Joker vs. Joker

         In July 2008, popular director Christopher Nolan released The Dark Knight stirring comic loving community. Nolan’s rendition of Batman starred Hollywood hunk Christian Bale and heartthrob Heath Ledger. Ledger passed away early 2008, before the film had been released, sparking fans sympathy. Critics compare Ledger’s role as the Joker to Jack Nicholson’s Joker role in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film.

Nicholson knew he had to be the kookiest bad guy fans had seen, which was easy for him considering his history of eccentric roles. Nicholson’s take on the Joker creates more of a cartoon villain-ish persona than Ledger’s. Nicholson does have some creepy characteristics like when he says, “Tell me kid, you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight?” right after taking the lives of Bruce Wayne’s parents. Ledger’s take on the Joker insights more terror because of his completely unhinged persona.

One difference between the films remains in Burton’s film the audience sees how the Joker acquired his scars that give him his bone-chilling grin. The Joker’s real name is Jack Napier, and the way he developed his scars was accidentally falling into a vat of toxic waste while trying to steal incriminating documents from a factory.

         In Nolan’s film the audience hears many different stories the Joker provides about his scars. It was more chilling for me to hear Ledger’s deranged Joker voice ask, “Do you know how I got these scars?” but some fans and critics prefer Burton’s film for the sake of knowing.

         I like both Nicholson’s wacky take on the Joker and Ledger’s macabre persona. But with Ben Affleck as the new Batman, a new Joker may be in the works. 

-@itsnottrystan