The Batman 2: An Adaption of This Graphic Novel Can Redeem Joker & Harley Quinn

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Key Takeaways

  • Batman and Robin future uncertain; fans eagerly await casting news for Batman and Bat-son Damian Wayne.
  • Fans engaged in dark, gritty Batman Universe; interest in sequel The Batman 2 with possible Joker, Harley Quinn.
  • The Batman succeeded with The Penguin; potential for gritty Joker & Harley Quinn story in The Batman

As a die-hard fan who’s been following Gotham’s grimiest tales since the days of Michael Keaton’s Batman, I can’t help but be excited about the potential for Matt Reeves’ The Batman 2. The first film set a new bar for gritty, dark superhero storytelling that left me craving more. And what better way to continue that than by bringing in the Joker and Harley Quinn, two of Gotham’s most iconic villains?

In the ever-changing DC Universe, the fate of Batman and Robin remains unknown, with no official announcements about casting or storylines other than the film centering around Batman and his son Damian Wayne. As fans eagerly await more news, updates on Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s “The Batman” universe keep them captivated in the dark, gritty, and authentic world that DC has crafted. The popularity of Max’s “The Penguin” character keeps audiences intrigued in this grim setting, and speculation about a potential sequel, “The Batman 2,” is at an all-time high. Many fans are eager to see the Joker and Harley Quinn brought to life on screen.

In the initial film of The Batman, actor Barry Keoghan made a brief appearance as the notorious villain Joker, hinting at an earlier encounter between the hero and the villain during the early stages of the Caped Crusader’s career. Following the negative reception to Joker: Folie à Deux starring Joaquín Phoenix and Lady Gaga, The Batman 2 offers a prime opportunity to re-introduce the fear these two antagonists instilled in the gritty, realistic universe that Matt Reeves introduced in the first installment. An adaptation of one of DC’s Black Label graphic novels would be the ideal method for this revival.

Brian Azzarrello’s Joker, EXPLAINED

In a 2008 comic book adaptation, Gotham City was depicted as a more sinister and violent place. Upon the notorious villain’s release from Arkham Asylum, a minor henchman named Johnny Frost takes up the role of the Joker’s driver. Frost unwittingly becomes entangled in the Joker’s world, transporting him and Killer Croc to a nightclub where the Joker cold-bloodedly eliminates one of his former accomplices. As events unfold, Frost learns that the Joker was once part of his old gang, who either deceived or robbed him with the assistance of his girlfriend, Harley Quinn.

When Joker learns that Harvey Dent is intentionally avoiding confrontation with him, he grows furious. Meanwhile, Dent abducts Frost, warning him that the Joker will eventually betray the chauffeur, but Frost believes they are working together in their current criminal activities. As a result of his capture, Frost misses a rendezvous with the Joker arranged with the Riddler. However, following the transaction, Frost protects Joker from an attack by corrupt police officers. This incident triggers a full-scale conflict between Dent and the Joker for control over Gotham’s criminal underworld.

In the Gotham Zoo, Joker confronts Dent, warning him that he’ll expose him using a briefcase obtained from the Riddler. The Joker and Harley then launch a brutal assault on Dent and his crew, eliminating their competition. Desperate to halt the Joker’s rampage, Dent pleads with Batman for help. Batman manages to apprehend Harley Quinn and Killer Croc, but Frost and the Joker escape. Eventually, Batman catches up to them, leading to a fierce battle between the two. The psychological breakdown of Jonny Frost results in his tragic death, leaving the future of Batman and the Joker uncertain until the 2018 sequel, Batman: Damned.

The Batman 2 Needs this Gritty Joker & Harley Quinn

In the first movie, The Batman, there’s a grim atmosphere and Gotham City is portrayed as a real-world setting without supernatural elements, creating an environment that could accommodate a dark story like Joker. Additionally, the haunting appearance of The Batman’s Joker allows for the character to be interpreted in ways that could blend aspects of this tale into the expanding universe of The Batman.

In this graphic novel, The Penguin is featured, working with Oz to launder money from a bank heist carried out by the Joker after his escape from Arkham Asylum. Oz clues the Joker into Harvey Dent’s hiding, which fuels the Joker’s fixation on attacking this villain, leading to an obsession. The inclusion of characters like Harvey Dent, Harley Quinn, and Paul Dano’s Riddler would help weave this narrative into the world established by Matt Reeves in his The Batman.

In the world of The Batman, the narrative of The Penguin could introduce a darker, villain-dominated Gotham City underworld. This shift might involve the disintegration of existing crime families, leading to a power struggle among contenders such as Penguin, Joker, and Harvey Dent. While new interpretations of characters like Joker and Harley Quinn may differ from their previous portrayals by actors like Heath Ledger or Margot Robbie, the intense chemistry and fear they instill in Gotham City would align seamlessly with the universe already set up by The Batman. A storyline akin to Brian Azzarello’s Joker could recreate the eerie and unsettling ambiance that the initial film masterfully depicted, offering a fresh challenge for Robert Pattinson’s Batman.

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2024-11-09 18:08