The Clown Prince of Crime. The Ace of Knaves. The Jester of Genocide. The Harlequin of Hate; all of these names are linked to possibly one of the most famous antagonists that the world of comic books has ever created — the Joker. Created in the Spring of 1940 by Batman co-creator Bill Finger and artist Jerry Robinson, the Joker wasn’t that popular at first.
But since his reintroduction decades later, he has become one of the most complex, intriguing, and fascinating villains in superhero history. Even today, you will find kids on the streets exchanging Joker quotes and gasping in awe at how cool he is.
Over the years, there have been thousands of Joker quotes, both from his native comics and from other media. I’ve decided to compile a neat little list of 31 quotes from the man himself that I simply love. Of course, I won’t be covering all of the Joker’s appearances outside of comics, because there are far too many of those to count.
So, without further ado, here are 31 Joker quotes that will remind you why we all love the man who can’t stop laughing.
Counting Down the Best 31 Joker Quotes
Joker Quotes from Comics
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
#1. “I should sleep. I’ll be fresh tomorrow. Because tomorrow I go free, and then it’s time for my final show.” ― Joker, The Dark Knight Returns
#2. “No, I don’t keep count. But you do. And I love you for it.” — Joker, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
#3. “They could put me in a helicopter and fly me up into the air and line up the bodies head to toe on the ground in delightful geometric patterns like an endless June Taylor dance routine — Even then, Bats, it wouldn’t be enough. It never will be. Not until we finish it. Not until you break or I do. It’s finally come. The moment we’ve both dreamed about.” ― Joker, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Long Halloween
#4. “Quick question: When the clock strikes twelve, do I get a little kiss?” — Joker, Batman: The Long Halloween
#5. “What’s wrong with the World? After all the AGGRAVATION I went through just STEALING this crop-duster…you’d think they’d give me one that would FLY right.” — Joker, Batman: The Long Halloween
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
#6. “April sweet is coming in, let the feast of fools begin!” ― Joker, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
#7. “Parting is such sweet sorrow, dearest. Still, you can’t say we didn’t show you a good time. Enjoy yourself out there… in the asylum. Just don’t forget — if it ever gets too tough… there’s always a place for you here.” ― Joker, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
Batman: The Killing Joke
#8. “See, there were these two guys in a lunatic asylum…and one night, one night they decide they don’t like living in an asylum any more. They decide they’re going to escape! So, like, they get up onto the roof and there, just across this narrow gap, they see the rooftops of the town, stretching away in the moonlight…stretching away to freedom. Now, the first guy, he jumps right across with no problem. But his friend, his friend daren’t make the leap. Y’see…y’see, he’s afraid of falling. So then, the first guy has an idea…He says ‘Hey! I have my flashlight with me! I’ll shine it across the gap between the buildings. You can walk along the beam and join me!’ B-but the second guy just shakes his head. He suh-says… he says ‘What do you think I am? Crazy? You’d turn it off when I was halfway across!” — Joker, Batman: The Killing Joke
Other Batman Titles
#9. “More powerful than a locomotive, and just about as subtle.” ― Joker, Superman/Batman: World’s Finest
#10. “A bit of advice…don’t ever apologize to no one for the way you look” ― Joker, Joker
#11. “One by One, they’ll hear my call. Then this wicked town, will follow my fall.” — Joker, Batman: The Man Who Laughs
#12. “I won’t even waste the usual Joker Venom on you, Brute, but give you something you can understand…lead!” — Joker, Batman #1
#13. “‘You dirty rat! You killed my brother! My sister! My daughter! She’s my sister and my daughter!.’ “— Joker, Batman: Dark Victory
#14. “Aw… Jeez… I hit Jason a lot harder than that. (…) His name was Jason, right?” ― Joker, Joker: Last Laugh
#15. “Both of us trying to find meaning in a meaningless world! Why be a disfigured outcast when I can be a notorious Crime God? Why be an orphaned boy when you can be a superhero?” — Joker, Batman #663
Joker Quotes from the 1960s Batman TV Series
In this series, the Joker was played by Cesar Romero.
#16. “Batman and Boy Wonder? Are your blindfolds in place? Very well, then. Ask yourselves, “What is wrong with this sentence?” “He who laughs last laughs good!”” — Joker, Batman TV series
#17. “Cornelia: It’s a cool pad, Joker.
Joker: Huh, all you’ve seen of this cool pad, Cornelia, is that mirror. Vanity is a waste of time. I never look at myself.
Cornelia: Well I’m younger, Joker, and a girl; and it is a cool pad.
Joker: Well, it will do for the purpose.” — Joker, Batman TV series
#18. “We who laugh and run away, live to laugh another day!” — Joker, Batman TV series
#19. “Joker: Ewww. Well, that’s terrible. Terrible, Wayne. Why, even a 3-year old could do better than that. Here, let me show you. [proceeds to ruin the sculpture] Ah, there, that’s more like it.
Bruce Wayne: Yes. I see what you mean. That’s about the level of a 3-year old.
Joker: I do the jokes around here, Wayne!
Bruce Wayne: I say that was one of your better ones.” — Joker, Batman TV series
#20. “Then, after I’ve gotten rid of Batman and Robin for good, I will rule the waves. Me, the Joker, king of the surf and all the surfers. Then, Gotham City! Later, the world!“— Joker, Batman TV series
Joker Quotes from the Movies
#21. “You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” ― Joker (Jack Nicholson), Batman (1989)
#22. “Wait till they get a load of me.” ― Joker (Jack Nicholson), Batman (1989)
#23. “Do you wanna know how I got these scars? My father was a drinker, and a fiend. And one night, he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn’t like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. He turns to me, and he says, “Why so serious?” He comes at me with the knife. “Why so SERIOUS?!” He sticks the blade in my mouth—”Let’s put a smile on that face!” Aaaand… Why so serious?” — Joker (Heath Ledger), The Dark Knight
#24. “I just want my phone call.” ― Joker (Heath Ledger), The Dark Knight
#25. “‘I believe that whatever doesn’t kill you, simply makes you… stranger.” ― Joker (Heath Ledger), The Dark Knight
#26. “I haven’t been happy one minute of my entire fucking life.” ― Joker (Joaquin Phoenix), Joker (2019)
#27. “Is it just me….. or is it getting crazier out there?” ― Joker (Joaquin Phoenix), Joker (2019)
#28. “Joker: I know. How ’bout another joke, Mur-ray?
Murray Franklin: No, I think we’ve had enough of your jokes.
Joker: What do you get…
Murray Franklin: I don’t think so.
Joker: …When you cross…
Murray Franklin: I think we’re done with your jokes, that’s it.
Joker: …A mentally-ill loner with a SOCIETY that ABANDONS HIM AND TREATS HIM LIKE TRASH?!
Murray Franklin: Call the police, Gene!
Joker: I’ll tell you what you get!
Murray Franklin: Call the police!
Joker: YOU GET WHAT YOU FUCKING DESERVE!!!” — Joker (Joaquin Phoenix), Joker (2019)
Joker Quotes from Batman: The Animated Series
In this series, as well as other DCAU shows, the Joker was played by Mark Hamill.
#29. “Without Batman, crime has no punchline..” ― Joker, BTAS
#30. “I’m Crazy Enough To Take On Batman, But The IRS? No, Thank You!” — Joker, BTAS
#31. “That’s Not Funny…” — Joker, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Final Thoughts
And those were some of my favorite Joker quotes of all time. Of course, if you want to expand your knowledge and learn more about Batman’s archnemesis, I suggest picking up the amazing DC Comics: The Joker: Quotes from the Clown Prince of Crime.
