ThroughoutDC’s history, theJokerhas done some truly awful things, many of which have been adapted to movies and television shows. The Joker is one of the most infamous villains in comic book history, known for his chaotic and sadistic nature. Over the years, DC movies and TV shows have brought the Joker to life in ways that showcase his cruelty and madness. From animated series to blockbuster films, the Joker’s deeds have often gone beyond villainy to the downright horrifying.
DC’s animated and live-action universes have provided countless adaptations of the Joker, each presenting a new perspective on his sinister psyche. Acrossthe DC timeline, fromBatman: The Animated SeriestoThe Dark Knightand beyond, the Joker has committed atrocities that leave even the most seasoned viewers reeling. His actions often test the limits of morality, forcing his adversaries – especially Batman – to confront impossible choices. Unlike other villains who seek power or revenge, the Joker’s motivations are often rooted in anarchy and the sheer pleasure of causing pain.
10Joker Threatens To Nuke Gotham
Batman: The Animated Series
InBatman: The Animated Series, the Joker’s schemes are often as theatrical as they are dangerous. One of his most chilling plans involves threatening to detonate a nuclear bomb in Gotham City. In the episode “Joker’s Wild,” the Clown Prince of Crime hijacks a casino and reveals that he has rigged the city with a nuclear device. His demands areas nonsensical as they are terrifying, exemplifying his love for chaos over any tangible reward.
10 Most Forgettable DC Characters In Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: TAS offered some of the best versions of classic DC characters, but others were forgettable and failed to gain a comparable legacy.
What makes this moment particularly harrowing is the Joker’s nonchalant attitude toward mass destruction. For him, the lives of Gotham’s citizens are mere pawns in his game against Batman. The tension in this episodehighlights the Joker’s unpredictability and his willingness to escalate his schemesto apocalyptic levels, cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous villains in Gotham.
9Jerome Turns Jeremiah Mad
Gotham
In the TV seriesGotham, the Joker’s origin is explored through the characters of Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska. Jerome, a clear precursor to the Joker, begins as an unstable and sadistic criminal. However, his worst act comes whenhe orchestrates the descent of his twin brother, Jeremiah, into madness. Using a specially designed toxin, Jerome ensures that Jeremiah inherits his own psychotic tendencies, transforming him into a darker and more calculated version of himself.
9 Major Gotham Storylines That Went Nowhere
Gotham’s unexpectedly shortened final season meant that some storylines were quickly abandoned and several loose threads remain after the finale.
This act of sibling sabotage inGothamis not just cruel – it’s deeply personal. Jerome doesn’t simply want to spread chaos; he wants to destroy the person closest to him and reshape him in his own twisted image. This storyline adds a deeply unsettling layer to the Joker’s legacy,showing how his influence corrupts even those who initially resist his madness.
8Joker Gives Batman The Wrong Address
The Dark Knight
InChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight, the Joker masterminds one of his most devastating plans by exploiting Batman’s moral code. After kidnapping Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes, the Joker tells Batman their locations,forcing him to choose who to save. However, the Joker deliberately gives Batman the wrong address, leading him to rescue Harvey instead of Rachel.
I’m So Glad Kevin Conroy Was Batman For The Secret Fourth Movie In The Dark Knight Series
Kevin Conroy is the greatest Batman ever, and his inclusion in The Dark Knight’s secret sequel makes Christopher Nolan’s franchise even more special.
This calculated move results in Rachel’s death and Harvey’s transformation into Two-Face. The psychological torment inflicted on Batman is immense, as the Joker turns a heroic rescue attempt into a tragic failure. This moment exemplifies the Joker’s ability to manipulate and destroy lives without ever laying a hand on his victims. By twisting Batman’s sense of duty into a weapon, Heath Ledger’s Joker deliversone of the most heartbreaking and cruel blowsin the character’s cinematic history.
7Joker Poisons The Public
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’sBatmanintroduces a version of the Joker that is both flamboyant and horrifying. One of his most chilling schemes involves poisoning Gotham’s citizens through everyday products. By contaminating items like cosmetics and hygiene products with a lethal chemical known as “Smylex,” the Joker turnsordinary routines into death traps. Victims die with grotesque, permanent grins on their faces – a macabre signature of the Clown Prince of Crime.
DC: The Best Quote From Every Live-Action Joker
As one of the most celebrated comic book and movie characters of all time, DC’s Joker has shared many iconic lines full of wit, anger and wisdom.
His plot highlights the Joker’s sadistic sense of humour and his disregard for human life. Unlike other villains who seek power or wealth, the Joker’s goal is pure chaos, and this planexemplifies his twisted creativity. The scene where news anchors fall victim to the toxin on live television underscores the widespread terror he inflicts, cementing this as one of the character’s most iconic and horrifying deeds.
6Joker Tortures Harley Quinn
Suicide Squad
InSuicide Squad, the toxic relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is put on full display. While the film romanticizes their bond to some extent, it alsoreveals the darker, abusive side of their relationship. The Joker manipulates and torments Harley, exploiting her love for him to further his own goals. From throwing her into a vat of chemicals to emotionally breaking her down, the Joker’s treatment of Harley is a chilling reminder of his cruelty. This reaches its zenith when Joker uses electroshock therapy on Harley, destroying her mind.
Despite her intelligence and strength, Harley becomes a victim of the Joker’s manipulations. This dynamic serves as a stark contrast to the playful, chaotic partnership often seen in other adaptations, highlighting the Joker’s capacity for intimate cruelty. Harley’s tragic descent into madness isa direct result of the Joker’s influence, making this one of his most personal and devastating crimes.
5Joker Experiments On His Girlfriend’s Face
One of the most disturbing moments in Tim Burton’sBatmanis when the Joker experiments on his girlfriend, Alicia Hunt. After she expresses concerns about his behavior, the Joker disfigures her face, turning her into his own“work of art,”that forces her to wear a porcelain mask. This act is not only cruel but alsodeeply symbolic of the Joker’s twisted psyche.
10 Most Wasted Characters In The 80s & 90s Batman Movies
While the Burton and Schumacher Batman movies introduced a whole generation to Batman and his central characters, some were notably squandered.
By reducing Alicia to one of his grotesque creations, the Joker demonstrates his need to dominate and corrupt those around him. Alicia’s disfigurement serves as a visual reminder of the Joker’s sadistic nature and his ability to inflict both physical and psychological harm. This moment is particularly unsettling because it shows how the Joker’s cruelty extends beyond his enemies to thosewho are supposed to be closest to him. It’s a chilling example of his capacity for personal and intimate violence.
4Joker Turns Tim Drake Into A Mini Joker
Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker
In the animated filmBatman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime commits one of his most horrifying acts by kidnapping Tim Drake, the new Robin. The Joker and Harley Quinn torture Tim physically and psychologically, eventually brainwashing him intobecoming a mini version of the Joker. This transformation is both tragic and disturbing, as Tim is forced to betray everything he stands for as a hero.
The moment when Tim, in his Joker persona, kills the Clown Prince is both cathartic and heartbreaking, spotlighting the deep scars left by this traumatic experience. The Joker’s actions in this film highlight his penchant for targeting Batman’s alliesto cause maximum pain. Tim’s ordeal is one of the darkest moments in DC’s animated history, cementing the Joker’s status as a villain willing to cross any line.
3Joker Kills Jason Todd
Batman: Under the Red Hood
The brutal murder of Jason Todd, the second Robin, is one of the Joker’s most infamous crimes. In the animated filmBatman: Under the Red Hood, this horrific event is brought to life with chilling detail. The Joker kidnaps Jason and mercilessly beats him with a crowbar before leaving him to die in an explosion. This act not only robs Batman of his protégé but alsoleaves him with a profound sense of guilt and failure.
Jason’s death becomes a defining moment for both Batman and the Joker, with the latter relishing the pain he’s inflicted. The emotional weight of this crime is further explored when Jason returns as the vengeful Red Hood,highlighting the long-lasting impact of the Joker’s cruelty. This act remains one of the most harrowing examples of the Joker’s ability to destroy lives and relationships.
2Joker Tricks Superman Into Killing His Pregnant Wife
Injustice
InInjustice, a movie based on the video game series of the same name, the Joker commits one of his most heinous crimes by tricking Superman into killing Lois Lane, who is pregnant with his child. Usinga combination of fear toxin and kryptonite-laced gas, the Joker manipulates Superman into believing Lois is Doomsday. In his panic, Superman kills her, before triggering a nuclear bomb that destroys Metropolis.
This act not only devastates Superman but also drives him to become a tyrannical ruler, fundamentally altering the course of the DC universe. The Joker’s actions inInjusticehighlight his ability to dismantle even the most powerful heroes by exploiting their vulnerabilities. This crime is particularly horrifying because itcombines psychological manipulation with catastrophic consequences, proving the Joker’s capacity for unparalleled destruction. The fallout from this event reverberates throughout theInjusticestoryline, cementing it as one of the darkest moments in DC history.
1Joker Paralyzes And Assaults Barbara Gordon
Batman: The Killing Joke
In the animated adaptation ofThe Killing Joke, the Joker commits one of his most infamous and controversial crimes by targeting Barbara Gordon. He shoots her in the spine, leaving her paralyzed, and then proceeds tosubject her to psychological torture. The Joker photographs Barbara in various states of undress, using these images to torment her father, Commissioner Gordon.
Every Version of Batman’s Origin Story In Movies And On TV, Ranked
Batman has one of the most iconic origin stories of all time, which has been depicted in many movies and tv series to different degrees of success.
This act is a chilling demonstration of the Joker’s sadism and his ability to inflict both physical and emotional pain. Barbara’s assault is one of the most graphic and unsettling moments in DC’s animated history,sparking debates about the depiction of violence against womenin comics and animation. Despite its controversial nature, this moment underscores theJoker’s role as a villain who thrives on pushing his enemies to their breaking points, leaving lasting scars on his victims and their loved ones.
Cast
Batman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne as he assumes the role of the masked vigilante Batman to combat crime in Gotham City. This acclaimed 1992 series explores his dual identity and features an array of iconic villains, while Bruce vows to avenge the murder of his parents.
As a new recruit in Captain Sarah Essen’s Gotham City Police Department, Detective James Gordon is paired with Harvey Bullock to solve one of Gotham’s most high-profile cases ever: the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. During his investigation, Gordon meets the Waynes' son, Bruce, now in the care of his butler Alfred, which further compels Gordon to catch the killer.
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
Batman
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
The Suicide Squad team is made up of villains, captured and kept in a secret prison, and offered reduced sentences if they participate in dangerous missions. In the tradition of continuity within DCEU films, the event comes in the wake of Superman’s death and the seclusion of Batman after the events that occurred in Batman V Superman. Agency head Amanda Waller, played by award-winning actress Viola Davis, is the one striking deals with the inmates of Belle Reve Prison. Heading “Task Force X” is Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye’s Killer Croc, and Adam Beach’s Slipknot. Karen Fukuhara’s Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains. Jared Leto (Joker) and Ben Affleck (Batman) have smaller roles in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, as does Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is an animated superhero film set in the futuristic Gotham City. The movie follows the new Batman, Terry McGinnis, mentored by an aging Bruce Wayne, as they encounter a menacing return of Batman’s deadliest foe, the Joker. The film delves into the mystery behind the Joker’s reappearance and its connection to the original Batman’s past, featuring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprising their iconic roles.
A mysterious vigilante called the Red Hood shows up in Gotham City, implementing one method that Batman does not: the Red Hood kills his targets. Batman and Nightwing are hot on the Red Hood’s trail, but Batman makes a surprising revelation about the vigilante’s identity.
Injustice (2021) is an animated film based on the DC Comics video game and comic series. The story explores a parallel universe where Superman becomes a tyrant after a devastating personal loss. Batman leads a rebellion against Superman’s authoritarian regime, recruiting heroes and villains to restore freedom. Directed by Matt Peters, the film features the voices of Justin Hartley and Anson Mount as Superman and Batman, respectively.
Batman: The Killing Joke, directed by Sam Liu, explores Batman’s pursuit of the escaped Joker, who targets the Gordon family to demonstrate a twisted parallel to his own descent into madness. The animated film delves into the psychological battle between Batman and his notorious adversary.
