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

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

Because the Joker has no official origin—he gives a different one every time he's asked—every actor and 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 is not a ranking of the most beautiful pieces—for that, the ultimate guide to Joker figurines already does the job. Here, we proceed differently: incarnation by incarnation, to help you find yours, the one that resembles you and deserves the best spot on the shelf.

Why the Joker is the most often depicted villain of all

No pop culture antagonist has been molded, painted, and reissued as often as Gotham's clown. The reason lies in his very nature: where a hero must remain recognizable to reassure, the Joker benefits from mutating. The makeup changes, the costume shifts from royal purple to acid green, the smile goes from a scar to a drawn grin—and each variation becomes a distinct piece. A collector who loves Batman inevitably ends 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 spanned all editorial eras, with each decade imposing a new tone on him. Understanding this means understanding why so many molds coexist: to do so, nothing beats 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 toys to collector's items. It remains to be seen which one is for you.

One last point of reference before going into detail: unlike Batman figurines classified by era, where we follow an almost linear evolution of the costume, Jokers are not hierarchized over 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 an absolute reference

If you were to own only one Joker, it would probably be this one. Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight redefined what a super-villain could be, to the point of winning 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 even criminals fear.

Visually, he is immediately identifiable: cracked and dirty white makeup, Glasgow scars that stretch his smile across his face, greasy green hair, crumpled purple suit and bottle green vest. Nothing flamboyant, everything is grubby, worn, realistic. A good figurine of this Joker is judged by these details: the makeup should appear 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 movie, 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 anyone it's given to. To prolong the immersion, many also associate it with the film's full cast and the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, as this version has become a universe in itself.

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

This is the most human Joker ever brought to the screen, and paradoxically one of the most disturbing. Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, an Oscar-winning and historical success, never confronts Batman, a unique case in the chronology of the Dark Knight films: he is merely Arthur Fleck, a man broken by a society that ignores him, until his final metamorphosis. This version has 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, stooped silhouette dancing down the stairs. A successful figurine of this Joker stands out by its posture—often captured mid-motion, arms outstretched—because it's the gesture, more than the grin, that defines Arthur. This is the most "cinematic" incarnation to display: it tells a scene, not just a character.

It speaks to the fan who loves the Joker for his tragic dimension rather than his menace, to those who were touched by auteur 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 valuable to 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 next.

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, no dirty anarchy or social tragedy: 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 is the most "pure": smooth, permanently white skin, a frozen bright red smile, an impeccable purple suit, matching hat, gloves. Nothing grubby—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 imitate realism.

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

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

This is the most debated 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: metal teeth, garish tattoos (including the famous "Damaged" on his forehead), silvery skin, and the demeanor of a drug lord. A radical break from everything that came before.

The figurine of this version is recognizable among thousands: it is the only one where tattoos and accessories (chains, golden jacket, bare torso) carry the essence of the identity. It targets a specific audience—those who like modern, streetwear aesthetics, and who embrace a Joker more provocative than iconic. Its other asset: it is inseparable from Harley Quinn, as it was in this film that the public rediscovered their toxic relationship. Many collectors buy it already thinking of the duo, and complete their display case with the Harley Quinn figurine collection to recreate the couple.

A collector's tip: this incarnation truly comes into its own in a "couple" staging. If this is your intention, reading the guide on the relationship between Harley and the Dark Knight clarifies why this particular version, more than any other, calls for a figurine of her accomplice by her side. Those who push the logic to cosplay find the same obviousness in Harley Quinn costumes.

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 animation to Arkham video games. A Joker who is 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, and an elongated silhouette. It's the most stylized, most "drawn" incarnation—and that's exactly what those who buy it are looking for. It doesn't seek realism but graphic iconicity, and it pairs perfectly with other animated pieces, such as those inspired by Batman Beyond or great Batman animated series. In the same graphic vein, LEGO Batman figurines also offer their own Joker, even more cartoonish.

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

Comic versions: The Killing Joke and the classic DC Joker

Beyond the screens, it's in the pages that the Joker reaches his purest — and most disturbing — form. Comic-inspired figures are aimed at the collector who knows the sagas era by era, not just the movies. The ultimate reference remains the one inspired by The Killing Joke, the most disturbing face-off 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, which every serious display case eventually wants.

But the world of comics offers many other faces. The Joker from Death of the Family, with his stitched-up 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 flamboyant new aesthetic. Each of these sagas has produced its own iconography, and thus its own figures.

Finally, there's a separate category for collectors seeking the ultimate thrill: versions from the Dark Multiverse, chief among them the Batman Who Laughs, the nightmarish fusion of the Dark Knight and the Joker. Technically, he's not really the Joker anymore — he's a Batman contaminated by his laughter — but no somewhat ambitious collection of clowns 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? As with any Dark Knight merchandise, the answer depends less on your budget than on your relationship with the character. If you're a beginner and want a sure bet, one that never disappoints, opt for the Ledger incarnation: universally recognized, accessible, it forms the ideal foundation for a clown collection and pairs well with everything else in the display case.

If you're a reader before being a viewer, if sagas matter more than movies, the Killing Joke version or a premium collector's item from the comics is a must: it asserts 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" collection. And if you're aiming for the duo, consider the Leto incarnation plus Harley Quinn as a duo, the most iconic couple staging in Gotham.

One last principle, valid for any figure collection: consistency takes precedence over accumulation. Three Jokers that echo each other — a movie, 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 figure 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 rogue's gallery: Batman's allies figures, like those of his enemies, obey the same selection rules.

Finally, note that a figure can extend a costume, and vice versa. Many collectors who own the piece then seek to embody their preferred version: the guide to the Joker costume by movie 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 figure displayed on your shelf.

The Joker, a mirror we collect

Choosing your Joker figure, 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's no wrong answer — only yours. And perhaps that's the secret of his dominance over any other villain figure: 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 it with a significant saga like The War of Jokes and Riddles, or expand your display case with Harley Quinn figures, inseparable accomplices. Gotham is vast, and your shelf is just getting started.

Frequently asked questions about Joker figures

Which Joker figure should you choose when starting a collection?

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

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

Figures based on comics, especially the one inspired by The Killing Joke, are top-tier. More detailed, often premium editions, they appeal to saga connoisseurs. The version from the Dark Multiverse, the Batman Who Laughs, is also highly sought after by advanced collectors who want a prestige and disruptive piece.

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

Absolutely, and that's precisely the character's appeal. Unlike a hero whose variations resemble each other, each Joker has a distinct visual identity: movie, comic, animated cohabit without redundancy. The trick is to prioritize selection consistency — three versions that echo each other are better than a dozen redundant duplicates — as recommended by our Batman collector guides and tips.

Do you need a Batman figure to accompany your Joker?

It's not mandatory, but the hero-villain confrontation remains the most satisfying staging. An animated Mark Hamill Joker 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 figure collection offers the ideal counterpart, in the style that matches your Joker version.