Suicide Squad

chemical reaction to Jared Leto ’s take on the Joker in 2016’sSuicide Squadwere emphatically mixed , but what do the fictitious character ’s various tattoos really signify ? The Joker is arguably the most famous villain in comic book chronicle and following his initiation in 1940 , he ’s morphed from funny prankster to one of Batman ’s most lethal foeman . Where Batman wants to land decree and justice to Gotham City , the Jokerthrives on pandemonium and devastation .

The Joker has been memorably brought to lifetime in a routine of mediums . Jack Nicholson ’s Joker in Tim Burton’sBatmanis one of the most iconic , but Mark Hamill ’s portrayal inBatman : The Animated Seriesto video game likeBatman : Arkham   Knightis also considered definitive . While lover were sceptical when Heath Ledger was cast in the role forThe Dark Knight , the actor would soon prove them amiss with his spellbind depicting . Ledger tragically spend away before the movie ’s release and would take in a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his work .

Related : Joker hypothesis : Joaquin Phoenix ’s Joker Creates Batman

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Fans are excited to see what Joaquin Phoenix does with the   character in the standaloneJokermovie , which predict to be a dark , ground take on the baddie . Responses to Jared Leto ’s rendering in David Ayer’sSuicide Squadwas famously divided . From stories of his outlandish behavior during filming to his loud look , it ’s fair to say Leto ’s performance tear opinions . That said , he definitely brought a Modern Energy Department and look to the part , especially in compliments to the many Joker tattoos .

Ayer would state the Joker tattoos all tell a story and contain a number of easter eggs . Even the eccentric ’s contentious grille has a backstory , with Ben Affleck ’s Batman having smashed the Joker ’s tooth after he remove Robin . Ayer and Leto drew inspiration from substantial - biography drug Godhead for the character ’s look and fascination with tattoo , so here ’s the import behind some of the Joker ’s most prominent ink .

" damage "

Joker shirtless carrying a baseball bat in a Suicide Squad deleted scene

Probably the most controversial tattoo for lover , the " Damaged " stamp on the Joker ’s brow is intended to be a personal message to Batman , fault him for break his safe looks after knowing out his teeth . Ayer would later admit this particular Thematic Apperception Test wasprobably a mistake .

HAHAHAHA

The HAHAHA ’s found on Joker ’s chest and left arm is a stylemark of the fictitious character to signal he ’s always laughing about something . He also spraypainted Robin ’s suit in the same way after his murder to tantalize Batman .

jared leto joker tattoos

The J Initial

Prior to the release ofSuicide Squad , a popular sports fan hypothesis stated Leto ’s Joker was actually Jason Todd , and the " J " tat on his impertinence was a nod to this . This has subsequently been proven faux , however , and is probable just a vanity reference to his own name .

The Stabbed Bat Logo

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Found on Joker ’s left arm is a Batman logotype stabbed by a knife . This could either be a source to Joker ’s desire to vote out the Caped Crusader or another nod to the death of Robin .

stagnant Robin

A tattoo of a robin pierced with an arrow is set up on the Joker ’s veracious bicep , which is a pretty candid taunt to Batman   over kill Robin in the past .

Suicide Squad

The Smiles

Leto ’s Joker has three tattoos of toothy smiling ; one on his proper forearm , his left mitt , and his abdomen . He uses the left - deal grin to hide his own smile during one scene , suggesting the tattoos are to hide his own insecurity over Batman smashing out his literal teeth .

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JOKER

A pretty self - explanatory one , with this body tattoo literally branding the character as the Joker . The scoundrel possibly got this one to shed whoever he was in his former life .

" God ’s Only Child "

This tattoo is found on Leto ’s back and is either a not so subtle character reference to the Joker get word himself as special or a jab at the idea of faith .

" All In "

One of the most distinctive Joker tattoos is of a deck of cards on his neck labeled " All In . " Cards are patently a vainglorious part of the Joker ’s history and " All In " is plausibly a reference work to how the scoundrel lives his living . He also has a tattoo of wit suits on his knucks .

Jester

The Jester tattoo on Joker ’s pectus inSuicide Squadcould be a reference to his kinship withHarley Quinn . The fact the Jester is a skull suggests a darker meaning , however .

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