The Joker

My Joker is a twisted, ex-Circus freak whose childhood was a non-stop rollercoaster ride of physical and emotional abuse. His face was mutilated by a demented knife-thrower who considered himself a sculptor of flesh, then the ringleader turned him into a sideshow attraction. (You may note similarities to the protagonist in the 1928 film, "The Man Who Laughs," on which the Joker's signature look was based. They are completely intentional.)

Few people can confront the harsh truth that we live in a mindless and merciless universe that cares not whether we live or die. The Joker faces that truth every time he looks in a mirror. The only sane response is to embrace the cruel chaos and derive whatever bizarre joy he can find.

Thus, we have the beginnings of the crown prince of crime. My Joker is pale, due to lack of exposure to the sun, but not bleached. He's never fallen into a vat of chemicals or been sprayed with acid. He is a master of the circus arts: sleight of hand, acrobatics, con artistry, savagely beating people who make trouble, and so forth. He wears a straightjacket, not a purple suit, and likes to hide weapons up his long, loose sleeves.

The Night Shift may encounter him as the Cheshire Cat or as an inmate at Arkham Asylum. He has a large role to play in the last mission (Hell), but cameo appearances in earlier episodes will set the stage for that final confrontation.

The Joker - Demented circus freak.
Acrobat-Fu (5) Fast Hands (5) Psychotically Clever (5)