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30 August 2024
Top 10 Greatest Joker Versions of All Time
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Top 10 Greatest Joker Versions of All Time
1. 'The Killing Joke' Joker
At the top of the list of Top 10 Greatest Joker Versions of All Time is 'The Killing Joke' Joker - the Joker version from 'The Killing Joke'. This is a one-shot graphic novel written by Alan Moore - the grandmaster of comics, and illustrated by Brian Bolland. Although not lengthy and action-packed, this comic is considered one of the greatest comics of all time, a comic monument about Batman and Joker.
'The Killing Joke' Joker initially was just an ordinary guy, dreaming of becoming a stage comedian. He lived with his pregnant wife in a run-down, filthy apartment, marginalized and impoverished by society, feeling powerless to provide for his wife. One day, in a café, he received an offer to make a fortune from two strangers. At that moment, he received the devastating news that his wife had died from a gas explosion at home. Overwhelmed with grief and despair, he accepted the offer, which required him to wear a red hood and lead the strangers to steal from the chemical company where he used to work. That night, under the red hood, he lost his way and simultaneously, Batman arrived. Batman's pursuit pushed the unfortunate man to the edge, causing him to fall into a chemical vat, and from there, he became the Joker.
The backstory of the Joker above is intertwined with the present, where Joker has escaped, taken over an abandoned amusement park, and devised a horrifying plan: shooting Barbara Gordon (later Batgirl) in the spine, paralyzing her, kidnapping Jim Gordon - the police commissioner, and subjecting him to a horrifying journey witnessing his daughter's torture. Joker's goal is to turn Jim Gordon - Gotham's symbol of righteousness, into a madman like himself. However, Batman intervened in time, and the two had their final showdown before their relationship came to a decisive end.
'The Killing Joke' Joker is the most iconic representation of the Joker, not only that, but it also creates a painful past for this character. This backstory is the most well-known, used in the Batman 1989 movies, the Batman: Under the Red Hood animated movie, slightly in Suicide Squad, and is likely to be the main idea for the upcoming Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix.
2. 'Death of the Family' Joker
'Death of the Family' Joker is the twisted version of Joker in the Batman: Death of the Family comic under New 52. 'Death of the Family' Joker returns to Gotham after many years and launches a series of attacks on the police, forcing Police Commissioner Jim Gordon and Batman along with their allies (Alfred, Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin) to intervene. However, it's all a misdirection because Joker's real target is the Batman family, and ultimately, he succeeds by infiltrating the Batcave - Batman's secret hideout.
'Death of the Family' Joker is seen as a psychotic, horrifying Joker. He has been skinned and uses his own face as a mask, beneath the mask are raw red flesh. He also commits a series of gruesome murders with the ultimate goal of targeting the Batman family. 'Death of the Family' tells Batman that if Batman is a king then Joker is the judge. And the judge doesn't need the king's permission to execute anyone.
3. 'The Dark Knight' Joker
'The Dark Knight' Joker is the version of Joker portrayed by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight film. This is one of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, not only acclaimed as the greatest superhero film of all time but also one of the highest-rated films on IMDb.
The 'The Dark Knight' Joker is an entirely different version - a godless, anarchic terrorist, beyond reason, beyond bribery. He's intelligent, unpredictable, all he wants is chaos and to watch the world burn. In this film, Joker from an unknown entity terrified Gotham, continuously threatening the police and government with his incredibly clever schemes. Ultimately, Joker even uses his trump card, turning Harvey Dent - the symbol of justice in Gotham at the time, into the villain Two-Face. This forces Batman to take the blame for Two-Face, being chased by the police, and hated by the public in order to protect justice.
To embody this deranged Joker, Heath Ledger had to use sleeping pills, isolate himself in a hotel room. Later, Heath Ledger passed away due to exhaustion. He also received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this iconic role.
4. 'The Greatest Stories Ever Told' Joker
Joker: The Greatest Stories Ever Told is a renowned comic about Joker, created by Bill Finger - the father of Batman and Joker. 'The Greatest Stories Ever Told' Joker is not actually a version, as it is a separate comic book created to compile the best Batman and Joker stories of all time.
It includes many legendary issues such as Batman #1 1940 - the first appearance of Joker, various Detective Comics, The Long Halloween... While not a single version, 'The Greatest Stories Ever Told' is a representative of the traditional Joker version in comics, differing in many ways from later versions.
5. 'Batman 1989' Joker
'Batman 1989' Joker is the version of Joker in the 1989 film Batman directed by Tim Burton, portrayed by veteran actor Jack Nicholson. In the film, initially Joker is a criminal in a gang, but after a showdown with Batman at a chemical plant, he is transformed into Joker and returns to seek revenge on both the gang and Batman.
This backstory is inspired by the famous graphic novel 'Batman: The Killing Joke'. Although not as highly acclaimed as the Joker version portrayed by Heath Ledger later on, 'Batman 1989' Joker still has its own special charm. A famous line from 'Batman 1989' Joker has become legendary, 'Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?'
6. 'The Dark Knight Returns' Joker
In the comic book and animated adaptation The Dark Knight Returns, Batman not only faces off against Superman but also has to confront an old foe - Joker. In this version of 'The Dark Knight Returns' Joker, both Batman and Joker are older, no longer strangers to each other. At this point, Joker plans another escape and takes over a circus, using bizarre henchmen to attack Batman and Robin.
Later on, Batman and Joker engage in a chase through a greenhouse and beneath the streets - where they play out their lover's quarrel game. Batman realizes he can no longer forgive Joker as he used to and decides to take the drastic step of killing Joker - something Batman had always steadfastly refused to do over the years of pursuit. This is seen as the ultimate conclusion between Batman and Joker, and Batman killing Joker signifies Joker's victory.
7. 'Arkham Origins' Joker
One version from a game also makes it to the Top 10 Best Joker Versions of All Time, that's the 'Arkham Origins' Joker - the Joker version in the game Arkham Origins and later Arkham Asylums and Arkham Knight. 'Arkham Origins' Joker is a cunning, ruthless Joker behind a series of nefarious murder plots in Gotham to serve his own purposes that Batman has to investigate and thwart.
This version is voiced by Troy Baker and Mark Hamill - the former actor who portrayed Luke Skywalker in Star Wars and voiced Joker in the legendary Batman The Animated Series 1992.
8. 'Batman Animated series' Joker
'Batman Animated series' Joker is the version of Joker voiced by Mark Hamill. This former actor who portrayed Luke Skywalker in Star Wars is also considered the most successful voice actor for Joker, with his distinctive voice and laughter that sends shivers down your spine. In this animated TV series about Batman in 1992, Joker is an intelligent, mad clown who enjoys wordplay and mischief to harass Batman.
This is considered the most comic book accurate version of Joker to date, not overly complex in terms of psychology but smart and mischievous enough to make viewers fall in love. Joker in this TV series often appears alongside Harley Quinn to become a mischievous duo causing trouble for Batman. This is also the first time Harley Quinn appeared on screen and the most remarkable Harley Quinn to date.
9. 'Gotham' Jerome
Not exactly the Joker but 'Gotham' Jerome still makes it to the Top 10 best Joker versions of all time as this is considered the precursor of Joker. Appearing in Gotham - a TV series when Bruce Wayne is still young and not yet Batman, Jerome completely surprises and becomes the highlight of the show. Jerome is originally a boy living in a circus, with a dark background and a history of mental illness.
After being in Arkham, Jerome is rescued and from then on, he begins his journey of crime. Initially just a piece of the puzzle in the criminal landscape but Jerome gradually rises and becomes the terror of Gotham, frightening all enemies. Notably, the way Jerome hunts Bruce, the scenes of the two teenagers chasing each other are very intriguing as later, both will become mortal enemies.
One of the most beloved scenes is the chase between Jerome and Bruce Wayne in the greenhouse, reminiscent of Joker in The Dark Knight Rises. As the precursor of Joker, Jerome leaves a strong personal mark and evokes associations with different versions of Joker in The Dark Knight, Death of Family, and The Dark Knight Rises. Despite being just a TV version, Jerome has become an impressive and outstanding character.
10. 'Suicide Squad' Joker
And the last name in the Top 10 best Joker versions of all time is 'Suicide Squad' Joker - the Joker portrayed by Jared Leto, appearing in the Suicide Squad movie in the DCEU cinematic universe developed by DC Comics. Jared Leto is an undeniable talent, however, the screen time of Joker in the movie is too short, moreover, Suicide Squad is poorly received by both critics and audiences, so 'Suicide Squad' Joker portrayed by Jared Leto still hasn't been able to show much, even being rated low by many due to being too 'flashy' and 'over the top'.
Unlike previous Joker versions, 'Suicide Squad' Joker is a 'gangster' type of Joker, considered the 'prince of Gotham crime', taking inspiration in appearance from Endgame Joker. With the appearance of the Joker version portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, 'Suicide Squad' Joker is under great pressure. However, we should give 'Suicide Squad' Joker a chance to show more in the upcoming movies of the DCEU.