Every superhero has a villain and Batman is no different. His villain is The Joker, a character recently revised by Heath Ledger in the latest Nolan film "The Dark Knight". It is thanks in part to this film and in greater part to the original creators of the character that there has been a major boost in the popularity and sales of the Joker costume for this Halloween.

In fact, as I write this, the Joker costume is the number one selling costume for the season. It is also projected to stay number one for Halloween this year. So don't be surprised if you look out and see a bunch of little (and big) Jokers running around your streets this Halloween.

The character was based on the look and appearance of Conrad Veidt, the actor in "The Man Who Laughs". From the very beginning, the Joker was depicted as a psychopath who was capable of matching wits with Batman, killing at random and frequently appearing to be dead after Batman foiled his crime, only to come back later to taunt the Dark Knight once more. He was actually slated to die by his second appearance, but his character received enough interest for the artists to draw in a last minute panel showing that the Joker was still alive, and he continued to make appearances throughout the comic.

In the 50's and 60's, the Comics Code Authority was founded, an organization much like the MPAA for censoring comics. As a result of the wave of pressure to follow the CCA, the Joker was turned into a harmless, campy villain that never posed a serious threat to Batman. The same campy Joker appeared on the television adaptation of the Batman, and spurred a spree of similar Joker costumes. By 1964, the Joker all but disappeared from the comics and costume shops.

It wasn't until 1974 that the Joker was brought back in the story arc "The Joker's Five Way Revenge". Then he was depicted by Jack Nicholson in the 1989 “Batman” movie, as a less dark, but still dangerous killer. In both the movie and the 1992 animated series, the Joker was given a much larger depth to his psychosis.

In the 70s, the joker was given his own nine issue mini-series. It would not be until the 1988 Alan Moore story "The Killing Joke", that the origin story of the Joker would be told. The basic story is of an unnamed engineer, laid off and desperate to support his pregnant wife. In order to get some cash, he agreed to act as the villain Red Hood. When nearly caught by Batman, he escaped by jumping into a vat of chemicals. He got away, but he was severely disfigured and was driven to insanity.

Despite his clever nature, the Joker was always defeated by Batman. One of the major themes with the Joker is Batman's tough decisions not to kill him and rather process him within the justice system. Their eternal duel in the movies, animated series, and comic series over the years has spurred a wide variety of Joker Halloween costumes. Along with the Joker costume you can also find a Harley Quinn costume (his villainous side kick), a Classic Batman costume, the new Dark Knight costume, and costumes from many of the other villains depicted in the movies and animated series.

The visual styling of the Joker has undergone many revisions and changes. What is constant is the dark green hair, red lips, white face and purple suit. Starting life with a whimsical look, the look evolved into a darker feel until the live action television series. There, the campy look was brought back. But after the darker version was reincarnated, the look became more sleek and dark. The most recent one represents the darkest interpretation yet.

The latest incarnation of the Clown Prince of Crime is portrayed by Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight". This Joker is based in great part upon the mental characteristics of the Joker in "The Killing Joke", although with more human physical characteristics. This latest visual creation of the Joker will be best depicted in a Joker costume by combining wardrobes similar to the film version with special effects latex scar tissue for the facial deformation.

There are a variety of looks that the Joker has possessed in his varied life time throughout the comic series. Each of these is available for emulation through a Joker costume. The Joker will see a good boost in popularity as the latest Nolan film put the Batman/Joker conflict back into the spotlight. The differing interpretations of the Joker, from a campy trickster to grim and dark psychopath, will allow for more kid friendly costumes, to ones that will appeal to older individuals. Whichever route is taken, the Joker costume will be one of the most popular of the year. If you don't want to miss out, you'd better grab yours quick.