Joker/Batman

Rather than spamming endless media, I spin my own web of innovation.

Joker

Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the greatest supervillain of all time debuted in the first issue of Batman, way back in April 1940.

Distinctive grin was inspired by Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine in The Man Who Laughs (1928).

The Dark Knight (July 2008)

Why so serious?

Appearance

Apart from Sid Vicious and Malcolm McDowell's Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange, Christopher Nolan has said Heath Ledger was heavily based on the paintings of Francis Bacon.

Also, due to monologues promoting chaos and mayhem, he's very much like the ghost of Rudolf Klein-Rogge from The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933).

While all that shit is true, check out another iteration wearing a Glasgow smile.

Joker (October 2008)

Lee Mermejo's art throughout Brian Azzarello's comic is absolutely stunning.

Daredevil - Season 2 (2016) vs Poster

Burning skull and bat?

Homage?

And because I can.

Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)

(Ahem).

Promo poster shows Joker holding a Batman playing card.

Time to introduce a little anarchy to upset the established order.

Narcos - Season 2 (2017)

Gray Matter - 2010 German version

Strangest of all.

Funnyman (1994)

WHAT?

Batman

The Caped Crusader was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane and debuted in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939).

Their inspirations include The Shadow, The Phantom and Dick Tracy.

While Batman (1986) was his first computer game, he infamously appeared in a Mega Drive classic.

The Super Shinobi (1989)

When discount Spider-Man takes enough hits, he becomes...

HA HA HA!

Joe Musashi also fights Rambo, Jackie Chan, The Terminator and Godzilla, described as a 'flame-spewing Brontosaurus'.

When released as The Revenge of Shinobi in Europe and North America, sprites (in whatever version) were modified to avoid copyright infringement.

Miscellany

Aliens vs Predator: Requiem - PSP (2007) vs Batman/Aliens #1 (March 1997)

The same principle extends to:

Batman: The Joker War Zone (2020)

Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

Poison Ivy is consumed by her plant.

Boss encounter is a blatant rape of Salazar in Resident Evil 4.

Batman: Arkham City (2011)

Cover art vs Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Things get more interesting.

At the beginning of Catwoman's missions, a fictitious painting depicting Cain and Abel is there for all to see.

Foreshadowing...

Batman carrying Joker's corpse.

Both are surely a nod to:

Batman: Hush #7 (April 2003)
Batman carrying Jason Todd.

Batman: Death in the Family¹ - Francesco Mattina vs Mad - Zeen Chin

Background looks rather similar, yes?

¹Interactive film explores alternate outcomes of 1988 story arc A Death in the Family.

Finally.

The Batman Who Laughs (May 2017) vs Judge Death (January 1980) - Judge Dredd

Drokk me!