COMICS: Scott Snyder Has A Message For Fans About The Return Of The Joker

Batman writer Scott Synder has taken to the Bleeding Cool Forums to address fan concerns about the highly anticipated debut of The Joker in "The New 52" continuity. "This Joker story in NO way will be some "Saw" shock-slash violence/torture porn or anything of that ilk," he says.

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By Josh Wilding - 8/19/2012

When 'The Joker' returns to the DC Universe this October, he's going to be missing something. His face. At the end of Detective Comics #1, it was revealed that the villain had literally been skinned, while artwork on some of the "Death of the Family" crossover titles recently showed the Clown Prince of Crime with his face seemingly held on by a belt. Pretty gruesome stuff. Well, Scott Snyder recently posted the following message on the Bleeding Cool Forums to assure fans that they don't need to worry about his and Greg Capullo's upcoming arc being too over-the-top or violent.

It’s Scott Snyder – I rarely post on forums, as I like you guys to get to say what you want away from all of us on the other side of the fence, but I figured why not...I’m in a labcorps waiting room, about to have blood drawn for my annual physical, and I figured, what the Hell, right?

Anyway, I have to say, it’s really exciting to see you all so passionate about Joker as a character. He means a lot to me, too – more than almost any character in comics. And as the guy doing this big story on him I wanted to make this clear for you, to try to put your minds at ease…This Joker story in NO way will be some "Saw" shock-slash violence/torture porn or anything of that ilk, story. This is a story that for me, is deeply deeply about who Joker is to Batman. It’s an exploration of his history and his purpose and it’s a very particular take on his psychology and essence as a character – all of which matters tremendously to me. I have no interest in transforming him in to an 80′s horror villain – or any villain, in fact, other than this very personal version of himself, which I believe in and am excited about. I would never ever do anything to cheapen him. This story is an effort to do the opposite – we’re really looking to restore him to his status as the greatest of all time, and we’re doing everything we can to carefully and lovingly enrich his particular mythology.

Now, as for the face – Joker’s face was removed in Detective #1, a year ago, as part of Tony’s storyline. Right now, it’s simply Joker’s status quo. If Joker appears, he would have to be missing his face. So picking up with Joker in our story in Batman, it’s where we’re starting. It’s not some sudden attempt to change his look or anything, we’re building on what was there in a way we’re excited about. And as for how we plan on using that aspect, I’d ask you wait and see what story we bring to it – I’m very proud of how that element has been developed in our story.

Anyway, the bottom line, and what I’m getting at is simply: I love that you guys love Joker as much as I do. And I promise that neither his look, nor his story in our book, are indicative of any effort on the part of team batman to change him into some cheap horror villain. Whether or not you’ll like the story we have planned for you, I can’t say, but I can tell you, wholeheartedly, that I am (we are) extremely proud of it, as an exploration of our very favorite villain of all time.

And...now I’m next for the needle. S.

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50 Comments

	Knightrider - 8/19/2012, 3:23 PM Login to report abuse Seems like Scott is saying "Look, Tony screwed this whole thing up, so I am going to have to work with what he has given me. I will try my best to use what he did and possibly fix it." Which if he actually said that I wouldn't blame him. Detective Comics was not the best of reads, which I think has been well covered. Safe to say Snyder's Batman is only Bat book for me at the moment.
	GoILL - 8/19/2012, 3:27 PM Login to report abuse Man i'm really looking forward to see what Snyder and Capullo are gonna do with this storyline.
	G3n3r4lzZoD9 - 8/19/2012, 3:27 PM Login to report abuse ^ this
	BigDamnHero - 8/19/2012, 3:44 PM Login to report abuse Snyder is a phenomenal writer, and I have every bit of faith in him and Capullo. Batman has been a consistently brilliant book since issue 1. Detective Comics not so much. Cannot wait for Tony S. Daniel to get off that book. I can't wait to see what John Layman, the guy behind the absolutely awesome series Chew, has in store for it!
	KHRIS - 8/19/2012, 3:45 PM Login to report abuse @Knightrider It does seem like that but if I remember right it was Scott's idea for Joker to have his face cut off in the first place. Scott gave Tony a bunch of choices and Tony picked Joker getting his face cut off.
	KHRIS - 8/19/2012, 3:46 PM Login to report abuse Either way I can't wait to start reading this! Scott Snyder is amazing.
	gaikinger - 8/19/2012, 3:48 PM Login to report abuse didnt capullo work on Spawn?
	darkmetal - 8/19/2012, 3:50 PM Login to report abuse This is the way it goes in comics: A no talent writer can't figure out any way to write an actual story or entertain people. But the writer wants to be talked about and become popular. So they take the easy road and go for a shock, or controversy. At one time when TV series were a big deal we saw this type of shock gimmicks during every sweeps period. Every week some show had "a very special episode" were a main character was raped or etc. This stupidity with the Joker's face is a great example of a writer straining to come up with an attention seeking idea that entertains no one and isnt even a real story. This is also another example the type of crap DC and Marvel allows "creators" to do with their characters just to make a name for themselves. The Big 2 went down that path long ago and it knocked their comics out of the mainstream, out of the supermarkets, convenience stores and Wal Marts and tucked out of sight out of mind into Comic Shops and a few book stores. And for those who think comic creators should have such control over the characters they are hired to write or draw, you should think about what would happen if lets say Disney allowed animators to turn films such as Toy Story and etc., into blood and gore type stories. Would Disney lose money? Absolutely. Woulds some writer get some attention? Absolutely. And Disney would be losing quite a bit of $$$ just so some guy could feel he expressed himself. DC and Marvel have cost themselves untold millions over the past 20 years so some talentless hacks could impress a few fanboys with some blood and guts and other stupid ideas like cutting off The Jokers face, while making garbage comics that an overwhelming majority of people will not buy. And what's even more pathetic is they probably don't even know it. DC and Marvel must be 2 of the poorest run businesses in the World.
	inky - 8/19/2012, 3:50 PM Login to report abuse joker needs a long time out DC s been over using the poor old guy too much batman needs new villians, challenges not time tested old joker.
	ibravosp5 - 8/19/2012, 3:52 PM Login to report abuse Joker is now two face!
	GLprime2814 - 8/19/2012, 3:53 PM Login to report abuse Cool, been waiting a while for the clown prince of crime to pop his head out.
	G3n3r4lzZoD9 - 8/19/2012, 3:54 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal
	Gman20 - 8/19/2012, 4:30 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal cool story bro, do tell it again. You prissy little bitch
	redsonjustin - 8/19/2012, 4:33 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal You are an idiot, that crappy response to this article was nothing more than blunt whining in an attempt to get the attention of several users who unfortunately had to see you're little fit.
	MrZoolittle - 8/19/2012, 4:36 PM Login to report abuse i can't wait for this, it seems like he know's what he is doing. court of owls was great!
	mctrinket - 8/19/2012, 4:38 PM Login to report abuse So...who took Joker's face and why?
	KHRIS - 8/19/2012, 4:52 PM Login to report abuse A new villain named Dollmaker took off Joker's face at the end of Detective Comics #1. That's as far as that story went with the Joker.
	IgnurRant - 8/19/2012, 4:58 PM Login to report abuse The New 52 is shit Marvel NOW! is shit Indie comcis are the only hooe for the genre
	IgnurRant - 8/19/2012, 4:58 PM Login to report abuse **hope
	ATrueHero1987 - 8/19/2012, 5:02 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal lol, wtf?! Are you feeling ok there buddy??
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 5:05 PM Login to report abuse @inky There hasn't been a significant Joker storyline in years. He's been usually relegated to the role of a side character. But a story that focuses on him? There probably hasn't been any since Brubaker's The Man Who Laughs one-shot.
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 5:06 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal Bring up proof to justify your claims.
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 5:08 PM Login to report abuse The New 52 has not been bad. Some comics may not be as good as others, but that's always the case, reboot or not.
	TheJokerMask - 8/19/2012, 5:37 PM Login to report abuse
	OtakuPapi - 8/19/2012, 5:42 PM Login to report abuse Court of Owl would we awesome for a Batman reboot it incorporates everything that makes batman awesome.Looking forward to this new Arc
	KHRIS - 8/19/2012, 5:45 PM Login to report abuse @Prot3ctor He seem to want it to happened. After Dollmaker was done taking off his face Joker said it felt fangasmic. @LEVITIKUZ Yup. Good to see you behaving on a site. Even if it's not the other one.
	maxxgone - 8/19/2012, 6:01 PM Login to report abuse @all does anybody else remember that "onomatopoeia" villain story that kevin smith did a few years ago? THAT was the most embarrassing and [frick]ing stupid interpretation of the joker i've ever seen in my life. the gay/dick/sex/non-stop vulgarity nonsense that smith brought to the story and characters was a [frick]ing insult to the batman title. never wanted my $ back more than when i bought that piece of shit. my point is that i'm sure snyder will do the character justice - cuz it could never be worse than smith's take.
	maxxgone - 8/19/2012, 6:03 PM Login to report abuse one more complaint on the smith story!! even the art looked like the archie comics ninja turtles bullshit!
	darkmetal - 8/19/2012, 6:03 PM Login to report abuse @G3n3r4lzZoD9 Gman20 Its always amusing to see little fanboys defend their masters. You proudly defend the hack amateur writers who play you so well with their gimmicks. The problem is, you're part of a small group of people who think their stunts are actually great entertainment. And while they chase your meaningless approval, they create horrible comics that the majority of people will not touch. @DTor91 Proof? Do you see comics sold from major retailers? In 1992 Wal-Mart carried comics, comic book collectors packs, bags, boards and etc. Then they stopped carrying all of it because of a situation that occured when a mother bought a collectors pack that had no content warning and she gave it to her young child. Are you arguing the fact that DC and Marvel wouldve made many millions more if they had not let a few hack creators use their comics to create products that the majority of people find unappealing? Wheres the logic in cutting off your own sales potential just to satisfy some "creators" own personal goals? @redsonjustin Are you that freaking stupid dude? If I wanted attention I'd post an editorial. A comic book is supposed to be entertaining. And when the Comic Book industry is run by "The Big 2" and those 2 companies virtually stop producing products that entertain what happens? Comics that once sold 500k a month, even before the spectator surge are now selling 10-30 k a month. Millions go to see a Spider-Man or Avengers film but only thousands will buy comics. I want the comic book industry to thrive. But that can never happen when The Big 2 create custom comics for about 30k fanboys who like garbage when they should target millions of people who may buy comics that actually entertain.
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 6:22 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal I'm talking about proof regarding about what you said about the writers. I go to school for this. I know how they work. What you claim there is a matter of opinion. There's no fact to justify that. You're right about Wal-Mart, but retailers such as Stop & Shop and PathMark have been carrying comics, so has Toys R Us. It's not large set ups, but they have started. Barnes & Noble have also been carrying more comics.
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 6:26 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal You may not like how certain writers write their stories, but others do. I'm not a fan of AvX, but it's topping the sales charts. And whether writers have personal stories they would like to do, they cannot do it without pitching the story to the higher-ups. They let the stories go through.
	BackwardGalaxy - 8/19/2012, 6:28 PM Login to report abuse I don't have it in the budget to have a pull list anymore... but I am very very tempted to pick up this and Wonder Woman.
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 6:34 PM Login to report abuse The major problem with comics not selling as well as they used to is because they cost a lot more than it did back in the day, especially Marvel charging $3.99 for everything. Movies do well because they have widespread appeal. The movies get far more marketing than comics do. It would be great to advertise the comics alongside the movies, that's something the companies should think about. Comics aren't readily available either. If there was a retail chain that's sole purpose was to sell comics, guarantee comics would be selling a lot more.
	ThatOneDude - 8/19/2012, 6:35 PM Login to report abuse So [frick]ing pumped for this!! Got Vol.1 and waiting on Vol.2
	TimelessUnknown - 8/19/2012, 6:38 PM Login to report abuse While I agree that the industry has its fair share of needless gore, what needs to be remembered is that nearly every form of media has this kind of shock value thing once and a while. And without some sort of shock, things would get a bit boring. For example, what happened in The Killing Joke to Barbara Gordon allowed her to evolve into Oracle and eventually Batgirl again with the New 52. It let the character grow into something else that people loved. And with the decline of sales in the past years, publishers need to constantly innovate and try new things to keep readers and gain new ones as well. Are the New 52 and Marvel NOW gimmicky? Yes, but they have improved sales by a bunch, or at least the New 52 has, Marvel NOW hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it's gonna pay off for Marvel. Bottom line, I prefer for writers and artists to try new things rather than keep things the same all the time. To call them "hacks" for trying something new is uncalled for. It's much better to see something new happen to the same old routine.
	DTor91 - 8/19/2012, 6:39 PM Login to report abuse @TimelessUnknown Completely agreed.
	TimelessUnknown - 8/19/2012, 6:53 PM Login to report abuse @LEVITIKUZ Yeah, that's me.
	Gman20 - 8/19/2012, 7:00 PM Login to report abuse @darkmetal Dude, I am struggling to give a single f.u.c.k about anything you are spewing behind your computer screen. BUT. It's people like you who really bug me. Firstly you are saying people are "puppets to their masters" this statement is such a broad generalisation of people it is almost comical. In fact I laughed at that very part(granted that could be the weed I smoked). If anybody is a puppet it's you. You subscribe to the notion that you are some how in the know and us sheep ( I don't believe you said/wrote sheep in any part of your dribble but I bet you use it all the time to be so metal) Anyways us SHEEP are so wrong all the time and you know everything. I bet you sit there all day long listen to megadeath or misfits or whatever metal band has the heaviest drum and get all preachy. At how everybody else is so wrong with everything and you are right. Have you ever understood the notion of taste or opinion ? I bet you don't. I bet you believe you are right all the time . Which is very sad because I highly doubt that. If I was to take a stab in the dark I would say you are roughly 18-23 because nobody who has any life experience would think like that. I feel very sorry for you,your parents,friends or partner. I no the last one is very unlikely because it takes a very special type of idiot to date a complete tool such as yourself . In short dude take a chill pill. And keep your idiotic attack on a wide range of people to yourself. Yes by all means debate but don't think you know the answer because when it boils down to it kid nobody has an answer. Just questions . And before you get all whiny and tell me I'm a slave , and I am feeding my masters I assure you your response will fall on deaf ears. This is coming from you but with life experience so I am just saving you time figuring that out by flat out telling you. Also eat a scrotum. P.s I joke with that last part but if you do take time out of your metal day to suck a penis and testicular bits please hit me up . My balls have been very dry lately and your mouth will do nicely as a soaking instrument.Plus it would stop you talking which is a great thing in my opinion .
	superotherside - 8/19/2012, 7:03 PM Login to report abuse Great writer. Can't wait!
	Oxbow - 8/19/2012, 7:03 PM Login to report abuse I'm glad Snyder's not going with the "Saw" route on this story, as he says. You have to balance the shock value of these stunts with the real value, as in what is this doing to make the world a better, more interesting place? If this makes for a better story in the end, then I'm all for it. I recently did an editorial on this subject so it is fresh in my mind. Don't mean to self-advertise on someone else's thread... i would appreciate user feedback though, as this is a very important subject to me!: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/other_news/news/?a=65935
	Gman20 - 8/19/2012, 7:13 PM Login to report abuse LEVITIKUZ Ok dude how did I take it to far? I'm not saying your wrong and I'm right. Oh look I lied that is what I'm saying . There is no taken things to far if you think about it. Just people who think it's to far based on their own perception on things. I was simple giving this young man advice on how to operate as a F.U.C.K.I.N.G normal level. Because I used to be him! I said that ! It was almost a psa if you think about it to all people of that ilk. And if it's the oral copulation that I mentioned that annoyed you Don't worry baby girl I got plenty milk to go around so you don't have to miss out. I am in No way arguing with you. These are just words remember that babe.
	aquaman52 - 8/19/2012, 7:27 PM Login to report abuse I am interested to see how he is going to be! :)
	Gman20 - 8/19/2012, 7:32 PM Login to report abuse LEVITIKUZ What was an insult? The blowjob reference ? That's just wrong man. Shame on you . There is nothing wrong with sucking another man off for enjoyment is there ? That's just low real low. I'm joking dude I in no way think your a gay basher. Your thinking of the kids is a nice sentiment though. But if it is this site kids are on. My comments that you think kids should not see are mild compared to what discussions go on here . Dude chill out . You said I need to calm down but I am completely calm. To calm almost. I love you.
	darkmetal - 8/20/2012, 2:54 AM Login to report abuse @Gman20 As funny as it is to read the comments from enet badass wannabes like you, I have to say your scrambled mess is a bit lackluster compared to most. At no time do you attempt to even debate my points. Do you even know what a debate is? Actually I'm sure you know very little about the topic. And your ability to understand is very weak. Unfortunately they dont have a way for me to do a POP UP comment for you. So go get your Mom, ask her to sit and help you understand this subject. And maybe she can help you also write a real comment, not a long note BEGGING guys to suck you. And as for your OBVIOUS (nice of you to come out) desire to get it on with a guy, a CBM site isn't the place for it. Look for other sites to connect sexually with males and get that special Man to Man excitement you so obviously crave. Look at you post dude, you really, REALLY want some gay action. Its on your mind in a big way. You smoked some weed and it just cut loose your desires. Another thing thats apparent is someone has or is bullying you, picking on you, putting you down. Whether its your mom or dad or big bro, or your boss at Burger King or wherever you work, or maybe youre in school and the guys like to push you around, DEAL WITH IT! Posting your comments may make you feel momentarily tough, but the reality is when you log off, youre still someones bitch. Stand up to your bullies dude. Then you wont look for such mediocre ways to assert yourself. Tell your Mom to call the school, or talk to your boss at BK and tell them they are making you feel stupid and helpless when they scream at you and call you names. Learn to stand up for yourself and then trying to sound all bad on the net will just go away.
	1geekygurl - 8/20/2012, 3:28 AM Login to report abuse Gman20 So dumbass do you like the current state of comics or what? Ur on here writing a bunch of crap I'd hear if I was riding a school bus with 13 year olds. Someone points out the problems with comics and why those probs exist and you come on here ranting and asking guys for oral. Gman20-You're excused. Go play X-Box while the adults talk. Some of us know what goes on inside the industry especially those of us who have worked in it. And I have. Do you think reading comics gives you any insight to the politics involved in making them? You don't know a goddamn thing about this issue. You just here to run that mouth-BOY! Many of us in the industry know exactly what the proba are when publishers let the current popular talent turn major comics into their own personal representation of their sickest fantasies. And there's always some jackass like you out there cheering them on wanting more graphic depictions of blood and guts. Not only has the behavior from Marvel and DC hurt themselves but they have hurt sales industry wide because like it or not their major characters will attract or unattract interest in comics. And with Marvel + DC turning title like Spider-Man and Batman into NC-17 like titles certain outlets will not carry them and many won't buy them. Their flagship titles are actually the ones that carry the entire industry. Scott Snyder says his story won't be "Saw" shock-slash violence/torture porn" and I'm glad to hear that. But until the industry realizes that the mature content road is a dead end, the comics industry will only continue to shrink.
	darkmetal - 8/20/2012, 5:05 AM Login to report abuse @geekycomicgurl Great to read your insightful post. And yes the current "star creator" coddling that exists @ the Big 2 has damaged both companies and the industry as a whole. I was hoping Disney would see Marvel Comics as a company not meeting its sales and reach potential and remove those like Quesada and start running Marvel like a business with brains more than a business with no clue. But it looks like Disney has no interest in the actual Comics. Icons such as Spider-Man, Superman, Batman and The Hulk are properties that should be used in entertaining comics for all ages. Not in titles were talentless hacks come in and write in as much shock, awe, blood, guts as they can just to look like some groundbreaking artist. But unfortunately the Big 2 continue to chase the crowd who wants to see comics all Dark and Bloody and they alienate their titles from a much larger market. I think one problem is they have no faith in Entertainment actually creating sales. And that road, though more rewarding, is a tougher road. They keep going to gimmicks hoping for quick sales, which only gives them a slight and brief sales bump, as with the disastrous New 52, which has recently been discussed as a disaster in major financial and sales magazines. As for dummies like Gman20 they really don't have opinions, just a desire to run their mouths safely from afar on the net. He's a nobody. Anyone with real guts doesn't run their mouth on the net. In the real world his mouth wouldn't run so courageously. It's fantasy courage for the cowardly and harmless.
	fettastic - 8/20/2012, 7:11 AM Login to report abuse I have to somewhat agree with darkmetal. Comics have gotten too dark and violent at times. I remember thinking Stan Lee was kind of a wuss when he expressed concern over this issue, but now that I have a son, it's very obvious. LITLE KIDS read these comics. That picture of Joker's severed face is [frick]ED UP MAN! How is that in the mainstream Batman comics? They should have a seperate line "Batman Max" with a warning label on the cover if they want to do that type of stuff. Who do these writers think they are that they believe it's ok to do that?
	fettastic - 8/20/2012, 7:14 AM Login to report abuse And as much as I adore Nolan's films (TDK is probably my favorite film of all time), they're too dark for kids. I for one am looking forward to a reboot that lightens things up a bit so I can show it to my son without worrying about him getting nightmares.
	HarrisonBergeron - 8/20/2012, 11:02 AM Login to report abuse Requiring that the Joker come back faceless seems unimaginative to me. Am I seriously the only one that thought it seemed like the end result was going to be that the Joker voluntarily had his face removed- to be replaced with another? I was positive that it was going to be a Face/Off situation where Batman had to figure out what the joker actually looked like. Being faceless is going to be ridiculously hard to write long term.
	jumpingJellybeans - 8/21/2012, 7:59 AM Login to report abuse Well, hopefully it's good, considering the New 52 (after it's first month) has been [frick]ing terrible so far.