Pride Month: The People's Joker

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I've talked a few times in the past how even though DC won't officially acknowledge it various creators have interpreted the Joker as being LGBT and how he's since become a pride symbol in some circles. More recently trans filmmaker Vera Drew came out with a parody called 'The People's Joker' which reimagines the Joker as a trans woman. It's not just a parody of the Todd Phillips film; there's a lot of comic pastiches throughout the film including an animated segment done in the style of 'The Dark Knight Returns'.

I'm not going to give it an in-depth review but it was a lot better than I thought it would be... while I respected the idea the trailers made it look like a YouTube fan video/adult swim bit that wouldn't work for an entire feature film. In reality there's a lot going on with the film; a lot of it is an autobiography of Vera Drew's experiences coming out as trans through the lens of the Joker (I.E. her mother's attempt at conversion therapy is depicted as being a trip to Arkham Asylum). 

One thing that came to mind was how much a story worked with the Joker and how it might not have with, say, Spider-Man or Batman. I guess in addition to the queer readings to the character he's just become such a universal archetype that he lends himself to so many different interpretations.

If you're interested the film is available to stream on Mubi.

I included a trailer under the cut.

Watch on YouTube

Comments

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I think that, regardless of their moral standpoint, Harley and Ivy are a better example as they are both capable of love in most modern iterations (Earlier versions of Ivy literally weaponised her sexuality) and depicted as being genuinely and mutually besotted with each other and pursue an active romantic relationship, with various ups and downs along the way (like real relationshios), whether they are villains or not.

For some reason I recall "Cannon and Sabre", a minor pair of villains in the 80's Vigilante series (I think). A duo of mercenary assassins whose gimmick was that Cannon used a sword and Sabre used a gun. They had what might be described as a "CCA dodging" gay relationship. They were affectionate with each other, and it's as strongly implied as they could get away with, that they were a romantic as well as a business partnership. Morally reprehensible people, but closer to being gay icons than the Joker could ever be.

Even Mystique and Destiny, two hardcore terrorists who kill with cheerful abandon, were shown to be longtime lovers before they were radicalised. Admirable? Not remotely. Plausibly gay? Absolutely