JOKER WEEK: Another of the all-time greats…
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Welcome to JOKER WEEK! One of the greatest characters in comics history debuted 85 years ago, in Batman #1, on April 24, 1940 — and we’re celebrating with a series of features saluting the Clown Prince of Crime, just like we did with CATWOMAN WEEK. For the complete index of JOKER WEEK features, click here.
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Virtually every comics artist worth their graphite has drawn the Joker at one point or another, and we’ve highlighted the best of them in many ways over the years. We’ve done the TOP 13 JOKER COVERS — RANKED and the TOP 13 JOKER COSTUMES — RANKED, for just two examples.
So like last week’s CATWOMAN WEEK, I wanted to do something slightly different for this latest JOKER WEEK— highlight a handful of his essential artists, and show off 13 of their illustrations.
On Sunday, we did Marshall Rogers. This time around, it’s Jim Aparo, one of comics’ most popular artists and a Joker favorite.
Dig this:
The Brave and the Bold #118, 1975
The Brave and the Bold #111, 1973
1976
The Brave and the Bold #129, 1976
1973
2002
1977
The Brave and the Bold #118
1982
The Brave and the Bold #141, 1978
1975
Detective Comics #484, 1979
1977
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MORE
— The Complete JOKER WEEK Index of Features. Click here.
— THE JOKER’s Essential Artists: MARSHALL ROGERS: Click here.
April 23, 2025
Jim Aparo was one of the very few artists able to give Joker more facial expressions than his characteristic grin. He kept the facial structure, long chin and everything, into a believable range to show multiple emotions.
A true master!
April 23, 2025
I couldn’t say it any better!
April 23, 2025
Jim Aparo was truly one of the best artists that DC Comics ever had. Don’t think he ever got the recognition of that when he was alive. He is in my top three list of comic artists.
April 23, 2025
His Joker in Death in The Family is what got me into comics in the first place. Aparo makes the Joker look outlandish UNTIL he wields that crowbar- and suddenly Aparo makes him into the most terrifying thing in comics. Ever (to a 10 year old at that time)
April 23, 2025
B&B #118 was the first of that title that I bought. Great pick for this post Dan, first story that came to mind when you introduced Joker week. Nobody gives the Joker a more maniacal look than Aparo.
April 25, 2025
Essential artist, of everything, Jim Aparo.