman #25
DC
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
First time two major Batman villains team-up - Joker and Penguin
First time two major Batman villains team-up - Joker and Penguin
Detective Comics #114
DC
•
1946
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Win Mortimer featuring the Joker
Batman #37
DC
•
1946
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jerry Robinson featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #118
DC
•
1946
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Dick Sprang featuring the Joker
Batman #40
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jack Burnley featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #124
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Cover art by Bob Kane featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #128
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman #44
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Jim Mooney featuring the Joker
Batman #52
DC
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Win Mortimer featuring the Jokermobile
Batman #55
DC
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Dick Sprang featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #168
DC
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Origin of the Joker, formerly a crook named the Red Hood who pulled a heist that led him through a vat of chemicals that caused his clown-like appearance
Origin of the Joker, formerly a crook named the Red Hood who pulled a heist that led him through a vat of chemicals that caused his clown-like appearance
Batman #66
DC
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art featuring the Joker
Joker repeatedly uses the word 'boner' throughout this story, panels that often show up on social media posts
Iconic cover art featuring the Joker
Joker repeatedly uses the word 'boner' throughout this story, panels that often show up on social media posts
Detective Comics #180
DC
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman #73
DC
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Dick Sprang
World's Finest Comics #88
DC
•
1957
•
Vol. 1
Team-up of Joker and Lex Luthor
Batman #136
DC
•
1960
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Sheldon Moldoff featuring the Joker
Batman #148
DC
•
1962
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman #186
DC
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Gaggy the Clown, the Joker's sidekick
Batman #251
DC
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams
Issue credited for revitalizing the Joker as a homicidal villain instead of a comical villain
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams
Issue credited for revitalizing the Joker as a homicidal villain instead of a comical villain
Brave and the Bold, The #118
DC
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
First use of the Joker logo
Joker, The #1
DC
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
First solo titled Joker series
Joker, The #8
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
First meeting of Joker and Scarecrow
Batman #294
DC
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
Cover art featuring the Joker
Detective Comics #475
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
Iconic story titled 'The Laughing Fish'
Detective Comics #476
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
Classic story titled "The Sign of the Joker"
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #3
DC
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Death of the Joker, alternate reality
1st cover appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley
Death of the Joker, alternate reality
1st cover appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley
Batman: The Killing Joke #1
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
The Joker shoots and paralyzes Barbara Gordon, she later becomes Oracle
First printing: neon green text and $3.50 cover price
The Joker shoots and paralyzes Barbara Gordon, she later becomes Oracle
First printing: neon green text and $3.50 cover price
Batman #426
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 1
Batman #427
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 2
After the Joker badly beats Jason Todd with a crowbar, an explosion finishes him off but the fate of Robin was not decided until phone lines were opened to fans after this issue went on sale to determine the fate of Jason Todd
"A Death in the Family" part 2
After the Joker badly beats Jason Todd with a crowbar, an explosion finishes him off but the fate of Robin was not decided until phone lines were opened to fans after this issue went on sale to determine the fate of Jason Todd
Batman #428
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 3
Death of Robin, Jason Todd, killed by the Joker
Batman #427 ended on a cliffhanger that placed Jason Todd in the blast zone of an exploding warehouse
DC set up a poll for readers to cast their vote of whether Jason Todd should survive the blast by calling one phone number, or die by calling another
10,614 phone calls were made with Todd's death having been decided by only 72 votes more than the opposite outcome where he would've survived
DC had prepared both scenarios to go to print (tap cover and swipe to view unpublished pages)
"A Death in the Family" part 3
Death of Robin, Jason Todd, killed by the Joker
Batman #427 ended on a cliffhanger that placed Jason Todd in the blast zone of an exploding warehouse
DC set up a poll for readers to cast their vote of whether Jason Todd should survive the blast by calling one phone number, or die by calling another
10,614 phone calls were made with Todd's death having been decided by only 72 votes more than the opposite outcome where he would've survived
DC had prepared both scenarios to go to print (tap cover and swipe to view unpublished pages)
Batman #429
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 4
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #50
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Brian Bolland featuring the Joker
Batman Adventures Annual #1
DC
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance of Harley Quinn
1st appearance of Roxy Rocket
Wonder Woman #96
DC
•
1995
•
Vol. 2
Joker cover art by Brian Bolland
DC Universe logo
Deathstroke the Terminator #58
DC
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
Cover art inspired by Deathstroke #1 (1991)
Superman #160
DC
•
2000
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Scorch
Beginning of the Emperor Joker story line where the Joker inherits Mr. Mxyzptlk's reality-altering powers
1st appearance and origin of a Bizarro created by the Joker
1st appearance of Scorch
Beginning of the Emperor Joker story line where the Joker inherits Mr. Mxyzptlk's reality-altering powers
1st appearance and origin of a Bizarro created by the Joker
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