Which Joker figure to collect? The guide by incarnation, from cinema to comics

There isn't just one Joker, but a gallery of Jokers, and that's precisely where the collector's thrill lies. Choosing your clown figurine isn't about choosing a character: it's about choosing a memory, a specific laugh heard in a dark cinema, a comic book panel that sent shivers down your spine. The most embodied villain in cinematic history forces you to answer a question that even Batman himself has never resolved: which of his faces is the real one?

Because the Joker has no official origin—he gives a different one each time he's asked—every actor, every artist has been able to reinvent his silhouette without ever betraying the character. The result: a Gotham fan's display case can feature five or six radically different clowns and remain perfectly coherent. This guide isn't a ranking of the most beautiful pieces—for that, the ultimate guide to Joker figurines already does the job. Here, we take a different approach: incarnation by incarnation, to help you find yours, the one that resonates with you and deserves the best spot on the shelf.

Why the Joker is the most frequently depicted villain in figurine form

No pop culture antagonist has been molded, painted, and reissued as often as the clown of Gotham. The reason lies in his very nature: where a hero must remain recognizable to reassure, the Joker benefits from mutation. The makeup changes, the costume shifts from royal purple to acid green, the smile goes from a scar to a drawn sneer—and each variation becomes a piece in its own right. A collector who loves Batman will inevitably end up owning several almost identical Bruce Waynes; one who loves the Joker owns a menagerie.

This diversity is also explained by the character's longevity. Appearing in Batman #1 in spring 1940, he has traversed all editorial eras, each decade imposing a new tone on him. Understanding this helps understand why so many molds coexist: for this, there's nothing like rereading the history of the Joker and his tortured psyche. What interests us here is the concrete consequence for your display case: each incarnation tells a different Joker story, and the Joker figurine collection in the shop covers this spectrum, from accessible toy to collector's item. The question remains which one is right for you.

One last point before diving into the details: unlike Batman figurines categorized by era, where a nearly linear evolution of the costume is followed, Joker figures are not hierarchized by time. The 1989 Joker is not "outdated" by the 2019 one: they coexist, each serving a distinct imaginary. This is the logic of the entire guide that follows.

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight (2008): the anarchist who became the absolute benchmark

If you were only to own one Joker, it would probably be this one. Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight redefined what a supervillain could be, to the point of earning a posthumous Oscar—a first for a superhero film. This Joker has no plan or logic: he is an "agent of chaos," a force that simply wants to see Gotham burn. He is the clown that even criminals fear.

Visually, he is immediately identifiable: cracked and dirty white makeup, Glasgow scars stretching his smile across his face, greasy green hair, crumpled purple suit, and bottle-green vest. Nothing flamboyant, everything is grimy, worn, realistic. A good figurine of this Joker is judged by these details: the makeup should look hand-applied, not smooth, and the scars should be clearly visible. This is the incarnation that speaks to fans of The Dark Knight trilogy, to those who associate the character with an almost documentary tension rather than a comic opera.

Which fan does it speak to? To the one who considers The Dark Knight as the best Batman film, and who wants the exact image etched in their memory on their shelf. It is also, very often, the gateway to collecting: accessible, universally recognizable, it never disappoints the recipient. To prolong the immersion, many also associate it with the complete cast of the film and the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, as this version has become a universe in itself.

Joaquin Phoenix, Joker (2019): the man before the monster

Here is the most human Joker ever brought to screen, and paradoxically one of the most disturbing. Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, with an Oscar and historical success to his name, never confronts Batman: he is merely Arthur Fleck, a man broken by a society that ignores him, until the final metamorphosis. This version divided, fascinated, and above all, left a lasting mark on popular culture.

His visual signature is unique in the gallery: blood-red suit, mustard shirt, green vest, clown makeup applied with an almost childlike sadness, and that thin, hunched silhouette dancing on the stairs. A successful figurine of this Joker is distinguished by its posture—often captured mid-motion, arms outstretched—because it is the gesture, more than the grimace, that defines Arthur. It is the most "cinematic" incarnation to display: it tells a scene, not just a character.

It speaks to fans who love the Joker for his tragic dimension rather than his menace, to those who were moved by art-house cinema as much as by blockbusters. For completists: the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux with Lady Gaga, extended this aesthetic while further dividing opinions—which makes the figurine of the first film all the more precious in the eyes of those who loved the original work. On the shelf, this Joker creates a striking contrast with the flamboyant clown of the Burton years, which we'll discuss now.

Jack Nicholson, Batman (1989): Tim Burton's theatrical gangster

Before Ledger, there was Jack. Jack Nicholson's flamboyant Joker in Tim Burton's Batman remains the blueprint for all "classic" figurines of the character. Here, there's no dirty anarchy or social tragedy: just a gangster, Jack Napier, who fell into a chemical vat and transformed into an artist of murder, showy, seductive, obsessed with the aesthetics of his crimes. This is the Joker who laughs loudly and stages every move like a performance.

Visually, he's the "purest": smooth and permanent white skin, a bright red fixed smile, impeccable purple suit, matching hat, gloves. Nothing dirty—everything is clean, saturated, almost cartoonish, reflecting the Gothic and stylized Gotham that Tim Burton reinvented in 1989. A good figurine of this Joker emphasizes bold colors and an elegant silhouette; it ages remarkably well precisely because it doesn't try to imitate realism.

It appeals to the long-time fan, to those who discovered Batman in the cinema in the 80s-90s, and to all who prefer the Joker as a pure showman rather than a psychiatric case. It's also the ideal version to pair, on the same shelf, with a figurine from Batman Returns' Burton universe: same visual grammar, same world. Nostalgics often place it next to cinema posters from the great Batman eras to recreate a dedicated corner.

Jared Leto, Suicide Squad (2016): the street gangster Joker, inherently divisive

This is the most discussed Joker on this list, and therefore, for some collectors, the most interesting to own precisely because he is divisive. Jared Leto's Joker, seen in Suicide Squad and its comic book adaptation, reinvents the clown as a tattooed 21st-century kingpin: metallic teeth, garish tattoos (including the famous "Damaged" on his forehead), silvery skin, and the look of a drug lord. A radical departure from everything that came before.

The figurine of this version is instantly recognizable: it's the only one where tattoos and accessories (chains, golden jacket, bare torso) carry the bulk of its identity. It targets a specific audience—those who appreciate modern, streetwear aesthetics, and who embrace a Joker that is more provocative than iconic. Its other advantage: it is inseparable from Harley Quinn, as it was in this film that audiences rediscovered their toxic relationship. Many collectors buy it with the duo in mind, and complete their display with the Harley Quinn figurine collection to recreate the couple.

A collector's tip: this incarnation truly comes alive when staged as a "couple." If that's your intention, reading the guide on the relationship between Harley and the Dark Knight illuminates why this version, more than any other, calls for a figurine of her accomplice by her side.

Mark Hamill, the animated series: the definitive Joker for many fans

It's often forgotten because he doesn't have a live-action actor's face, and yet: for an entire generation, THE Joker is Mark Hamill's. His voice, heard in Batman: The Animated Series, defined the character's laugh for three decades, from the animated show to the Arkham video games. A Joker both funny and terrifying, capable of switching from gag to horror in a single line.

Visually, the figurine from this universe adopts the "Art Deco" style of the series: clean lines, flat colors, an exaggeratedly long chin, elongated silhouette. It is the most stylized, most "drawn" incarnation—and that's exactly what the buyer is looking for. It doesn't aim for realism but for graphic iconicism, and pairs perfectly with other animated pieces, like those inspired by Batman Beyond or the great Batman animated series.

It speaks to the heartfelt fan, to the one who grew up watching the series and for whom no live performance will ever equal that voice. It is also, often, the version associated with an animated Batman figurine to recreate the hero-villain duo in its original style, the one that indelibly shaped the imagination of Gotham.

The comic book versions: The Killing Joke and the classic DC Joker

Beyond the screens, it is in the pages that the Joker reaches his purest—and most disturbing—form. Figurines drawn from the comics target the collector who knows the sagas, not just the films. The absolute reference remains the one inspired by The Killing Joke, the most disturbing confrontation between Batman and the Joker. This Alan Moore one-shot gave the character his most definitive version: Hawaiian shirt, camera around his neck, chilling smile. An image that has become iconic, one that any serious display case eventually wants.

But the comic book universe offers many other faces. The Joker from Death of the Family, with his reattached face, embodies the pure horror of the modern era; the one from Batman Endgame pushes the confrontation to its climax; and for fans of more recent stories, Joker War offered a new flamboyant aesthetic. Each of these sagas has produced its own iconography, and thus its own figurines.

There is finally a separate category for collectors seeking the ultimate thrill: versions from the Dark Multiverse, foremost among them the Batman Who Laughs, a nightmarish fusion of the Dark Knight and the Joker. Technically, it's no longer really the Joker — it's a Batman contaminated by his laugh — but no somewhat ambitious clown collection ignores him, as he embodies the logical culmination of the character's obsession.

Which incarnation to choose based on your profile and level

Now that the gallery is displayed, the real question arises: where to start, and how far to go? The answer depends less on your budget than on your relationship with the character. If you're a beginner and want a safe bet that never disappoints, opt for the Ledger incarnation: universally recognized, affordable, it forms the ideal foundation for a clown collection and goes well with everything else in the display case.

If you're a reader before a viewer, if sagas matter more than movies, the Killing Joke version or a premium collector's item from the comics is essential: it demonstrates a level of knowledge and stands as the centerpiece. If your heart beats for a specific memory — Hamill's voice, Phoenix's red, Nicholson's purple — then let that memory decide: a sincere collection is always better than a "complete" one. And if you're aiming for the duo, consider the Leto incarnation plus Harley Quinn as a pair, Gotham's most iconic couple staging.

One last principle, valid for any figurine collection: consistency takes precedence over accumulation. Three Jokers that interact — a cinema, a comic, an animated one, for example — are better than a dozen visually redundant duplicates. This reasoned construction logic is detailed in the guide for building a Batman figurine collection, whose principles apply directly to the clown. And if your passion extends beyond just the Joker, the logic remains the same for the entire gallery of villains: Batman's allies figurines as well as those of his enemies obey the same selection rules.

Finally, note that a figurine can extend a costume, and vice versa. Many collectors who own the piece then seek to embody their preferred version: the guide to Joker costumes by cinema incarnation and the Joker costume collection exactly meet this desire, while the makeup tutorial by version (Ledger, Phoenix, Nicholson, Leto) allows you to faithfully reproduce the face of the figurine on your shelf.

The Joker, the mirror we collect

Choosing your Joker figurine, ultimately, is choosing what the character means to you: Ledger's chaos, Phoenix's tragedy, Nicholson's theater, Leto's provocation, Hamill's stylization, or the horror of the comics. There is no wrong answer — only yours. And perhaps that is the secret of his dominance over any other villain figurine: the Joker doesn't ask you to love him, he reflects back what you project onto him.

To go further, take the time to explore the collection dedicated to Gotham's clown, extend with a landmark saga like The War of Jokes and Riddles, or expand your display case with Harley Quinn figurines, inseparable accomplices. Gotham is vast, and your shelf is just beginning.

Frequently asked questions about Joker figurines

Which Joker figurine to choose when starting a collection?

Heath Ledger's incarnation in The Dark Knight is the best starting point. It is universally recognizable, affordable, and its immediate recognition makes it a gift that never disappoints. It fits into any display case and provides a solid base before adding more specialized versions, such as a comic piece or an animated figurine.

What is the most "collector's item" version of the Joker?

Figurines from the comics, especially the one inspired by The Killing Joke, are at the top of the range. More detailed, often in premium editions, they are aimed at saga connoisseurs. The version from the Dark Multiverse, the Batman Who Laughs, is also highly sought after by advanced collectors who want a prestigious and groundbreaking piece.

Can different versions of the Joker be mixed on the same shelf?

Absolutely, and that's the whole point of the character. Unlike a hero whose variations resemble each other, each Joker has a distinct visual identity: cinema, comic, animated coexist without redundancy. The trick is to favor selection consistency — three interacting versions are better than a dozen duplicates — as recommended by any collection building guide.

Is it necessary to own a Batman figurine to accompany your Joker?

It's not mandatory, but the hero-villain confrontation remains the most satisfying staging. An animated Joker by Mark Hamill facing a Batman from the same universe, or a clown from the Nolan trilogy facing his Dark Knight, creates a strong visual narrative. The Batman figurine collection offers the ideal counterpart, in the style that matches your version of the Joker.