THE ASHEN white face, green hair and a permanent wide grin has always left us mesmerised with tricks that cannot be measured to any ordinary man. His trait - an expertise with cards - turning fortune to his favour. A decisive look that can fool anyone for innocence. A shrill icy voice ending with a trail of laughter, always leaves a shiver behind. A confused character with tales full of lies deceived in such a manner that every detail of it seems real and true.

Introducing a Joker can never be limited! A character popularised by DC Comics has a long history with various twisted tale to its origin. Created by Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger and Bob Kane in the year 1940 for the movie Batman # 1 has now become a legendary image.

Joker or jester (as they were more commonly called then) was a popular character in the king's palace, even in the earlier days. Usually dressed in bright colours and a hat with three points and a jingle bells at the end, were made to perform comical acts by fooling around with an attempt to erupt a laughter from the crowd.

Joker has most of the time been associated with the character of a fool. But this only gives a duplicate image to his real self. His true character is hidden behind the fixed grin. Interestingly, the character of a joker is not ordinary whether it be the real or reel life.

In reel life, he is Jack, a chemical engineer by profession, who lands up in a fit of trouble, when he decides to help two crooks to rob the company he was working for. The crooks kill his pregnant wife thus, leaving no path of escape for him. During the attempted robbery they are intercepted by Batman. The two crooks get killed while Jack in order to escape from the clutches of Batman, jumps to a reservoir of chemical waste which transforms his looks entirely. The whole disturbing event of the day leaves Jack sadden turning him insane while giving birth to a dangerous character – the Joker with bleached white skin, bright green hair and cherry red lips with a grin.

Hollywood has uplifted the character of the Joker with due time. Actors have come a long way in depicting this one-of-the-well appreciated characters of all times though, Joker being a negative character. His display of wit and skill of torturing his victims are unique. He uses weapons like razor, sharp cards, exploding cigars, harpoon guns with a BANG! flag, etc giving a cynical malicious nature. Joker can never be trusted as he doesn't shy in displaying his hatred to anyone. In one incidence he tells the children on camera, "Don't try this at home, kids!".

The character of Joker is here to stay. Quick with his wit and charm he can sweet talk his way though. In many events Batman has had several chances to kill him, but eventually gives way. In one occasion when the Batman was about to kill him he tells Batman that he (Joker) is "a killer like yourself!".

Above all, the character of Joker has enthralled us from time immemorial whether it be the character played by Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger. The Joker is truly the 'Clown Prince of Crime'. Never in the history of films has a negative character got so much applaud.