Iconic Character Breakdown: The Joker

When there’s more than one actor representing an iconic character there is inevitably going to be comparisons. Who’s better? Should that question even be proposed? Can there not be a multifaceted lens when it comes to a character, appreciating all the potential shades? Perhaps we should consider the director’s vision, the actor’s skill, and the context of the medium.

One such argued character is The Joker. As a big DC fan myself I’ve been in on the debate, but I’ve always relented with “I like them each for different reasons.” Maybe that seems like a cop-out, but it’s sort of like the question of my favorite film- there are a few that I love and when I’m watching one of them it feels like the winner. Thing is, the same goes for the others. Instead, I try to appreciate the intricacies of each performance. There’s something to be said about the moment, and a variety of other factors when calculating the answer formed by a very complex character.

The Joker is one of the most popular, and most frequented DC villains to hit the screen. It has also morphed into more than the crazy haired, Batman-hating, lunacy seeking, iconic purple suit sporting bad guy. Created in 1940 by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, the character first appeared in Batman #1. Since then, there have been many versions on screen.

Some very talented actors have donned the face paint, and transformed for this chaos-loving character, and for that point alone it is worth discussing further. I’m going to be addressing just five of the entries.

“A Joke A Day, Keeps The Gloom Away!”

In 1966 Cesar Romero wore the green hair and the giant smile and he did so with a excess of cartoonish fun.  This was the first time a live-action take hit the screen, and this version of the famed trickster had a  fun and eccentric vibe which set the stage for all of the others to come. While he’s not a personal favorite of mine, I appreciate this entry into the character. His very specific cackle and energy is hard to match, but plenty who came after sought to out do him.

“Winged Freak Terrorizes, Wait Till They Get A Load Of Me.”

Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman was the product of perfect casting. Who better to invoke the comic villain on screen than a man who had a career playing intense and somewhat crazy characters?

Joker, after all, is a madman.

Per Nicholson’s usual gift for humor and commandment, his turn from Jack Napier to the Joker due to some unfortunate business with Axis chemicals, was a discomforting delight. He bled his own shade of green and purple, branding the character his very own.

Tim Burton’s Batman is an iconic take on the winged hero and the villains he chose to portray (the same can be said in Batman Returns) are equally impressive. Nicholson’s Joker is funny, but with a wicked malevolence that makes his antics difficult to disregard. This take felt more thuggish, which made sense given the character’s trajectory in the film, and Jack brought a level of drama and flair to the screen.

“You’re A Freak, Like Me.”

Heath Ledger’s intelligent take earned him an Oscar (posthumously) and also a distinct place in superhero cinematic history. The Dark Knight is generally praised as being the best of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, for good reason, and that is in large part due to the commitment on Ledgers part.

This strain of Joker is inventive and at times equal parts chilling and crazed. As Alfred puts it, “Some men just want to watch the world burn” and that’s an exceptionally well-matched description for this version. There’s also something incredibly admirable about the look of Joker here. His hair, mannerisms, and costumes are all very notable. He seems like someone to disregard, but every move is calculated. You never know what he’s thinking, you just know that he’s plotting something, and it’s going to be big. Full of raging anarchy and masterminding qualities, Ledger deserves the attention he got for the character.

Plus, the opening scene to The Dark Knight is one of the best, and our introduction into one of Arkham’s famous inhabitants is utterly seamless.

“I’m Not Gonna Kill You. I’m Just Gonna Hurt You, Really, Really, Bad.”

Suicide Squad had its share of issues, and one of them? The Joker. It isn’t that Jared Leto didn’t commit, it’s that his committal was misplaced, and the home for his portrayal didn’t give him a place to flourish. It didn’t vibe, and there was a lack of substance in his performance. When you’ve seen this character embodied several times with dramatic heft, irreverent zeal and memorable impact, it’s hard to watch this version without an eye roll.

This depiction had more glitz and shine than the others, and it wasn’t a choice that worked in its favor. I commend Leto for the attempt, and I think in some ways he’d probably make a great Joker, but in Suicide Squad the connection just wasn’t there. I like the laugh, and even the punk-look, but it goes too far off the rails to make a recovery. The movie, and Joker’s presence, did deliver us Harley Quinn and for that I’m thankful.

“Why Aren’t You Laughing?”

In The Killing Joke (and subsequent animated features as well as The Batman series, other TV shows and video games) Mark Hamill has given a powerful voice to the role, and a delivery unlike any of the predecessors before. Between his maniacal laugh, the proverbial madness, and the exceptional commitment (he’s the longest running Joker) Hamill proves that he can do bad.

Many consider him the best and for good reason. There’s a level of believability with Hamill’s representations and you feel as if he’s really diving into the character, even if it is just his voice, which is a rarity. He exemplifies the crazy and malicious side with a keen commandment. It’s also interesting to see the various ways he’s been able to portray the villain, through different directors and mediums.

What’s Next?

There’s a real evolution over the years and it’s hard to pinpoint just one particular time this character shined. Now, Todd Phillips’ Joker is set for an October 2019 release and has Joaquin Phoenix as the starring role. We just got a trailer, and from what I can see it looks really promising.

This seems like it is going to be more of an origin story, and it could be just what we need to keep this iconic character fresh. Phillips appears to go very dark and psychological with his film, and we all know Phoenix has the capability of mastering that.

How did he become the criminal we can’t seem to get enough of? I’m excited to see.

How do they rank? Is it a personal choice? What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!