UPDATE: It was brought to my attention (many, many times) that I failed to mention Jared Leto’s version of Joker that was seen in “Suicide Squad.” And while I must admit, Leto is godawful as the character in that film (almost the worst part of an already-terrible film), the actor at least had quality makeup and was trying something “new.” So, I stand by the below statements about “Gotham” having the worst-designed Joker ever created. The original article follows…
Today is April Fools’ Day. And with it, you’re going to find some funny gags and some “meh” under-baked attempts at humor. But I assure you what I’m about to present is 100% true. I just wish it was all just a joke.
Full disclosure: I’m not a watcher of Fox’s “Gotham” TV series. I gave the first season a shot, and though I hear it got a lot better in subsequent seasons, there’s just too much content for me to watch, and I don’t have time to “wait for it to get better.” That being said, considering I write for The Playlist, I keep up with what’s going on with most TV series, especially ones with Batman associated with it. So, yeah, I know “Gotham” is coming to an end this year, and because of that, the folks behind the series are finally going to give viewers their first look at Batman. And thanks to the new teaser, apparently, we’re getting our first look (seen below) at the Joker, as well. At least, they say it’s the Joker.
READ MORE: Marc Maron Describes DC’s ‘Joker’ Film As A “Character Study Of A Mentally Ill Person”
The Joker has gone through a bunch of different iterations throughout the decades, in comic books, animation, and live-action. There’s the “classic” take on the character, with the bright red lips, the oversized grin, and the full suit, as seen in the ‘90s animated series, the ‘60s live-action series, and of course, Tim Burton’s “Batman” film. Then you have the more gritty take on the character that has been seen recently in the comics and of course was made famous in “The Dark Knight.” This is the type of character everyone assumes we’ll see in the upcoming Joaquin Phoenix “Joker” film, also.
But what “Gotham” has up its purple-suited sleeve is something…else. Something way, way worse. And if this is the type of Joker that the series has been hinting at, teasing, faking out, and building up to for years, then I’m glad I didn’t waste my time watching the series because this is not fair to the fans.
Played by Cameron Monaghan (who would probably make a pretty great Joker, if given the material), this version of Mister J is flat-out terrible. Taking all context out of it (due to my own ignorance of the series), “Gotham” got the suit, mostly, right. But everything else is just wrong. The face, which is fully scarred, looks like bad papier-mâché. Taken as a whole, the face looks way too similar to the dumb puppet thing from “Saw.” The hair, which we are going to assume is thinning due to the same reason Joker’s face is disfigured, looks horribly fake. And when you combine the white, caked-on makeup, the stupid scars, the hair, and the lack of an over-the-top smile (the red lips are hardly noticeable), what you’re left with is what looks like a low-budget version of old-age makeup.
We’re not saying the show is horrible or that Monaghan’s performance will be bad (he has a decent laugh in the teaser), but this Joker will likely go down as the worst iteration of the character, based solely on the look. And when you’re talking about one of the greatest villains in all of fiction (with legends like Jack Nicholson, Cesar Romero, and Heath Ledger bringing him to life previously), this is a downright shame.
And I’m anxiously awaiting Fox’s reveal that this was all just a bad April Fools’ Day joke.
