The Creator of The Joker Passes

The creator of the Clown Prince of Crime - as well as comic book historian and creator's rights advocate – Jerry Robinson, passed away at the age of 89 on December 7th, 2011. He began working on Batman with creator Bob Kane and not only created Batman's most famous enemy, but also co-created Robin and influenced the creation of both Harvey "Two-Face" Dent and Alfred Pennyworth, Batman's most trusted ally and butler.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Robinson began working in comics when he was discovered at the age of 17 by Bob Kane, who noticed Robinson working at an ice-cream parlor in a jacket covered in Robinson's own artwork.

Robinson was still very active in the comic book scene before his death, attending comic book conventions, overseeing comic events and exhibits. He was a consultant on Christopher Nolan's Batman film, The Dark Knight, and wrote the character of the Joker in Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City.

He was also a historian of comic books and fought for fellow artist's and creator's rights, helping such cases as the famous legal battle fought by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for the right's to their creation, Superman's, earnings.

Anyone interested in admiring Robinson's art can find a full collection of his illustrations in the book Jerry Robinson: Ambassador of Comics, written in-part by Robinson himself.

Robinson is survived by his wife, Gro Bagn Robinson, his son, Jens Robinson, his daughter, Livia Robinson-White and his two grandchildren. My sympathies to them and to all who knew Robinson personally, and a thanks and final farewell to Mr. Robinson, who helped change the landscape of comics forever with a sadistic smile.