Joker: Folie a Deux, the sequel to the hugely successful Joker (2019) is coming this October. Many people are excited about it, not me really, but that is neither here nor there. However, it got me thinking about different versions of the Joker that we have seen in comics. Let’s get to the Five Things.
#1: The Jokester
The Jokester from Earth-3 (courtesy of DC Comics)
In the vast multiverse of DC Comics, there are many versions of the Joker. Most are just different variations of the homicidal clown, but this version is one of the good guys. Living on Earth-3 where the Justice League are the bad guys, the Jokester is trying to take down Owlman and fight against evil.
#2: Jack Napier (White Knight)
Jack Napier from Sean Murphy’s White Knight (courtesy of DC Comics)
A fairly recent addition to the legend of the Joker, this version comes from Sean Murphy’s hugely successful White Knight trilogy. The twist is that Joker regains his sanity, and as Jack Napier, is more successful in his war against Batman than Joker ever was by turning the public against the Dark Knight. However, you can’t keep a good clown down, and Joker rears his white face throughout the series. The White Knight series is a terrific look at the relationship between Batman and Joker and the connection that they will always have.
#3: The Hyena
Hyena from Amalgam Comics (courtesy of DC Comics and Marvel Comics)
Probably the most off-the-board pick, but one my favorites, Hyena is from Amalgam Comics, which saw DC characters combined with Marvel characters. Hyena is a combination of Joker and Sabertooth and is awesome. He is the enemy of Dark Claw, who is a combo of Batman and Wolverine, which is equally awesome. The characters are very 90s, but damn if it wasn’t some of the cooler comics that I have ever read.
#4: Joker from The Dark Knight Returns
Joker from The Dark Knight Returns (image courtesy of DC Comics)
If Hyena was an off-the-board pick, then this one is on the nose. For my money, Frank Miller gave us the most sadistic and evil version of the Joker in the pages of The Dark Knight Returns. Readers have never seen Joker portrayed as being in love with Batman, but this is what we got here. Catatonic until his “Darling” reappeared, Joker came back with a vengeance. Gassed a talk show studio audience, planned to kill children at an amusement park, and then finally got the last laugh by framing Batman for his murder.
#5: Flashpoint Joker
Martha Wayne Joker from Flashpoint (courtesy of DC Comics)
If DKR Joker was in love with Batman, in the world of Flashpoint, we got a Batman and Joker who were once married. Batman is Thomas Wayne and Joker is Martha Wayne. Seeing their son murdered in Crime Alley set them on different paths. We have not seen Flashpoint Joker as much as Flashpoint Batman, and that is disappointing. We have seen main Batman meet Flashpoint Batman, but I don’t think we have seen the main Batman meet Flashpoint Joker. That would make for an interesting story.
There’s a whole multiverse of Jokers out there, and these are just 5 of our favorite Clown Princes of Crime throughout DC Comics (and beyond). What are some of your favorite versions of Joker? Who did I miss? Comment below!
