Funko Pop Dark Knight Teaser Trailer

A fun sizzle reel I created, starring Dark Knight Funko Pop Heroes (and villains). Check it out!

The Many Interpretations of The Joker

While it can be argued who Batman's greatest villain is, no one can really argue with The Joker. Here are some of the more notable Jokers in live action and animation over time. Who's your favorite?

Cesar Romero

A common theme among the different Jokers is that they fit into the world they're in. And that's certainly true of the "Adam West Batman" Joker. Brighter, more colorful, and more of a prankster than a threat. A true clown. Cesar Romero refused to shave his mustache for the roll, wearing makeup over it. Hardcore cosplayers mimic this effect, sometimes even using "fake" mustaches.

Jack Nicholson

 

Jack Nicholson held the spot as the most iconic Joker for a long time, even getting imitated by Jim Carrey in stand up. Isn't it cool that The Joker and Lucius Fox become best buds in "The Bucket List"? Jack Napier is theatrical and twisted, which is Nicholson's forte, and very fitting for Tim Burton's Batman. And what's with that stupid grin?

Mark Hamill

I have this poster at home. Hee-hee!

Certainly the best voice for Mistah J, who would have thought Luke Skywalker had such a twisted laugh? Batman: The Animated Series holds up exceedingly well over time. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are the best Batman and Joker in animation, period. Or is it Joker and Batman? (laughs) What I like about BTAS Joker: he's scary to the layperson (see episode: "Joker's Favor") but also engages in cat and mouse chases with Batman (see: "The Last Laugh").

Heath Ledger

That Australian surfer dude in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, yeah, what's his name? Whereas Jack Nicholson was theatrical, but had a little too much "paunch", Heath Ledger's Joker is tall, slender, grungy and disturbing. The Bat and The Cat were at the midnight show, and the sold-out crowd went nuts after Heath's first major scene of dialogue with the mob. I think it had less to do with Heath Ledger's passing, and more to do with his overwhelmingly convincing performance. Given all the themes in the movie, it makes you question your own moral ambiguity--you want Batman to catch him, but why are you laughing along with him? He kills innocent people, but you think he makes compelling arguments. Sooner than later, he became probably the most cosplayed character since Chun-Li.

 

John DiMaggio

One of my personal favorites. While he might not have the vocal range of Hamill's maniacal Clown Prince of Chaos, he was meaty and dominating--just the right kind of alpha male to beat the shit out of The Boy Blunder. The Joker in Batman: Under the Red Hood also has a similar aesthetic to Heath Ledger's Joker--with the long unkempt locks, dark eyes, tall and skinny appearance, and long coat. His humor was twisted in a more self-serving way rather than making you laugh.

Michael Emerson

Now that Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is soon to be released on blu-ray, we get another full-length feature with The Joker. And The Dark Knight Returns Joker is certainly a different style: broad-shouldered, more "human" (but certainly not a humanist) and vocally more calm . . . at first. I can't wait! Who is your favorite Joker?

Scene Stealer: I'm Necessary Evil

"I'm Gotham's reckoning, here to end the borrowed time you've all been living on."
(Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

The Dark Knight Rises is a hot topic this week, because the home release comes out in 7 short days. It's exciting (although shocking) that some people will be seeing it for the first time.

One of our favorite scenes in the movie is not even a big action or IMAX scene. It's when John Dagget (Ben Mendelson) wants to talk to Bane about things not going according to plan. Little does Dagget know, Bane has another plan.

Right before Bane enters the room, you hear him breathing, reminiscent of Darth Vader.

"Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear."

The way Bane casually rests his hand on Dagget's shoulder and Stryver (Burn Gorman) leaves the room is very chilling. Bane shows Daggett who's boss!

Actually, it reminds us of the scene in The Dark Knight with The Joker and Gambol in the billiard room. You know, "Why so serious?"

"Let's put a smile on that face."

Granted, Tom Hardy is standing on a higher level than Mendelson, embellishing his height again, but that's subtle movie magic.

In the last shot, Bane snaps Daggett's neck. Even though it's not seen, Tom Hardy sells it well with the quick head turn. Daggett squeals and Stryver flinches--giving you a glimpse of the terror to come.

It's all PG-13.

The Dark Knight Rises Easter Eggs: Part I

I geeked out at some of the not-so-subtle Batman Universe references at the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, so I'll share them here. It's not an exhaustive list; just my personal favorites.

1. John Daggett/Roland Daggett

If you watch Batman: The Animated Series "Feat of Clay" episodes, Roland Dagget is a corrupt and powerful businessman, and adversary of Batman, very similar to John Dagget in TDKR. He is the president of Dagget Industries, a pharmaceutical company that develops a face cream that allows the user to mold their face to their desire. The addictive qualities of the face cream ultimately leads to the creation of Clayface. In the movie, John Dagget owns a construction company and pours concrete over Gotham City (that Bane has laced with explosives) instead of clay.

2. Giant Alligators

Okay, I know my taxonomy and that alligators are different from crocodiles, but the whole scene in the sewers and officer Blake's line about giant alligators gave me a sliver of hope at the possibility but improbability of Killer Croc. Side note: Bane beats up Killer Croc in The Animated Series.

3. Bane as Red Hood

"Rookie, lose the helmet, we need faces for camera."

Bane in a red helmet and motorcycle suit getting away from the cops on motorcycle, while the police chase down Batman just made me lose it!

 4. Bane's Coat

One word: HUSH.

5. Judge Crane/Scarecrow

Okay, so I'm a big fan of The Animated Series (it's listed as the 2nd best animated series of all time behind The Simpsons on IGN, c'mon).  In the episode, "Trial", Batman is accused of "creating" all of the criminals, freaks and monsters of Gotham City and is taken to court in Arkham Asyllum, which is presided by none other than . . . Judge Joker! (it sounds better when Harley Quinn says it). Some say that if Heath Ledger was still alive, he should have been the judge in TDKR instead of Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), but I honestly don't think it would have been as fitting.

6. Some days, you just can't get rid of a bomb.

I encourage everyone to take a day off, order a pizza, and watch the 1966 Batman: The Movie. There is a hilarious scene where Adam West's Batman is running around trying to dispose of a live Bomb, but has a very hard time. When he finally brings it to the water (off-screen) and it explodes, Robin presumes that Batman went with it. Much like Blake and the rest of the city assume that Batman dies when he flies the nuclear bomb over the bay.

7. Liam Neeson is a foreshadow for everything

Ra's al Ghul (from Batman Begins): "If someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind them, and stab them in the heart."

This is exactly what Miranda Tate/Talia does to Batman!

To be continued . . .