Top 10 characters with laughter inducement power

Laughter is usually a sign of joy, amusement, or relief—but in the world of comic books, animation, and video games, it can become a weapon of terror. Some villains have mastered the sinister art of turning mirth into a tool of domination, forcing their victims to laugh against their will. Whether through toxic gases, hypnotic devices, ticklish torture, or psychological manipulation, these antagonists transform an instinctive human response into an instrument of fear, humiliation, and control. From the maniacal genius of the Joker to the eerie performances of Zombozo, and from the mechanical menace of Laughing Octopus to the grotesque antics of Don Turtelli, the act of laughter itself becomes a battlefield. In this gallery, we explore a collection of such “laughter villains,” analyzing their origins, powers, and the chilling methods they use to make others laugh when they would rather not.

Last update: 07/25/2026

10) Gangster Prankster (“The Black Scorpion”)

Gangster Prankster is a flamboyant villain from Black Scorpion, a 1995 made-for-TV superhero movie later developed into a short-lived television series. The character fits the campy, over-the-top style of the show, with a design and personality clearly inspired by classic comic book tricksters and jesters.

His exaggerated clownish persona makes him both ridiculous and dangerous, blurring the line between comic relief and genuine threat.

In the episode “He Who Laughs Last” The Gangster and his gang plan to release boxes and boxes of feathers all over the city and make the citizens all die from laughter. He developed a weapon that makes explode people laugh.
The gang kidnaps Argyle, Black Scorpion’s ally, and plans to kill him: they tie him to a table while a feather is waved at regular intervals along his bare feet to make him laugh.

Giggle, Gangster Prankster’s assistant, also tickles his feet with her fingers.

9) The Gas Gang (“Metal Men”)

The Gas Gang debuted in Metal Men #6 (1963), published by DC Comics and created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru. They are a bizarre group of robotic villains built by Doc Magnus as experimental creations, later corrupted into enemies of his heroic Metal Men. Each member of the team represents a different type of gas, personified with unique abilities and personalities.

The Gas Gang’s most ironic member is Helium, who weaponizes laughter in a twisted way. By releasing bursts of helium, he forces victims’ voices into high-pitched squeals, often reducing them and their allies to helpless fits of laughter. What might seem humorous quickly turns into a form of mockery and psychological disruption, as the laughter strips opponents of dignity and composure in the middle of battle.

8) Ms. Joke

Ms. Joke, whose real name is Emi Fukukado, is the Smile Hero in My Hero Academia. She is a pro hero and a teacher at Ketsubutsu Academy High School, known for her cheerful personality and her Quirk, Outburst, which forces people to burst into uncontrollable laughter. That laughter can seriously disrupt their focus and movement, making her a surprisingly effective fighter.

7) Hazuki Kagimura (“Märchen Mädchen”)

Hazuki Kagimura is a young mage chosen by Cinderella’s Origin, giving her magical abilities based on the classic fairy tale. She can make everyone laugh with the Princess who never smiled spell.

6) Zombozo (“Ben 10”)

Zombozo is one of the recurring villains in the Ben 10 animated franchise, first appearing in the original series in 2006. Designed as a nightmarish clown, he quickly became one of the most memorable foes for young viewers, embodying the archetype of the evil jester with a supernatural twist.

Zombozo weaponizes laughter directly: he hypnotizes people and forces them into uncontrollable fits of laughter while he feeds on their joy, leaving them drained, weakened, or even comatose. His victims experience laughter not as a sign of happiness, but as a terrifying loss of control, turning what should be a source of pleasure into an act of submission.

5) Trickster (“The Flash”)

Trickster is a long-time enemy of the Flash, first appearing in The Flash #113 (1960), created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino. Over the decades he has appeared in many forms, from James Jesse, the circus acrobat turned criminal prankster, to Axel Walker, a younger copycat. The character has crossed into live-action several times, notably portrayed by Mark Hamill both in the 1990 Flash series and the CW’s modern adaptation.

Trickster has no superpowers, but he is a genius of gadgets, traps, and prank-themed weaponry. His arsenal ranges from explosive toys and mechanical tricks to elaborate illusions. His clownish persona and manic energy make him unpredictable, blending comedy with real danger.

4) Prankster (“Superman”)

The Prankster, real name Oswald Loomis, debuted in Action Comics #51 (1941), created by Jerry Siegel and John Sikela. He emerged during the Golden Age of Comics as one of Superman’s more eccentric foes, designed to bring a mischievous and humorous edge to the Man of Steel’s rogues’ gallery. Over time, he has been reimagined in different eras, sometimes as a goofy trickster, other times as a darker and more sadistic figure.

Prankster weaponizes humor itself. By staging absurd crimes and forcing people into ridiculous situations, he provokes laughter — often nervous or uncontrollable — from bystanders and victims. In darker portrayals, his tricks cross into cruelty, mocking victims as they laugh at their own humiliation.

In “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” Prankster uses laughing gas to kidnap Lois Lane, who is unable to react because she is forced to laugh.

3) Orochi (“One Piece”)

Kurozumi Orochi is a major antagonist in One Piece, first appearing in the Wano Country arc. As the shogun of Wano, he rules with cruelty and cunning, backed by the fearsome Beast Pirates and allied with Kaido, one of the Four Emperors. Orochi’s grotesque appearance and tyrannical behavior make him one of the most memorable human villains in the series.

Orochi’s defining ability comes from his consumption of a SMILE artificial Devil Fruit, which grants him the power to transform into an eight-headed serpent. Unlike natural Zoan-type Devil Fruits, SMILEs are often imperfect, producing unpredictable abilities and forcing a permanent unnatural grin upon the consumer’s face. The SMILE fruits turn joy into grotesque distortion, making Orochi and his followers embodiments of laughter twisted into fear and domination.

2) Mr. Smiley (My Hero Academia)

Mr. Smiley, whose real name is Shinjiro Hohoemi, is a villain from the My Hero Academia OVA Laugh! As If You Are in Hell. He’s a frustrated artist who turns to public vandalism because he wants people to notice his work, not because he wants to hurt anyone.

His laughing spell is called Smile. If someone sees his teeth or smiling face, they start laughing uncontrollably for two hours, and it can also work through reflections or live video. The effect is strong enough to stop even top heroes like Endeavor, and it leaves victims barely able to move or fight.

1) The Joker (“Batman”)

The Joker first appeared in Batman #1 (1940), created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson. Over the decades he has become not just Batman’s arch-nemesis, but one of the most iconic villains in all of comics and pop culture. His chaotic blend of sadism, humor, and theatricality has made him the definitive “clown prince of crime,” with countless interpretations across comics, animation, live-action films, and video games.

The Joker literally weaponizes laughter. His signature creation is “Joker Venom,” a chemical agent that forces its victims into uncontrollable fits of laughter until it kills them, leaving their corpses with grotesque rictus grins. He uses laughing gas, joy buzzers, and other carnival-inspired tools to force laughter onto his victims, transforming joy into agony. For him, laughter is not entertainment but domination — an act of cruelty that mocks both life and death.