The Joker of the comics is largely driven by ideological and philosophical reasons rather than money or understandable ambitions. Nicholson's Joker while motivated by an inflated sense of self, overactive ego, and specialized narcissism is a gangster at heart.

The Joker, a fictional character from the Batman series, is often portrayed as obtaining his money through criminal activities such as robberies, heists, and extortion. In various storylines, he has been depicted as using his intelligence and cunning to manipulate others into funding his criminal schemes.