| | [[File:TheManWhoLaughs.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The inspiration for the Joker: Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine in ''The Man Who Laughs'' (1928, Universal)]] | | [[File:TheManWhoLaughs.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The inspiration for the Joker: Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine in ''The Man Who Laughs'' (1928, Universal)]] |
| | + | [[File:Joker-batman01.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The first appearance of the Joker, from ''Batman'' Issue #1, published Spring, 1940 by National Periodical Publications (now DC Comics)]] |
| | Kane, Finger, and Robinson are credited with the creation of the Joker, but what exactly transpired is a bit of a mystery. Robinson, according to some sources, produced a playing card bearing the image of a joker and suggested that it was DC's next villain. Kane, the creator of Batman, insisted that it was himself who had done so, basing his interpretation on a character named Gwynplaine from a 1928 silent film titled ''The Man Who Laughs''<ref>http://laughingsquid.com/the-original-inspiration-for-batmans-joker-german-actor-conrad-veidt/</ref>. The image of an unearthly, knife-carved grin - as portrayed by German actor Conrad Veidt - stuck with Kane, and were reflected in the panels of the Joker drawn for ''Batman'' #1<ref>http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/comic-books/joker.htm</ref>. | | Kane, Finger, and Robinson are credited with the creation of the Joker, but what exactly transpired is a bit of a mystery. Robinson, according to some sources, produced a playing card bearing the image of a joker and suggested that it was DC's next villain. Kane, the creator of Batman, insisted that it was himself who had done so, basing his interpretation on a character named Gwynplaine from a 1928 silent film titled ''The Man Who Laughs''<ref>http://laughingsquid.com/the-original-inspiration-for-batmans-joker-german-actor-conrad-veidt/</ref>. The image of an unearthly, knife-carved grin - as portrayed by German actor Conrad Veidt - stuck with Kane, and were reflected in the panels of the Joker drawn for ''Batman'' #1<ref>http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/comic-books/joker.htm</ref>. |