Joker (Batman: Shadow War)

Joker is the main antagonist of ''Batman: Shadow War. ''He was a master criminal with a clown-like appearance and is a violent sociopath who murders people for his own amusement.

Background
Joker's real name was never known and told his backstory through his own words; originally an engineer working at the Ace Chemical Inc. but quit his job to pursue his dream of being a stand-up comedian, only to fail miserably. Desperate to support his pregnant wife, Jeannie, the man agreed to help two criminals break into the plant where he was formerly employed. During the planning, the police contact him to inform him that his wife and unborn child were killed in a household incident.

Stricken with grief, he attempts to back out of the plan, but the criminals strong-arm him into keeping his promise. The criminals force the man to dress up as the Red Hood, to make him appear as their leader, allowing the two criminals to escape. As soon as they enter the plant, however, they are caught by security and a fatal shootout ensues, in which the two criminals are shot and killed. As he tries to escape, he is confronted by Batman, who is investigating the disturbance. Terrified, the engineer leaps over a rail and plummets into a vat of chemicals. When he surfaces in the nearby reservoir, he removes the hood and sees his reflection; bleached chalk-white skin, ruby-red lips and emerald green hair. These events, coupled with the other misfortunes that day, drove the engineer through the massive personality shift that results in the birth of the Joker.

First Appearance
After the incident, Joker arrives in Gotham City hearing it's where Batman is. Joker managed to kidnap and torture Black Mask; using him as the "perfect" disguise with his power and money, using his mask and suit as well as the information he gained from torturing him to commit a heist at the Gotham National Bank holding the money of many crime lords including Sal Maroni, Carmine Falcone, Rupert Falcone and Black Mask himself. After the robbery, Joker set up a meeting between the crime lords and sent them a videotape to inform them about the heist and that their money is being "borrowed" and in order to regain the cash, the crime lords would have to work for the Joker and his plans for Gotham and Batman.

It is revealed that Roman Sionis was held hostage by Joker and Batman rescued him, handing him over to the police and then continued his hunt for Joker. It is revealed Joker has turned members of the crime lords' empires into his own gang members and that he has finally set up his plan, however though Joker burns the crime lords' money in front of them, with Rupert the most angered and attempted to attack Joker however Joker used his Harpoon Gun to surprise and kill him.

Joker then went through with his plan, still donning the Black Mask disguise, rigging two explosives to two ferries and the crazed clown announces one of them must pull a trigger in order to kill the others, saving themselves while Joker effectively proves his point that the people of Gotham can be broken, Joker then threatens he'll blew up both ferries if nothing happens when their time is up. However, Batman confronts and unmasked him, revealing the psychopath's true clownish and demonic appearance. After a fight between a crowbar armed Joker and a furious Batman, Joker manages to beat him to the ground with a bloody crowbar and laughs as he pins him down, revealing the time, then pulls the trigger however nothing happens. It is revealed Batman worked with the police for the first time to disarm the bombs and stop Joker. Joker, disappointed however chuckles and begins to grin, pulls out a knife and asks if Batman will kill him to save himself, however Batman responds by throwing Joker off the construction site, with the clown laughing wildly while falling to his death believing his won, though Batman uses his Grapnel Gun to save Joker and hangs him tied by his legs upside down, with Joker laughing and claims their battle will continue, with Batman walking away and the police eventually arrive to arrest him, sentencing him for life in Arkham Asylum.

Personality
Joker is derived from his extremely dark, humour, sadism, an insatiable craving for anarchy, infatuation with Batman, psychosis, insanity and chaotic nature. Joker has outright disregard for society and laws and unlike other professional criminals who are motivated either by power or wealth, Joker is just motivated by his greed to create chaos. Joker also showed complete lack of empathy towards his enemies and allies alike such as even murdering his own henchmen for "fun".

Furthermore Joker's grandiosity, charm, egomania and downright narcissism all stem back to his psychotic mannerism. He is incredibly manipulative and in some cases, seductive. He was a pathological liar and sadomasochist. Despite Joker being an unreasonable, brutal and diabolic madman, Joker was a tactical, cunning and genius manipulator.

Joker was also a suicidal and nihilistic individual, wanting for Batman to kill him in order to break him and show Batman they're not so different. Although a mostly evil sadist, Joker is extremely comical and mostly provides dark humour. His ruthlessness and brutality go nearly unmatched, he shows not absolutely concern for anyone. He is also shown to be abusive especially towards Harley Quinn who is completely infatuated with him which he completely rebuffs.

Abilities
Joker is a surprisingly skilled and strong hand-to-hand combatant, usually comically utilizing punches, kicks, slaps and even poking out his victim's eyes. Joker is also known for committing crimes with countless "comedic" weapons such as razor-sharp playing cards, a lethal joy buzzer, acid flowers, explosive pies and even Joker Venom, a deadly poison that infects victims with a ghoulish rictus grin as they die while laughing uncontrollably. This venom comes in many forms such as gas, darts and liquid, and Joker is completely immune towards such a poison.

Joker is also incredibly skilled in the field of chemistry, genetics and nuclear engineering. However despite these abilities; Joker's most deadly weapon is his cunning and manipulative mind as well as his zero empathy for anyone and sadistic and cruel nature. Joker is also very durable; capable of taking many hits before being knocked out.

Equipment

 * Ace of Spades: Joker's signature and powerful revolver.
 * Joker Venom: A deadly chemical that causes victims to have uncontrollable spasms of laughter followed by a painful death and their faces are pulled into an unusually large grin along with paleness and bulging eyes. A non-lethal version was also created if Joker needed victims alive which causes uncontrollable laughter and instead of death, the victim will go into a coma until cured and sometimes prolonged exposure can cause permanent brain damage.
 * Joy Buzzer: A joy buzzer worn on Joker's hand as a ring, it discharges a lethal electric current into anything that comes in contact. Whilst it has been used for assassinations by tricking a victim into shaking hands as well as a hand-to-hand weapon and can be even used for powering machinery.
 * Razor Playing Cards: Joker's playing cards that are used much like shurikens and Joker can throw them with astounding accuracy, and they have been shown to be sharp enough to severe victims' skin.
 * Jester Cane Sword: Although it looks like an ordinary cane, the jester cane contains a thin-razor sharp sword.
 * Harpoon Gun: The harpoon gun initially takes the appearance of a harmless toy gun that shoots a flag reading "BANG!" however a second pull on the trigger, the flag blasts out of the barrel and impales the target.
 * Acid Flower: The flower that Joker wears on his lapel can squirt a variety of chemicals including poison, acid, Joker Venom or even nothing at all.
 * Boxing Glove Arm: A spring-loaded mechanical arm with a boxing glove on the end and whilst it appears to be harmless, the force of the spring is shown to be extremely powerful enough to knock people out.
 * Long-Barreled Gun: A bizarre long-barreled gun and is extremely powerful.
 * Crowbar: A crowbar which Joker utilized.
 * Various Firearms: Various firearms that Joker utilizes including a Tommy Gun, Remington 870, S&W M-76, Nickel Top Glock 18, S&W 65 .357 Magnum, Colt Anaconda, Beretta 92FS, Beretta 92FS Inox, Skorpion SA Vz 61, IMI Mini Uzi and Mossberg 500
 * Various Knives: Various knives that Joker utilizes including a Cupid Extractor 1600 and Cupid of Blade.
 * Various Explosives: Various explosives that Joker utilizes including Mk 2 Grenades, M26 Hand Grenades, M67 Hand Grenades, C4's and larger explosives as well as explosives disguised as or placed in chattering teeth, pies and toys.
 * Bazooka: A Bazooka which Joker utilized.
 * 2 Pencil: A pencil sharp enough that can kill a victim if enough force is stabbed through their head.
 * Lighter: Joker used a lighter which can shoot out a line of fire like a blowtorch.
 * Jack N' The Box: A large Jack N' The Box which can either explode, jump up a a Jack which could possibly spray Joker Venom or Joker himself can even pop out of it.
 * Trick Streamers: Trick Streamers which Joker can use to tie up victims for easy kidnappings.

Quotes

 * "You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs."
 * "Where does he get those wonderful toys?"
 * "You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"
 * "Never rub another man's rhubarb."
 * "Gotham City. Always brings a smile to my face."
 * "Haven't you heard the healing power of laughter?"
 * "Here's my card."
 * "This city deserves a better class of criminal. And I'm gonna give it to them."
 * "If you're good at something, never do it for free."
 * "Ta da!"
 * "Why so serious?"
 * "The show must go on."
 * "Don't worry, I promise a fair fight!"
 * "The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules. And tonight you're gonna break your one rule."
 * "Whatever you say."
 * "Everything burns."
 * "You couldn't just let me go? Could you?"
 * "A little fight in you? I like that."
 * "Jingle bells, Batman smells, Gotham's quite a mess! This city's mine and you're out of time, which mean's you'll soon be dead!"
 * "I'm the guy with the money and the gun."
 * "Have you ever tried burping the National Anthem?"
 * "Take a hint o'boy. We may have had our differences, but you and me, we're made for each other!"
 * "Have a laugh on me."
 * "Must I do everything myself!?"
 * "I believe the begging is about to begin. Wait for it."
 * "I didn't think so."
 * "You had a chance to let me die and you didn't take it. I bet right now you're wishing you had. I've killed a lot of people, brought the city to it's knees, crippled the police force and it's not even time to unwrap our presents!"
 * "Zip it!"
 * "He is on a roll!"
 * "Now that's the spirit!"
 * "Now that's not funny."
 * "All this. All this rage. All directed at me, and for what? You know if you'd actually let me finish a sentence, you might learn something. You might learn that we're not so different. You might even learn something about yourself."
 * "You know it's sad, really makes me feel like you don't care to see the good side of me."
 * "We both exist because of them!"
 * "That's why you do it, isn't it? You like the way you feels. It's what you need."
 * "If the police expect to play against the Joker, they had best be prepared to be dealt from the bottom of the deck."
 * "If you had to explain a joke, there is no joke!"