Joker tattoos have been extremely popular for a long time and for a variety of reasons. Not only are there a bunch of different types of Joker tattoos, there are also meanings that work for a lot of people.
On this page, we will take a look at some of the reasons why Joker tattoos are so popular and you can decide for yourself if you should get one of these designs.
The Joker, or Jester, in a deck of playing cards, is unique as it does not belong to any particular suit (spades, diamonds, hearts, clubs) like the other cards do. The tattoo version brings with it many meanings, but many people will get them because they also feel that they don’t belong to any one group, and that could be a good or a bad thing depending on the person.
If you feel that you are different in any way and are looking for a tattoo to show your pride in that, then definitely consider getting a Joker tattoo.
The Joker often represents a wild card in card games, allowing it to be manipulated by the player. Also known as the X-factor, the joker can completely change a hand for a person and is hard to plan for by the opposition.
This is an excellent tattoo meaning for people who feel that they do bring something different and special to everything they do in their lives. You can get the full playing card with the Joker symbol, or you might opt to go for just the Joker face.
A Joker playing card tattoo captures the image of the card itself while a “Joker” tattoo may incorporate the playing card as well as the Batman villain. DC Comics’s Batman has made the Joker character more sought-after as the villain’s malice has graduated with the series’ growing popularity. Even though the Joker tattoo has risen rapidly in popularity, it’s still quite easy to get a unique version of it since there is so much content to choose from and you can tweak the look any way you want to.
Because of the various Batman films that have been made, there are several versions of the Joker that can be chosen from. And this is actually important since each Joker is a bit different than the others. It also means that you are opting not only for the personality of the Joker you choose but also for the look. Most people who do get the Joker tattoos based on the films will not only love the character but also the actor who plays him.
The original villain that appears in the comic books includes his signature neon green hair, white skin, pronounced nose and chin, along with his toothy, red-lipped grin. He wears a purple suit with a green shirt beneath it and is portrayed very similarly in the first two films that were created, with the addition of a purple velvet fedora in the 1989 version. Some people will get just Joker’s face in their tattoos, while others will take it a step further and get his entire body.
The Joker is a representation of insanity and chaos, a criminal terribly scarred by a vat of acid and determined to bring torment to the rest of the world. It’s important to know that since the Joker is such an iconic character, it doesn’t necessarily mean that people who have tattoos will agree with the Joker’s actions. Of course, some people who get one of these tattoos absolutely do want to tell the world that they love chaos in one way or another.
The Joker is the trickster figure, essential to the progression of the story. People who are thought of by their friends and families as the jokester might be a perfect fit for a Joker tattoo. It’s also great for magicians or anyone who loves to perform tricks on people.
The more recent Batman films have provided a new image of The Joker, one that appears more menacing than the clownish playing card portrayal. The more modern Joker from the 2008 film still features white skin, green hair and red lips; however, his garish smile is the result of a long scar that runs from cheek to cheek. This detail absolutely stands out in that film, and it’s often the detail that stands out the most in modern Joker tattoos.
Additionally, the makeup on the newest Jokers (and Joker tattoos) is made obvious and often runs off of his face, creating an even more anarchic appearance. Even though it is meant to frighten and intimidate, there are plenty of people who simply think that the look made the Joker a bit cooler than he used to be in the older movies and television series.
The phrase “Why So Serious?” is often attached to this image, recalling his tagline from the film. It’s actually a great line to get tattooed on your skin since it not only references a classic moment, it also shows that you don’t take life too seriously. You can get those words with another Joker tattoo or even by itself.
Another version of the Joker is portrayed in a 2016 film that varies from the previous versions. An even more menacing Joker is created with the addition of full-body tattoos and silver-covered teeth behind the signature red lips. That movie wasn’t quite as popular as the one made back in 2008 (nor was that version of Joker), but some folks do opt to get that face in their design simply because it is so crazy and chaotic.
The Joker tattoo, regardless of the version you choose to get, is one of the few portrait tattoos that actually looks good distorted. That means that you can get it pretty much anywhere on your body and in any style you want. One example of this is to get a forearm Joker tattoo so the face moves a bit depending on how your arm is hanging or if you’re leaning against something. It also looks great in the middle of the back so the face gets scrunched or stretched.
If you are thinking about getting one of the many Joker tattoos out there, then you will want to come up with some designs to choose from before you commit to anything. There’s just so much detail in the Joker character designs, and even the playing card version can have many looks. The trick is to think of the location on your body first and then come up with a Joker tattoo design that will look great there. Have at least five or six designs drawn up before you choose so you can end up with the one you really want.
Keep in mind that there is a big difference between getting the card version Joker tattoo and getting the type with the character. Not only do the character designs have more detail, but they are often much more expensive than getting a Joker-playing card tattoo. Usually, we recommend getting an outline or a silhouette if you want to save some money, but definitely don’t do that with Joker tattoos.
You want all of that detail in there because that’s actually what makes them special. If you can’t afford it now, it’s better to wait rather than settle for an inferior design.
Most tattoo artists will have no problem doing a great job on a Joker-playing card tattoo, but the detailed characters take a bit more skill. It’s a good idea to do your research online on all of the artists in your area before you walk into any shop. Ideally, you’ll find an artist who has done plenty of portrait tattoos in the past and who can work with any design you throw at them.
If you take your time coming up with a meaningful and cool-looking Joker tattoo design, then chances are you will end up loving it. Choose the meanings that you like, come up with a very nice design that you’ll always be proud of having, and then choose and artist who will be able to do it justice.