Who is the Joker?

"If I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be Multiple Choice."
~The Joker


The Joker has become somewhat of a fan favorite in the comic book universe. No villain has surpassed the popularity of this character in DC or in Marvel, and for good reason. He's completely insane, he has a chilling sense of humor, and wherever he is, he steals the show. But where did he come from? Often times there are re-imaginings to a comic book characters past but the Joker seems to embrace this phenomenon by never offering a clear choice as to where he actually came from. So we will explore the different origin stories that the Joker has gone with throughout the comics.

The Killing Joke (1988):

The Joker an his Wife.

In The Killing Joke he refers somewhat to his past, before he began a life of crime. We find out that he had a pregnant wife named Jeanie, and was trying to support them as a comedian. But he wan't that great of a comedian and could hardly bring in the money to try and keep the family afloat.

So he turned to a life of crime. He got a job from a local crime boss to help break into a chemical plant where the Joker used to be an assistant at. The Criminals force him to wear a Red dome shaped helmet in order to conceal his identity. While they plan the robbery the Joker goes home and finds the police who tell him that his wife and child had been killed. Scared, and angry the Joker tries to back out of the robbery but the criminals threaten to kill him if he does not go through with the robbery. The mob sends the Joker in alone to get the money but the robbery goes completely wrong. Batman crashes in through the windows knocking the Joker back. He stumbles over a ledge and falls straight into a vat of chemical substances.

He is washed through tubes and tubes until he finds himself outside the plant amongst a yard of chemical waste. He hurriedly pulls the red helmet off and catches a glimpse of his features in the reflection of the red dome. His lips, blood red. His skin, chalk white. His hair was putrid green. The chemicals had dyed his features to look like a clown. Normally a sad occasion, but he clung to his new persona. Driven mad by his wifes death, (revealed in another version of his backstory to be at the hands of the criminals that he worked for), went after the Batman always spiraling downward into more insanity.

BATMAN (1989):

In the 1989 film, Batman. We see the Jokers origin story in much of the same way, except this time we are given a name. Here the Joker's name is Jack Napier, a wealthy man very much involved in the life of crime who, (much like the Red Hood), fell into a chemical vat by Batman. In the movie he is credited with killing Bruce Wayne's parents, (rather than Joe Chill), and is recognized by his signature catchphrase: "Ever Dance with the Devil by the Pale Moonlight?"
In the end it is this very phrase that tips Bruce Wayne off at the end of the film and he pushes the Joker off the building and killing him. Or did he? It's left open ended. Regardless, it offers another origin story making the Joker portrayed as more of a gangster throughout the film, and not exactly insane as other iterations may appear.

The Joker, as portrayed by Jack Nicholson

DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY (2005-2012):

Not much can really be said about the Joker here. He's obviously completely insane and has an acute sensation for anarchy. But not much can be inferred from this iteration. He's portrayed as a rather scary man who wants to ruin Gotham. Instead of cooky gags, he employs the use of knives and more real threats. "I'm into the simple things. Like Dynamite, gunpowder, gasoline. . .", he says in the film. In this story we see that he got the facial scars from his father, and also by trying to make his wife feel better for the facial scars that she had received. That is all we know about him. "No Prints, no DNA. Clothes are custom and all that's in his pockets are knives and lint."

The Joker, as portrayed by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Other Iterations:

These styles have primarily followed the backstory set up in The Killing Joke, but all have some different little spin on them, the Joker has been around for 75 years, and isn't bound to go away, we will see multiple Jokers for as long as there is an industry to capitalize off of him.

The Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill, appears in the animated series.

The Joker, played by Cesar Romero in the 1966 Batman TV show.

The Joker, also voiced by Hamil, appearing in
Batman: Arkham Asylum

The Joker, voiced by Michael Emerson in
The Dark Knight Returns

The Joker from Death of the Family

The Joker, played by Jared Leto, will appear in
The Suicide Squad Movie.

Conclusion:

Well, obviously there are many ways that his past could go, and I doubt DC will actually tell us what it is. It's fun to keep fans guessing. Which Joker do you like the most? Which one do you like the least? Any theories for his origin? Let me know in the comments if you want.

The Joker, as depicted in Death of the Family.