One of the most recognizable and beloved villains in the history of entertainment, the Joker has dominated the criminal underworld of DC Comics since he first appeared during the industry's Golden Age. Whether he's portrayed cartoonishly, as a maniacal mastermind of malice and mischief, or as a disturbingly plausible psychological terrorist, his appearances in "Batman" stories are consistently memorable.

What makes him so distinct is his peculiar way of carrying out his creatively heinous crimes, always with a flair for the dramatic, a smile, and a grim joke. We've gone through his history in comics, film, and television to find the most horrible things various versions of the clown prince have ever done. While we'll be avoiding some severe tonal outliers, our top 15 choices showcase the Joker at his absolute best - which is to say, his very, very worst.

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