The Joker: A History | Documentary / Video Essay 

Batman and Joker are the ultimate archenemy duo in any piece of fiction. Their dynamic is symbiotic and meaningful. Out of all of Batman's close relationships, whether that be the Robins, Catwoman, or even Alfred; while they all may love Bruce in their own ways, none truly understand him completely. Joker on the other hand, while being his arch-nemesis, is the only who truly understands Batman. Batman is crazy, just as crazy and psychopathic as the Joker, though he fights for justice and order, whereas Joker wants unbridled chaos. They are essentially two nutjobs in an insane asylum, who disagree on everything, yet their opposition is what gives their insane lives meaning. Joker in a messed up way, is closer and more personal to Batman than any of his friends or lovers. You cannot have one without the other. It's a messed up, twisted and nightmarishly beautiful relationship, and one that will endure forever.

I like how all of the sections have quotes from the Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, nice little detail.

The Joker is easily one of the best Villains ever created.

I saw the Joker film at Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco and loved seeing this before the movie started. Great history of the Joker. CHEERS!

Just loved how you skipped Letos whatever that was. 🤣👊✌

Been on a joker video watching binge to curb my excitement for Joaquin Phoenix’s performance. You just gained a new follower. This video was awesome and well-articulated.

Fun fact: In the continuity that THE KILLING JOKE takes place (accidentally ended up taking place in) Barbara is actually Commissioner Gordon's niece/adopted daughter.

I'm half Iranian and when Ayatollah Khomeini came up I almost yelled out loud WHAT THE FUCK??? Just mind blowing.

Thanks for mentioning how Gwynplaine isn't like the Joker. He isn't, in the sense that Gwynplaine isn't a murderous nihilist, but the two do share more than just looks in common. Whereas the Joker uses the clown theme to spread death and destruction, Gwynplaine is a clown in a more classical way. He takes to the stage to cheer up the people, even at his own expense, and later in the story when he's face-to-face with the aristocracy who are responsible for his disfigurement, he directly calls them out for his personal trauma and that of the people at large: "I am the bleeding mouth from which the gag has at last been torn!" he declares. And so, while Gwynplaine and the Joker are two figures who embody vastly different aspects of the clown archetype, they're both men who society sees as fools at best and threats at worst. And, as a side note, I've written a play adaptation of "The Man Who Laughs" and am hoping that, with all this interest in the Joker and Gwynplaine at the moment, a production will happen soon. If anyone would like to read it, I'd be happy to share it.

It's actually kinda funny how a lot of people just idolize and quote Heath Ledger's Joker as if he wasn't literaly proven wrong. Hell, people even quote the "One bad day" thing from The Killing Joke forgetting Joker was ALSO proven wrong when Gordon kept his sanity.

No mention of John DiMaggio's Joker in "Under The Red Hood"

Certain bits of trivia can be put to rest at this point. Cesar Romero’s mustache I’d imagine is universally known at this point. I don’t think the 60’s Batman can be mentioned without it at this point.

Ok I’m not gon lie that was the perfect time to use that music (wen Tiny Lester throws the remote off the boat)

For those who are interested on a fresh new take on the Joker character, I highly recommend the comic book 'The White Knight'. Not gonna spoil it, but I can tell you, it's worth checking! Would love to see a movie of that.

Gave a like for the 'Kill Bill' throwback reference.

Can’t wait for this movie! Awesome video

it is unfortunate that the most effective means to communicate the need to stop senseless violence is a comic book character

i saw a theory a few years ago by tyler from the imaginary axis that talked about the jokers mental state, saying that his mind is clearly not a sane and stable one, not one of a normal well adjusted member of society, but he can't be classified as crazy or insane, legally, because he knows what he's doing is wrong, and most of his crimes are cleverly planned out and aim in either sending a message or getting people angry. it was then suggested that maybe he might have some sort of super sanity, a level of awareness that goes beyond anyone in the DC universe, he's ahead of the curb. you ever notice than when ever you see the Joker as anything but the Joker, as the clown prince of crime, he's normal and perfectly sane person ? But when ever he changes into the Joker, he suddenly finds everything funny, he's seen as crazy and weird by everyone else but to himself he's not, he seems to think that none of his actions have consequences and makes all of his crimes and plans as dramatic and theatrical as possible, like he's trying to entertain someone, like he knows something no one else does ... what if he knows that he's a comic book character ? His plans and actions are used to entertain us, which to be fair are pretty entertaining. He finds great joy in killing and hurting lots of people despite the fact that he has not once killed a real person. When the fans voted to kill off Jason Todd it was the Joker who killed him, he knew that he wasn't popular so he took great joy in killing off the character, laughing about what the readers reaction would be. and he isn't actually in control of of his decisions, it's all scripted by a higher power, knowing that he knows he has no choice, but everyone one else thinks they makes him even more sane. it also explains why he isn't afraid of death, because he knows he will always be brought back, his multiple choice origin is also fitting, he knows he has multiple back stories but every other DC character doesn't realize they have different backstories. when he finally becomes the Joker in any form of media, cartoons, burton film, games, comics, and now this one, he's lost touch with reality and has fun basking in the chaos that he creates whether intentional or not, and remember at the end when asked "what's so funny" "you wouldn't get it" he's referring to the fact that no one here is real, and nothing matters, that's how most 4th wall breakers feel about things, and maybe people in real life who feel this way, might be knowing something that the rest of use don't

A moment for Bob please...

That reddit advert really made me enjoy myself. Good video!

Amazing video and also like the Joaquin's Joker quotes on every section.

Lol bob is the jokers "number one guy" (breathing hard) 😂😂😂

Por favor, traduzcan éste vídeo. GRACIAS... 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

15:25 Even that's not a good reason. If the Joker were killed off, then any one of his followers who view him as an almost God-like figure could take up his mantle. In fact, I kind of wish they would go that rout as it would make the Joker far more terrifying than he already is. The Joker as he is now, despite everything, is still just a man and every bit as mortal as you or me. But if the Joker became a mantle that anyone could adopt, then he would have transcended his mortality and become the living incarnation of human evil. A being that can never be destroyed. Because as long as humans exist, there will always be a Joker.

Fans usually miss the final act of the movies, and think that the message is the one debunked in the final act: Rick and Morty ( Rick is a toxic and sad man, and is wrong), The Dark Knight, The killing joke, Fight Club (how many Tyler Durdens are there?), The Last Jedi ("let the past die is the message of the movie"), etc.

Is the last 20 seconds Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero??

The issue is as children we root for Batman when you get older you understand the joker completely

Saw this video in a theater, subscribed.

Joker is not a villan, he represents balance. Ying and yang

“We’re destined to do this forever.” - Joker - The Dark Knight (2008)

Great video, but the question remains unanswered. Why doesn't Batman kill him?

@01:30 on the right: that's definetely Steve Buscemi

I think there is definitely something of Dr. Mabuse from the Fritz Lang films in the Joker.

That ending.... Tommy Wiseau?!

He killed Raj* Agul's henchmen and decoy Agul in. Atman begins. He also killed Talia in dak knight rises.

16:40 What is this, please? An actor I cant recognize, doing his audition for "The Dark Knight"? Or fan-made scene?

So what you're telling me is....we live in a society

Podrias poner subtitulos en español? Por favor!

Nice article

great vid

So apparently the cowl was too big for keatons head bc thats where he keeps the rest of his gadgets

My favourite villain is the devoured of souls.

Por favor traduzcan el vídeo

First time in my life Reddit gave me good ad for good thing.

Everything that is Batman, is all an illusion from the Joker’s point of view.

It seems like Batman is more responsible for innocent bystanders deaths than joker

Why is jared putting on lipstick the joker uses paint

Mate you made a nice video, and you say nice and right words about the Joker origin but... About batman and his *rule - moral coad* i don't agree with the fraze *ignore batman 89* ! I don't know how old you are, i say that because im a batman fan since the 80s and i have the comics since then... Batmans moral coad was *not use a gun to kill but kill with batgadgets if no other choice* this rule exists still today in the comics! But suddenly in late 1992 the McDonald's and some parents complained about the violence of the character in the movies dispite the C. Books! That had the result to change the batcharacters moral coad in to no killing atoll!! So from the beginning of the animated series thats how it went and goes *sadly* for as OLD Batman fans! There is *no such way ignoring Batman 89 - Batman Returns* The only movies close to the comics using all proper origins and the bat rule that exist in comics even today, because McDonald's achieved to *butter* Sumahers & Nollans directors batcharacters, *Not T. Burtons Nor the comics* ! Batman comics were and still are bloody splutter violent full of action and darkness!!! That's my opinion, pretty big and boring, but i felt i had to mention cause the word *ignore* ! As i said its a great video i like and respect it!!!

wow you like putting silly music in intense moments right? Sort of repetitive don´t you think?

Wot no Cameron Monaghan?

2019 Leto's Joker haters - Oh, he is sooo bad 2021 Leto's Joker haters about his role in Snyder cut - oh, he looks very good, I can wait for a movie. Me: Real ? REAL? Leto's Joker haters you know what ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Jack Nicholson doing a Nick Jacholson impression...

6:17 whats this song

G E K O L O N I S E E R D

He totally killed harvey dent tho

Joker isn't Batman's only villian for christ sake

You guys listened to my comment. Thank you so much for this!!!

What the hell was up with that Russian Batman Video game Ad? XD

You want a scary Joker? Cast Tom Cruise, just after he's fallen in love for the 45th time. Add a new dimension to terrifying? Make him devout. The fear of the Lord IS what creates a hysterical "giver"... (no peace💘)

the alamo drafthouse brought me here

yeah but Bob got shot (spoiler)

2:41 joker no

Batman TAS is my JOKER

I'm sorry, but if you think Jack Nicholson was doing an impression of himself you really havent watched any Jack Nicholson films. I never hear this complaint about any of his other numerous movies. Youd think you guys actually knew him personally. The guys a phenomenal actor and for me the closest we've had to the comic book Joker onscreen despite what the fan boys would lead you to believe. In relation to the 89 movie, its a fantasy film. Im pretty sure I can knock enough holes in The Dark Knight itd look like a cullunder by the time im finished. Like how contrived the whole plot is, like howd he rig a whole hospital with explosives without anyone noticing, like Batman taking the fall for Harvey, who murdered people, regardless if he was driven crazy, what makes him any different from the man that killed Bruces parents? Its the most un Batman thing he could ever do. I could go on...

11:27 lol..you guys need to stop...

David and Goliath? I don't think so.

@10.44 "But it's easy to forget. The Joker is wrong" (when talking about the Joker being the good guy) The Joker isn't a force for good, he's just a mirror in action. He is proven wrong (in the film) but makes Gotham see themselves in the mirror and makes the right decision. In such a stratigraphic city as Gotham between rich and poor, criminal and normal people. They needed the Joker as that virus to perhaps unite against. The Joker made Gotham stronger by bringing the ugly smile that they all needed to see. In real life, perhaps, these ugly faces today are terrorists westerners need to see haunt us in order to understand the ugliness of terrorists and what havoc they wreak in their home countries. The memory of 9/11 is fading...

I gotta say it- I think the Dark Knight films are boring. Necessary for the franchise but boring none the less

Batman is a criminal. Joker just shows how flawed Batman is.

This is just my personal belief. I think batman doesn't kill The Joker because underneath all the evil nihilistic chaos The Joker is simply a man who's mentally ill. His actions no matter how cruel or methodically planned out are out of his mentally defective brain.

Heath Ledger is the worst Joker so far.

Batman has 'killed the Joker' twice not once & when you're asking why, how, when you're already on the wrong track. it's IS....just is. Heath/ Nolan said it best, 1 completes the other & you cannot have 1 without the other. Sure there are breaks in between, other heists/ bad guys but it's a circle. It comes around again & again, always. It, they, him, just is.