Did You Know the Joker Nearly Died in His First Appearance?

The Joker is now one of the most iconic fictional characters ever created. This comic book supervillain embodies insanity and psychopathy. Many fans and critics praise how his character has evolved over the decades, noting the care taken to craft him into the ultimate archvillain.

In the comics, even formidable characters like Darkseid fear the Joker, but it’s his long-standing rivalry with Batman that captivates fans the most. Additionally, the Joker’s true origins remain a mystery, adding to his character’s allure.

Though the Joker made his debut in 1940, did you know that he was almost killed off in his first appearance? Yes, it’s true! As you will see from several sources (1, 2, 3), he was saved at the last minute, and that decision has become a significant moment in comic book history.

Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson are credited today as the creators of the Joker character, but the true story of his origins is a bit less straightforward. While that history is fascinating in its own right and might be saved for another time, our focus here is on his debut.

The Joker made his first appearance in Batman #1 in 1940, marking him as the first true villain in Batman’s lore. Prior comics featured Batman battling various realistic criminals, but the Joker introduced a completely different type of adversary.

In that sense, he became the first official member of Batman’s iconic Rogues Gallery. He appeared in both stories within the issue, showcasing a new kind of villain to readers.

At the time, he wasn’t seen as Batman’s archenemy, and their relationship evolved over the years. However, this 1940 comic marks the beginning of it all, establishing its significant historical relevance. Interestingly, while this was the Joker’s first appearance, it was also almost his last.

Originally, Bill Finger intended for the Joker to meet his demise, with a scene depicting him being stabbed in the heart. This was meant to be his final act. Finger believed that having recurring villains would portray Batman as ineffective, a notion that made sense at the time but seems rather outdated now. However, this fate changed due to one visionary decision.

That decision came from Whitney Ellsworth, the editor of the Batman comic book series at the time. Recognizing the character’s potential, he insisted that the Joker must be kept alive. The writers, likely with some reluctance, added a last-minute panel to the comic, showing that the Joker had survived. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Joker would go on to become one of the greatest comic book villains of all time, and we owe a debt of gratitude to Ellsworth for his foresight in making it happen!

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