The Joker's iconic and deadly toxin is undoubtedly one of the most devastating biological weapons. But its secret recipe reveals another layer of horror to the Clown Prince of Crime's preferred method of attack.
Joker is one of the most sinister villains in the entire DC Universe, and he has plenty of terrible tricks up his sleeve to help him take on his foes. Acid-squirting flowers, razor-sharp playing cards, and electrified joy buzzers are just some of his favorite insidious tools. But nothing is as demented or lethal as his patented Joker Venom. Anyone whose seen Joker's toxin in action knows how terrifying it is. Not only does it make victims laugh themselves to death, it leaves them with pale skin and a permanent, eerie grin. Since its creation, the Harlequin of Hate's concoction has only gotten more brutal and potent, with the Joker finding new ways to 'improve' on it.
Joker Venom is Easier to Make Than Fans Think
But as devious as Joker’s trademark mixture is, it turns out it’s actually quite simple to make. In Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1, the story “Joker Fun Facts by Jai Nitz” and Amanda Conner features a scientist named Dan who sheds a light on the science behind Joker Gas to a crowd of awaiting villains. Evidentially, the materials needed to make the weapon can be procured through a few trips to several local stores. Though the exact names and quantities of the ingredients are censored, Dan brings out several commonplace items such as household cleaner and a bag of frozen vegetables. Even more specialized items such as pharmaceuticals can be easily substituted with over-the-counter medicines. Of course, Dan demonstrates how dangerous this sort of experiment is when he accidentally exposes himself to the noxious mixture.
Despite its name, Joker Gas is no laughing matter. In fact, in any form, Joker’s toxins are considered to be on the same level of danger as ricin or the bubonic plague. How the Joker managed to first create such a unique and deadly bioweapon is a mystery in and of itself. But what’s no secret is that the venom could easily be replicated with just a few items picked up at a local market. If Joker's toxin is, in fact, this easy to produce, the villain is sitting on the perfect opportunity to sew chaos in the DCU.
The Joker Gas Recipe is Danger Waiting to Happen
What else does the Joker love other than causing mass chaos? Imagine how easy it’d be for Joker to provide Gotham his recipe by flooding the streets with copies of it. He could even do greater damage to the world by unleashing the formula online giving any malevolent being access to one of the most dangerous toxins on Earth. Granted, the Joker usually takes his personal property seriously and isn’t one to share, but he also can’t help but cause trouble on a large stage. If the Joker really wanted, he could do serious damage by releasing his shockingly easy toxin recipe into the wild.