Spoilers forJoker: Folie à Deuxfollow, read on at your own risk.
In 1988’s classic, if controversial, graphic novelBatman: The Killing Joke, Joker admits if he has a past he’d much rather it be multiple choice.
This, for many, has proved such a huge part of Joker’s appeal over the years. Both as aBatmanvillain and a character in his own right.
Advert
Advert
Where Joker comes from, who he is and what he wants - these are things we’re never supposed to understand. Thismysterywas a key part of Heath Ledger’s celebrated portrayal inThe Dark Knight,of course.
You can understand, then, why so many Batman fans are getting pretty upset over the idea that Heath Ledger’s Joker now has a definitive origin.
Joker: Folie à Deux,which came out last week,hasn’t exactly been a hitwith critics or fans. The musical elements have left many fans cold, but it’s theendingwhich has proven to be most divisive. Again, spoilers to follow.
The long and short of it is that theJokersequel ends with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) effectively renouncing the Joker persona and serving his time in Arkham.
Advert
Advert
While it’s still open to interpretation, a lot of fans have taken this ending to mean we’re supposed to believe the inmate who killed Arthur is in fact Heath Ledger’s Joker, and that the two Joker movies werehisorigin story all along.
Over on Reddit fans have rightfully pointed outthere are multiple reasons these two universescan’tbe the same, but the mere implication that they evercouldbe has left fans reeling.
“I don’t like the implication that the person who killed him is the Heath Ledger Joker,” one fan wrote. “That is just dumb and kinda insulting.”
Advert
Advert
Another argued: “Agreed , but I think the ending was attempting to portray the idea that anyone can be the joker, not necessarily ‘the heath ledger joker’.”
Topics:Batman,Comics,DC,DC Comics,TV And Film
