Jahan's Artwork, Cylon Centurion, Batman & The Joker

Hi guys,

OK, my bad for not adding even a single blog entry here, even though I've already joined for more than 2 months... have been busy with that thing called REAL LIFE!

Anyways, just wanted to add this interesting pic that was taken by my friends at Movie Mania, when one of them decided to dress up in his new Cylon Centurion costume and walk around the city area in Singapore.

It just so happens that he walked into The Cathay and was riding the escalator upstairs when this pic was taken, and Jahan's lovely piece of artwork was right there in the background, 'cos it's where the new Leftfoot store is supposed to be.

Thought some people might be interested to see this pic here, so this one is for you folks!

Apart from that, I also wanted to share this article that I had written some time ago about The Dark Knight and The Joker... this article was published in the St Andrew's Junior College "Iota" Newsletter way back when I was one of the Editors there.

When I read it now, I cringe at some parts, and think to myself, "Geez, I can probably do better these days" -- haha!

By the way, I don't actually have 'The Autobiography of Batman' by Bob Hanes, nor have I ever seen the book at the time this was written, but a friend of mine actually read these quotes to me, so I'm not sure how accurate they are. Student journalism... what can one say?? heh.

But oh well, all that aside, here is the article in it's original "glory"...

SYMBOL

"Canadian Indians call me 'ghost',

European witches boil me in their brew

to help them fly,

In Tahiti, they drink my blood to give them power,

Sicilians burn me or nail me – fluttering

– to their doors

to keep breater evil at bay,

I lead the Samoans into war,

I am Chamalkan,

I am the demon,

I am the bat,

The bat is fear,

The demonic dweller in darkness

that preys on the evils of mankind.”

Driven by an unforgettable and tragic memory – seeing his parents robbed and killed at gunpoint. Conceived by a young boy’s solemn vow, sustained and nurtured by years of training and research all over the world, a legend was born out of tragedy and vengence – born with an omen, a symbol that would strike fear deep into the hearts of all criminals. Bruce Wayne becomes Batman.

His cover is a necessity, as he balances precariously on the line between millionaire playboy and crusader hero – he cannot afford to lose his balance – it would be losing his life. In the dark and maniacal world of Gotham, where evil abounds in every deserted alley and on every street corner, and where the bulk of supervillains are psychologically unstable, there is an immense need for the Dark Knight.

To the citizens of Gotham, Batman is a symbol that the fight against destruction is alive in their city. He lives by a personal code, a belief in rehabilitation and a vow never to kill anyone – a code that has sustained him an army of enemies, foes like the Joker – a symbol of humanity’s madness, a symbol of death.

The accident that gave birth to the Joker drove him insane – and it is this same madness that makes him so great! The Prince of Pranksters sees crime as the ultimate artform and this Harlequin of Hate is a maniacal killer! One who views Batman as a supreme opponent, the ultimate challenge – and the feeling is mutual.

It is the Joker who best emulates Batman’s artistic ferocity as a warrior, his scientific brilliance, his feel for the streets and his sense of elegance. The Clown of Crime has had numerous opportunities to kill and unmask the Dark Knight, but he has never done so – it would end their battle of wits – “Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”, as the Joker would say, or rather, laugh.

Their conflict goes far beyond that of the ordinary villain-hero relationship, it is a dance, a game – one that, perhaps, gives a kind of sense and order to their dark universe. The mystery of their relationship is embodied in their characters and in their psyche – in the darkness that surrounds Batman and in the fact that the Joker has never been identified with a proper surname. Under different circumstances, the two of them would have been best friends.

"The fool, the holy madman

who lives the charmed life,

The irrational enigma of the tarot's major arcana,

The only one to survive into the modern deck

– The Joker.

But he does not thrive from laughter,

L'emat steams from the same roots

as 'matador' and 'checkmate',

an old Persian word meaning 'to kill'.

The Joker, an image that originally means 'to kill'.

The Bat,

The Joker,

Symbol."

(All quotes from ‘The Autobiography of Batman’ by Bob Hanes)

Written: 18 April 1993.

Published In: SAJC’s Iota Newsletter, May 1993.