Good bet. Joker's a fine brawler. Then again, I think I'd rather see Two-Face throwing some devastating punches.

Swift_

The shoulder pads will be with you. Always.

That's definitely a, um, interesting design. I guess the Joker's first crime was to rob a TJ Maxx.

wild homes loves you but chooses darkness!

unlockable ledger FTW

Silenced

@ireidt: That being said, It is just a picture. Wait until the game comes out before loving or hating the Joker.

Same can be said for the game. Or rather, same should be said for the game.

Bardiel18

I think the better question is why bother having the Joker in the game to begin with, it's not like he's ever been a particularly combat heavy character like Bane or Killer Croc.

I mean, yeah I get it he's an iconic DC character but it still doesn't make much sense.

...what the hell am I complaining about? Nothing about this game makes any real sense.

Diddy_Mao

@_Ted_: The Red Hood Costume would be cool as an unlock. Would be cool as well to unlock the latest red hood as a playable character, but I don't see that happening ( poor jason Tood... )

ireidt

This is the classic Joker. Heath Ledger did a great job portraying the joker in the Dark Knight movie, but the DC universe portion is based off the DC universe comic book series. Even the dark look they are giving the Joker now in the "Batman R.I.P." storyline looks closer to the classic than heath ledgers version ( but is nuts as the dark knight joker.)

That being said, It is just a picture. Wait until the game comes out before loving or hating the Joker.

ireidt

@Arsenicberyllium: pfft. Yeah, try covering your back with that lulzy claim of "advanced irony". Next thing we know you'll tell us girls exist on the internet; you have a life outside of gaming and internet; or that you have a real-life girlfriend.

@Hikaru: it was the latter.

Bardiel18

As much as I love Heath Ledger's performance, the classic Joker will always be welcome. It's interesting to look at a character become an integral part of the Batman mythology, when he just started out as a throw away villian who just looked like a clown to imitate the joker playing card.

Thorax

what if you could unlock the red hood for him....eh?

I think that would be cool

check it if you don't know what I mean

[en.wikipedia.org]

_Ted_

@Bardiel18: @Hikaru: @Hikaru: Actually, I'm just a big fan of heavy irony. You'll never know if I'm serious or not.

Arsenicberyllium

Dosnt joker get 1 hit K.O.ed by batman in combat? The only thing keeping him alive is his brains?

gothamdarkknight

cant include DC without the Joker =P

Solid_Skittle1218

@Bardiel18:

I hope it's the former!

Hikaru

That looks awesome.

Apocalypse15

@Black-Dog-Howls: Too true. If there's one thing Boon and Tobias do right is easter eggs, and to have Hamill voice the Joker would be the ideal easter egg. The rest should be canon to the comics. Much love for both Ledger and Jack, but the comic Joker is king.

StrikerGold

@Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: other men would've cried "too soon!" but you threw caution to the wind, sir.

TheIrishNinja

@Hikaru: probably hasn't seen it.

Or just that thick.

Bardiel18

@Last_Raven

So you've played Mk vs DCU using the joker?

badwhodo

This game is looking better and better to me all the time.

phinehas

@Arsenicberyllium:
I can't believe you still don't get it.

Hikaru

@robbishrob04:

*Insert tasteless fatality relating to drugs here*

I don't think the new Joker is really appropriate. Not necessarily because of Heath, because that shouldn't matter to the game. The old Joker was more of a brawler, hands on guy whereas the new one is quite a bit more like a mortal in a sense. It just isn't in the spirit of the character.

Last_Raven

Imagine what Superman would of looked like if they used Superman Returns model. I think Midway is staying true to the characters so far, and look forward to seeing what the rest of the characters look like.

IDS3

did any of you haters figure out , yet, that 2NinjasTapedTogether made his comment referencing a Frank Miller book and not the Heath Ledger 'Joker'.

FFS...

badwhodo

Man, nothing compares to the Heath Ledger joker anymore =/

Gantz: Your Trusted Friend in Science.

Bleh. Trolls are to be expected.

Awesome design.

Looking forward to a handbuzzer Fatality >:D

Bardiel18

They need to add the gun he had on the Tim Burton flick. Fits with the craziness of the game.

Wake

The new Joker seems a better fit for a Mortal Kombat game to me.

Nobuyuki

death spawns rage...

why so serious?

badwhodo

Looks good, but the MK series died a long time ago imo.

Master_Achilles

I don't think it would make much sense for them to use the Joker design for what is essentially an adaptation. This is MK vs. DC Universe, as in the comics. So, the characters should look like their comic book forms.

MorbidLilim

Mark Hamill better be his voice.

HE BETTER BE GOD DAMN IT!

Black-Dog-Howls

@kojirodensetsu: Because it's "hip" to rip a game apart before you've ever touched gamepad to fingers to actually play the thing...

MrBionic

It looks cool as a still but why do I get the feeling that everyone is going to be INCREDIBLY disappointed when it comes time to fight The Joker vs. Sub Zero?

mva5580

@TK423: Yeah. I wish someone would clue me in on how this game is bad. O_o

kojirodensetsu

Can't wait to buy this when it comes out. In the recent days it's convinced me to make a future purchase.

BabeBro

Hooray for clean but still evil looking Joker! Now, GIVE HIM A TOMMY GUN!

CheckersMcGavern

@TalKeaton:I think you're missing my point.
I was using advanced irony and hypocrisy skills.
I was saying that we weren't taking things seriously while at the same time simultaneously switching it over to a serious issue.

Arsenicberyllium

Looks good to me.

Mikey G

Considering their using the comics as a source, it makes sense to use this Joker. And that's okay, because this is honestly the best rendition of him I've ever seen in a video game. Absolutely fantastic, and blows the DC Online Joker model out of the water (though I understand Jim Lee has already said they're going to be redesigning that Joker).

BryanH

Still don't get why everyone is shitting all over this game.

I'm looking forward to it.

TK423

Probably a safe choice for the Joker. Nobody will get upset over this choice. Interested in how he will play in the game.

kojirodensetsu

@Arsenicberyllium:
@zkotaku:

I think you're both missing his point in vastly different ways.

Yeah, this is a more recognizable Joker, I just think they could have made him look a little less refined and a little more unhinged.

TalKeaton

@Arsenicberyllium: Very true. The artwork looks nifty, but the game looks... Not so nifty.

Crimson_Ryan

Well if they used the Dark Knight Joker then the motion capture sessions would have been like a new Weekend at Bernie's

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

@outforprophets: I agree with you. Plus this is the way the the joker is mostly portrayed. every one is making a big deal about the one in the new movie, (not saying its bad....i really enjoyed it), but i believe that this joker character is the most recognizable.

Daneish003

@Crimson_Ryan: Why so serious .com is a website, that is why it was repeated so many times through the dark knight trailers.

zkotaku

no matter how much i loved heath ledgers joker i have to agree that he wouldnt make a very good fighting game character

stryker1800

Cool.

Dexyn

@Crimson_Ryan: Uhh...We're just analyzing a character design and saying whether or not we liked it.
There's not really much here that's really serious.
...Though the game's still going to suck, and this actually decent artwork isn't going to change that.

Arsenicberyllium

Two words: PIMP. CANE.

Crippl3

Its just a video-game, guys.

Why so serious?

Crimson_Ryan

If there Heath ledgegr character in mortal kombat vs. dc then people would be crushing him to the bloody bones, then people would forget about the joker. This Joker is lot better looking and more fun for a fight.

zkotaku

The cane that he is holding reminds me of the line "Let me show you a magic trick".

BlackFreefall

They should have gone for a compromise between Classic Joker and "The Dark Knight Movie" joker.

Hence:
The Killing Joke Joker.
[www.gothic.stir.ac.uk]

Arsenicberyllium

He looks very....vampireish.

Tom Clancy's Samuraidino

Wow, it looks much better than i thought it would be.

Best DC character by far.

Phantasos

looks pretty serious to me

ForAllThatEverWas

Actually prefer this model for joker for a fighting game at least. Seems to fit better in the MK universe

outforprophets

@2NinjasTapedTogether: Are you serious??? :S

Charlie303

@robbishrob04:
Well, the movie "The Dark Knight" and the graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns" are two very different stories and two very different Jokers.

Heath Ledger's Joker could always be an unlockable costume though.

Archaotic

I like the original joker more than the "dark knight" version. So I am glad they went with this one.

Gravnar

Really nice design, now if only we could see him in motion.

Lijik

@2NinjasTapedTogether:

they couldnt do that....people would be offended about beating up heath ledger lol

robbishrob04

That actually... looks pretty good.

ChiChi_BBQ

Very cool looking. Kinda sad they didn't go with "The Dark Knight Returns" model, but... very cool!

2NinjasTapedTogether

@robbishrob04: no I think he meant the Frank Miller comic version.

"They had best be dealing from the bottom of the deck if they want to play against The Joker!"

Gunhaver

A-mazing!

kaskeon

:( i wanted the Dark Knight Joker

murat8

Best joker [cartoonvillains.8m.com]

walkman1022

That Joker has been hitting the gym and eating his beef.

skankingfool

I actually like this joker for the game... Imagine a new marvel vs. capcom game came out. Wouldn't you rather wan the classic x-men costumes and characters as opposed to the movie versions?

Madness

He looks really... shiny.

Can I has tag-team mode and Harley Quinn prz?

sanyo

That joker looks plain kick ass.....

AggroRhodes

Man I hate how I can't edit my comments. I'm on a roll of bad comments. Replace Nicholson with Romero. Sry for the triple post, no more for me.

KEITH1437

Cool with the comic book The Joker.

But i dont think this game going to be good.

Crippen

ACID FLOWER FATALITY

Lingxor

Oops, i forgot to talk about the Joker, he looks good, like the original. More Nicholson less Ledger. Although I love the idea of an unlockable Ledger model.

KEITH1437

Can I play as the Riddler and stump my opponents to death with devious riddles?

KEITH1437

Damn he looks evil. I like it.

Gouki4u's avatar has a severe case of Jekyll and Hyde

I dig.

gcZanmato

And yea, the gods of game said down unto me: Pwn some bitches with the Joker, for he be-ith the greatest and only good DC character to ever exist, besidith thine Green Lantern, but thus is without need to be-ith said.

... okay, not even I can read that.

I'm looking forward to some Joker-style pwnage.

Jayl3w

I definitely agree with others who say they'd like to see a Joker fatality. I know that generally the DC people don't want to see their characters portrayed as murderers, but the Joker should be an obvious exception.

I'm fine with not seeing the Dark Knight version of the character, but I would love to see some references to the movie. Especially if his fatality started with the line, "I'm going to make this pencil disappear."

17-A

I would be happy if I didn't see the pic on IGN three days ago.

Krimmson

Bad. Ass.

Fallible

They made the joker look like a skinny version of mr. sinister from the x-men w/ a snazzy suit lol. If he doesn't have a fatality, i'm going to be grumpy =P

Allistor421

Wow. This joker, I like, maybe even gay for.

Always preferred this "classic" style over The Dark Knight's Joker. I thought it was funny that the Joker looked somewhat composed and refined, which was quite the farce to his psychotic nature.

Plan303e

It would be stupid to even think how they would work the movie joker into this. This is all about fantasy and fun, not realism and character development. Get over your Heath Ledger wet dreams, sheesh.

behrens14

In turn, I reiterate that Batman's costume looks too plain and poorly made. Spandex is something that never looked right rendered in three dimensions, realistically or through CGI.

Plan303e

Nice, classic, Killing Joke look. The pimp hand is strong with this one.

tk.

Meh, its alright. The Killing Joke Joker would have been a better fit imo.

stoutbear

Why so Shiryu's?

Shiryu

I'm actually very impressed! I don't know how other people are commenting on how he would "fit into the setting" as we hardly know much about the setting as is. A few screenshots does not a comprehensive look make.

silasthemariner

The way he is holding that cane... kinda homo-erotic if you ask me.

royalwcheese

wouldnt a darker joker fit in alot more than an early 90's looking joker? ah well...

DaveStampeed

Too Beefy!

Nitemare1

although I like the dark knight one, the classic one is the best choice

chacho

I'm glad they went with "Classic Joker". The Dark Knight was a great movie and all, but to hop on the bandwagon and throw the Heath Ledger version in there would be odd.

I do find it funny though that people are acting like Heath Ledger invented the Joker. He did a great job with it...but the character existed before he portrayed him.

Is the Batman the version from Dark Knight? Is Catwoman the Michelle Pieffer version?

That Joker fits in perfectly as he looks up top. He looks WAY more intimidating with his clean cut demeanor.

TRT-X

Two words: Alternate costumes.

We may be seeing the dark knight one anyway.

PsychicPanda

I wonder if he has a crowbar attack, cause that would be great to use on Robin.

Jedi924

Where's Green Lantern?

MSUSteve

Well now I know who I'm playing in MK vs DC! I haven't the slightest idea what his abilities and fatalities will be, though.

Anyway, perfect design to put into the game. The "Dark Knight" version would've been just silly, especially considering the other DC characters use the classic look as well.

gfyjo

LOL @ the 'Dark Knight Joker' nerd backlash in here.

After seeing that movie, the 'classic' Joker just seems so tame and goofy in comparison.

vaporlock

Yuck. That looks dated and silly, but I guess those adjectives work for describing MK too!

fatheadwilson

What happened Midway? Did your...did your balls drop off? Hmm?

Does this mean no pencil attack?

what0080

I find it so strange that people would even think that the realistic version of the Joker seen in the Dark Knight film would have a place in a video game like this, especially after seeing what Superman and Batman look like.

I'm interested in seeing what his fatality(fatalities) is(are).

cinderx

Looks awesome.

KM91

@vaporlock:

LOL @ the 'Dark Knight Joker' nerd backlash in here.

After seeing that movie, the 'classic' Joker just seems so tame and goofy in comparison.

You're clueless.

That's how the Joker looked in The Killing Joke. Therefore, you are wrong.

KaneRobot

Thank god. The Heath Ledger bandwagon is already annoying as it is.

KaneRobot

No question Joker should be in any DCU game.

But before Kotaku-nation has a heart attack, you guys do realize that they are and SHOULD consider alternate skins.

So yes, the Dark Knight Joker skin is at the top of the list, as is an old school Adam West era Joker suit and everything inbetween.

And of course, I'm putting my money where my mouth is and going on a limb and saying this isn't the only one. A Batman Beyond skin? Maybe a Robin skin?

huginn

@vaporlock:

Goofy? clearly you've never read the killing Joke or the last Laugh or anything else with the Joker.

Or heck just look at Salvation run.

VenomMelendez

@PsychicPanda:

Nope since there's only one other costume and it better bet the Morrison version.

Besides, wouldn't a Heath ledger joker be in bad taste in a game with Fatalities?

VenomMelendez

@huginn:

If there are alternate skins it will be of Alternate comicbook version.

Boon already said that they where not using anything from the movies and mainly using the desings from the comics.

I mean this joker is based of on how Alex Ross drew him.

VenomMelendez

This game will be worth it for The Joker alone. The game itself really should have just foregone DCU Heroes and gone straight to villains, so that everybody could to fatalities. Ah well, at least we've got The Clown Prince of Crime!

Ianny

Why so serious about his stocky body.

rincew1nd

this is the first screen from the game i like, they did a real good job here.

pandafresh

Classic! I like it.

caps

I kinda hope the white suit from DKR is his alternative outfit.

EvilSuperSean

Something about this screen is awfully wrong. The lighting makes absolutely no sense and it makes me hate the character design.

Killing Joke Joker is fine. As long as he has the insanity that Heath portrayed so well in TDK (and I'm sure he will, as much as they can convey in a dumb fighting game, at least), I can't complain.

IGoogledMurder

Looks good actually, fairly intimidating

yashichi8bit

I like the classic joker look, but I think they could have made him a bit more anarchic looking. He's too primp and proper, he should have blood stains on his clothes, and his hair should be a mess. I like "The Killing Joke" Joker the best.

8bitcity

Damn, this game has gone from being a joke to, dare I say it, rental material. Looks like fun, sign me up.

Jonaconda

i was hoping for the dark knight joker, but this is still pretty cool.

mr_grimster

looks better than the dc mmo version

islandknight

Dark Knight was great. Ledger's Joker was great. But keep him in the movie and out of everything else. Ledger's Joker does not fit in with any DC product except the movie. PERIOD.

BTW, the "Why so serious?" you were gonna post right after my comment? Yeah, REAL ORIGINAL.

Raidei

Unfortunately, the downfall of this game for me is not a result of any character design but of Mortal Kombat's overall gameplay. I can't believe how many Mortal Kombat games I own, considering that I have hated the controls from the original to the latest version. What is even more unbelievable is that I may actually get this when it gets down to about $20, just for the DC characters.

kingofallcosmos

you guys need to believe.
sure this game won't win any awards but i bet you it will be one of the funnest games out there. besides from lego batman what other game will let you play as joker or catwoman or batman and kill superman i mean dont know about you guys but ive always wanted to kill superman i hate that guy, lamest superhero ever.this game will probably be fun im calling it right now

phoneykiller

Thank god they didn't go for the lipless Morrison version.

Dave Silva

Classy! Im definately digging it. not sold on the game. I MIGHT get a the demo if they do one but it just doesnt sound right...

mufasa95

@VenomMelendez: I wouldn't kill a Dark Knight one, given how successful it's been, DC might be begging for that skin

huginn

this is just filler until MvC3. and me still hungry :-/

knifey-spoonie

he looks great....looks like The Joker from The Killing Joke, except with less grin

kingme

@8bitcity:

he always has clean clothes.

It was he does that gets ya. That's the point.

You have to remember That he's also the Clown Prince of Crime.

VenomMelendez

@Dave Silva:

Agreed.

Good thing all the other book ignore what morrison did.

VenomMelendez

@huginn:

Not really kid

They're crossing over with the comics so if he get's alternate skin it would be something around the lines of his Red hood costume or the what he's wearing during Batman RIP.

And it would probably be in bad taste. Midway doesn't need a lawsuit from the Ledger family.

VenomMelendez

@IGoogledMurder:

You ,eam the Insanity Joker always portays.

He's that crazy in the comics too.

Look what he did to to Alex Luthor at the end of Infinite Crisis or just look at the recent Trst arc in Detective comics.

The dark knight is far from the first time joker has been portrayed that dakr and it's not even the Darkest Joker.

VenomMelendez

he looks like a evil pimp!

ShadowScale