Adam Savage recently dropped a gem on his YouTube channel Tested, giving fans an up-close look at one of the most iconic villain costumes in cinema history: Jack Nicholson’s original Joker outfit from Tim Burton’s Batman.
The former MythBuster visited Propstore in London to examine the legendary costume with Stephen Lane, the company’s founder who has owned this particular piece for over a decade.
And here’s the kicker, the costume has held up spectacularly. The vivid purples and detailed tailoring look almost untouched, with Lane explaining it was carefully stored in a costume bag for years before he acquired it.
There’s minimal damage aside from a few moth holes, and the white Joker makeup is still visible on the collar from when Nicholson wore it on set.
The Lakers purple that defined Gotham’s clown prince
One of the coolest revelations from the video involves the costume’s signature purple hue. Costume designer Bob Ringwood collaborated closely with Nicholson on the look, and the specific shade of purple wasn’t random, it’s LA Lakers purple.
Nicholson, a die-hard Lakers fan famously seen courtside at games, insisted on incorporating his team’s color into the Joker’s wardrobe. It’s the kind of detail that shows how much creative control and personality the actor brought to the role.
Lane mentioned he’s owned three different Joker costumes over the years, but this particular configuration with the exaggerated tails and plaid trousers is his favorite. The tails speak to the Joker’s showman nature, while details like green paint on the underside of the shoes, likely from the museum sequence, prove this costume saw real action on set.
Miniatures and movie magic
The video also showcases miniature figures created by Derek Meddings and his visual effects team, including a detailed Joker figure used in the Batwing attack sequence and a Goon miniature from the helicopter scenes.
These pieces are currently up for auction at Propstore, and the level of craftsmanship is insane, down to the tiny Goon emblem and playing cards on the figure’s costume.
Savage and Lane also touched on the cultural phenomenon Batman created in 1989, with Burton directing at just 29 years old and the film generating unprecedented merchandising and hype.
The Gotham City backlot at Pinewood Studios remained standing for years after filming, with crew members taking pieces as mementos because the production meant that much to everyone involved.
Want more geek culture deep dives like this? Follow Geek Realm Hub on Facebook and stay locked in for the latest news, reviews, and nostalgic throwbacks!