Monday, April 23, 2007

I'M A JOKER, I'M A SMOKER, I'M A MIDNIGHT TOKER

I came across this still of Conrad Veidt from the 1928 silent film THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, and while I had heard that the visual for Batman's arch-enemy, the Joker, was cribbed from that film, I had never before found a letter perfect example. Well, feast your eyes on this shit:

I don't know what you think, but that's the motherfucking Joker.

In the film, the character was disfigured as a child, a permanent smile carved onto his face, and damn my eyes if he isn't creepy-looking as all fuck. That visage would go on to delight comics fans for over six decades, a countenance forever connected with diabolical schemes such as this; from "The Joker's Comedy of Errors," BATMAN #66 (August-September 1951):

Don't worry, dear readers! It's Batman, and I'm sure he can more than handle the Joker's boner!
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:40 PM

    This is why I'm still an 11 year old... this is the funniest shit I've read in a loooong time!

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  2. Chez4:41 PM

    If you get a sec -- wander over to my corner of the internet. Somebody put together an artist's conception of the new Joker based on this pic. It's good stuff.

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  3. Anonymous5:40 AM

    Aw, that's brilliant, thank you.
    It answered a few questions that came up in connection with Mr. Hugo's story and the Joker :)

    Regards,
    Lady Lovecraft

    ReplyDelete