in the very first issue of Batman‘s own monthly title. Created by Bob Kane. Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson. initially be was a mass killer. slashing his way through Gotham City. Following the Comics Code Authority’s censorship of the medium. though. the Joker became a mere
giggling fool. popping tip to generally just get up to no good. From this era comes Cesar Romero’s harmlessly camp bank robber from the 60s TV show. The character disappeared from the comics for about ten years and when he retumed in 1973 he was insane again. the basis for Jack Nicholson's dangerous clown.
Depth was later added to The Joker‘s character. In The Killing Joke ([988). he starts out as a failed stand-up comic. who enters crime to support his pregnant wife. His wife dies on the same day he has his fateful accident. leading him to reason that ‘anyone can go insane after one really bad day'. In Frank Miller's graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns (1986). ranked as one of the medium‘s greatest achievements. the Joker even takes on psychoanalytical and political symbolism. He is both flip-side to Bruce Wayne‘s sexual repression and ligurehead for the rising tide of violence feared in the Reaganite 80s.
Which brings us to the present. with another Republican administration and a new Joker. ‘He cuts through the movie the way the shark does in .lmvs.‘ is how Nolan described Heath Ledger’s take on the character. ‘He comes and goes and causes complete mayhem.‘ Stripped of charisma. he is an omnipresent enemy. destester of law and order. terrorising Gotham with eruptions of violence. Sound familiar? This is a frighteningly real Joker. for the post-9/ l 1 age. ‘Some men.’ as Michael Caine’s Alfred comments in The Dark Knight. ‘just want to watch the world bum.‘
‘THE JOKER IS A GLAM- ROCK HOOD THUMBING HIS NOSE AT AUTHORITY'
Dark Knight is out on general release on Fri 25 Jul. See next issue for review.
I 1986
The New -dventures of atman animated series premieres
Four part mini series The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller helps change the public's perception of comics
1989
Tim Burton revives the caped crusader for the big screen, in the muscular form of Michael Keaton. Show comprehensively nicked by Jack
1991
Burton sequel Batman Returns is released and is accused of going over the line with sexual innuendo. McDonald's cancels its Batman Happy Meal
Joel Schumacher directs second sequel Batman Forever. He is told to ‘lighten up’ the franchise a bit. An utterly forgettable Vall Kilmer dons the rubber suit
1997
Batman and Robin,
directed again by Schumacher, is
universally panned.
George Clooney stars as Batman. with Arnold Schwarzenegger as laughable baddie Mr Freeze
Before the release of Batman and Robin work on Batman 5 goes into production. Due to the farmer’s poor performance Batman 5 (to be called Batman Triumphant) is shelved, locked away in 8 Warner Bros. vault, never to be seen
2005
Batman Begins. directed by Christopher Nolan. goes back to the start. Christian Bale's brooding Batman generates over $371 million in box office
2008
The Dark Knight, directed by Nolan again, retains Bale as Batman. Heath Ledger is being tipped for a posthumous Osca for Best Supporting Actor as the Joker
17—31 .Jul 2008 THE LIST 25