Archetype:Clown

"This is the part you've been waiting your whole life for, Buddy. A "clown" with so much pain inside. Show me that pain. Show the world"

― The Joker (DC Comics)

"Clowns are nothing but ultimate evil! They want to be the dominant species of the planet and they’ll destroy us all to make it happen!"

― Billy (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy) accurately describing clowns.

The archetype is for characters that use the abilities (or take upon the occupation) of clowns. Technique of Clown Manipulation. Variation of Circus Performer.

Also Called[]

Fool
Harlequin
Jester
Joker
Prankster

Properties[]

A character of this vein either is, can transform into, or mimic the appearance, attributes, and traits of clowns, thus gaining special abilities or skills.

Often considered agents of chaos, insanity, and disorder, they spread their own brand of madness as they go around. Many have disturbingly screwed views of reality, which allows them to perceive the world in ways that sane people are incapable of even conceiving and acting/using it for their advantage.

Associated Powers[]

Variations[]

Types[]

Associations[]

Flaws/Weaknesses[]

Clown Slayer
May always look like a clown.
May be limited to doing things only when it's funny.
Some people are fearful of their appearance, complicating their schtick.

Example Characters[]

See Also: Clown Species and Clown Tropes.

Cartoons[]

Zombozo (Ben 10)
Hifdan (Chaotic)
Charlie Chalk (Charlie Chalk)
Stripper Clowns (Close Enough)
Quackerjack (Darkwing Duck)
Courtly Jester (Ever After High)
Peter Griffin (Family Guy); as Pee Pants the Inebriated Hobo Clown
Binky the Clown (Garfield and Friends)
Kreepy Gnouf (The Gnoufs)
Experiment 345 "Elastico" (Lilo & Stitch)
Psycomedian (Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir)
Menacing Metallic Clown (Scooby-Doo)
Crybaby Clown (Scooby-Doo)
Madcap the Killer Clown (Scooby-Doo)
Krusty the Clown (The Simpsons)
Gaston Simpson (The Simpsons)
Sideshow Bob (The Simpsons)
Squidly (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Bon Bon (Star vs. the Forces of Evil)
Proto-Clown (The Tick: The Animated Series)
Jazz Hands (Totally Spies!)
Le Mime (Xiaolin Showdown)
Silly Ness (Happy Ness: The Secret of the Loch)

Comics[]

Jack-In-The-Box (Astro City)
The Joker (DC Comics)
Harley Quinn (DC Comics)
Punch (DC Comics)
Jeweless (DC Comics)
The Royal Flush (DC Comics)
The Clown/The Violator (Image Comics)
Jonathan Powers/Jester (Marvel Comics)
Jester (crazy gang) (Marvel Comics)
Jody Putt (Marvel Comics)
Slapstick (Marvel Comics)
The Painted Doll (Promethea)
The Comedian (Watchmen)
Sabrina Spellman (Archie Comics); after being infected with clown germs.

Movies[]

Jack Attack (Demonic Toys)
Bomb Voyage (The Incredibles)
Jester (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths)
It (It franchise) as Pennywise The Dancing Clown
Killer Klowns (Killer Klowns from Outer Space)
Der Klown (Krampus 2015)
The Jester (Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return)
Jester (Puppet Master)

Literature[]

Fools (Discworld)
Killer clowns (City of Devils)
Koko's Klown Academy Students (Goosebumps); via permanent clown makeup
It (Stephen King's It); as Pennywise the Dancing Clown

Live Television[]

Googler (Ace Lightning)
Twisty (American Horror Story)
Killer Clown (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
The Clown (Star Trek Voyager)
Clowns summoned via hoodoo (Supernatural)
Rakshasa (Supernatural)

Anime/Manga/Manhwa[]

Posaune (.hack)
Brontes (Bakugan Original series)
Mana Walker (D.Gray-man)
Allen Walker (D.Gray-man)
Nebiros (The Haunted House/Shinbi Apartment)
Hisoka Morow (Hunter X Hunter)
Alm (Konjiki no Gash Bell!/Zatch Bell!)
Gelios (Konjiki no Gash Bell!/Zatch Bell!)
Zazie Rainyday (Negima!)
Buggy (One Piece)
Magical Roe (Marchen Awakens Romance)
Gatekeeper Pierrot (Marchen Awakens Romance)
Break (Pandora Hearts)
HIM (Powerpuff Girls Z)
Rima Mashiro (Shugo Chara!); as Clown Drop
Joker (Smile Pretty Cure!)
Clowns (Soul Eater)
- The Black Clown
- The Clown
- Kaguya
- Moonlight
- The Purple-Dyed Clown
- White Rabbit
Whippy (Kirby: Right Back at Ya!)
Training Clowns (Kirby: Right Back at Ya!)
Pierrot (Yakitate!! Japan)
Mr. Clown (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Death 13 (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part III: Stardust Crusaders)