In this story, the Joker, originally a struggling comedian named Jack Napier, is forced to participate in a robbery by his gang leader. During the robbery, he falls into a vat of chemicals, which disfigure his face and drive him insane. This origin story established the Joker's iconic white skin, green hair, and permanent, grotesque grin.
It's important to note that this origin story is not necessarily canon, as the Joker's past is meant to be ambiguous and open to interpretation. Other stories and interpretations have presented different versions of the Joker's origin, including:
* The Joker's earlier appearance in "Batman #1" (1940), which hinted at the chemical accident but didn't fully flesh out the details.
* The 2016 film "Suicide Squad" presented a more detailed but ultimately different account of the Joker's origin, where he is disfigured by a failed attempt to save his pregnant wife from a gang attack.
The lack of a definitive origin allows for the Joker's character to be endlessly reinterpreted and explored, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of his madness. Ultimately, the Joker's scars serve as a potent symbol of his tragic past and the horrifying transformation that created the criminal mastermind we know today.