50 Fun Facts About Joker

In which year did the Joker make his first comic-book appearance?

He debuted in Batman #1, about a year after Batman's own first appearance in Detective Comics #27, and featured in nine of the title's first 12 issues.

Which three men are credited with creating the Joker, despite disagreeing about who did what?

Robinson said his sketch of a joker playing card came first; Kane insisted Robinson 'had absolutely nothing to do with it'.

The Joker's rictus grin was inspired by Conrad Veidt's character Gwynplaine in which 1928 silent film?

The film was based on a Victor Hugo novel; Bill Finger cut Veidt's picture out of a cheap edition of the book.

Which editor overruled the Joker's planned death in his second story and had a panel added showing him alive?

Finger feared recurring villains would make Batman look inept.

In the Joker's earliest stories, his victims died with what on their faces?

The toxin was called 'Joker venom'; he was a serial killer and jewel thief modelled on a playing card.

Bill Finger's 1951 origin story in Detective Comics #168 gave the Joker which former criminal identity?

The same story introduced the fall into a chemical vat that bleached his skin, greened his hair and drove him insane.

Why did the Joker turn into a harmless comical prankster in the late 1950s?

He returned to his murderous roots in 1973 when Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams revived him after a four-year absence.

Dennis O'Neil's 1970s run explained why the Joker goes to which institution rather than prison?

It was introduced in 1974 as Arkham Hospital, once the stories established that the Joker was legally insane.

In the 1988 story 'A Death in the Family', the Joker killed which Robin?

Fans voted by phone on his fate; a 72-vote plurality had the Joker beat him with a crowbar and leave him with a bomb.

In Alan Moore's The Killing Joke, the Joker shoots and paralyses whom?

The graphic novel reimagines the Joker as a failed comedian who had 'one bad day'.

Who illustrated The Killing Joke, inspired by the same 1928 film as the Joker's grin?

John Higgins did the original colours; DC editor Dick Giordano paired Bolland with Alan Moore.

Which of these is NOT one of the Joker's nicknames in the comics?

The Ace of Knaves is another; the Laughing Cavalier is a 1624 painting by Frans Hals.

The Joker's lapel flower and joy buzzer were introduced in 1952 as what?

They later became an acid-sprayer and a million-volt killer.

In the 2000 crossover 'Emperor Joker', the Joker steals reality-warping power from which character?

He remakes the universe, torturing and killing Batman daily before resurrecting him.

In Flashpoint (2011), which character becomes the Joker in an alternate timeline?

Thomas Wayne is Batman in that world; in Superman: Speeding Bullets it is Lex Luthor who becomes the Joker.

Which 2017 event introduced a villain who is a fusion of Batman and the Joker?

Batman is infected by a Joker toxin after killing him.

Who played the Joker in the 1966 Batman TV series and film?

Gorshin was the Riddler, Meredith the Penguin and Price Egghead.

What did the 1966 TV Joker actor refuse to do for the role, so the make-up was painted over it?

The moustache is visible under the white greasepaint throughout the series' run.

In Tim Burton's 1989 Batman, the Joker's real name is what?

Batman inadvertently causes the gangster to fall into acid at Axis Chemicals.

In the 1989 film, the Joker poisons Gotham by lacing hygiene products with a chemical called what?

Victims die laughing; Batman gives Vicki Vale his research so Gotham can avoid the toxin.

How does Nicholson's Joker line 'Have you ever danced with the devil...' end?

Wayne recognises the phrase used by the mugger who murdered his parents.

Nicholson took the 1989 role on strict conditions that included what?

He also dictated his own shooting schedule; the deal reportedly made him a fortune from merchandise.

Who wrote the songs for the 1989 Batman film?

Danny Elfman composed the score; the film won the Oscar for Best Art Direction.

Which Star Wars actor has voiced the Joker since Batman: The Animated Series in 1992?

He announced his retirement from the role after Kevin Conroy, his Batman, died in 2022.

Harley Quinn debuted in which 1992 episode of Batman: The Animated Series?

Paul Dini was inspired by his college friend Arleen Sorkin playing a jester on Days of Our Lives; Sorkin then voiced her.

Before becoming Harley Quinn, Harleen Quinzel had what job?

She fell for the Joker during her internship; in Mad Love he pushes her into the same chemical vat that made him.

Who played the Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008)?

The film was released nearly six months after his death and he won a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

The Dark Knight's Joker earned an Academy Award that was notable as the first what?

He also took BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for the role.

How did Ledger prepare for the role of the Joker?

He then spent four months compiling a 'Joker diary' of images and ideas that would resonate with the character.

In The Dark Knight, the Joker threatens to blow up a hospital unless which man is killed?

Reese, a Wayne Enterprises consultant, had tried to expose Batman's identity.

Which actor's Joker in Suicide Squad (2016) had tattoos added by David Ayer for a "modernized gangster look"?

He prepared by listening to 1920s gospel music and reading about shamanism, and returned in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

In Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), Barry Keoghan's Joker cameo is credited as what?

He shares a scene with Paul Dano's Riddler.

In Todd Phillips' 2019 film Joker, what is the name of Joaquin Phoenix's character?

He is a party clown and aspiring stand-up in a decaying 1981 Gotham; Murray Franklin is the talk-show host he idolises.

Joker (2019) won the top prize at which film festival?

It took the Golden Lion at the 76th Venice festival before opening in October 2019.

Joker (2019) set which box-office record?

Deadpool & Wolverine took the R-rated record in 2024.

How much weight did Joaquin Phoenix lose for the 2019 role?

He ate one sparse meal a day for eight months and studied videos of pathological laughter.

Who plays talk-show host Murray Franklin in Joker (2019)?

The film was modelled on Scorsese's Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, and Scorsese was initially attached as producer.

The 'Joker Stairs' from the 2019 film's dance scene are in which New York borough?

The American Gangster stairs were rejected as too prettified; the site quickly became a tourist magnet.

Joker (2019) won two Oscars: one for Phoenix's acting and one for what?

Hildur Guðnadóttir also became the first woman to win the Golden Globe for score as a solo composer.

In Joker (2019), what does Arthur discover about his mother Penny in her Arkham file?

The file describes her as a delusional narcissist, undercutting Arthur's belief that Thomas Wayne is his father.

Who plays Harleen 'Lee' Quinzel opposite Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)?

The jukebox-musical sequel bombed, grossing $208 million on a budget of up to $200 million, and won two Razzies.

How does Phoenix's character die at the end of Joker: Folie à Deux?

The inmate carves a Glasgow smile into his own face, implying he is the 'real' Joker.

Which of these does the Joker NOT possess, according to the comics?

He is an ordinary human who relies on chemistry, gimmicks and chaos.

Which two Gotham villains has the Joker sometimes teamed up with in the comics?

He has also joined the Injustice Gang and Injustice League, and fought Superman and Wonder Woman.

In the Absolute Universe comics line, the Joker is reimagined as what?

He counters that universe's poorer, self-trained Batman.

Which actor did Warner Bros. push Todd Phillips to cast as the Joker in his 2019 film?

The studio hoped Scorsese's involvement would attract his frequent collaborator, but Phillips only considered Phoenix.

Under what working title was Joker (2019) filmed in New York from September 2018?

Phillips rewrote much of the script during production, since Phoenix's weight loss ruled out reshoots.

Who composed the Oscar-winning score for Joker (2019)?

She began writing after reading the script and meeting Phillips, who had strong ideas about the sound.

Which actor was originally cast as Thomas Wayne in Joker (2019) before dropping out?

Brett Cullen took over the role of the billionaire mayoral candidate.

Roughly what was the final budget of Joker (2019), a fraction of a typical comic-book film's?

By comparison, Suicide Squad had cost $175 million; Joker went on to gross $1.079 billion.