Warning: contains spoilers for The Joker #2!
Batmobile of his own. Joker's iteration of Batman's ride is aptly named the Jokermobile. The Batmobile has had multiple designs over the years and has been made into numerous collectibles, but the Joker's ride has garnered significantly less attention despite having almost as long as history within the comics.
The Batmobile first appeared in 1939 within the pages of Detective Comics #27. The Batmobile has had a new iteration in the many Batman films and animated series over the years. The design has changed significantly to fit whatever Batman needs in any of his adventures. Whether he needs to maneuver around Gotham quickly in a sleek model or have a more durable all-terrain look with the Tumbler, the Batmobile is a versatile vehicle. It is exactly the kind of vehicle that even a villain would find useful to have.
In 1946, the Joker made the decision to finally have his own car, just like Batman's. Batman #37 introduced the "Jokermobile" and the car has made many appearances since. Most recently it was included in Batman #99 (2016) for the concluding chapter of The Joker War. While the initial introduction of the vehicle was as a result of a copycat scheme of the Joker's, his inspiration for the vehicle was shared once more in 1975.
The Joker #2 (1975) showcases the Joker as he helps Weeping Willie, also known as The Weeper. This series was written by Dennis O'Neil with art by Irv Novick and Dick Giordano. The series follows the Joker in zany adventures. This issue focuses on Joker helping Weeping Willie, who has a habit of crying every time he has pulled off a crime. Crying ruins his crimes and usually results in him getting caught, but he can't seem to help it. The Joker decides to help him because there will definitely be something in it for him by the issue's end. The caper this time is platinum theft. Weeping Willie plans to steal platinum from a building using a laser and a hose. After Willie has pulled the job, Joker strolls up to meet him in his Jokermobile and reveals where his inspiration came from for the vehicle.
Weeping Willie remarks "neat car" and Joker responds, "it was inspired by the Batmo..." and he cuts off to address the heist Willie just pulled. While it has been known that the Joker often takes inspiration from Batman and his many gadgets, this instance shows the Clown Prince of Crime itting that he basically copied the concept directly. This becomes more apparent with the car's design. An older version of the Batmobile in some of the comics had a bat head on the center of the front end. Joker's version of the vehicle has his own face as the entire front of the Jokermobile. His face has long become his logo, so this makes a lot of sense. The Jokermobile even has a fin on the back, which many versions of the Batmobile have frequently had. The Jokermobile doesn't often make appearances and it may have changed up its look over the years, but it will always be the Joker's nod to Batman's more iconic vehicle.
