Video of the Week: The Joker's BIG Secret (by The Imaginary Axis)

I’ve talked about my opinions concerning fan theories before in the article, “Video of the Week: Harry Potter Theory: Dumbledore’s Horcrux (by SuperCalinBrothers)”. I explained that I don’t outright agree or disagree with a fan theory unless it has been confirmed by the original author or creator of the piece of work the theory is concerning. However, I also expressed how the Harry Potter theory put forward by SuperCalinBrothers changed my viewpoint slightly. I do genuinely believe that theory is true, because the amount of detail they presented the audience with, and how it fits so neatly into place with the original story. Despite J.K. Rowling denying the theory, it’s still one that changes the way you see the books – whether for the good or for the bad, that’s up to you to decide.

With something as important to me as Harry Potter is, considering I did grow up with the books and the films, and plays a huge part in influencing me to write my own stories, and the theory being a part of that, I couldn’t just say that my opinion has been changed, and then move on. I realised after a week since the article was published, I needed to say a bit more on the subject, but I didn’t know what to say, which led me to believe that I didn’t need to say anything at all.

Many weeks passed and still nothing coming to mind. That is, until I discovered The Imaginary Axis. To tangent off the main road for a moment; I do enjoy watching educational videos, especially those that try and explain, scientifically, how a Superman can fly, is it possible to make your own Iron Man suit, or will we truly be The Last of Us. Explaining how they all work along with adding science into the video, I just can’t get enough of that as it opens a new way of thinking about the characters we’ve all grown up to love over the years, giving a fresh look. The Imaginary Axis is a relatively new channel compared to some of the larger educational channels, but he does offer some interesting stuff that makes you think, especially the video above.

I’m going to be frank and say that after watching this video, I will never look at a comic book, a video game, or a film with the Joker in the same way again, because whenever I do, there will always be that notion of the theory at the back of my mind. The theory makes perfect sense. It fits in with the entire story without dislodging or contradicting anything. I will say that my knowledge regarding Batman is limited. Along with Superman, Batman is the most recognisable face in all of DC – probably the most popular, too, but I haven’t looked at the official data, just going by the fact the Internet is leaning more towards Batman than Superman. The Joker is DC’s most recognisable villain, and probably the most recognisable across all of superhero fiction. Everyone knows of this crazy person who constantly fights Batman. Both Batman and the Joker have been portrayed numerous times in films over the years, the most popular portrayal to date is the Dark Knight. Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne/Batman, and Heath Ledger plays the Joker. Heath did such an awesome portrayal of the Joker, the first time I watched the film, I got goose bumps. Heath captured the Joker’s insanity brilliantly, making him a tough villain to fight mentally and physically.

After seeing this video and learning the possible canonical theory about the Joker, knowing that the Joker is not insane, but instead super-sane, which gives him the ability to be self-aware that he is indeed a comic book villain and that he is simply doing so many crazy acts simply because he must play his part. In the comics, there are numerous references to this possibility, but never truly confirming it, and the film never made any such reference at all – and there’s no absolute reason why it should – but even upon watching the film again after learning about the theory, it changes your viewpoint ever so slightly. The Joker is just playing his part in the comic book, and the Batman is playing his (but he doesn’t know anything about being fictional).

As I was watching the video, I noticed that he had a picture of Deadpool up on the wall, which ultimately gave him that moment of realisation. Deadpool is considered crazy by almost every MARVAL character. What if he, too, isn’t actually insane, but instead super-sane. Deadpool has the ability to break the fourth wall whenever he wants. He’s fully aware that he’s a fictional character. Is Deadpool acting crazy because he is genuinely crazy and just believes he’s a comic book character and is in actuality just talking to himself, or is he not crazy at all, but instead, because he is aware, he could be aware that he is a major character in the story, he simply just has fun and does whatever he wants because he knows that no one will be able to do anything to stop him because he’s the main character. Not only did The Imaginary Axis change my viewpoint on the entire Joker’s storyline, but gave me room to think about the entirety of Deadpool’s story as well, and that is one heck of a powerful theory.

After so many weeks, I finally found what I wanted to add to the previous article. I need to accept them more often. I can’t outright dismiss any theory anymore, because it could lead to something awesome, such as your perspective either entirely changing, or slightly changing. I was going to leave it up to you to decide whether or not changing one’s perspective on something you really like is a good or bad idea without expressing my own opinion on the matter, but I feel that I must. I think it’s a good idea to see things in a new light every once in a while. It just goes to show just how creative the creators of the characters really are. They took the character such as the Joker and basically did whatever they wanted with him without fully revealing every piece of information because it simply wasn’t necessary to do so. He’s Batman’s villain, and that’s pretty much all you need to know. Maybe the creators intended to leave the Joker’s story nearly all blank to let our minds wander. Whatever the reason, I’m glad I have changed my opinion because – as I said before – it prevents it from becoming boring.

Thanks for watching

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)