Sequart Organization » Joker

A Joke Stretched to Its Limits

Gerard Waggett — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 19:45:18 +0000

The Brave and the Bold #111 (“Death Has the Last Laugh”) proclaimed itself “the strangest team-up in history,” pairing Batman with his arch-enemy, the Joker. The two join forces to capture a gangster who has… [more]

Send in the Clowns: Todd Phillips’s Joker

Matthew Kirshenblatt — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 02:06:48 +0000

Joker" title="Send in the Clowns: Todd Phillips’s Joker" style="float:left;" />Coulrophobia. A fear of clowns. It’s kind of an ironic fear when you consider the idea that clowns are humanity’s way of making fun of its own mortality. For the longest time, I actually thought… [more]

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Hobos and Tramps, Cross-eyed Mosquitoes and Bowlegged Ants…” Loving That Joker… But Which One?

Dave Whittaker — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 15:00:42 +0000

I love The Joker. However I’m not oblivious to how problematic that kind of admiration can be. Recently I have had cause to reflect on this even more. Particularly in light of two things. The… [more]

Robert Moses Peaslee and Robert Weiner on The Joker: A Serious Study of the Clown Prince of Crime

Nicholas Yanes — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 11:00:23 +0000

The Joker: A Serious Study of the Clown Prince of Crime" title="Robert Moses Peaslee and Robert Weiner on The Joker: A Serious Study of the Clown Prince of Crime" style="float:left;" />Robert Weiner has either authored or co-edited close to a dozen academic text examining comic books and popular culture. He is also the Popular Culture and Performing Arts Librarian for Texas Tech University Libraries. With… [more]

Don’t Send in the Clowns: Jared Leto Isn’t Cool Enough to Be Joker

Mike Greear — Thu, 14 May 2015 11:00:49 +0000

Remember when The Joker was cool? Do you remember how gratifying it would always be to see him reimagined for a new video game or cartoon? Or better yet, to see him re-adapted for another… [more]

From Batgirl to Comicgate?: The Variant Cover Controversy

N. Emmett — Sat, 02 May 2015 17:00:49 +0000

Batgirl to Comicgate?: The Variant Cover Controversy" title="From Batgirl to Comicgate?: The Variant Cover Controversy" style="float:left;" />The Joker would be proud. On 13 March, DC Comics unveiled a set of variant covers for title due to be published in June. To mark the 75th anniversary of Batman’s archenemy, each of the… [more]

We Don’t Want What We Want: Thoughts on Superman and Movie Trailers

Greg Carpenter — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:00:28 +0000

When I sit down to read a comic or watch a movie, I don't know specifically what I want. And I think that's a good thing. [more]

Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic

James Kelly — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:00:57 +0000

Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic" title="Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic" style="float:left;" />Batman's co-creator Bill Finger crafted in 32 pages every single tone and approach to his character that would follow in 75 years. Batman #1 is the single greatest Batman comic ever produced. [more]

About Face: Character and Portrayal in Snyder’s Batman

Dave Whittaker — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:00:23 +0000

Batman" title="About Face: Character and Portrayal in Snyder’s Batman" style="float:left;" />DC’s decision to essentially relaunch and, therefore, reboot its output three years ago met with as much praise as it did criticism. Despite proceeding in the wake of Grant Morrison’s seven year labyrinthine run, one… [more]

Theorizing about the Joker in All Seriousness

Debarghya Sanyal — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 12:00:55 +0000

And it’s not that easy. One thing becomes clear as I go about snooping on the Man Who Laughs – you cannot quite ‘come to know’ the Joker. You can read about him, theorise all… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 3: Understanding Batman’s Enemies

Marc DiPaolo — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:00:55 +0000

[Note: The following is reprinted from the book War, Politics and Superheroes] Aside from the fact that they are all, effectively, his “subjects,” Batman’s villains are connected to him in an even more visceral, symbolic way.… [more]

Overcoming the Status Quo: Wonder Woman, Superheroes, and the American Criminal Justice System

Ian Boucher — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:00:53 +0000

In this three-part series, I explore where superheroes fit into popular conceptions of criminal justice in the United States, and the potential for Wonder Woman to help improve those conceptions. This week, I look at… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 2: Batman Begins, Feudalism, and Neoconservatism

Marc DiPaolo — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 11:00:54 +0000

Batman Begins, Feudalism, and Neoconservatism" title="The Politics of Batman, Part 2: Batman Begins, Feudalism, and Neoconservatism" style="float:left;" />[Note: The following is reprinted from the book War, Politics and Superheroes] Batman Begins won the support of comic book aficionados across cyberspace as a “traditional” and pitch-perfect portrayal of Batman, while simultaneously providing a… [more]

Perfect Chaos: Why the Joker is the Greatest Comic-Book Villain

Noel Thorne — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 11:00:09 +0000

Simply put: the Joker is the greatest comic book villain of all time. But before I get into the whys, let’s define “great”. The greatest villain doesn’t need to defeat all other villains in a… [more]

Right, Wrong, and In Between: The Killing Joke

Will Brooker — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:00:47 +0000

The Killing Joke" title="Right, Wrong, and In Between: The Killing Joke" style="float:left;" />I don’t believe in right and wrong. That may sound strange, from a Batman fan; especially strange in the context of The Killing Joke, Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s prestige-format, psychological and physical showdown between… [more]

On Interpreting The Killing Joke’s Ending (and Authorial Intent)

Julian Darius — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:00:05 +0000

The Killing Joke’s Ending (and Authorial Intent)" title="On Interpreting The Killing Joke’s Ending (and Authorial Intent)" style="float:left;" />For his podcast Fatman on Batman, Kevin Smith interviewed Grant Morrison, and Grant talked about how Batman kills the Joker at the end of Batman: The Killing Joke. Grant makes a good argument, citing textual… [more]

Julian Darius on The Killing Joke

Mike Phillips — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 17:00:11 +0000

The Killing Joke" title="Julian Darius on The Killing Joke" style="float:left;" />In this video, Julian Darius discusses his theory about what happens at the end of Batman: The Killing Joke. For more on Julian’s theory, check out the Bleeding Cool story on it. And of course, you… [more]

That’s Not Funny: Alan Moore’s Tragic Joker

Stuart Warren — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:59 +0000

The ’80s for comics is something akin to the British Invasion. American Rock-and-Roll saw a exponential boost in popularity when British acts invaded the already well-established scene, bringing with them unique stylistic influences that would… [more]

Foil Hats and Skin Suits: Examining the Content Concerns of Mental Illness in Villainy

Nathan Harmon — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:00:26 +0000

In the last few years, there have been many concerns over the content of comic books. In fact, the concerns are over a wide range of topics from Catwoman being too provocative to that of… [more]

What Makes for a Great Joker Story: In Defense of Batman #17

Forrest Helvie — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:00:21 +0000

Batman #17" title="What Makes for a Great Joker Story: In Defense of Batman #17" style="float:left;" />Recently, I wrote a review on Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #17—the much-anticipated finale for the “Death of the Family” story arc, and I gave it a solid “10.” (I’ll spare the details as… [more]

That Cowardly and Superstitious Batman, That Heartlessly Persecuted Joker: On Batman #17

Colin Smith — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:00:04 +0000

Batman #17" title="That Cowardly and Superstitious Batman, That Heartlessly Persecuted Joker: On Batman #17" style="float:left;" />Well, why doesn’t the Batman simply kill the Joker? You’d think the answer would be obvious. Yet fans the blogosphere over appear quite flummoxed, if not dangerously apoplectic, about the matter. The Joker can’t be… [more]

The Trouble With a Mask

Mike Greear — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:00:48 +0000

“The trouble with a mask is it never changes.” – Charles Bukowski So, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #13 re-introduced The Joker, who we last saw having his face removed by Dollmaker before going… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 7

Cody Walker — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:14 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 7" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 7" style="float:left;" />I’m sitting at a little coffee shop in Springfield, Missouri, called the Brown Egg with my comics spread out on the table. As the waitress delivers my pancakes, she remarks, “That looks really cool,” as… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 6

Cody Walker — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:00:19 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 6" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 6" style="float:left;" />While R.I.P. could be argued to be a game of chess between Batman and Dr. Hurt, the game of dominoes is at the forefront of Batman & Robin. Oberon Sexton and El Penitente aren’t mentioned… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 5

Cody Walker — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:48 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 5" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 5" style="float:left;" />In the footnotes for the first volume of Batman & Robin, Grant Morrison discusses the strange coincidence of the third issue’s cover resembling an image of the Joker that Brian Bolland had done years previous.… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 4

Cody Walker — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:16 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 4" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 4" style="float:left;" />Once the transformation into the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh is complete, the comparisons to the Joker are apparent and numerous. First, Batman’s costume has gone from the traditional dark tones to a gaudy, ridiculous, and comical… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 3

Cody Walker — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:04 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 3" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 3" style="float:left;" />The most controversial storyline in Morrison’s Batman run, R.I.P. is the psychological destruction of the Dark Knight. Cryptic, bizarre, and at times genuinely frightening, R.I.P. was the much-awaited confrontation between Batman and Dr. Hurt –… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 2

Cody Walker — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:51 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 2" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 2" style="float:left;" />While the Black Glove doesn’t actually make an appearance until later in the series, the presence of Dr. Hurt can be felt in the very first issue as Batman throws the Joker into a dumpster… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 1

Cody Walker — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:08 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 1" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 1" style="float:left;" />While Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne were busy learning how to adjust to their new identities, a secret war was being waged between Dr. Thomas Hurt and the Joker. Reading Morrison’s run on Batman &… [more]

Storytelling from 1978 — The Rule of Action

David Balan — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:00:34 +0000

Detective Comics #475 and #476 — “The Laughing Fish” and “Sign of the Joker” — are considered some of the most essential Batman reading of all time. And for good reasons! These tales inspired the look… [more]

Rosebuds and Grim Reapers: Why Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the Citizen Kane of Animated Films

Cody Walker — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:00:26 +0000

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the Citizen Kane of Animated Films" title="Rosebuds and Grim Reapers: Why Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the Citizen Kane of Animated Films" style="float:left;" />From the deputized FBI agent of the 1940’s movie serials to the gritty, realistic vigilante of Christopher Nolan’s films, Hollywood has portrayed Batman in a variety of ways, but none of the live-action films have… [more]

A Taste for the Theatrical

Michael Rutschky — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:44:58 +0000

As the world thaws from the shock of actor Heath Ledger’s sudden passing, I am inspired to take a closer look into the Frankenstein’s monster that he had spent the last few months of his… [more]

Batman #663 Review

Marc Sobel — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:00:34 +0000

Batman #663 Review" title="Batman #663 Review" style="float:left;" />Believe it or not, Grant Morrison’s “The Clown at Midnight,” published in Batman #663 (Mar 2007), has a lot in common with J.D. Salinger’s final published short story, “Hapworth 16, 1924.” Having crafted The Catcher in the… [more]

Batman #663: “The Clown at Midnight”

Timothy Callahan — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 12:00:20 +0000

Batman #663: “The Clown at Midnight”" title="Batman #663: “The Clown at Midnight”" style="float:left;" />Batman #663 has already generated much commentary and consternation around the world with its prosaic depiction of the Caped Crusader. The posters at Barbelith seem to like it quite a bit, but at Newsarama, people… [more]

The Good, the Bad, and the Fugly: Comic Books and Duality

Michael Rutschky — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 01:19:17 +0000

We have explored costumed comic book heroes and villains, dancing out the eternal ballet of good versus evil. Their world is black and white. Batman will forever be at odds with the Joker, the pendulum… [more]