As a way to celebrate the legacy of comic book artist and legend Jerry Robinson, whose death we reported a few days ago, it only seemed fitting to go back and recount great, or should I more appropriately say memorable, moments and events that related to or were caused by Robinson’s greatest creation, The Joker. Known universally as Batman’s arch enemy, The Joker has a been a staple of comic books, movies, television and the pop culture universe for decades now. Over the course of his run, he’s run the gamut from deranged murderer to merry prankster. Here’s a look back at The Joker, in various incarnations, and the moments that defined him and, unfortunately, others as well.10. The Joker’s First Appearance: Perhaps a bit obvious, but how could we NOT address this one?? The Joker first appeared in one of the most landmark issues in comic book history, Batman #1. In the early days of his run, The Joker was a murderous psychopath, and it was in those formative years that The Joker’s trademark “grin” was left on the faces of his victims, with his signature Joker venom becoming a staple of the character even to this day. In an ironic move, Joker was supposed to be killed off early on, but a last minute addition to the issue saved him from comic book obscurity. It was in these early pages and drawings by the classic team of Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson that the character had his genesis, and it would be a crime to leave this out!
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