Gotham The Man Before The Smile

The Alan Moore version of the origin is the best version. It's the most compelling, it creates the strongest character parallels between Joker and Batman, in embodies the themes of the Bat-mythos the most effectively, it makes The Joker much more three dimensional character, and it has the most story potential without going into a hyper-contrived thinly coded destiny narrative where "everything is connected" (Jack Napier killing the Waynes and whatnot).

 

I like the failed comedian and dangerous criminal origins, but I prefer for him to have no origin. That kind of makes him, I don't know, God-like or something, but this is DC Comics, and you can get away with that here. No name, no background, he just is the Joker.

 

I want multiple candidate and I want all of them to slowly degrade into the Joker's world view as the show goes on. And I'd like the Red Hood Gang to be integral to both their rebirth and the show as a myth arc for how far Gotham's fallen.

Failed comedian gone desperate? Okay, but I want at least a few episode where he's in the gang to show him getting more and more detached from the people he's hurting and maybe acting a little like Walter White towards his family.

Jack-Napier-esque Trenchcoat and fedora man? Awesome, but play up his believe in the code of honor of the Mafiosi and have betrayals slowly beat him down into an angry nihlist, like watching Tony Montana get worse and worse and start breaking his own rules.

Hitman who grins to much? Make him an already messed up guy who nonetheless thinks he can carve out his own little niche and refuge in Gotham's landscape, than have his plans fall to shreds and have all his schemes go the way of the best-laid plans of mice and men, eventually becoming a nihlist.

Don't give him one giant Freudian excuse. show him start out relateable and then cross the Moral Event Horizon of his own free will.

 

I like the metaphor of him being a "failed comedian".

However, I think if they're going to show the evolution of The Joker, it should be a slippery slope type descent into madness, not just "One Bad Day".

 

I like the 89 Joker origin best, minus the murdering of the Wayne family. Maybe he could initially be sympathetic like in TKJ, but could eventually become the Napier in 89

 

I'd rather not see him at all. However, if they have to have him on the show, I'd like to see the "one bad day" concept explored.

 

I would prefer not to see him in the show. If they have to include him, I'd prefer they structure the episode like "Almost Got 'im." Have three different thugs supply their own account of what the Joker was before, and leave the audience to draw their own conclusions. Or, they could follow the beat of Zero Yearand have him as the ruthless leader of the Red Hood Gang who takes an acid bath.

 

Either an already psychopathic Red Hood or various characters that could each turn out to become the Joker (one bad day average joe; bad seed type of kid; or a sadistic hitman)

 

I wouldn't mind if it was just brief and if it ever boils down to it, it's brought up in spirts and whatever can be found like in The Man Who Laughs graphic novel.

I would like to KNOW, but to keep in tradition with the character and TKJ... keep it thinking and flowing with all sorts of stories and theories.

 

The Joker works best when he's as mysterious as possible.

Maybe it's because I grew up with BTAS, but I prefer the hitman angle. The Joker as a failed comedian is just so lame and cheesy to me.

He should just be called Jack. Imagine the fangasming that would commence if a mob boss referred to some young thug as Jack.

I like the bolded. My favorite Joker is one for whom we have no sympathy at all. He was always a weirdo but his acid bath sent him over the edge into Crazytown.

 

Where did you hear they're going with the comedian angle?

 

I disagree.

If you're not going to delve into the psychology of the character indepth, sure, he works better as a mystery. Because it's better than nothing.

But The Joker always, ALWAYS works best when his motivations, reaction to trauma and conflict and general worldview is explored, not as a simple "monster".

 

Oh, fudge. I hope they're wrong then.

 

I imagine the Joker being a kid who Bruce left on the roof during recess.

And that's Batman creates the Joker.

 

Can't it be both?