[Coach]

CC's post made me think about the Joker as well, and the Dark Knight Returns. Something that I think kind of gets overlooked is that version. And maybe the reason we haven't seen it yet is because it is so very R-Rated. But to me his whole storyline in the book had some of the most tension-filled moments I've ever had while reading, or being entertained in general. The Joker coming out of prison, his therapist vouching for him, everyone's intrigue and his infamy giving him a celebrity-like appeal. Just didn't know if he was going to mas murder the entire room, or if he would play it even-keel, to actually try and show improvement in his mental health. And even then, you wouldn't know if it was for a larger plot, or genuine.

It really is the beautiful thing about the Joker. So much so a "wild card" that the tension is always there.

I think that's what Ledger captured perfectly. And I think that is why Zimmer's music for the Joker is so spot-on.

Totally agree about the origin. I think one of the main reason's Ledger's Joker ends up being considered better is not only the ambiguous origin on his part, but the super lame origins of the Nicholson Joker. The-dumped-in-acid-so-now-I-look-like-a-clown thing is pretty thin, even for comic books. It always bugged me to be honest. Much prefer the idea that, as you said, he just kind of appears when Batman does. He basically exists to troll Batman.