[Dr Kain]

It is time to discuss another of my favorite villains in the DC universe, this time, let’s look at the clown prince of crime:



This may come as a surprise to some, but I actually did not care for the Joker all that much until about 2000. I hated the character in the Adam West show. I hated him on those Scooby Doo episodes. I thought Jack Nicholson was all right and I still was not a fan of his even in “Batman: The Animated Series.” It was not until “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” that I started to like the character as that was my first time seeing the character actually be downright insane. Afterwards, I read “The Killing Joke” and “Death in the Family” (the real one, not the recent joke using that name) and that is where I started to take an interest in the character.

However, I still was not completely a fan of his until 2005 when I read Denny O’Neil’s “Joker’s Five Way Revenge” and Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns.” Now, I absolutely love the Joker and the portrayals he has received over the recent years. I still cannot say I completely like the version of him in BTAS, but I have found new enjoyment in those episodes he was featured in (especially in episodes like “The Laughing Fish”). Most all, I love the adaptations we have had with him in “Under the Red Hood,” the Arkham video game series, the movie version of “The Dark Knight Returns,” and of course, Ledger’s performance of him in “The Dark Knight.”

One of the things I have grown to love about Joker is how he is the exact opposite of Batman. Batman will do what he can to not kill anyone or to let someone die. Joker, on the other hand, does not kill, he will kill anyone or anything that gets in his way. He will do what needs to be done to get at Batman. Plus, he has also done the most damage to Batman by killing Jason and paralyzing Barbara out of any other villain.

While I consider Ra’s al Ghul to be Batman’s ultimate nemesis due to his, Joker is the most dangerous villain due to his savagery. Ra’s will think his actions through and plan, Joker will plan, but he will improvise as the situation needs regardless of who he hurts in the process. This is what makes Joker a formidable opponent and why he is one of my top favorite villains in the entire DC universe.