11 Comic Book Origins That Were Very Different In The Movies

While the Joker has many, many different backstories, his origin story in Batman '89 is something totally different to any of them, featuring the Clown Prince as the murderer of Bruce's parents.

It's an understandable way to tie the two characters even closer together, but there's something about Batman's biggest nemesis being the same man who motivated him to become the Dark Knight that does seem more than a little trite. Mercifully, the 'vat full of acid' method of transformation for the Joker is still within the film, so his appearance and demeanour is spot on in this regard - just that the parts that have changed do leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Although still an enjoyable romp in the world of Gotham, Batman '89 gives the Joker an entirely unusual past - and end - in the space of its 126 minute run time. It did also give us the iconic 'you ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight?' line, though, so it's not all that bad.