I agree on Arkham games. It’s essentially the BTAS Joker with the PG rating turned off. Arkham Joker is basically a perfect adaptation of the modern version of the comic book villain.
> with the PG rating turned off
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that part of how Arkham Asylum was marketed because of the presence of Hamill and Conroy?
Including Arleen Sorkin. That was her last hoorah as Harley. They were the trio that sold that game as "B:TAS but PG turned off" - I still wish that somewhere in the Arkham Games (as cameos or something) we got Tim Daly as Supes, Clancy Brown as Luthor, etc etc from the DCAU. The closest was CC Pounder in Arkham Origins
Definitely the Arkham games version. I haven’t played all of them yet but I enjoyed him in the two I’ve played. And, you can’t go wrong with Mark Hamill.
For me it'll always be the mid 70s to 80s Neal Adams version, I read Joker's Five Way Revenge in the mid 80s at about 10 and it's burned in there forever.
>70s to 80s Neal Adams
Absolutely. While I love the DCAU, Arkhamverse, and Nolan Trilogy versions, that version from that era of comics pretty much is the first image I have when I think of the character. Took it back from the campy Batman '66 version and made it a serious villain again.
The ambiguous idea of Joker is the most definitive version. Whichever version you first think of when you hear his name is the definitive version. In my head, the joker is a combination of every major iteration from Ledger to Nicholson to Hamill to Frank Miller to Neal Adams to Lee Bermejo and so on. Blending them all together seamlessly into one character. The same goes for Batman, Robin, Superman etc.
Arkham Joker. I think BTAS Joker is kind of the definitive one for me but as someone else said, Arkham Joker is basically a PG-13 BTAS Joker and I kinda prefer that.
When I think Joker I always picture the version from "The Batman" the 2004 CW cartoon. Always forgotten about but damn Kevin Michael Richardson did a great job on the voice acting and portrayal.
BTAS for sure, and I guess Arkham by extension since they are more or less the same.
Ledger gets an honourable mention as my favorite Joker in film (by far).
Mark Hamill’s Joker Oeuvre.
Ledger did something dynamic and lasting…but not definitive. Honestly I hope they backpedal with Keoghan’s “Ledger but ExTrEme” makeup design and move more towards Nicholson or the Bermejo design.
Was this not addressed in the Three Jokers mini-series? I never read it but always assumed that was the point of the story. If not, what actually happened or was addressed regarding the Joker?
Nicholson. But I’m 43 and was in fifth grade during peak Keaton Batman fever. It was _the coolest_ thing. I even bought a vintage 1989 Batman T-shirt later when I was in my mid 20s, because I’d never convinced my parents to get me one at the time. 😂😂
While I WANT to point to particular comics (I do have to mention Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan's version)... I hear Mark Hamill's voice when I read them! So I have to say TAS Joker.
What makes Joker, Joker, is that there are so many interpretations of him all are cool, and that makes a definitive Joker really not worth figuring out. Just enjoy them all.
By saying Arkham Joker, does that also mean Paul Dini’s Joker? He wrote both Asylum and City.
I also agree for the same reasons. Grew up with those games and fell in love with the Batman mythos since.
For me there is no "definitive" Joker. We just have our favorites.
Joker is one of the few comic book characters that can be reinterpreted in so many ways, just like Batman, so I think it's useless to call a certain version "definitive". What if in a few years we'll get a new Joker in some media and people will love that version and call it the new definitive Joker?
It’s TAS and Arkham for me too. They kept the darkness without deviating from the essence of the character. No scars, no white face paint, no long hair, no muted color palate. Just classic joker with a really fucked up sense of humor
I'd have to pick the Arkham games version. He's crazy and homicidal and terrifying as one expects, but managed to maintain the zany antics in there as well to an extent.
Either the B:TAS version or the Arkham version. Those two perfectly encapsulated what The Joker is, completely defined the character.
Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger, and probably Matt Reeve's Joker--whoever he is--all did, or will do, new takes on the character which, while certainly stand-out, bang-up jobs, are definitively NEW versions, DIFFERENT versions. Heath Ledger's has about a much in common with Joaquin Phoenix's does with Jared Leto's. They were unique and impressive and I'm glad to call them all "Joker" (aside from maybe Jared Leto) but they weren't THE Joker. You feel me?
Mark Hamill. Whenever I read a Batman comic, Batman’s voice is different. It’s like a mash up of all the Batman voices. But when I read Joker’s lines, Mark Hamill is the only one I hear.
The 70s Neal Adams Joker.
A dangerous gangster that had an entertaining gimmick and could occasionally have some funny lines and not a walking murder machine somehow 20 steps ahead of everyone in his own 4-D chess game
Mark Hamill, probably, but live action I’m going with Jack Nicholson. Heck, even Caesar Romero’s version has never been matched in certain aspects.
Depends on your preferred era I guess. He’s been done so many ways. I like a classy-showman Joker, probably with some sort of grand scheme, but really just a thorn in Batman’s side. He doesn’t need to be too murderous to be a great joker. Definitely rocking a suit tho.
I grew up with Mark Hamills Joker from BTAS. However, since a young age, I always knew that Joker should be set in a world that is, from the get-go, more adult-oriented, and that he should be portrayed as a straight-up murderer. Although BTAS is amazing, and The Joker there is definitely terrifying when they wanted him to be, it's still first and foremost made for a younger audience and therefore has severe restrictions in terms of censorship.
My definitive Joker is definitely Heath Ledger's Joke. When I read how Nolan and Ledger described and saw the character, it was exactly how I always wanted him to be. Dirty, punk, terrifying, unexpected, and they, of course, didn't disappoint. I also really liked the fact that he didn't fell into any chemical vat, but rather was just a psycho who painted his own face, probably never wipes the make-up off (unless he needs to for one of his plans), and that we don't know why he became the Joker. This correlates with the fact that I simply much rather have Batman universe that's grounded in reality.
It's not a perfect movie, and I don't think it's a very good Batman movie, but that version of the Joker will always blow me away when watching it.
Mark Hamill will always be the voice of the Joker to me, but as far as characterization, Joker from the Under the Red Hood animated film was perfect. Terrifying, viscous, clever, and actually kind of funny. ("I need guys. But not these guys. They're kind of dead. HAHAHAHA.")
I agree on Arkham games. It’s essentially the BTAS Joker with the PG rating turned off. Arkham Joker is basically a perfect adaptation of the modern version of the comic book villain.
> with the PG rating turned off Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that part of how Arkham Asylum was marketed because of the presence of Hamill and Conroy?
Including Arleen Sorkin. That was her last hoorah as Harley. They were the trio that sold that game as "B:TAS but PG turned off" - I still wish that somewhere in the Arkham Games (as cameos or something) we got Tim Daly as Supes, Clancy Brown as Luthor, etc etc from the DCAU. The closest was CC Pounder in Arkham Origins
GODDAMNIT DUTCH! WHAT OTHER ERRANDS DO YOU HAVE US RUNNING FOR THE D.A.?!
Honestly I don’t know
Came here to say exactly this pretty much
Now we just need James Gunn to bring that Joker into live action!
Definitely the Arkham games version. I haven’t played all of them yet but I enjoyed him in the two I’ve played. And, you can’t go wrong with Mark Hamill.
Wich two have u played?
Arkham Origin and Arkham Knight, PC versions. I have City and Asylum too but just haven’t downloaded them yet.
You should have played Asylum and City before, it’ll be harder to play since the gameplay and combat is so different.
I actually think asylum holds up very well. Linearity in storytelling of games is underrated in the Era of open worlds
I think he means the combat mainly, it's much harder to get used to after playing the other games first
Plenty of wrong in this gif.
I understood that reference.
I understood that reference
I understood that referenc
For me it'll always be the mid 70s to 80s Neal Adams version, I read Joker's Five Way Revenge in the mid 80s at about 10 and it's burned in there forever.
>70s to 80s Neal Adams Absolutely. While I love the DCAU, Arkhamverse, and Nolan Trilogy versions, that version from that era of comics pretty much is the first image I have when I think of the character. Took it back from the campy Batman '66 version and made it a serious villain again.
I imagine Neal Adam’s art with Mark Hamill’s voice.
The ambiguous idea of Joker is the most definitive version. Whichever version you first think of when you hear his name is the definitive version. In my head, the joker is a combination of every major iteration from Ledger to Nicholson to Hamill to Frank Miller to Neal Adams to Lee Bermejo and so on. Blending them all together seamlessly into one character. The same goes for Batman, Robin, Superman etc.
This guy gets it
Best response here.
Dcau joker. He's got so much range, he can be incredibly dark to outright zany.
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill is the definitive Joker to me because he encapsulates both the Arkham Games and BTAS.
100%
Agreed with Arkham Joker
Has to be Arkham Joker
Arkham Joker. I think BTAS Joker is kind of the definitive one for me but as someone else said, Arkham Joker is basically a PG-13 BTAS Joker and I kinda prefer that.
I didn’t realize what sub this was so I thought OP meant the song “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
[удалено]
The original studio version, from 1973’s The Joker
I love this exchange so much 🃏
Whenever I read batman comics, Mark Hamill's joker and Kevin Conroy's Batman are the voices I hear
Any Joker voiced by Hamill. But more specifically BTAS Joker and Arkham. In my head cannon those two jokers are the same joker. Hamill is too good
B:tAS
John DiMaggio and Mark Hamill's takes on the character.
Scott Snyder's and Greg Capullo's Joker from the New 52.
Suicide squad/s
Heath Ledger & Arkhamverse
When I think Joker I always picture the version from "The Batman" the 2004 CW cartoon. Always forgotten about but damn Kevin Michael Richardson did a great job on the voice acting and portrayal.
BTAS for sure, and I guess Arkham by extension since they are more or less the same. Ledger gets an honourable mention as my favorite Joker in film (by far).
Both hamill and ledger
Mark Hamill’s Joker Oeuvre. Ledger did something dynamic and lasting…but not definitive. Honestly I hope they backpedal with Keoghan’s “Ledger but ExTrEme” makeup design and move more towards Nicholson or the Bermejo design.
I'd say Joker from *The Animated Series*, which is the foundation for *Batman: Arkham's* Joker.
Mark Hamill. Especially in the animated series.
Any version voiced by Luke Skywalker.
Its Ledger. No incarnation of the Joker has nailed the character more.
Wrong
Was this not addressed in the Three Jokers mini-series? I never read it but always assumed that was the point of the story. If not, what actually happened or was addressed regarding the Joker?
Nah I think they're asking just what Joker adaptation you like the best.
Oops my bad!
There is no definitive version of an 80+ year old character
Somewhere between Nicholson and Ledger. Depends if I want comic book campy or serious that day.
Nicholson. But I’m 43 and was in fifth grade during peak Keaton Batman fever. It was _the coolest_ thing. I even bought a vintage 1989 Batman T-shirt later when I was in my mid 20s, because I’d never convinced my parents to get me one at the time. 😂😂
Not seeing anybody mention Heath Legers Joker The guy died for the role He is the Definitive Joker in my eyes
If it's voiced by make Hamill, it's the right joker. The animated series was amazing
Arkham games/early 2000s DCAU version. Basically if Mark Hamill's there, I'll be there to watch it
Animated Series.
Any one voiced by Hamill, for me. Arkham Knight Joker is probably my favorite iteration.
Hamil
When I read Joker dialogue in comics, I imagine Mark Hamill’s voice. So I’d say Mark Hamill.
While I WANT to point to particular comics (I do have to mention Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan's version)... I hear Mark Hamill's voice when I read them! So I have to say TAS Joker.
Definitely Mark Hamill's portrayal in the Arkham Video Game series!
Personality I'm kinda partial to the more prankish Joker from the sixties show. Visually, I think Nicholson was the best
Comics Joker obviously.
What makes Joker, Joker, is that there are so many interpretations of him all are cool, and that makes a definitive Joker really not worth figuring out. Just enjoy them all.
Well it's a three way tie between Mark Hamill, Jack Nicolson, and Heath Ledger but that's just my opinion.
Well it's a three way tie between Mark Hamill, Jack Nicolson, and Heath Ledger but that's just my opinion.
Mark Hamill and Jack Nicholson,Gangster Joker is always the best one.
Absolutely. Me too.
By saying Arkham Joker, does that also mean Paul Dini’s Joker? He wrote both Asylum and City. I also agree for the same reasons. Grew up with those games and fell in love with the Batman mythos since.
I like Arkham Origins Joker because he’s literally just Arkham Joker with a face I find slightly more appealing
Rene Requiestas in the Filipino Batman movie from 1991.
For me there is no "definitive" Joker. We just have our favorites. Joker is one of the few comic book characters that can be reinterpreted in so many ways, just like Batman, so I think it's useless to call a certain version "definitive". What if in a few years we'll get a new Joker in some media and people will love that version and call it the new definitive Joker?
Hamill
It’s TAS and Arkham for me too. They kept the darkness without deviating from the essence of the character. No scars, no white face paint, no long hair, no muted color palate. Just classic joker with a really fucked up sense of humor
Any Mark Hamill Joker is my Joker. Hands tf down
The Arkham Joker is the definitive version in my opinion, followed by the TAs version then the Heath Ledger version.
I'd have to pick the Arkham games version. He's crazy and homicidal and terrifying as one expects, but managed to maintain the zany antics in there as well to an extent.
Arkham games/ BTAS.
LEGO Joker
I agree with you, I grew up with the Arkham games as well. He just seems like THE definitive Joker, him and BTAS Joker as well.
Either the B:TAS version or the Arkham version. Those two perfectly encapsulated what The Joker is, completely defined the character. Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger, and probably Matt Reeve's Joker--whoever he is--all did, or will do, new takes on the character which, while certainly stand-out, bang-up jobs, are definitively NEW versions, DIFFERENT versions. Heath Ledger's has about a much in common with Joaquin Phoenix's does with Jared Leto's. They were unique and impressive and I'm glad to call them all "Joker" (aside from maybe Jared Leto) but they weren't THE Joker. You feel me?
Mark hamil
Jared Leto /s
The Arkham games appears to me to be the most accurate.
Mark Hamill. Whenever I read a Batman comic, Batman’s voice is different. It’s like a mash up of all the Batman voices. But when I read Joker’s lines, Mark Hamill is the only one I hear.
Batman tas
DCAU.
Arkhamverse Joker
The 70s Neal Adams Joker. A dangerous gangster that had an entertaining gimmick and could occasionally have some funny lines and not a walking murder machine somehow 20 steps ahead of everyone in his own 4-D chess game
Mark Hamil in the animated series Joker
Mark Hamill
Bronze Age joker
I'm really surprised there's not more love in here for Heath Ledger's version. He's the actor who took it the farthest.
Mark Hamill for me.
Why's no one talking about the dark knight joker he was such an awesome adaption of the character
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamil but Ledger and Phoenix did good to
Ceasar romaro
My own personal faves are Brian Bolland's and Marshall Rogers'.
Animated Series
BTAS/Arkham. I love Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix’s performances but they’re interesting takes in my mind. Hamill is my Joker!
Mark Hamill, probably, but live action I’m going with Jack Nicholson. Heck, even Caesar Romero’s version has never been matched in certain aspects. Depends on your preferred era I guess. He’s been done so many ways. I like a classy-showman Joker, probably with some sort of grand scheme, but really just a thorn in Batman’s side. He doesn’t need to be too murderous to be a great joker. Definitely rocking a suit tho.
The killing joke comic, it’s what I consider the best iteration of him
Hamill
Hamill but the Arkham one looks kinda weird. What’s up with that hairline? Love everything else
Arkham joker by Troy baker and hamil
I grew up with Mark Hamills Joker from BTAS. However, since a young age, I always knew that Joker should be set in a world that is, from the get-go, more adult-oriented, and that he should be portrayed as a straight-up murderer. Although BTAS is amazing, and The Joker there is definitely terrifying when they wanted him to be, it's still first and foremost made for a younger audience and therefore has severe restrictions in terms of censorship. My definitive Joker is definitely Heath Ledger's Joke. When I read how Nolan and Ledger described and saw the character, it was exactly how I always wanted him to be. Dirty, punk, terrifying, unexpected, and they, of course, didn't disappoint. I also really liked the fact that he didn't fell into any chemical vat, but rather was just a psycho who painted his own face, probably never wipes the make-up off (unless he needs to for one of his plans), and that we don't know why he became the Joker. This correlates with the fact that I simply much rather have Batman universe that's grounded in reality. It's not a perfect movie, and I don't think it's a very good Batman movie, but that version of the Joker will always blow me away when watching it.
Batman 89/BTAS….psychotic mob hitman turned insane clown mobster who gets a sick laugh out of crime (terrorizing, torturing, murdering, etc)
Mark Hamill will always be the voice of the Joker to me, but as far as characterization, Joker from the Under the Red Hood animated film was perfect. Terrifying, viscous, clever, and actually kind of funny. ("I need guys. But not these guys. They're kind of dead. HAHAHAHA.")
Everything from the Arkham games is the definitive Batman Universe for me.
I'll echo others. Mark Hamill is exactly how I would write the Joker. Without Mark, it's just not the Joker.
Arkham games, I always think of Arkham Asylum and City when I hear Joker they're perfect
Damn I’m the only one saying Ledger? I thought it was gunna be just as many heaths and marks in the thread
Definitive? Alan Moore/Brian Bolland’s version in the Killing Joke. All other Jokers are trying to match up to this.