The Joker
Adapted from a comic book character
Shop for comics featuring this character.
The Joker is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, the character first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book Batman on April 25, 1940. Credit for the Joker's creation is disputed; Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for his design while acknowledging Finger's writing contribution. Although the Joker was planned to be killed off during his initial appearance, he was spared by editorial intervention, allowing the character to endure as the archenemy of the superhero Batman. In the DC Universe, the Joker is portrayed as a criminal mastermind and the antithesis of Batman in personality and appearance.
Adaptations (2)
The Joker has been adapted into 2 films, from 2019 to 2024. The most recent is Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).
Joker2019 · film · 122 min · dir. Todd Phillips · IMDb ↗A socially inept clown for hire - Arthur Fleck aspires to be a stand up comedian among his small job working dressed as a clown holding a sign for advertising. He takes care of his mother, Penny Fleck, and as he learns more about his mental illness, he learns more about his past. Dealing with all the negativity and bullying from society, he heads downwards on a spiral, in turn showing how his alter ego, "Joker," came to be.
Joker: Folie à Deux2024 · film · 138 min · dir. Todd Phillips · IMDb ↗Arthur Fleck, now incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital, who encounters Harleen Quinzel, a fellow patient who becomes dangerously obsessed with his Joker persona. Their shared psychosis fuels a destructive and increasingly chaotic relationship, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The film delves deeper into Arthur's mental state, exploring the complexities of his condition and the enduring power of his iconic villainous persona.
