Batman’s Rogues: The Evolution Of Evil
I'm a 35 year old Canadian living in Ontario. I read comics, I love to draw and I collect comic art. I also teach karate, play hockey, and am a dad to 3 girls! My comic book passion lies with Batman and his pals with Nightwing taking a very close #2 favourite position. I began collecting comic art in 2013 and I have several commissions done by Ken Lashley and an amazing Francis Manapul Batman. As well I have sold a few of my own creations!
No. 1: The Joker
Credit: DC Comics
Batman’s arch-nemesis has been around since his first appearance in Batman #1 (April 25, 1940). He was created by Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane, though each of the men have differing opinions of how much the others were involved with Kane basically saying that Robinson had nothing to do with it. The basic appearance of the Joker is partly based off of actor Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine (a man with a disfigured face, giving him a perpetual grin) in the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs. In his original story The Joker was supposed to be killed, but he was saved by the editor.
At the time of this writing (July 2015), Joker is actually supposedly dead, but his most recent appearance is not really all that far from his original look. A wide menacing grin, green hair and a purple suit. Joker is of course the villain that has transferred to other media the most and his look has stayed fairly consistent in most appearances.