Joker, a generic villain?

[Akasuna]

I've recently witnessed multiple people titling the 'Batman' series' infamous Joker character as a 'generic villain', without specifying which comics they're referring to. This post is more of a cautious first questioning than anything, however I may go more in depth in the confines of this thread. How do you feel Joker stands as a villain in terms of goals, originality, and character development (within certain comics)?

 

[Punk Hazard]

Joker is THE villain.

 

[Limbo]

Because he does not have a goal, he simply enjoys what he's doing unlike other villians who want to rule, want peace e.tc

 

[xSasuke]

generic my ass. Joker is the OG. He doesnt want anything but CHAOS. most villans want money power respect. He wants to watch the world burn while he burns with it

 

[-Punk-]

No , he is my favorite villain in fiction & one of the best Imo .

 

[Punk Hazard]

Because he does not have a goal, he simply enjoys what he's doing unlike other villians who want to rule, want peace e.tc

Joker does have a goal. Chaos. The Joker's mind does not work, it's not a set thing. Think of it like a clock, but every day, the gears switch place in a new order and don't quite clog together completely.

The Joker just wants the world to reflect his toxic mind.

 

[wanderingcactus]

He isnt the villian. He is INSANITY itself

 

[chopstickchakra]

Joker is THE villain.

This. Joker is the archetype villain. The types of villains those people call generic villains were inspired by Joker's blatant disregard and wanton destruction. These new wave fans(young kids whatever you want to call them) don't realize Joker's impact or legacy and think that when they discovered him is his starting point so they compare him to villains they've seen in other things who are modeled after the Joker and then try to claim he's the same generic villain they are.

The Joker is one of the only true villains with no real motive given, hell we don't even know the guys real name. These modern takes on villains being a sympathetic misunderstood character doesn't impress me as far as villains go. Making them relateabe or misguided implies they're more anti heroes than villains. Villains should want to cause destruction or take over something not try to make the world a better place through methods the main characters disagree with.

Everyone saying the joker wants chaos that is true to some extent but in the new 52 Snyder lays claim that the Joker is doing everything he does simply to keep Batman at his best. That's what makes him the best villain and not a generic one imo, I can't think of any other villain who views his own existence as solely there for his rival the hero.

 

[Tomato God]

The joker isn't generic. Most villians have a sad story and a reason to be in the dark. He is just bat shit crazy and prefers to watch the world burn.

 

[Zen Uchiha]

Joker is the best

 

[kmrasengan]

Actually, imo Joker wants 2 things, watch the world burn while having fun doing it, and try to brake the Bat, not physically like Bane, but his morals, he wants Batsy to finally give in and kill. That's my take on it, and Joker is the best villain, he set the bar.

 

[NukaCola]

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[Seventh Sama]

They probably think he's "generic" because he's a pure evil villain. Personally, I prefer joker kind of villains instead of the wussie "villains" who have some cliche sob story.

 

[ThanosInfinity]

I dislike Joker that being said I think he is a terribly written character all of a sudden you go crazy and become a criminal mastermind hell hell I dislike batman because he did the same thing when did he become the worlds greatest detective there is no logic in this. There are other crazy villains but they have motives. It's Blow up the world or rule the world (sometimes save the world but at the cost of millions or such and such.) but the joker has like a boner for batman he lives for him they are supposedly opposites but Batman beats the crap out of criminals and Joker beats the crap out of heroes. The one thing that really bugs me about Joker is even if he is dead he still 'won' because of the plot.

 

[SonictheHedgehog]

Joker really can't be that generic because he's such an old character. Lol That's like saying if a bunch of anime rip off Naruto tomorrow Naruto is generic as well.

 

[chopstickchakra]

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Every sucessful character has plot armor, just look at Naruto, plot armor has let him survive past the Pain arc.

I dislike Joker that being said I think he is a terribly written character all of a sudden you go crazy and become a criminal mastermind hell hell I dislike batman because he did the same thing when did he become the worlds greatest detective there is no logic in this. There are other crazy villains but they have motives. It's Blow up the world or rule the world (sometimes save the world but at the cost of millions or such and such.) but the joker has like a boner for batman he lives for him they are supposedly opposites but Batman beats the crap out of criminals and Joker beats the crap out of heroes. The one thing that really bugs me about Joker is even if he is dead he still 'won' because of the plot.

You're entitled to your opinion but your views are not completely accurate. Bruce didn't just "become" the greatest detective, he had 20 some years and unlimited resources to train himself with as well as an apparent natural ability.

"they are supposedly opposites but Batman beats the crap out of criminals and Joker beats the crap out of heroes" What's the supposedly that's literally the opposite, I'm not sure what it is you think you're are getting at with this statement.

Again, Joker didn't "just go crazy and become a criminal mastermind" he was turned into the Joker. Here's a crazy thought, if you know the whole story of how the Joker came to be with the Red Hood etc., Joker was forced by some thugs to commit a crime he was then stopped by Batman resulting in his Ace chemical incident. Joker has said before he wants Batman to be the best Batman he can be, did it ever occur to anybody that Joker is trying to use Batman to get revenge on the criminal world that helped create him?

We obviously disagree but I wouldn't call a villain who believes his own purpose is to improve the hero he fights generic, in fact it's pretty original seeing as their aren't many other villains with this philosophy.

 

[Bronze]

Because he doesn't have a real, realistic goal. All he wants is destruction, which kinda makes him boring for me.​

 

[NukaCola]

Every sucessful character has plot armor, just look at Naruto, plot armor has let him survive past the Pain arc.

The joker's plot armor is like 75 years old

 

[chopstickchakra]

The joker's plot armor is like 75 years old

Your point being? All I get from that statement is that Joker is more popular than Naruto and so popular he can last 75 years and still entertain new generations.

 

[NukaCola]

Your point being? All I get from that statement is that Joker is more popular than Naruto and so popular he can last 75 years and still entertain new generations.

Not every author likes to ***** around their characters.