A Joker’s Scare



Kristoffer Martin

Undergraduate/English

Now I don’t necessarily go out for scaring people, as fun as this can be. Rather I pride myself on being able to create authentic and realistic costumes either original or in tribute to my favorite characters. In 2008 I decided to put together a Joker costume based on the Dark Knight movie. I’ve been a longtime fan of Batman and of course the Joker. I went to the premier as the Joker and got a lot of applause for my costume so for that Halloween, more specifically a few days before so I could go to one of my classes as the Joker, I decided to dress up. Now keep in mind that though I went as the standard Joker to the movie premier that Halloween I had decided to go a step further after seeing the movie. Low and behold I went as the nurse Joker. Now to mimic the facial features that (the late) Heath Ledger had worn I had purchased latex foam scars and glued them to my face. After a day’s worth of wear however the glue was losing its battle with gravity and my facial hair. Knowing where I was to be going to later that evening I decided to head to Shopko (a wannabe Wal-Mart here in Wisconsin) to buy some super glue to fix my faulty scars. 

Beyond the fact that I got a few whistles and a few jeers from onlookers my walk from upper campus (UWEC) to Shopko was nothing more than a simple jaunt. I made it into Shopko without a hitch, wink, or batter of an eyelash at the costume. Being a 23 year old, I am still fascinated with Halloween and costumes, and the super glue so happened to be in the aisle next to the costumes and wigs and cheap props that Shopko (and all other stores) carried. Being curious about their selection and momentarily forgetting I was wearing a white women’s blouse, a white skirt, black and white knee high stockings, Joker makeup, a brunette wig, and of course a nurse’s hat, I wandered into the aisle. Only to run into the unsuspecting mother, aunt, young son and young daughter shopping for costumes. 

It’s hard to describe the look of utter horror on the young boy’s face as he looked up at me and screamed loud enough for one or two by standards to come, or to describe the uproarious laughter coming from his mother and aunt, but I’ll try. The boy looked up from a fake sword at hearing a person coming, and just as I turned the corner his mouth widened, his eyes widened, his nostrils flared and an ear piercing screech reminiscent of a muscle car’s tires squealing under sheer force blew out of his mouth for a moment, before all he could do was stare. About this same time, I, being startled by this young boy’s reaction (as I really wasn’t paying attention) dropped my super glue. I really don’t know how you women do it, I swear to god, skirts are a man’s enemy. Bending down to retrieve my super glue in front of the dumbfounded boy, my wig fell off exposing my green tinted hair. All the while the mother and aunt of this little boy (ok ten year old) were laughing. Putting my wig back on, securing my hat, I left that aisle with an uncontrollable urge to laugh like the Joker, which I did. 


The Flip Side is a publication dedicated to providing an alternative media outlet and forum on the UW-Eau Claire campus by welcoming the writings, views, and involvement of all students and community members. By reporting on news, perspectives, and opinions on all issues, we seek to develop and maintain our freedom of speech.

All published material remains the property of the individual contributors. Opinions of the writers and contributors are their own. Articles found within, in no way reflect the opinion of The Flipside Press as a whole. The Flipside Press rserves the right to reject any advertising, articles, letters, images, or other material submitted for publication.