A villain of the Batman universe, first appearing in Batman #1 (1940). He is considored to be the Caped Crusader's arch nemesis. His title is the "Clown Prince of Crime".
The Joker's real name is unknown, though according to the first movie starring Nicholson, it might of been
Jack Napier. The catalyst of his
insanity has different tellings:
Originally a failed comedian, coerced into crime after the deaths of his
wife and unborn child. Disguised as the "Red Hood", he failed to steal from Monarch Playing Cards. Running from Batman, he fell into a waste pool by the
Ace Chemical Processing.
Surving the accident, it coloured his
hair green, bleached his skin white and deformed his mouth into a red smile. Using eccentric weapons
like acid spilling flowers and static
joy-buzzers, he sadistically amuses his victims before he murders them. Other schemes include bribery and terroism.
The sidekick and former pyschiatrist of The Joker is
Harley Quin (a.k.a Harleen Quinzel). She accompanies and supports her love interest in his crimes in Gotham City.