Originally published in Batman Confidential #7-12, Batman: Lovers and Madmen (2007) provided an modernized Joker origin Written by Michael Green with art by Denys Cowan. Although there has been some debate about whether or not Batman Confidential was considered canon, the argument has become moot considering DC's current approach to continuity where everything counts. Plus the Joker's origin has always been an evolving tale; therefore, some divergence is to be expected. The story begins with a guy by the name of Jack sitting in a bar, regaling the local bar wench, Leena, with his sorrows. Jack is supposedly depressed because his job is unexciting and unfulfilling. He tells Leena that he works as a securities broker when really hes a bank robber. Turns out that Jack is board with life because hes just too good at pulling bank heists. Later that night, while Jack and his crew are robbing a bank, he meets the Batman for the first time and suddenly feels alive again. The Joker then plans another heist with the intention of attracting the attention of Batman. This time Jack decides to raid a costume charity ball, and Batman confronts him. During their scuffle, Jack wounds Batmans then girlfriend, Lorna Shore, and Batman throws a batarang, scarring Jack's face. Jack escapes and is then captured by a rival gang and is brought to a pharmaceutical plant to be tortured. After bringing his girlfriend to the hospital, Batman discovers that Jack is at the pharmaceutical plant and runs to find him there. Meanwhile, Jack escapes his restraints and begins to fight his captors. Batman arrives in time to see a giant vat of antidepressant chemicals fall all over Jack, sweeping him down a drainpipe and out of the plant. When he comes through, Jacks skin is white and hair is green. The following day, Jack blows up a blimp over Gotham that is filled with Joker Gas, poisoning the population. Batman confronts and captures him. As an interesting twist, in this particular origin the Joker does not name himself. Rather, at the end of the book, Gordon mentions that the press has given Jack the name the Joker. What makes this particular story unique is that it was written with Christoper Nolan's The Dark Knight in mind. The Joker in this tale is supposed to be similar to the version Heath Ledger plays in the film. It also is the first origin to highlight the scarring around the Joker's mouth, making it even more closely linked to The Dark Knight film.
Since childhood, Bryant has been an avid fan of superheroes, and he has been reading comic books since 2006. His full name is "George Bryant Lucas"; however, after enduring countless Darth Vader jokes, he has chosen to go by his middle name. Born and raised in the United States, Bryant is currently living with his lovely wife in the country side of Wiltshire County, UK. Bryant does suffer from a mild case of dyslexia; misspellings and homonyms are to be expected on occasion.
