The Man Who laughs

The laughter of Victor Hugo is one of the role models for the Joker we have come to know over the years. A strange novel from 1869 about a traveling company that in the late 17th century England buys and kidnaps children to deform them and then sell them to fools.

But how does it deform? Yes, forever "smile" of course.

The Laughter became a silent movie in 1928 by German filmmaker Paul Leni. Then with actor Conrad Veidt in the role of the orphan main character Gwynplaine with cut and permanent laughing mask. Veidt's smile and pointed chin later became the basis for the expression we recognize on Batman's malevolent arch enemy.

Comic joker

As a cartoon character, the Joker debuted in cartoon form in 1940. And that with a grinning face based on just Conrad Veidt's ditto.

The authors Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson all had different concepts regarding his appearance and character development. But the features were inspired by Veidt.

One of the most famous interpretations of the Joker and his origins is Alan Moore and Brian Bollard's 1988 novel The Killing Joke.

Cesar Romero

The Joker made a television premiere in the comic television series Läderlappen, which began airing in 1966.

In twenty episodes, he was played by Cesar Romero whose villain interpretation included a crazy, cackling laugh - which progressed into upcoming series and film versions. Not least via Jack Nicholson and his role interpretation in director Tim Burton's Batman from 1989.

Jack Nicholson

One of the most famous movie versions of the Joker is arguably Jack Nicholson (and later Heath Ledger of course, but we will).

Tim Burton's Batman from 1989 draws a darker version of the Joker, where, among other things, his background story was rewritten and the murder of Bruce Wayne's parents was written on his resume.

Here, the Joker was also given a name - Jack Napier.

Director Tim Burton. Photo: TT

Mark Hamill

After the success of Star Wars and not least the connection with Luke Skywalker, it was not simply for actor Mark Hamill to play roles in major film productions during the 1990s and beyond.

Instead, he seized the opportunity to become a voice actor - and that's where the Joker came into the picture. For many years he was the voice of the Joker in the cartoon TV series Batman: The animated series.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger's version of the Joker cannot be escaped, which makes an appearance in Christoper Nolan's The dark knight from 2008. A role he was posthumously awarded with an Oscar for.

Usually psychotic, sadistic and humorous, inspired by, among other things, the already mentioned comic novel The Killing Joke interpreted the Heath Ledger Joker in a new way. He used, among other things, a whole bunch of references to a number of artists and musicians.

Not least, it has been rumored that an interview with Tom Waits from 1979 had a fundamental influence on the actor's design of the Joker.

... next, Joaquin Phoenix

In the new movie Joker where actor Joaquin Phoenix assumes the role of the Joker, many lines seem to go between Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and the new movie. Here is a scarred, emotionally quite included Joker, who has a history as a former stand-up comedian who suffered a tremendous grief.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix. Photo: TT