Holy Fire Escapes!

In response to your question about Batman and the Joker, here are some shots I took of the Hyde Fundraisers.

Zap! Pow!

Kevin

UK

RANKING THE JOKERS

I was discussing movie Jokers with Wotan recently. The Joker always brings out strong opinions I think, its such an iconic character and was done so well by Cesar Romero in the original Adam West TV series.

For my vote I think the current Joker played by Jared Leno is the best so far, even better than the late Heath Ledger's masterful performance. Jared just pips him because his character's combo of bling, smile and deranged menace is simply hypnotic, despite not being seen that much on the screen in his movies.

I hope Jared's Joker has another crack at a movie. Does anyone know if he will?

An honourable mention has to go to Jack Nicholson's Joker in Tim Burton's 1989 gothic Batman. he was the perfect foil to Keaton's grouchy knight and between the two of them instilled in me the collecting bug for the first time, after which I started looking for Batman toys in earnest!

I haven't included Joaquin Pheonix's award-winning stint here as I'm not sure it can be compared with his more comical stablemates. The Joker is more like Taxi Driver than a Batman spin-off, Travis Bickle in greasepaint. What do you think about the film The Joker?

So, who is your fave Joker readers?

SERIAL BLUES

I've recently re-joined Netflix and have been watching Stranger Things series 1 again. Series 2 is rumbling in the wings but first I thought I'd check out other stuff on there.

I've currently had sight of the series The Punisher, Iron Fist and Luke Cage. I enjoyed episode 1 of the Punisher a great deal where Castle is the grouchy builder, dishing out vengeance aplenty on unsuspecting bad guys. I waded through the overly-chatty episode 2 and gave up in the mire of conversation in episode 3. What happened to the explosive action and sense of brooding in episode 1? Does the real punishing ever start again?

Similarly Iron Fist was a let down. Not really knowing the character that well, apart from vague memories of fabulous comic covers in the Seventies, I expected a tsunami of Kung Fu from the off but again the plot seemed clogged-up by inane chatter and a slew of tedious characters. When does Iron Fist actually start bopping bad guys by the dozen?

I've seen episode 1 of Luke Cage and Dare Devil a few years back but Punisher and Iron Fist's lacklustre performance has put me off watching them again. January Jones has been similarly dowsed.

I may have to either watch Stranger Things 2 again after a gap of 3 years or find a decent DC film like Batman V Superman or Justice League. 

I saw The Joker at the cinema earlier in the week and I was blown away by Joaquin Phoenix's acting. It was truly spellbinding. Its put me in the mood for more DC. My mate has recommended The Killing Joke, an animated movie based on the famous Batman-Joker graphic comic. 

What would you recommend for a Friday night in with a beer and a curry readers?

PARDY LIKE ITS 1999

For Bill who's not been invited to the party!

PS. Is Jack your favourite Joker readers?