Astonishing Art: The Killing Joke by Cole Watkins

07/21/202207/13/2022Rob Siebert 2 Comments

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Much can be said, and has been said, about Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s The Killing Joke. It’s one of the most famous Batman stories ever told, and also one of the most violent and controversial. As an grown adult and a parent, my feelings on it have definitely changed from when I read it for the first time 20 years ago.

Still, we can’t deny just how iconic Bolland’s art is. No shot is more iconic, and more synonymous with The Killing Joke than the cover shot of the Joker and his camera.

Here, we see Cole Watkins recreate that iconic image using four different cinematic versions of the character. It’s especially cool to cycle trough those images using the slideshow effect, as you can see how he kept the placement of the head, hands, and shoulders consistent in all four images. It all adds up to a tremendous tribute to Bolland, The Killing Joke, and the character’s rich history on film.

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Alex Ross Spotlight: Why is the Joker So Skinny?

10/27/201910/26/2019Rob Siebert Leave a comment

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

A friend of mine recently introduced me to Quora, which is a fun little way to kill time.

I recently came across the simple question of, “Why is the Joker so skinny?” No doubt, it was inspired by how Joaquin Phoenix’s body looked in Joker.

But it certainly didn’t start there. More often than not, the Joker we see in the comics is drawn as a skinny dude. In that sense, if not many others, Joker followed its source material.

I’ve previously mentioned what I refer to as the Alex Ross Theory of the Joker. I base it on a quote I plucked from Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross. On the very same page as that quote comes this bit of insight into Ross’ take on the character, which he tries to keep somewhat consistent with the original Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson version (shown below).

“…he didn’t start off in the comics as this stick-thin anorexic guy – I wanted to give him the appearance of being long and lean, but also physically powerful, not underweight. He was originally based on Conrad Veidt in the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, and that’s what I’m seeing to capture – the true face of Joker.”

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Astonishing Art: Joker(s) by Gabriel Soares

04/16/201904/20/2019Rob Siebert Leave a comment

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Naturally, there’s been plenty of buzz over the new Joker trailer. From where I’m sitting, it actually looks pretty good. Keep your expectations low with these DC movies, folks. Then at least you won’t be disappointed…

As it happens, the high visibility of the trailer gives me a chance to spotlight an artist I’ve had my eye on for awhile: Gabriel Soares. A 3D cartoonist from Brazil, Soares puts a lot of great detail into his work, while still keeping things in that exaggerated cartoon realm. Even if it’s only slightly so. To illustrate, I’ve included his takes on the Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Jared Leto Jokers.