EDITORIAL: The Rogues of the Bat in the New DCCU

EDITORIAL: The Rogues of the Bat in the New DCCU

Batman and his associated characters are getting prepped for a revamp soon, with the new DCCU almost in full effect. Hit the jump to see Kong's ideas on how some of these villains should be treated to treat the new Batman, the new universe, and the new world that WE real people live in.

Editorial Opinion
By kong - Apr 25, 2015 05:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman
Despite it not being included in the announced DC Slate, we all know that Batman is getting a standalone movie. You can't have a Batman standalone movie without a super badass antagonist from Batman's plethora of rogues. Batman has had 11 theatrical films, meaning a lot of these villains have showed up at one point or another; whether in a good form or a bad one. All of the villains that have appeared in past movies need SERIOUS updates. Not because all of the portrayals were bad (as I think every Batman villain on film since 2005 has been great), but because some were bad, and others need to distance themselves from recent portrayals because of how good they were. The biggest example of this, our first villain. The jOkEr!!!



T H E   J O K E R

 
Last time we saw the JOKER on the big screen, he was portrayed by the late great Heath Ledger. Many have said that they didn't want to see Joker for a long time because of Ledger's death AND because of how good he was in the film. By the time Joker appears on screen again, it will be 8 years since the passing of Ledger. I feel like that is a good enough time to have in between Ledger's Joker and the new Joker, especially if the new Joker is coming off of such an amazing actor. Jared Leto is our new Joker. Coming off of the Oscar win for Dallas Buyers Club, it really looks like DC is aiming for Academy Award nominated, and winning actors and actresses in their cast right off the bat. Another thing I've realized, both of the past two Jokers came in on their respective projects after winning an Oscar for playing a character that.....nevermind. A little too far. 

Joker is a narcissistic, insane, sadistic, psychopath, with a big personality. He wants to put on a show, has a taste for the theatrics, a drama queen (or should I say clown prince of crime), and is so crazy that he's scary, funny, intriguing, loved, and hated, all at the same time. Joker started off as a crazy loose cannon towards the beginning of Batman's career, but as he got more and more infamous around Gotham, he garnered a following. The Joker is now the leader of the JOKERZ. Their main incentive is to cause chaos. Whether that's buy showing up at a banquet held and attended by Gotham's elite and stealing their valuables, or by blowing up a parked car with an alcohol bottle and a liter, the Jokerz will do whatever it takes to cause disruption.

At first the big crime bosses didn't worry about the Jokerz operation, as they weren't competition. They only stepped in when the Jokerz got in their way. However, the Jokerz have now started a drug operation of their own. They're spreading around a new hallucinogen Joker called LG for Laughing Gas. It's challenging the business of other underworld organizations causing tension between the crime of Gotham. So much so that it's breaking established bonds, and forming new ones. How could a lunatic challenge some of the smartest men in Gotham? This lunatic is the Joker, and if he could take on Batman you shouldn't be surprised if he could take some business from Sionis, Cobblepot, Falcone, and more. 
Even though Joker is the leader of this gang, people under him like Jim Frost actually run it while he's up to the same old Joker antics he's usually up to. 

The response to the appearance of the Joker in Suicide Squad has been mixed. I am on the side that loves it, but I understand why people don't like it. Here's why he has the tatoos, what some of the tatoos mean, and other things explaining his appearance:

People ask why Joker might have tattoos. The simple response to that is....why not? This Joker is the foe of a Batman that has been around for about 15 years. This Joker has probably been in and out prison, giving him time to get these tats. Maybe has one for every time he's been in prison. 

One common staple of the Joker is his comically large grin. Though in tis photo he kinda looks like Harley Quinn is giving him bomb head just below the edge of the pic, we can assume we'll probably see a variation of that in this film. The problem is that i's kind of impossible to smile like the Joker does in the comics. So how will they pull this off? His smile tattoos. Something that we see Batman do a lot is draping his cape up in front of the open part of his mask. In this motion he is covering his mouth with his arm. It'd be great if we coul see his arcnemesis Joker do the same thing. When he puts his arm up to his mouth it looks like he has a HUGE smile. He could be mocking Batman while giving us a classic Joker image. Two things comic fans would love to see from the joker. This theory is backed up by the smile on his left hand. He could've originally got the tat on his hand, but then decided that the smile wasn't big enough.

Now for his real smile, people have mistaken his silver teeth for a grill. These teeth are actually metal crowns, or false teeth, that the Joker has because of Batman's repeated beatings. One thing about the Joker that we really haven't explored in the films yet is that pain, particularly form the Batman, is something he really enjoys. Those punches that tale out his teeth are enjoyable to him. He probably started off with those pearly whites, and in a flashback or even a prequel we might see those. So he goes through the process of getting tattoos that remind him of his time with Batman to help him cope with the lack of pain he's receiving from the Bat while in prison.

The bird on his right arm is in fact a dead robin, a reference to Jason Todd. This is his newest tattoo, as he hasn't been out of prison or seen Batman since he killed Jason Todd and crippled Barbara Gordon (all a part of one big bash in the DCCU). This is what caused Batman to go in to retirement before being pulled out by the appearance of Superman. When he first sees Batman in the prison break ending of Suicide Squad, he outstretches his arm and says "Hey Bats! Look at my new tattoo!" and laughs.



T H E   R I D D L E R
Last time we checked on the Riddler, he was a ginger, was sporting a jumpsuit, and was played by Ace Ventura. Not the best portrayal of the character. When/If he's introduced in to the DC Cinematic Universe, he should be different. Not only from the version of him in Batman: Forever, but also the one in some comic portrayals.

Edward Nashton is an ex-detective for the Gotham City Police Department. He quit after losing faith in the criminal justice system. Inspired by the Batman, Nashton became his own type of vigilante. He and his one man army start a war against the Gotham elite who had not been rightfully punished by the state. To make it "fun" he leaves clues at the scene of his crimes in the form of Riddles that hint at his next victim. He's also started an online campaign against the GCPD, Gotham Underworld, and even some of Gotham's elite. He releases (controversial) classified information from the police, info on Gotham's criminal elite that are protected by the GCPD, and on Gotham's higher ups that finance the corrupt police or the criminal world.

He's what the Riddler would be if he was created in modern day. He's a vigilante through hacking, blogging, and vigilantism. What screams 2015 more than that?!

Riddler's outfits would be more updated to the modern day, and he wouldn't be restricted to green and purple (since Joker will have a lot of that), but question marks will be incorporated in some type of way. My first choice for Mr. Nashton is Scoot McNairy, but it's unlikely that he's playing the Riddler in BvS. Due to this, I'd love to see Ben Whinshaw (of Skyfall fame) or Matt Smith (of Doctor Who fame) play the riddler.



K I L L E R   C R O C
Killer Croc is interesting, because there are two different ways that fans have theorized and hoped WB takes with this villain. 1) Is the hulking humanoid crocodile that poses nothing but a big physical threat to Batman or 2) The one based off of the graphic novel Joker where he's a cannibalistic crime boss with scaly skin. The version I would like to see leans to the 2nd one, and takes bits and pieces from his pre and post flashpoint origins.

In this universe, Croc would almost be like the supplier to the gangs of Gotham. His operation would run out of the sewers of Gotham. He'd be in control of homeless people, and others who decided to join, that are given shelter, food, and pay in return for working for him. He "rents out" his men to different gangs for different jobs. For example; he supplies them with enforcers, dealers, assassins/hitmen, bodyguards and more. He also gets them to steal weapons and other things so that he can supply them with weaponry and things like that. 

Killer Croc's real name is Waylon Jones. Waylon was born with scaly skin and sharp teeth. He was outcasted his entire life. Growing up in the foster system and eventually leaving as a teen and becoming an enforcer at a young age. After going to jail for petty crimes (and biting someone's finger off and eating it) Waylon got out and joined the Circus. He would wrestle Crocodile's, but all that went wrong when he began to eat their limbs during the show and people stopped coming (as their market was kids). Waylon escaped in to the sewers, with the crocodiles, and lived secluded for a while. When he returned to the surface he went back to the life of an enforcer before starting his own little business, as he not only craved meat, but power. He didn't feel like he could take over the big underworld organizations in Gotham, so he decided to be their crutch. He has power like China has over America. The crime bosses are indebted to him, so he can get what he wants.  



Thanks for stopping by and checking out my article! For more @Kong articles make sure to check out my fansite. Go check out my last article featuring my ideas on the DCCU!!! Click that big red thumbs up below and make sure to comment your thoughts below. Deuces, and always remember to...

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DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:01 PM
Cool article.

Personally, I still think The Joker pic is, a joke and they'll reveal the real Joker soon.

If it's not a joke, I'm kind of worried. Ayer has directed some great films and some bad films, some of his films include

Harsh Times
Training Day
Sabotage
End of Watch

The reason I'm bringing this up is because of the tear on Joker's left cheek, it's a tattoo people get in prison to show that they killed someone. You see this in other movies that Ayer has directed too.... So, if he's going with a realistic take on the Joker, then he'll probably go with a realistic take on Killer Croc, which would suck.

Anyway, I hope this is a joke, because Leto was cast perfectly for the role, would hate to see his talent go to waste.

We are finally getting more comic-influenced Batman, I want a more comic-influenced JOKER
A2K
A2K - 4/25/2015, 5:07 PM
Nice write up, I like the bulk of your ideas though prefer some slight changes with the Riddler- though nothing concrete I think having Riddler as former detective is a bit restrictive; I really dig the idea of him being like a modern day Moriarty in that he considers himself to be a 'criminal consultant'.

Anyway, thumbs up mate!
kong
kong - 4/25/2015, 5:25 PM
@DrKinsolving

That's a J, not a tear tat. It doesn't even conenct all the way. This is the tear tat.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:29 PM
@Kong

Maybe, in that pic it looks like it's a J, but when it's enlarged it looks like one big tear, definitely a connected shape.

Either way, I don't like it



DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:30 PM
@Kong

Judging from those other pics of Leto, I think it really might be a joke though, haha

Which would be awesome
kong
kong - 4/25/2015, 5:35 PM
@DrKinsolving

Even if it isn't fake, that's not a tear. I zoomed in 800% on the picture and it's not connected. And tear tattoos aren't that rigid.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:38 PM
@Kong

True, I don't know what it is, but it doesn't look like a J either

01928401
01928401 - 4/25/2015, 5:43 PM
@DrKinsolving
Why would you assume his talents are wasted just based on a picture? You have no idea if the character will be shitty just because you think his possible look is shitty.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:46 PM
@PietroMaximoff

Sorry, I worded that badly, I meant his talents would be wasted on this instead of a more comic influenced Joker

Not saying he'll be bad in this, I'm sure he'll own whatever take their going for, but I would love to see a more comic influenced Joker go up against Batman and exist in the DCCU
MartiBro14
MartiBro14 - 4/25/2015, 5:51 PM
the tattoos are all photoshop btw.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:51 PM
@MartiBro14

That's another reason I think this is all a joke, haha
MartiBro14
MartiBro14 - 4/25/2015, 5:52 PM
Yup, plus there is a guy on WB who just said, from the footage he has seen that the joker does NOT have tats in the movie. So make of that as you will.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 5:57 PM
@MartiBro14

Haha, that's hilarious

This would actually be really smart marketing then, because a lot of people are expecting the worst right now regarding how he looks, so whatever they give us without the tattoos will be a huge improvement, haha
MartiBro14
MartiBro14 - 4/25/2015, 6:04 PM
Actually the tats he does have, are all covered by his suit. He does not have any face tats.
TucksFrom2015
TucksFrom2015 - 4/25/2015, 6:08 PM
'Rogues' is misspelled, and the art direction is a bit stale compared to your last outing, but the frequency at which you've been cranking out brand new full-length writeups is surely a testament to your royal Kongliness, sir. I do think its odd we're looking at even more solo Bat films now, because based on their current slate Batman's 'new trilogy arch' is a 3-part character arch that starts in BvS and ends in JLp2, and any solo Batfleck whatevers after that won't be out until, what, 2021 at the latest? But based on WB's uber confident 'two films a year' business model, we should see this new Joker out n about as soon as The Justice League movies, maybe in Part One the JLA is fighting certain loose cannon 'Skwad' members, and the other they're fighting Brainiac.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 6:13 PM
@JokesOnTattoos

I Never said the director is terrible

I think FURY and Training Day, and End of Watch are Amazing movies!!!!

And Ayer is an Amazing director.

I said, I don't like how the Joker looks in the photos and I with he was more comic influenced

I also said the Leto will own the role either way

So, yeah, this has nothing to do with Ledger, who I knew would rock, it has to do with me wanting to see a Joker like the comics on screen
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 6:13 PM
RIP Ledger
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 4/25/2015, 6:17 PM
Interesting ideas. I like your thoughts on RIddler's colors not being green and purple, I actually think it's a decent idea. Ok, well, maybe it'd be nice to keep some little hints of green, but I see where you're coming from.
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 4/25/2015, 6:21 PM
I do kind of hope they give Batman a break after BvS ... keep him in Justice League but that's it. They really need to focus on giving some other characters solo movies.
grif
grif - 4/25/2015, 7:05 PM
he will have the shirt off alot. he does not have all the tats for the fun of it.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 4/25/2015, 7:18 PM
@dethpillow

Exactly man, and yeah, I have a lot of respect for Die Antwoord as performers, they really put themselves out there, definitely original too, and their entertaining, haha, but I can see why people are bringing him up as far as looks go

And, yeah,

I think one of the cool things about this is that you can totally see a "Conrad Veidt the man who laughs" vibe and a Killing Joke vibe

It literally feels like Veidt, Killing Joke, and Little Wayne/Antwoord or something combined.

But, yeah, I'm almost positive this is joke, or I'm just in denial, haha
gamecreatorjj
gamecreatorjj - 4/25/2015, 10:07 PM
Jimmi Simpson for the Riddler. He is perfect for the role.
528491
528491 - 4/26/2015, 3:14 AM
@Kong - an interesting article! I particularly like your ideas about The Riddler, i think re-inventing him as a sort of Julian Assange type online hacktivist would be a fun contemporary twist on the character.
Jaffi
Jaffi - 4/26/2015, 6:17 AM
@MartiBro14 "Yup, plus there is a guy on WB who just said, from the footage he has seen that the joker does NOT have tats in the movie."

Wait, what? Where was this?
RobGrizzly
RobGrizzly - 4/27/2015, 11:44 AM
I'm with @Kong-
Love the new Joker look.

Don't hit me, but I kinda think Gotham's Edward Nygma is on the right track for a modern day Riddler. They just need to step it up
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