Joker

**The Joker** is a homicidal maniac and the arch-nemesis of Batman. Though his precise origin is unknown even to him, he *is* known to have been forced to swim through a vat of chemicals which turned his skin white, his hair green and left his face permanently locked in a rictus grin.

## Biography

### Origins

Accounts of the Joker's origins have been varied and numerous. He himself has told the story of how he came to be with several different variations, saying that sometimes he remembers it one way, sometimes another; and that if he has to have a past, he "[prefers] it to be multiple choice". What has remained the most consistent is that his first encounter with the Batman was while he was acting in the identity of the "Red Hood", along with a gang of other thugs, committing a robbery in or near the Ace Chemical Processing Plant. During this robbery he either tripped into a vat of chemicals, or was accidentally pushed in by Batman.

Most versions end with him falling into chemicals which bleach his skin, make his hair green, and give him a maniacal red smile. Sometimes the chemicals are also blamed for his mental state, and the combination of chemical exposures, and possible brain damage due to oxygen deprivation have been cited as factors in his insanity.[*citation needed*]

His activity between the accident in the chemical factory and his first public appearance as **The Joker** is unknown, but his return to the Gotham City crime scene was a spectacular one. He announced himself on television, after murdering a reporter with Joker Venom, and publicly told the police he intended to murder local millionaire Henry Claridge that evening at the stroke of midnight. Despite taking every security measure possible, Joker managed to kill his intended victim and nearly contaminated Gotham City's entire water supply with his poison, but Batman was able to stop him. The Joker was successfully incarcerated, but not for long.

## Powers and Abilities

### Abilities

* Criminal Mastermind
* Chemical Weapons Expert
* Insane Beyond All Hope
* Remarkable Strategist and Tactician
* Expert Brawler
* Creator of the Lethal "Joker Venom" Toxin
* Access to a Variety of "Deadly Gag" Weaponry
* "Joker Venom" Toxin

## Trivia and Notes

### Trivia

* Joker's mind is so chaotic telepaths avoid him. Sam Simeon became insane after looking into his mind.
* He seems to have a certain fondness for Vicki Vale and has never intentionally hurt her, even going so far as to shoot one of his men who bruised her face while kidnapping her. Also, while incarcerated at Arkham, Joker writes letters to Vicki. She passes them off to Bruce for analysis into Joker's psychological state. They are, surprisingly, not that deranged and seem actually quite mundane.
* After escaping from Gotham and going across the country he killed Derek Fox in Central City.
* He broke out five children from a Cadmus facility and formed the Royal Flush Gang. He used to be their leader.
* His criminal activity falls under ARGUS jurisdiction.
* When he's in Arkham he's housed in the Solitary Confinement.
* It is possible Joker was the leader of the Red Hood Gang who fell into a vat of acid.
* He's a mentor of Dee Dee, Dottie, Yo-Yo and Bianca Steeplechase.

### Notes

* Joker's Patient number (#42540) is a nod to his first comic book appearance: *Batman #1*, April 4th, 1940.
* "The magic trick" is a reference to the *Dark Knight* movie.
* Dislike to the name “Clown Prince of Crime” comes from *Gotham City Sirens* comics.
* The Jack Napier alias is a nod to the 1989 *Batman* movie.
* Joker forming the Royal Flush Gang is a nod to the *Justice League* animated series.
* In the comics Derek Fox was killed by a villain called Clown.