DC Comics’The Jokeris hands down one of the best villains in the comic space and quite possibly in all of literature, with the seminal Joker story titledBatman: The Killing Jokebeing a must-read for anyone looking to see what happens when someone has “one bad day.” In a new cosplay photo,The Killing Joke’s most iconic cover image comes to life, matching the original artwork in a terrifyingly comic-accurate way.
Donning Joker’s iconic set of threads on Instagram, this isn’t the first time Philly Joker (@thejokerfrom215) has slipped into Joker’s shoes, with this cosplay evolving from a long line of prototype designs that capture the spirit of the character in ways fans can appreciate.
Dressing as a Joker wearing a stylish purple coat with subtle blue and red makeup, a masked version of him, and even a Joker riding a motorcycle, it’s clear that Philly Joker knows what he’s doing when it comes to this staple Batman villain, with thisKilling Jokecosplay pushing his craft to the next level.
The Killing Joke’s Joker Gets the Perfect Live-Action Look in New Cosplay
Cosplay Design by Philly Joker (@thejokerfrom215) with Photography by Mark (@nycosplayer)
Released in 1988,Batman: The Killing Joke, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, hassat atop many “Best of” lists as a Batman story and an influential piece of comic book history. Telling an origin that’s often consideredJoker’s “canon” backstory(if he could ever settle on just one),The Killing Jokeinfamously saw The Clown Prince of Crime paralyze Barbara Gordon after shooting her through the spine while putting Commissioner Gordon and Batman through the wringer both mentally and physically. Producing multiple gorgeously illustrated panels, this book tells a disturbingly dark and gripping tale that’s still highly regarded today.
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RemixingKilling Joke’s Jokerby taking cues from Joaquin Phoenix’s iteration of the character (if the more traditional circus clown makeup, green-tinged hair, and red suit are of any indication),Philly Joker nails Joker’s impossibly wide grin as he stares through the viewfinder of a camera aimed directly at viewers. Expertly mimickingThe Killing Joke’s iconic cover image, Mark (@nycosplayer) makes sure to shoot Philly Joker with the proper amount of depth of field, adding a professional level of quality to an already stellar cosplay design — the details present in Philly Joker’s costume being elements that shouldn’t be overlooked either.
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While theJokermovie’s inspirations are clear,the only differences in this photo compared to the graphic novel’s cover are Joker’s large hat, purple suit, and the location of the “Smile” speech bubble, none of which lessen the disturbing impact of this incrediblelive-actionKilling Jokehomageone bit.The Killing Jokestands tall as a Joker story that all otherJokerstories are judged by, and thanks to the impeccable creative talents of both Philly Joker (@thejokerfrom215) and Mark (@nycosplayer), fans finally get a taste of what a Hollywood production of this staple bat-story could and should look like.
The Joker
The Joker is a psychopathic criminal mastermind with a warped sense of humor. Initially introduced as a remorseless serial killer, the character evolved over time, often oscillating between a prankster and a homicidal maniac. His relationship with Batman is one of the most complex in comic book history, defined by their mutual obsession. Over the decades, the Joker has become an enduring icon of chaos and madness, embodying the antithesis of Batman’s order and justice.
