The Joker has no definite origin story. Although this might be unfortunate for new readers, it is an essential part of the character's mythos and appeal across generations. However, there are some stories that have (re-)defined the Joker. This page provides a couple of those readings.
The Man Who Laughts - Ed Brubaker
An absolute Joker must-read is The Man Who Laughs. It was meant as a direct follow up to Batman: Year One and shows Batman's first confrontation with the Joker.
The Killing Joke - Alan Moore
The Man Who Laughs might show Batman's first encounter with the Joker, but it does not offer an origin story. While there are no definite claims to Joker's origin, the one portrayed in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke has widely become accepted as Joker's origin. In addition, this graphic novel shows how the Joker paralyzes Barbara Gordon (who would become Oracle therafter) and tortures Commissioner Gordon. Perhaps the greatest Joker story ever told.
Arkham Asylum: Serious House on a Serious Earth - Grant Morrison & Dave McKean
Another classic often mentioned by fans of the Joker is Arkham Asylum: Serious House on a Serious Earth, written by the legendary Grant Morrison. Here, an alternative view on the cause for Joker's behavior is given by an Arkham doctor. The graphic novel portrays a very feminine Joker with some homosexual tendencies. The scariest depiction of the Joker according to some.
Joker - Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo
For a more recent take on the Joker, check out Brian Azzarello's Joker. This one-shot came out around the same time as Nolan's The Dark Knight and the similarities between this Joker and the one played by Heath Ledger are striking. A very mundane take on the Joker, showing no supervillainy at all and seen through the eyes of a Joker henchman.
Death of the Family - Scott Snyder
If you are more interested in current affairs and the New 52 Joker, then make sure you pick up the Death of the Family storyarc. A Joker like we have never seen him before and adored by some, while loathed by others.
Slayride - Paul Dini
Detective Comics #826 - Slayride - Despite Joker doing all of these horrible, horrible things you can't help but laugh with him.
Mad Love - Paul Dini & Bruce Timm
And of course you can enjoy the orgins of Harley Quinn, the psychiatrist who falls in love with one of her patients, the Clown of Crime (aka the Joker) in Mad Love.
The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told - Various
To go further with this unpredictable sadistic clown one can read The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told which reprints his best stories from the Golden, Silver and Bronze ages.
- "Batman versus the Joker" reprinted from Batman #1 - Bill Finger & Bob Kane
- "The Case of the Joker's Crime Circus!" reprinted from Batman #4 - Bill Finger & Bob Kane
- "The Joker and the Sparrow" reprinted from the Batman daily newspaper comic strip (1948) - ???
- "The Man behind the Red Hood!" reprinted from Detective Comics #168 - Bill Finger & Lew Schwartz
- "The Joker's Crime Costumes!" reprinted from Batman #63 - Bill Finger, & Dick Sprang
- "The Joker's Utility Belt!" reprinted from Batman #73 - David Reed & Dick Sprang
- "The Crimes of Batman!" reprinted from World's Finest Comics #61 - David Reed & Lew Schwartz
- "The Crazy Crime Clown!" reprinted from Batman #74 - Alvin Schwartz & Dick Sprang
- "Superman's and Batman's Greatest Foes!" reprinted from World's Finest Comics #88 - Edmond Hamilton & Dick Sprang
- "Crime-of-the-Month Club!" reprinted from Batman #110 - Dave Wood & Dick Sprang
- "The Great Clayface-Joker Feud" reprinted from Batman #159 - Bill Finger & Shelley Moldoff
- "The Joker Jury!" reprinted from Batman #163 - Bill Finger & Shelley Moldoff
- "The Joker's Happy Victims!" reprinted from Batman Kellogg's Special (1966) - ???
- "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge!" reprinted from Batman #251 - Dennis O'Neil & Neal Adams
- "Death has the Last Laugh" reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #111 - Bob Haney & Jim Aparo
- "The Last Ha Ha" reprinted from Joker #3 - Dennis O'Neil & Ernie Chan
- "The Laughing Fish!" reprinted from Detective Comics #475 - Steve Anglehart & Marshall Rogers
- "The Sign of the Joker!" reprinted from Detective Comics #476 - Steve Anglehart & Marshall Rogers
- "Dreadful Birthday, Dear Joker...!" reprinted from Batman #321 - Len Wein & Walter Simonson
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