Why So Serious? A Visual History of the Joker

Edited by Lauren Garroni

So by now you know that The Dark Knight kicked some major ass at the box office, $158.3 million and counting! For those who have seen it and those who haven’t, Heath Ledger is amazing as the Joker and actually lives up to the hype. For those who aren’t comic book (or graphic novels as they are now being called) nerds like myself, here’s the history of the Joker in images.

‘The Man Who Laughs’ (1928)

Bob Kane (the creator of Batman) used still of Conrad Veidt from this silent film as the intial inspiration for the Joker. In the silent film Veidt played disrespect prince, who’s father carves a smile into his face.

Batman #1 (1940)

The Joker’s first apperance.

Batman-The TV Series (1960′s)

The gayest Joker of them all!

The Killing Joke (1986)

In 1986 Alan Moore gave the Joker some balls back, returning him to the morose, amoral villan he was always mean’t to be. This version of the Joker would have the most impact on Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan’s versions of the Joker

Joker in the movies (1989 & 2008)

If you haven’t seen the film, go see it!

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