Now talk about a character type I love! I've never had (or even understood) coulrophobia , nor am I the kind just out right hates clowns, I love this because for the most part I'm fine with them. Going back to the devil doll concept, the evil clown is the ultimate example of taking something that should otherwise be heartwarming and good and twisting it, just resulting in an utterly disturbing display where you're never quite sure how to feel. You find yourself laughing at things you know you shouldn't be and it totally screws with your sense of morals... which at it's base is what horror's all about.
Going back to what I said on the evil doll type character, this also comes down to the presentation. Evil clowns can be great but it's all in how it's done, though unfortunately the line between good and bad is so hazy on it, it's hard to tell when you're too subtle or too over the top. You have to have that perfect blend. Killer Klowns from Outer Space... is really my best example of doing it wrong. Yes I know that hypocritical since I posted a link to the theme song, but you tell me a better song to use! Really! That's not to say it was ALL bad... it tired... and I guess that was it's problem, it tired TOO hard XD I dunno, I guess he Joker will forever be the flawless example of how to make an evil clown!
While these characters can come off as stupid, the fact that they're essentially living cartoons is one reason I love the concept of one going rogue, especially with a supernatural twist to them. There's little to nothing they can't do and the same goes for how to stop them. They love their work and it just so happens to be murder and mayhem~
These kind are seen in Purgatory in a case where an entertainer dies, most commonly dying during a routine and forever haunted by the joke they never got to tell. Of course they're not restricted to the clown motif, but it is most common. Now free from the bonds of living, they now no longer see a distinction between what goes too far for a joke, so while they may not all have evil intent, their mania leads them in that direction. Of course to an undead audience it's not so bad, but to the unfortunate living, well...
The more devious of this sort have an agenda to specifically destroy what is good and wholesome. This can range from mauling 100 people as the punchline to a joke, or posting unnecessary pornographic art of beloved childhood cartoon characters... they're laughing at you, not with you...
