Are you ready for Halloween? Are you one of the many who will celebrate the date with one of the most portrayed of the Arch-Villain Enemies of Batman? Will you be decked out in your Joker costume this year? If so, which Joker will you be?

First introduced in Batman #1, the Joker has become an icon in his own right. Whether it's the portrayal in the comics of the super evil clown or the clownish fop of the 1960s sitcom, the Joker has been a stand out among the dastardly criminals in the world of Batman. This popularity has also caused the Joker costume to become a standard for children and adults alike at Halloween time.

There are as many variations on the theories of how he came to be as there are variations in appearance and characterizations. The drop into the chemicals, the good man gone insane, the bad man gone worse. Who the Joker was in the beginning of his life is still a mystery. And he seems to prefer it that way.

Early versions had the wide grinning mouth with just the lips red, such as in the comic books. The 1960 television version with Caesar Romero came closer to a classic clown with the dramatically over painted mouth and stylishly coiffured green pompadour. I'm sure you could find a Joker costume in either of these styles if you looked around a bit.

This year, however, the trend is toward the Joker of the newest Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Shaggy green hair, more grotesque makeup, the scars of a Glasgow Smile under the paint. The purple suit that has been his signature is shoddy in comparison to the predecessors.

In an interview with Heath Ledger, who portrayed the Joker in The Dark Knight, he voiced the opinion that the character would be psychotic and as such not as concerned with himself or his appearance as he would be in achieving his goals. It was that opinion that influenced his on screen characterization as well as the design of his Joker costume.

The recent film as well as the recent tragic death of actor Heath Ledger has kept this Joker constantly in front of the public, making it the most sought after costume for this coming Halloween.

The good news is, because of this, the costume shops are well stocked with items for the perfect Joker costume. Green wigs, purple suits and a complete line of masks and makeup.

Now, do you wear a wig or do you try dying your hair? Remember, read the label if you're going to dye it. Even temporary dye can stain the hair for days after use. If you have very light hair or hair that has been chemically processed, go for the wig. That would be much better than being green for a week. Dark hair is less likely to have an issue with the color, but you may want to discuss it with your hair dresser before you decide.

Makeup or mask is another decision you will have to make. The mask is simple to wear and has the permanent grin in place. Makeup gives better visibility but may be a little more of a challenge if you're not used to wearing it (guys). You can also look into some of the pre-made latex items (like scars) that can give a more authentic look to your Joker costume.

Of course, if you have been a long time fan of Batman and the Joker there is no reason not to pick your favorite version to portray. The Clown Prince of Evil will likely always be around for Halloween, in one form or another.

Just be sure to grab your Joker costume early. It's the hottest costume out there this Halloween and you don't want to miss out.