10 Times The Joker Basically Defeated Himself

10. He Stabs Himself - Batman #1 (1940)

In Batman #1 in 1940, Batman came face-to-face with the Joker for the first time. After being defeated by the cowled detective in their first encounter, the killer clown breaks out of jail and plots his next wicked scheme.

After slaying several prominent figures in the city, Batman and Commissioner Gordon agree to lure the Joker out to capture him. After Gordon encourages the press to print a series of articles on a highly desired gem called the Fire Ruby, the Joker attempts to steal it. When Batman and Robin locate the cackling criminal, they engage in a battle, which concludes with the Joker attempting to plunge a dagger into the superhero's heart.

As Batman dodges the blade, the purple-clothed gangster stabs himself in the chest, seemingly killing himself. In the last panel, a couple of police officers investigate the Joker's body, only to learn he is still alive. Interestingly, the iconic supervillain was meant to die at the end of this issue, but the writers decided to make him a recurring enemy of Batman instead.

This issue proves the Clown Prince of Crime has been defeating himself ever since the beginning.