Joker Writers

[silentflute]

While I love Englehart's and Miller's Joker, I have to say my favorite Joker writer is Denny O'Neil."The Joker's Five Way Revenge" really nails the character.I agree with Miller's statement about the Joker's name being irony, and I 'm of the opinion that it's more interesting to explore his "evilness" rather than his psychosis.That said, I'm a huge fan of the Killing Joke, although I don't agree with about 90% of it- including the fact that it showed a possible origin.

Who are some of your favorite Joker writers and why?

[nite-owl]

Besides the one's you mentioned I like Alan Moores and Grant Morrisons Joker.

[Rynan]

I'm going to go with Denny. Actually, most of the writers pre-Killing Joke. They no "Origin" limitations to keep them at bay with the story they wanted to tell. And they were all good stories(or realtivley good).


I miss stories where The Joker wasn't crazy and was, instead, an dangerous evil criminal genius :(.

[silentflute]

I'm going to go with Denny. Actually, most of the writers pre-Killing Joke. They no "Origin" limitations to keep them at bay with the story they wanted to tell. And they were all good stories(or realtivley good).


I miss stories where The Joker wasn't crazy and was, instead, an dangerous evil criminal genius :(.

Totally with you on that Rynan. My biggest problem with the killing joke was the sympathy.The joker's not a cahracter that i want to feel sympathetic with, in any way shape or form.

There was a creepiness to the way Denny wrote the Joker that just lingered. Of course Neal Adams and Irv novicks artwork went a long way in creating that feeling, but Denny just gave us a really scary character.

[silentflute]

Besides the one's you mentioned I like Alan Moores and Grant Morrisons Joker.

Cool.what'd u like about 'em?

[MaskedManJRK]

Totally with you on that Rynan. My biggest problem with the killing joke was the sympathy.The joker's not a cahracter that i want to feel sympathetic with, in any way shape or form.

There was a creepiness to the way Denny wrote the Joker that just lingered. Of course Neal Adams and Irv novicks artwork went a long way in creating that feeling, but Denny just gave us a really scary character.

I don't think it was meant to give Joker sympathy, really. In fact, I think it was meant to make him even more frightening. The Joker before then was merely a very evil man, but the events of TKJ made it even more scary because of the fact that any of us could end up just like him, because it, like he said, it only takes some bad s**t to happen to transform someone from a nice guy to a raging lunetic.

Before he was just a crazy clown guy, now he's practically the very evil that brews within the human soul completely fleshed out, alive, and enjoying it.

[silentflute]

I don't think it was meant to give Joker sympathy, really. In fact, I think it was meant to make him even more frightening. The Joker before then was merely a very evil man, but the events of TKJ made it even more scary because of the fact that any of us could end up just like him, because it, like he said, it only takes some bad s**t to happen to transform someone from a nice guy to a raging lunetic.

Before he was just a crazy clown guy, now he's practically the very evil that brews within the human soul completely fleshed out, alive, and enjoying it.

Good observations.However, the back story- failed comedian with a loving supporting wife, losing her to such a random accident- gave the Joker a soul. In a way I could understand-though not condone- how he was driven to become what he became.

[Ben Urich]

Denny O'Neil is responsible for making the Joker a real threat again after he had just been a lame freak through the 50s and 60s.
Grant Morrison's take on the Joker was fantastic, as was Alan Moore's. I think we'd be remiss if we didn't mention Paul Dini, who refreshed many of Batman's rogues when developing Batman: The Animated Series in the early 90s.

[Rynan]

Good observations.However, the back story- failed comedian with a loving supporting wife, losing her to such a random accident- gave the Joker a soul. In a way I could understand-though not condone- how he was driven to become what he became.

I, personally, don't think I need to understand or relate to the villain. I don't need to know about their abusive father, or failed marrage or what turned them evil. It doesn't matter. What matters is what they are now, not how they came to be.

The Joker is an insane criminal, pure and simple. He murders innocent people. He steals from innocent people. He is evil. And that's all I need to know.

[Ben Urich]

I, personally, don't think I need to understand or relate to the villain. I don't need to know about their abusive father, or failed marrage or what turned them evil. It doesn't matter. What matters is what they are now, not how they came to be.

The Joker is an insane criminal, pure and simple. He murders innocent people. He steals from innocent people. He is evil. And that's all I need to know.

I think that's only really true for the Joker. With most other villains, their background is essential. Would we give a damn about Mr. Freeze if we didn't know that he's only trying to reanimate his loving wife? Would Two Face be nearly as compelling a character if we didn't know that deep down within his twisted soul lies the charismatic and good-natured Harvey Dent?
I liked knowing more about the Joker's past (Killing Joke, Man Who Laughs, etc) but that knowledge isn't essential to the character.

[Castle]

Loeb... Long halloween made me love the character. Sales art helped, but him talking about the grinch when he's robbing someone on christmas was great. Even his lines in hush were classic.

Moore is another of my favorites. He went from the funny to the scary very easily.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I think I prefer Paul Dini's Joker.

He somehow found a way to keep the Joker somewhere between the Clown and the Psycho. He could write that sort of tounge-in-cheek version, but then write that bastard of a clown too. I liked that.

[drastic_quench]

I think I prefer Paul Dini's Joker.

He somehow found a way to keep the Joker somewhere between the Clown and the Psycho. He could write that sort of tounge-in-cheek version, but then write that bastard of a clown too. I liked that.
You KILLED Captain Clown!!!

[Ben Urich]

There's this one classic B:TAS episode where Harley leaves Joker and teams up with Poison Ivy, who lives in this nasty chemical dump. Joker gets pissed and hunts her down. He gets fed up and just opens fire on the whole place with a tommy gun and ends up hitting some volatile barrels. After seeing that he's basically signed everyone's death certificate, he slaps his forehead and says "OOPS! Dopey me!" as the place erupts in flames. :D:up:

[silentflute]

The Joker is an insane criminal, pure and simple. He murders innocent people. He steals from innocent people. He is evil. And that's all I need to know.


My point exactly.That's why, as brilliantly written and drawn the Killing Joke is, I have problems with it.

[silentflute]

A great O'Neil story is "The Joker's Playground Of Peril" from Batman #286.Every bitas creepy as Five Way Revenge, and had to be an influence on the Killing Joke.

[silentflute]

....

[The Batman]

anyone who wrote joker pre-killing jason todd...cause mister. j's been on a downward spiral since

my fave is englehearts amd BTAS....

[The Joker]

anyone who wrote joker pre-killing jason todd...cause mister. j's been on a downward spiral since


Elaborate please Bats. What don't you like about him in the stories after Todd's death??

[Rynan]

Elaborate please Bats. What don't you like about him in the stories after Todd's death??

Maybe it's the fact that The Joker is still alive when he should've been dead. I can tell you that if some crazy man killed my son, that psycho won't be breathing the next morning.

[CConn]

If my son was Jason Todd...eh, I might let bygons be bygons.

[zer00]

Maybe it's the fact that The Joker is still alive when he should've been dead. I can tell you that if some crazy man killed my son, that psycho won't be breathing the next morning.

I'm glad you have no authority in the comic industry.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Yeah, jeesh........the Joker is the ****ing man.

We all know why he's not dead......and it's not because Batman can't kill....that's not why...

[Rynan]

Yeah, jeesh........the Joker is the ****ing man.

We all know why he's not dead......and it's not because Batman can't kill....that's not why...

I know. But it was still the greatest weakness in both characters. The Joker killed Batman's adoptive son, and we would hear about it for years.

Think they resolved it by bringing Todd back to life, but I'm not sure...

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Meh, it's the way the comic book world is.

In the comics, Dead means "dead".....not dead.