The Joker is ranked among the top comic book villains of all time. The Joker was first depicted in DC Comics as a comedic style criminal of Gotham City and a nuisance to its society with his prankster antics. The Joker was later created as a dark villain: a homicidal, psychopathic terrorist who kills mercilessly for amusement. The Joker’s appearance and ruthless personality, brings fear in any organization within the criminal underworld.

The Joker became twisted with evil from the loss of his wife and child, then becoming physically deformed in a confrontational accident with the Dark Knight. The Joker believes Batman created him to be the negative side the hero couldn’t become: a killer. The Joker operates out of many hideouts when running the streets of Gotham or is held in his public domain Arkham Asylum. The Joker outfits himself in bright colors like that of a clown or jester, thus receiving the title Clown Prince of Crime. In Gotham City, The Joker represents complete chaos while Batman represents dominant order.

On film, The Joker’s character profile is parallel with the comic book version. In the 1989 Batman, Jack Nicholson played the theatrical criminal with a spontaneous sense of crude humor, with mild violence suitable for most audiences. Heath Ledger shed more light to The Joker’s dark and ruthless nature in The Dark Knight, much approved by comic fans worldwide. In the Suicide Squad, The Joker is played by Jared Leto  as a rockstar with an unpredictable behavior and a demented mindset. Last but least Joaquin Phoenix becomes the Joker in his feature film, displaying his beginning and what led him to his vile personality. Since the release of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, comic fans feel Ben Affleck surpassed Christian Bale‘s popularity as Batman. Will Jared Leto become the top Joker to match the new and improved Batman? Or has the Clown Prince of Crime reached his cinematic limit?

Comic Multiverse fan favorite artwork of The Joker goes to DeviantArt artist: jossielara.