DC's Definitive Joker origin

[SenseiofCheese]

if it's not permawhite, it's not the joker...I dont care how he comes about the permawhite in any medium, but it has to be there.

Very true.
To me, the Joker being permawhite is just as much a part of his character as having a side of his face scarred is for Two-Face.
Without it, they're just not the character.

 

[The Joker]

if it's not permawhite, it's not the joker...I dont care how he comes about the permawhite in any medium, but it has to be there.

I agree! It's a staple trait of the character. Always has been.

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

Jokers eyes are wayyyyy far apart in these covers

 

[Venom 1988]

cover for 12

 

[Keyser Soze]

cover for 12

Hmmmm.....don't know what I think of this one. It feels like it COULD be iconic, but it's all a bit...off. Like, instead of being face-to-face, Batman and Joker aren't lined up evenly. And we should get a glimpse of Joker's eyes, rather than him having them closed. So the overall effect seems less like an intense climactic staredown, and more like Batman sniffing The Joker's hair.

 

[Joker]

Joker's nose isnt pointy enough either, it's too flat...it should be long and slightly hooked at the end....the smile is perfect though.

 

[Kakihara]

This new take on the origin isn't going to be the end-all, be-all origin for the books. It'll be a subject of interest for awhile, but will probably not hang around and have the "legs" TKJ does. The Joker's origin will always be officially, unending and unkown. This new version will have as much impact to the continuity as an elseworlds title. Having said that, I'll still probably pick up a trade, though.

 

[Keyser Soze]

This new take on the origin isn't going to be the end-all, be-all origin for the books. It'll be a subject of interest for awhile, but will probably not hang around and have the "legs" TKJ does. The Joker's origin will always be officially, unending and unkown. This new version will have as much impact to the continuity as an elseworlds title. Having said that, I'll still probably pick up a trade, though.

Who cares if it's canon, or if its official continuity? It's a great story. Just enjoy it for what it is, rather than agonising over the long-term repercussions of it. You'll have more fun that way.

 

[Nepenthes]

In some ways it feels like this story was designed for non-fans that will come into a comic shop after seeing TDK. I'm not so against that. If a new fan asked me what to buy I'd pimp them this and Year One, a good little transition from movies to comics.

 

[The Joker]

That new cover is horrendous

 

[BubbaGump]

I think Batman looks fine. It's the Joker that's kinda off. I also don't understand the angle. Keyser Soze stated it quite nicely (as he always does).

It feels like it COULD be iconic, but it's all a bit...off. Like, instead of being face-to-face, Batman and Joker aren't lined up evenly. And we should get a glimpse of Joker's eyes, rather than him having them closed. So the overall effect seems less like an intense climactic staredown, and more like Batman sniffing The Joker's hair.

 

[Kakihara]

Who cares if it's canon, or if its official continuity? It's a great story. Just enjoy it for what it is, rather than agonising over the long-term repercussions of it. You'll have more fun that way.

Uh...I was just letting people know it wasn't going to be around for long. I even said I would probably pick up the trade too.

 

[Agentsands77]

I like Cowan's art in this series for the most part (the cover for the final issue is certainly awkward, however), but I just haven't been crazy about the coloring.

 

[Joker]

I think one of his main problems is his line work is too busy...like, there's too much going on in his shading...look at the left of Joker in that pic, it's so f**kin full of line work...

 

[Agentsands77]

I like the busy line work. It gives his art an interesting edge.

 

[Kakihara]

I like the busy line work. It gives his art an interesting edge.

Reminds me of Bill Sienkiewicz, which is a plus.

 

[Joker]

I think his anatomy is a bit off too. I can understand doing it on the Joker, too make him look that much more twisted...but, using the new cover as an example, what's up with Batmans enormous underbite? He needs to use refference, I think, that would probably help alot. And if he could work on his consistency (some panels are incredible, and some make me sick), he could be a great artist.

 

[Nepenthes]

^ i think he's doing that on purpose. it's a style that forgoes correct anatomy

 

[Aristotle]

This new take on the origin isn't going to be the end-all, be-all origin for the books. It'll be a subject of interest for awhile, but will probably not hang around and have the "legs" TKJ does. The Joker's origin will always be officially, unending and unkown. This new version will have as much impact to the continuity as an elseworlds title. Having said that, I'll still probably pick up a trade, though.

You had DAMN well better be right. So far it's shat all over the Joker's origin, Harleen Quinzel, Jonathan Crane, Bruce Wayne's love life, and the general Batman mythos. Not to mention that the art looks like a ******ed 8-year-old drew it. If these are the standards of art for a monumental DC project such as the origin of the ****ing Joker, maybe I oughtta try my hand.

Who cares if it's canon, or if its official continuity? It's a great story.

In what way, exactly, is this a great story?

In some ways it feels like this story was designed for non-fans that will come into a comic shop after seeing TDK. I'm not so against that.

How hard would it be to redo the Killing Joke origin, or to add something to it, as several books such as Gotham Knights and Shadow of the Bat have done over the years (quite successfully in my view)?

^ i think he's doing that on purpose. it's a style that forgoes correct anatomy

We don't forgive Rob Liefeld for that. Why would we forgive this clown?

 

[Agentsands77]

In what way, exactly, is this a great story?

In its wonderful characterizations, for one thing.

How hard would it be to redo the Killing Joke origin, or to add something to it, as several books such as Gotham Knights and Shadow of the Bat have done over the years (quite successfully in my view)?

It wouldn't be. But it would be far less interesting.

Why would we forgive this clown?

Because it's a stylistic choice. It doesn't need "forgiving." You either like the approach or you don't. I find Cowan's art fascinating. I just don't like the coloring... a good colorist would make the art really pop.

 

[Aristotle]

In its wonderful characterizations, for one thing.

Wonderful characterizations? Batman losing ALL his nerve at his first major challenge? Legends of the Dark Knight taught me better than that. Alfred the master computer nerd...'fraid I'm not buying that at all. Joker's a bored hired killer instead of a tragic failed comedian...how are any of these "wonderful."

 

[Dirt Like Me]

Joker's a bored hired killer instead of a tragic failed comedian...how are any of these "wonderful."

I think hitman pre-Joker is more interesting than the failed comedian angle. And I think it's a better fit for the character. I'm really enjoying Confidential right now.

 

[Mr. Socko]

Best thing about comics is that I can count what I want in continuity and throw the rest out.

 

[JTStarkiller]

New deluxe hardcover edition of The Killing Joke coming in March 2008. I'm excited for that.

 

[Joker]

So everyone knows, they did the Joker's origin in Countdown this week as a 2 page back up...his current Confidential story is indeed just one of the ways it could have happened, as they mention the Killing Joke origin ('So there's this comic who can't make an audience laught...I think that's how this one goes, I forget sometimes..."), his origin from the movie ("how about the one where a mob killer named Napier comes to Gotham and...no wiat, you're too young for that one."), and the Red Hood ("so a small-time yutz in a red hood walks into a factory, right?"...it then continues the rest of the origin with the chemicals and such from there, using the Red Hood stealing hte Ace Chemical payrole)...so this definitive origin isnt so definitive after all