Joker

A chalk-white-faced, green-haired criminal mastermind who debuted as Batman's archenemy, the Joker emerged as a calculating yet theatrically deranged villain whose true identity and past remained deliberately shrouded in mystery from his very first appearance. His origins were left intentionally ambiguous, with even the character himself later suggesting that his history is open to interpretation.

Few villains in comics history have cast as long a shadow as the Joker, who burst onto the scene in Batman #1 back in 1940 — a Golden Age debut created by George Shute and Raymond Perry that launched one of the most enduring presences in DC's entire universe. Over 86 remarkable years, this iconic antagonist has haunted the pages of Batman, Detective Comics, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, racking up 556 catalogued appearances and an extraordinary 12 key issues that collectors prize above all others. Along the way, the Joker has shared the page with the likes of Bruce Wayne, Robin, Dick Grayson, Superman, and Green Lantern — a rogues' gallery of DC's finest, which speaks volumes about just how central this character is to the mythology. If you're serious about exploring DC's history from its Golden Age roots to the present day, the Joker's run is an essential, thrilling place to start.