Welcome to the first episode of a new segment of my blog called “Who’s the Best?” This is where I compare the different takes on different characters in films, books and TV shows. With that said, let’s begin with a comparison of the legendary comic book foe, The Joker. Now, as you all know, there have been many takes on this hideous clown over the years. So which one do I think is the best? Well, sit back, relax and enjoy the first episode of “Who’s the Best”.
1. The Comic Book Joker
As you die-hard Joker fans know, the Joker was based off the villain in the 1928 silent film, The Man Who Laughs. With his permanent smile, green hair, and vile laugh, the Joker was the perfect antaganist to the caped Batman. His trademark is his laughing gases, his clown henchmen, and his unknown backstory. So many histories have been done of the Joker over the years, it’s hard to find out which one is nonfiction. One story depicts that he was a criminal called the Red Hood, who had a pregnant wife.
Another story says that he was a crook that fell into a pool of chemicals that mutated him into a insane clown. But no matter what backstory he has, the Joker was a great menace to Batman, always causing chaos and havok in Gotham City. He also used great weapons, like giant pistols and a gun that had a flag come out, saying Boom!
2. Caesar Romero Joker
Remember the days when Batman was a jolly old fellow, who loved to eat Batburgers and party in clubs. That’s where we are going next. The Joker in this series, potrayed by movie legend Caesar Romero, had a corny laugh, was sassy with the girls, and always had some silly prank up his sleeve. In one episode, he tried to turned the water supply in Gotham into jelly. Another episode involved him competing with Batman in a surfing competition. Even in his first episode on the show, he was seen playing baseball shortly before breaking out of Arkam. In my opinion, this Joker really slides by. He is silly, funny, and freaky at times. But you gotta love that laugh, it’s sounds like a cross between a chipmunk and a munchkin from The Wizard of Oz.
3. Jack Nicholson Joker
1. The Comic Book Joker
As you die-hard Joker fans know, the Joker was based off the villain in the 1928 silent film, The Man Who Laughs. With his permanent smile, green hair, and vile laugh, the Joker was the perfect antaganist to the caped Batman. His trademark is his laughing gases, his clown henchmen, and his unknown backstory. So many histories have been done of the Joker over the years, it’s hard to find out which one is nonfiction. One story depicts that he was a criminal called the Red Hood, who had a pregnant wife.
Another story says that he was a crook that fell into a pool of chemicals that mutated him into a insane clown. But no matter what backstory he has, the Joker was a great menace to Batman, always causing chaos and havok in Gotham City. He also used great weapons, like giant pistols and a gun that had a flag come out, saying Boom!
2. Caesar Romero Joker
Remember the days when Batman was a jolly old fellow, who loved to eat Batburgers and party in clubs. That’s where we are going next. The Joker in this series, potrayed by movie legend Caesar Romero, had a corny laugh, was sassy with the girls, and always had some silly prank up his sleeve. In one episode, he tried to turned the water supply in Gotham into jelly. Another episode involved him competing with Batman in a surfing competition. Even in his first episode on the show, he was seen playing baseball shortly before breaking out of Arkam. In my opinion, this Joker really slides by. He is silly, funny, and freaky at times. But you gotta love that laugh, it’s sounds like a cross between a chipmunk and a munchkin from The Wizard of Oz.
3. Jack Nicholson Joker
Okay, where do I begin? Well, I can start by saying that the Joker in Burton’s beloved film has a bigger role in this film than Batman himself. We know a lot more about him than we do Batman. But that only makes the character even better. What really seals the character and Batman together is that the young Joker aka Jack Napier kills Batman’s parents, which would make Bruce Wayne avenge them as Batman, and that Batman made Jack Napier fall into the pool of chemicals, thus making the Joker want to kill Batman. In a way, they are both responsible for each other’s alter ego conception, and the character development on the Joker is fantastic. I love how he poisons everyone with laughing gas, how he kills a guy with a feather, how he gives everyone in the 200th Aniversary Parade fake money, and how he ruins the Gotham Museum by painting everything. And you gotta love those quotes.
He stole my balloons!
Vikki Vale: What do you want?
Joker: My face on the one dollar bill!
You are my number one, and I!
But no matter, Jack Nicholson did an excellent job with the Joker, and if he would have succeeded with the Batman, which we see he didn’t, we might have seen the Joker again. But in my beliefs, the Jack Nicholson Joker lives on in the Batman animated series. I strongly recommended watching a few of the episodes of that show.
4. Heath Ledger Joker
Well, I can honestly say that this Joker is more or less a serial killing maniac! I mean, he is scary, freaky, and funny at the same time. Unlike the other Jokers, this one is terrifying, making us urinate in our pants. The one scene I remember in The Dark Knight that freaked me out the most was the scene where he was torturing a Batman impersonator on the TV, and then hangs him after covering his face in Joker makeup. I also find it weird that his abusive father cuts a smile into his face after killing his mother, saying the epic quote, Why so serious? It’s just odd and scary. But I still like this Joker, I just think that he is a little overrated and a little rambunctious. And I think that Heath Ledger really deserved his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Though this Joker is frightening, he is still a pretty well designed character, and shows that changes in famous characters are good!
So, who do I think is the best Joker. Well, out of the four, I think that Jack Nicholson is the best pick. He really fits the character well, and gives us a great villain that is not only scary, but humorous and funny. But does that mean that I don’t like the other Jokers, no way, I just think that Jack Nicholson is the best Joker of them all. I hope that one day, when the Nolan films are a thing in the past, Tim Burton will one day bring back the menacing clown, even thought Nicholson will be a bit old.
Stay tuned for other great episode of “Who’s the Best”, where I will compare the takes on the Caped Crusader himself, Batman. I hoped you enjoyed this and good day to all.
He stole my balloons!
Vikki Vale: What do you want?
Joker: My face on the one dollar bill!
You are my number one, and I!
But no matter, Jack Nicholson did an excellent job with the Joker, and if he would have succeeded with the Batman, which we see he didn’t, we might have seen the Joker again. But in my beliefs, the Jack Nicholson Joker lives on in the Batman animated series. I strongly recommended watching a few of the episodes of that show.
4. Heath Ledger Joker
Well, I can honestly say that this Joker is more or less a serial killing maniac! I mean, he is scary, freaky, and funny at the same time. Unlike the other Jokers, this one is terrifying, making us urinate in our pants. The one scene I remember in The Dark Knight that freaked me out the most was the scene where he was torturing a Batman impersonator on the TV, and then hangs him after covering his face in Joker makeup. I also find it weird that his abusive father cuts a smile into his face after killing his mother, saying the epic quote, Why so serious? It’s just odd and scary. But I still like this Joker, I just think that he is a little overrated and a little rambunctious. And I think that Heath Ledger really deserved his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Though this Joker is frightening, he is still a pretty well designed character, and shows that changes in famous characters are good!
So, who do I think is the best Joker. Well, out of the four, I think that Jack Nicholson is the best pick. He really fits the character well, and gives us a great villain that is not only scary, but humorous and funny. But does that mean that I don’t like the other Jokers, no way, I just think that Jack Nicholson is the best Joker of them all. I hope that one day, when the Nolan films are a thing in the past, Tim Burton will one day bring back the menacing clown, even thought Nicholson will be a bit old.
Stay tuned for other great episode of “Who’s the Best”, where I will compare the takes on the Caped Crusader himself, Batman. I hoped you enjoyed this and good day to all.
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