The Joker has unveiled a classy new costume, one that perfectly embodies his moniker as the ‘Clown Prince of Crime.’ This addition to the clown’s wardrobe isn’t just suave; it is a welcomed return to one of the Joker’s most beloved and dearly missed character designs, something fans have longed for, particularly after enduring what some consider a series of questionable Joker iterations over the years.
Batman #139 – by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, and Tomeu Morey – introduces the Joker’s new look: a pristine, classy white suit, seamlessly integrated into the clown prince’s storied wardrobe.
This suit is poised to claim its place among the Joker’s most outstanding ensembles, marking a pivotal moment in the ever-evolving tale of his stylistic evolution. Jorge Jimenez’s unparalleled artistry elevates this wardrobe update to iconic status, teasing a promising new chapter in the Joker’s infamous fashion journey.
The Joker Proves He’s Classy With A Slick New Wardrobe
Artist Jorge Jimenez, a maestro in the realm of artistic innovation, once again demonstrates his prowess in character design. Here, he presents a fresh and refined look for Joker, introducing a suave white suit infused with the clown’s signature quirks. The suit’s distinguished details include coattails adorned with a tasteful purple trim and accented by elegantly contrasting purple buttons. Seamlessly merging the suit with the unmistakable essence of the Joker, Jimenez pairs it with a vibrant purple dress shirt and an exuberant green bow tie. With these meticulously curated elements, Jimenez skillfully retains the quintessence of the Joker while infusing a new sophistication into the iconic villain’s appearance.
In a remarkable parallel, Jimenez’s interpretation of the Joker in a white suit resonates with Clay Mann’s iconic character design from Batman/Catwoman #12, where the Joker similarly adorns a suave white suit paired with a vibrant purple dress shirt. Both artists adeptly capture the essence of the Joker in a state of unmatched elegance, showcasing the character’s innate ability to carry off the white suit look with sheer panache. Their collective artwork exemplifies the Joker’s flair for sophistication and also serves as a compelling testament to the character’s versatile fashion portrayal. Undoubtedly, this unique character aesthetic is one that warrants further exploration by artists in future comic renditions.
The Joker’s New Design Puts The Emphasis On “Prince”
Jimenez’s refined and polished character design for the Joker arrives as a much-needed breath of fresh air, capturing an aesthetic befitting the villain known as the ‘Clown Prince of Crime.’ This portrayal stands in stark contrast to a series of previous Joker iterations that veered into rather questionable character designs, notably seen in iterations such as Jared Leto’s Joker and the prominently featured Joker in The New 52. The New 52’s depiction showcased a Joker who appeared unwashed and vile, having gruesomely removed his own face, embodying a semblance more akin to a ‘Clown Garbage Sewer Rat Man’ than the iconic ‘Clown Prince of Crime.’
In Jimenez’s portrayal, the Joker departs from the unsettling and less refined character designs seen in these previous iterations. His adaptation represents a return to the sophisticated aesthetic that befits a character referred to as the ‘Clown Prince of Crime.’ While the Joker’s portrayal in The New 52 appeared more grotesque and unsettling, Jimenez’s depiction reintroduces a regal elegance, resonating with the classic essence of the Joker’s title. The deliberate shift in design ensures that the ‘Prince’ aspect of the Joker’s moniker shines through, signifying a commendable departure from the recent questionable character designs that failed to encapsulate the iconic nature of the Joker.
Batman #139 is available now from DC Comics!
