Coursework : Character Research - The Joker

Researching into a character - The Joker

Today I'm going to be exploring and analysing any character from a film that I would like to look into. I've chosen The Joker originally from Batman The dark night but whom also features in suicide squad.

The Joker is a fictional super villain created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson who first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book, batman published by DC comics in April 1940. Although the Joker was planned to be killed off during his initial appearance, he was spared by editorial intervention, allowing the character to continue to be the archenemy of the superhero Batman. In his comic book appearances, the Joker is portrayed as a criminal mastermind. He is a psychopath with a warped, sadistic sense of humour. The character became a goofy prankster in the late 1950s in response to regulation by the Comics Code Authority, before returning to his darker roots during the early 1970s. As Batman's nemesis, the Joker has been part of the superhero's defining stories, including the murder of Jason Todd the second Robin and Batman's ward and the paralysis of one of Batman's allies, Barbara Gordon.

There are lots of theories as to why the joker is effectively insane. My favorite theory is him falling into a tank of chemical waste which bleaches his skin white, turns his hair green, and his lips bright red; the resulting disfigurement drives him insane.

(The Joker, played by Heath Ledger in Batman The Dark Knight)

One of the most iconic characters in popular culture, he has been listed among the greatest comic book villains and fictional characters ever created.  The character's popularity has seen him appear on a variety of merchandise, such as clothing and collectable items, inspire real-world structures (such as theme park attractions).

The Joker possesses no superhuman abilities, instead using his expertise in chemical engineering to develop poisonous or lethal concoctions, and thematic weaponry, including razor-tipped playing cards, deadly joy buzzers, and acid-spraying lapel flowers.

(The Joker portrayed by Jared Leto in Suicide Squad)

In Batman The Dark Knight the Joker is portrayed as a dark character who cares about no one, he only cared about Batman, he cared about or better yet, took pleasure out of ruining all of Batman's plans. He didn't even care about his share of the money, he just wanted to make Batman's life a living misery. He worked for no one and thought he could get away with everything.

However the Joker is portrayed very differently in suicide squad, in this adaptation the joke falls hopelessly in love with Harley Quinn, originally she was not crazy. The joker made her that way, he wanted someone like himself to be with, he took the pleasure in injuring her and together they became the king and queen of gotham city.