The dynamic between Batman and the Joker is dark and in some cases, unnerving, and nothing reflects that more than some killer art by cartoonist Iain Laurie. A recent Twitter post by the artist showcased a new piece that gives the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime a fantastically disturbed veneer that will haunt the dreams and delight any Batman fan.
Ever since his first appearance in Batman #1, the Joker has been one of Batman's most troublesome constants. As time has gone on, the lengths he's gone to torment Batman have only gotten worse to the point where the Joker would begin harming those closest to Batman. From killing Jason Todd to shooting and paralyzing Barbara Gordon, no enemy has come as close to inflicting as much damage to Batman and his legacy as the Harlequin of Hate. This haunting presence the Joker brings to Batman's life is portrayed unsettlingly well in a new fanart piece by one talented illustrator.
In a recent tweet seen below, Iain Laurie posted an image of the Joker standing ominously over the Dark Knight with the caption "Last Batman of the year." What truly makes the piece stand out is Laurie's adjustments to Batman and Joker's designs. The Joker is a large, intimidating figure with long arms wielding clawed hands and his trademark smile is reinterpreted as makeup or a tattoo that covers the majority of his bleached and bald head. Batman is just as frightening, Laurie emphasizing the "bat" aspect and giving him a much more animalistic cowl. The cartoonist makes other perturbing changes to the hero, giving him equally clawed hands and portraying Batman's cape as tendrils flailing wildly.
Fans on Twitter went wild for the dramatic reimagining of Gotham's biggest archenemies. From comparisons to acclaimed artists like Dick Sprang or Richard Sala to declarations of awe, Laurie's work was welcomed. This piece by Laurie continues his trend of artistic choices that add an unsettling layer to beloved superhero iconography. The artist isn't afraid to take heroes like Green Lantern, Superman or the Shazam family and add wrinkles, skewed proportions and unflattering colors to create something wholly unique in the realm of comic book fanart. The daring choices made from Iain Laurie in his Batman and Joker piece effectively communicates the horrific relationship between the two and the effects their back and forth has on one another.
As some of the most well-known comic book characters, Batman and Joker have seen their rivalry reinterpreted by artists for years. The destructive history the two share has been a subject many fans are eager to explore with their creative talents. Iain Laurie's bold take on Batman and Joker is extreme and goes to outrageous places while being an amazing examination of the two.
Source: Iain Laurie