Ever since Rocksteady Studios announced that the Joker would be making a comeback in its new Arkhamverse installment, fans became more skeptical about Suicide Squad: KtJL. The game was already not getting the best reviews, but the Clown Prince of Crime’s inclusion in the title initially didn’t make sense due to canonical reasons.
However, the developer confirmed that JP Karliak’s take on the DC villain is actually an Elseworlds version of the character, making him different from what Mark Hamill brought to the role, but it’s inevitable for the community to make comparisons between the two performances when Batman’s archnemesis arrives in Rocksteady’s game.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s Joker Actor Knows Comparisons With Hamill Are Inevitable
We had the pleasure of having a conversation with JP Karliak, who is set to take on the role of the Clown Prince of Crime in Rocksteady’s latest DC game. During the interview, we asked him whether he was aware of the fact that fans probably expected him to live up to the performances of Mark Hamill in the previous Arkhamverse entries.
Hamill’s portrayal of the Joker is considered to be the greatest take on the Joker ever, and aside from the Arkham games, the beloved actor has also played the character in other media, such as the classic Batman: The Animated Series.
“I am aware that there are obviously going to be comparisons made,” stated Karliak, knowing how much the instantly recognizable Mr. J means to the DC fanbase. But what makes the upcoming Clown Prince of Crime differently interesting is that even the character himself has to live up to the legacy left by the last Arkhamverse Joker.
Major spoilers for those who have not played Batman: Arkham City, but the villain finally meets his demise by the end of the title, so even in the in-game universe, his death has left a massive void in the criminal world.
Karliak’s Clown Prince of Crime Will Have to Live up to the Previous Arkhamverse Villain in-Game as Well
“What I love about this version of the Joker is that he is making those comparisons,” said Karliak, as his character is basically starting out his criminal career and has not reached the notorious status of Gotham’s Clown Prince of Crime just yet.
The character himself keeps “hearing about this giant version of the Joker that existed for many years and was a megalomaniac,” and he knows that he has some pretty huge shoes to fill.
Karliak’s Mr. J will arrive in the Rocksteady Studios game on March 28 as a playable character in Season 1.
Are you rooting for Karliak’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime, or do you think the performance will not really leave an impact? Let us know in the comments!
