The Joker - Lime Vest
sh005 · Super Heroes
DC Universe · 2012 (First released in the Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze Invasion, set 6860)
Figure ID
sh005
Theme
Super Heroes
Year Released
2012 (First released in the Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze Invasion, set 6860)
Rarity
Uncommon; while not exclusive to one set, it was produced during the early transition phase into the modern DC Super Heroes line and remains highly sought after compared to modern variants.
Head
White head with a dual-sided print: one side features a sinister grin with red lips, and the other shows a more angry/grimacing expression. It topped with a bright green swept-back hairpiece (Part 64798).
Torso
Dark purple torso with a front print depicting a bright lime-green pinstriped vest, a gold/yellow flower on the lapel, and a green bowtie. Arm pieces are dark purple; hand pieces are white to represent gloves.
Legs
Plain dark purple hips and legs with no printing, coordinating with the suit jacket on the torso.
Accessories
In its original retail sets, this figure typically included a handheld 'Bang!' flag pistol, a standard gray blaster, or a crowbar. The figure in the image is missing these accessories.
Color Scheme
A vibrant palette of Dark Purple and Bright Lime Green, with White skin and Green hair, staying faithful to the character's classic comic book appearance.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the torso and head. The torso detail includes fine green vertical pinstripes and shading on the vest. This version lacks leg or arm printing, which was standard for 2012.
Variants
This specific variant (sh005) is distinguished by the pinstriped lime vest. Other variants from that era include the orange-waistcoat version (sh039) and the tuxedo version with a long tailpiece.
Condition Notes
Common issues include hairline cracks on the white hands or the sides of the purple torso. The white head printing can occasionally suffer from 'flesh-bleed' where the white doesn't fully opaque the base plastic, though less common on this part.
Estimated Value
Used: $8.00 - $12.00; New (from a sealed set context): $15.00 - $20.00. Value varies based on the presence of the original green hairpiece and white hands.
Price (New)
Originally available in Set 6860 ($69.99) and Set 10672 ($34.99). It was also available in a promotional 3-pack.
Compatible Sets
6860 Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze Invasion (2012); 10672 Batman: Defend the Batcave (2014); 4527 Ultrabuild Joker (Reference appearance).
Character Background
Based on DC Comics' 'Clown Prince of Crime,' Batman's arch-nemesis. This design specifically evokes the classic 'Bronze Age' through 'Modern Age' comic book look before the 'New 52' redesigns.
Design Notes
This figure marked a significant design shift from the 2006 ‘Batman’ theme Joker (bat005), moving from a more caricatured face to a slightly more detailed, modern aesthetic with dual expressions.
Similar Minifigures
sh133 (Joker with Fedora), sh039 (Joker with Orange Waistcoat), and the original 2006 bat005 (Joker with Lime Green Vest).
Collectibility
High. This is considered the 'standard' modern Joker for many collectors and is essential for any DC Super Heroes collection due to its classic color blocking.
History
Launched in 2012 as part of the massive relaunch of the LEGO DC license. It replaced the 2006 pinstripe design, refining the colors to be more vibrant and adding the dual-sided head.
Interesting Facts
The lime-green vest pattern is a direct homage to the original 2006 Joker minifigure, but updated with better pinstripe resolution and a more expressive face mold.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a 'Rogues Gallery' lineup or within a Batcave MOC. Using a translucent purple or green baseplate can help the figure's colors pop.
Modification Potential
The head and hair are frequently used for 'custom' Joker looks from various media (like the Arkham games) when paired with different purple suit torsos.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential LEGO villain. While common enough to be affordable, its perfect alignment with the character's iconic appearance makes it an 'A-tier' figure for both play and display.