#SORRY THIS GOT SO LONG GHDJFKHGK

[theclownprnc-arch]

WAVES FROM A FAR! Hey-o, Roy! Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering how you would rate Joker’s appearances throughout the comics (& other media??) from your favourites to the least appealing o3o ! I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a wee while but I always forgot! Have an awesome week!!

Hello, hello, hello! 

I love me a cool question in my inbox, so that’s not a bother at all!

I started writing down some of my most and least favourite artists from who’ve been drawing this clown and the first thing I realized was the abundance of different designs, which — I think — in Joker’s case are always a hit or a miss. He’s been around in the comics for 80 years now, so I’ll be focusing mostly on his latest appearances from like the last 20-30 years because otherwise, this answer could get really, really long ( and I can already tell that even now it won’t be short either ).

So, let’s start with my least favourite ones ( from ‘meh, can do’ to ‘brb bleaching my eyes’ ):

Mikel Janin who was drawing Joker for a good chunk of Batman’s Rebirth run. It’s just… boring and there’s something off about it, but I can’t exactly pinpoint what it is. Not the worst, but it doesn’t stand out in any way.

Guillem March whose art appeared in Batman vol. 3 #89. The thing is — I really like some of his drawings, but this design doesn’t do it for me. Must be the brows.

Alex Sanchez in Joker’s Asylum: The Joker. Again, there’s nothing too exciting about it and I imagine that’s how Jack Nicholson’s Joker would look like if I were to see him while having a comedown.

Tim Sale who’s responsible for huge-teethed Joker in The Long Halloween. This design is also the main reasons why it took me ages to finally read it. In fact, I’m still not too sure how to feel about it, but whenever I think of Joker’s worst designs this one always pops up in my head.

Frank Miller. Frank freakin’ Miller. The one behind The Dark Knight Returns and the one with this weird tendency for making every character damn wide. I believe that anyone who had to see it deserves a lifelong supply of eye drops because this shit ain’t easy to look at. His Joker is straight outta Botched, I swear.

Now, to the more pleasant part! The order goes from ‘n i c e’ to ‘MMM NICE’:

Stjepan Šejic, the author of Harleen. Not gonna lie, his Joker is a pretty dude. While I’m not a big fan of Joe “Conventionally Attractive” Kerr, Šejic did find the balance where he’s not a total eye-candy because there’s still this ‘Creep Alert’ vibe to him.

Enrico Marini who drew Joker for The Dark Prince Charming. Love the makeup, love the hair and most of all I love his big bowtie with polka dots. I’m so tired of seeing him sporting a simple tie when bowties/ribbons are the epitome of THE Joker look. Besides, I absolutely love the faces he makes.

Jason Fabok, whose art will be in the upcoming Three Jokers. It pays such a great homage to the most classic Joker look most people are familiar with. Like, Joker designs could be divided into two categories — weird-looking dude you could meet in the streets and eerie comic character. The latter can often be a misfire, but Fabok’s just on point. Meanwhile, his Joker is very reminiscent of the one from The Killing Joke, or even the one from the 70s/80s, he still has that… something.

Dave McKean. While a lot of people seem to be not too enthusiastic about Joker from A Serious House on Serious Earth, I love how nightmarish he is. If this clown’s looking like he could be my sleep paralysis demon, that’s what I call an A+ design. He’s unsettling, he’s grotesque, I wouldn’t want to see that guy in the corner of my bedroom. Very nice.

Greg Capullo, especially Joker’s design throughout the Death of The Family story arc. I just love the gory aspect that naturally comes with his sliced-off face ( and that’s also the reason why so many people rate this design as the worst ). Well, it does disgust me a teeny-tiny bit but in the best way. Good stuff.

Alex! Ross! The man, the legend. Usually, I’m not that much of a fan when it comes to realistic art, but Ross’ drawings are always so alive that I can’t just walk by without appreciating it. His Joker is splendid and the unhinged gaze is spot-on, and he’s also a great mix of comic and realistic. Forever in my heart.