The Joker has had a pretty successful run in DC Comics. He's managed to stand toe-to-toe with some of the most iconic heroes of the brand; not bad for a madman with no powers. While Joker has been defeated himself a fair few times, there's plenty of psychological and physical damage he can inflict on an opponent.
It's difficult to predict what would happen if you pitch the Clown Prince of Crime against some of Marvel's heroes however. While some could fold under the mental torture of the mad clown, others would be able to resist these cruel jokes and gags and soundly defeat him. Here are 5 heroes that Joker could defeat and 5 he definitely couldn't.
10 Can Defeat: Iron Man
Tony Stark is narcissistic and arrogant. He doesn't do well when playing mental games. While he has enough physical power to blow away the Joker and is intelligent enough to outmaneuver him, it's likely that Iron Man would fall for one of the Jokers many tricks.
Not only would he be caught off guard by someone so unpredictable but would also be surprised at how intelligent the Joker himself is. He's got the quick witted puns to match Stark's own jibes but can follow them up quickly with an acid flower before Tony realizes it. Joker could defeat Tony in perhaps a surprising moment.
9 Can't Defeat: Wolverine
The Wolverine is almost unbeatable because of his healing factor. He acts with pure emotion and aggression. This is both a hindrance and a help against the Joker. It could be easier to trap Logan but he also wouldn't care about Joker's manipulations.
Any physical damage Joker could cause, for instance with a crowbar, would be completely pointless as Wolverine would heal too quickly. The most likely outcome is that Logan would not hesitate to cut this master criminal in two, ending the plague that is the clown prince of crime.
8 Can Defeat: Hawkeye
Hawkeye, much like the Joker, is just a man with a lot of gadgets. The expert archer and swordsman probably has the physical edge over Joker, although his own tricks and gizmos probably rival those that Clint keeps in his quiver.
With the physical attributes mostly matched it comes down to a game of the mind. Joker doesn't play fair though and would probably overwhelm Hawkeye with various challenges and tricks before the two ever came face to face. Clint would struggle more than other heroes to topple these threats before ultimately falling to the Joker.
7 Can't Defeat: Black Widow
Natasha on the other hand has significant training like Hawkeye, but with an added blood lust. She wouldn't hold back in the same way and has her own gadgets that are capable of dethroning the prince. She's perhaps a better combatant than both Hawkeye and Joker as well.
Not only this, her training in the red room means that's she's well equipped to deal with any mental attacks. The manipulations and tricks that Joker usually resorts to wouldn't be very good for Black Widow. On top of this, if he were to send in the troops she is used to dealing with a wide range of thugs with great speed.
6 Can Defeat: The Wasp
The Wasp is an incredibly experienced hero who usually comes up short in the big fight. While her powers makes her very elusive, especially to bigger opponent, a smarter foe like the Joker can plan for her attacks and perhaps even trap her with ease.
The stingers of the Wasp might be enough to topple the threat, but it's more than likely that Joker can trap her in some way and then defeat her quite easily. The same could probably be said for Ant-Man although the Wasp may have the advantage over him because of her ability to fly.
5 Can't Defeat: Hulk
It's fairly obvious that no amount of manipulation would be able to defeat the Hulk. While he could be tempted into attacking some of his own allies, sooner or later he'll realize what the real threat is and neutralize it with extreme force.
Greater foes have tried to slow the Hulk, but you have to be a bruiser or a magic wielder to really be able to damage the Green Goliath. No amount of gadgets would be able to phase Dr Bruce Banner's alter ego and the Joker would be smashed in no time at all.
4 Can Defeat: Spider-Man
Joker may be crazy but he knows exactly how to exert a hero's pressure point. Unfortunately for Peter Parker, he has many pressure points that can be used against him. His secret identity for instance is famously one of the most protected secrets in Marvel comics.
Not only this, his family have to be protected at all costs, which would put them immediately in the sights of the Joker, who could mercilessly dispatch of them. Peter can also be tricked pretty easily when he's emotionally damaged, so the Joker could have the advantage throughout any battle.
3 Can't Defeat: Captain Marvel
Anyone with cosmic powers is going to make short work of the Joker. The fact is, Carol wouldn't stick around long enough to even hear one of his jokes before she punches his lights out. She's too quick and has too much power to ever be defeated by the clown prince.
There's no version of events that could really see the Joker defeat Captain Marvel. While the Joker has managed to damage Superman in the past, Captain Marvel is less able to be manipulated. She's more adjusted to the superhero life than most others and has seen too many things to be shocked by anything Joker can do.
2 Can Defeat: Jessica Jones
Jessica Jokes has a lot to lose and has an incredibly traumatic history. Her time with the Purple Man has both made her stronger but also vulnerably open to other mental attacks. The Joker could capitalize on this effectively playing to his own strengths.
Not only this, Jessica's relationship with Luke as well as her child makes her an even easier target. There's enough buttons to push for Joker to get a reaction. Once he does, Jessica will make a mistake that could cost her. She's familiar with this kind of cruelty and could still fall victim to it.
1 Can't Defeat: Captain America
The origins of Captain America couldn't be more different to the potential starting point of the Joker. These two stories show just how different the hero and villain are. One stands for order and hope, the other for absolute chaos and fear. They are complete opposites.
In comics, hope will always triumph over fear and the tale of these two is the same. Captain America is too morally good to ever be pulled into one of Joker's twisted tricks and too physically imposing to be defeated by a crowbar or knife shoe. Steve Rogers will be able to defeat the Joker every time.