The joker is the first retrospective chronicling one of the most groundbreaking and gamechanging villains of all time, and contains images from his more than seventy years in comics by comic book artists and writers such as bob kane, bill finger, jerry robinson, dick sprang, grant morrison, dave mckean, neil gaiman, geoff johns, alan moore, brian bolland, brian azzarello, bruce timm, and paul dini. The many joker origin stories told throughout comic history. Daniel wallace is a comic book expert and author or coauthor of more than two dozen books. The complete history of the joker, from comic books to the. Weve seen four entirely different iterations of the joker throughout history. Arkham asylum, or the countless comics stacking comic book shelves and digital libraries, the joker stands unquestionably as the most recognizable and. Feb 10, 2015 no other character in comic book history has had quite as complex relationship between comics and television as harley quinn. Then in 1988, joker once again took the spotlight in two of the most famous comic book events in history. The complete history of the joker, from comic books to the big.
The joker initially appeared as a remorseless serial killer, modeled after a joker playing card with a mirthless grin, who killed his victims with joker venom, a toxin that left their faces smiling grotesquely. Serving as a villain and often a nemesis for batman across stories set in gotham city, the dc comics legend has never been. Whether by way of awardwinning films like the dark knight, emmywinning animated programs like batman. The joker as a character almost died out altogether until the campy trickster incarnation was popularized by the 1966 batman tv series, and its big screen spinoff batman.
This book is a complete history of the greatest comic book villain of all time. A visual history of the crown prince of crime is a visual encyclopedic reference book about the clown prince of crime compiled by daniel wallace. The joker is a supervillain and the archenemy of batman. Aug 16, 2016 the dark knight has had his hands full with the joker in a number of incarnations, from his beginnings in detective comics, to the film the dark knight, with heath ledger as the joker, and batman. Johns commented in a panel that the story would be focused on unresolved traumas from throughout the jokers history, specifically commenting that. The issue featured different versions of batman from. Fans who once embraced her as jokers lovesick sidekick have seen her popularity grow exponentially. The comicbook film is the dominant movie genre of our time, and no character in its history is more fabled and fascinating than the joker, the most. The film, based on dc comics characters, stars joaquin phoenix as the joker and provides a possible origin story for the character. Joker has highest october opening weekend of alltime. Joker makes golden globes history for comic book films. Sep 23, 2010 nicholson looked exactly like the comic book joker from his face. Copyright struggles shaped joaquin phoenixs unique look. The most widely cited backstory, which the official dc comics publication.
The complete history of the jokers many, many incarnations. Oct 09, 2019 the joker is one of the most iconic characters in comic book history. Although the joker has created various gadgets to help him enact his plans, they. With two wins, joker is now the most awarded comic book film in golden globes history. The story is told through the eyes of jonny frost, a lowlevel thug sent to pick up a newlyreleased joker from arkham asylum. Jul 11, 2016 the joker is easily one of the most recognizable characters in comic book history. Joker reflects political cowardice on the part of a filmmaker, and perhaps of a studio, in emptying out the specifics of the citys modern history and current american politics so that. Jared letos joker comes into the movie with a mission. The film also had the biggest first day opening in october, selling. An agent of chaos known for his malicious plots, wacky gadgets and insidious smile, he has caused batman more suffering than any other.
A history of the joker suicide squad dc comics jared. Joker danced many times throughout history to music, he even dances to. Nicholson looked exactly like the comic book joker from his face. In a skewed way, joker represents every studios dream, in that its a midbudget, 2d title. The process of joker was always going to be iterative, say bridges and ledermann, finding the sweet spot between achieving a unique vision for arguably the most famous villain in comic book. Phillips first struck on the germ of the idea for joker in august 2016 as he stood outside the premiere of his dark dramedy war dogs, staring up at a billboard for a new comicbook. The joker, which got 11 oscars 2020 nods monday, is now the most nominated comic book film in oscars history.
Today arris gives you guys the history of one of the most well known villains ever created the joker. Jokers gotham city has no personality, and thats a crime. Jan 20, 2020 the process of joker was always going to be iterative, say bridges and ledermann, finding the sweet spot between achieving a unique vision for arguably the most famous villain in comic book. The killing joke to featurethe jokers likely origin story.
Sep 27, 2019 the 7 most twisted joker moments in comic book history duration. Gotham city history is the history of batman and the joker. Instead, phillips takes pains to eschew those pulpy origins, borrowing. Seems irresponsible to make a comic book movie into a mental health terrorism film and its a complete departure from any joker history from the lore of the comics. Oct 11, 2011 this book is a complete history of the greatest comic book villain of all time.
When it comes to fiction, let alone the comic book medium, there. Im very pleased with this purchase, it made a fantastic gift and continues to make a great collectors item. The joker is one of the oldest villains in comic book history and has undergone several iterations since 1940. Joker makes oscar history with 11 noms for a comic book. Joker makes golden globes history for comic book films on. His elongated smile, his starkwhite skin, and his often slicked back green hair are all identifying characteristics of the clown prince of crime. Now joker, which had led this years oscars race with 11 nominations, has also lost in the top category. He maybe wasnt a walking toothpick like the comic book joker was, but then again none of the actors who ever played jokers were. The joker is noted for his clownlike appearance and sick humor and is the archnemesis of batman. It ran nine issues from mayjune 1975 to septemberoctober 1976.
Feb 11, 2020 the marvel film ultimately won three statues, but lost the big prize to green book. Look, if were talking pure financials, the choice to green light a second film is a nobrainer. After the end of the batman tv series, the batman comic books were struggling. This softer portrayal of the joker continued into the mid60s. The joker is one of the oldest villains in comic book history. With suicide squad, her own comic series, and the soontobe birds of prey film, it looks like our girl is almost outgrowing joker.
The joker is a supervillain created by bill finger, bob kane, and jerry robinson who first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book batman april 25, 1940, published by dc comics. Oct 02, 2019 were joker to lean into its comicbook inspiration, the broadness of arthurs characterization might be forgivable. Batman fans widely accept alan moores acclaimed graphic novel batman. The joker is a comic book series published by dc comics starring the supervillain the joker. The joker s joke book has appeared before, albeit in different formats. Joker is the most profitable comic book movie of all time. Joker danced many times throughout history to music, he even dances to pop music in his own comic. In the story, the red hood was robbing the monarch playing card factory and encountered batman for the first time. A crashcourse in the clown prince of crimes horrifying history. First, writer alan moore and artist brian bolland updates bill fingers red hood story. Jul 25, 2018 johns commented in a panel that the story would be focused on unresolved traumas from throughout the jokers history, specifically commenting that it would involve jason todd, barbara gordon. Joker is a 2019 american psychological thriller film directed and produced by todd phillips, who cowrote the screenplay with scott silver. A visual history of the clown prince of crime rizzoli. Dennis oneil, who wrote the first issue of the series, recounted that i.
The dark knight has had his hands full with the joker in a number of incarnations, from his beginnings in detective comics, to the film the dark knight, with. The joker is a master criminal with a clownlike appearance, and is considered one of the most infamous criminals within gotham city. Though many have been related, a definitive history of the joker has never been established in the comics, and his true name has never been confirmed. One version of it from 1988 was presented as a straight forward book of jokes called simply joker s joke book. The history of joker movies and characters origin story time.
The 7 most twisted joker moments in comic book history duration. A comprehensive look at the greatest comic book villain. We finally know how the joker became so sick and twisted duration. Although the joker has created various gadgets to help him enact his plans, they didnt usually get developed in any specific place. Comic book writer mark waid suggests that the 1942 story the joker walks the last mile was the beginning point for the characters transformation into a more. The joker, clown prince of crime, is batmans archnemesis. Jan, 2020 the joker, which got 11 oscars 2020 nods monday, is now the most nominated comic book film in oscars history. Set in 1981, it follows arthur fleck, a failed standup comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a. Despite its controversy, the billiondollargrossing joker earned multiple oscar nominations, including best picture and an actor nod for joaquin. Hes been shown planning out his plots like a comedian would rehearse his set, but its rare that the physical joke book would appear. A visual history of the clown prince of crime by daniel. It is difficult to pinpoint the one true origin of the joker, as there are many.
Joker could make box office history by not getting a sequel. No other character in comic book history has had quite as complex relationship between comics and television as harley quinn. Joker becomes the highestgrossing rrated film ever cnn. Remove the history of the character and its even flimsier of a story than it already is. The complete history of the jokers many, many incarnations 1960s. Kane and robinson claimed responsibility for the jokers design while acknowledging fingers writing contribution. Well worth the money and its probably one of my partners favourite item of joker merchandise so i would say its a must for a joker fan. The jokers joke book has appeared before, albeit in different formats. Evolution of joker, one of the oldest villains in comic book history. How jokers bold vision could change comic book movies. Aug 28, 2019 phillips first struck on the germ of the idea for joker in august 2016 as he stood outside the premiere of his dark dramedy war dogs, staring up at a billboard for a new comicbook. Joker sequel confirmed with joaquin phoenix, but not.
The marvel film ultimately won three statues, but lost the big prize to green book. However, her recent independence could not be further from her origins. One version of it from 1988 was presented as a straight forward book of jokes called simply jokers joke book. However, that is not to say some writers havent tried their hand at it. The animated series, video game appearances such as the recordbreaking batman. The joker is one of the most iconic characters in comic book history. Although the 1970s saw the birth of the insane, darker joker.
Joaquin phoenixs acting win is the second time a performer has won a globe for playing the joker. Jan 06, 2020 with two wins, joker is now the most awarded comic book film in golden globes history. Were joker to lean into its comicbook inspiration, the broadness of arthurs characterization might be forgivable. Set in 1981, it follows arthur fleck, a failed standup comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent. The joker, comicbook villain created for dc comics in 1940 by writer bill finger and illustrator bob kane.
Jan, 2020 despite its controversy, the billiondollargrossing joker earned multiple oscar nominations, including best picture and an actor nod for joaquin phoenix. The story is told through the eyes of jonny frost, a lowlevel thug sent to pick. Initially portrayed as a violent sociopath who murders people for his own amusement, the joker later in the 1940s. It is difficult to pinpoint the one true origin of the joker, as there are many established ideas and versions of the same character. The joker is one of the oldest villains in comic book.
Joker, the gritty comic book film about the origins of the crazed batman villain, has become the highestgrossing rrated film of all time. Before todd phillips and joaquin phoenix unsettle audiences with joker this friday, we lay out the various origin stories throughout the characters history, dating back to the comics in 1940. Oct 25, 2019 joker, the gritty comic book film about the origins of the crazed batman villain, has become the highestgrossing rrated film of all time. The jokers origin is the biggest mystery in all of comic books, having never been given a full, definitive origin story. In this oneoff noncanon book, writer brian azzarello and artist lee bermejo, both extraordinary artists, imagine a more realistic take on joker partly in the style of chris nolans dark knight film.