Joker's Best Costume Uses a Psychological Trick to Make Him Scarier
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman/Catwoman #11!
As a villain obsessed with panache and flair, the Joker has no shortage of impressive and iconic costumes. From iconic designs in purple and green to various disguises, the Joker’s wardrobe is filled with outfits that can play up both humor and horror as the story demands. The Joker’s best costume, however, uses a simple psychological trick to make the Joker seem even more frightening than he is naturally.
The Joker's costume in The Killing Joke and other comics from the 1980s remains one of his most famous. Comprised of a long coat and wide-brimmed hat, the look isn’t intrinsically scary at first. But the way the costume manipulates light and shadow makes Joker look otherworldly. By hiding his eyes, the costume makes Joker’s wicked grin the focal point of his face. With Joker’s mouth being a devilish red smile on a white canvas, this dehumanizes him and accentuates the predatory role the Joker serves in the comics.
Related: Batman White Knight Makes Joker The New Better Oracle
In Batman/Catwoman #11 by Tom King, Clay Mann, and Tomeu Morey, Phantasm (Andrea Beaumont) tells Batman and Catwoman how she was close to murdering Joker and fulfilling her quest of vengeance. After tracking Joker to a safe house, Andrea confronted him with every intention of killing him, and finally avenging her father. Joker, however, was waiting for Phantasm, and had an infant hostage. Forcing Andrea to choose between saving an innocent life and finishing her quest, Joker manages to escape, throwing Phantasm off his trail for good as she realizes she needs to care for the infant. Joker’s costume during Andrea’s recollection is remarkably similar to his Killing Joke costume.
As the costume hides
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