JOKER WEEK: A study in showmanship by 13th Dimension reader and artist Ken Holtzhouser…
By KEN HOLTZHOUSER
As a 5-year-old child in the ’70s, I discovered art, comics and Batman simultaneously. I’m not sure if Adam West’s Batman predated his four-color counterpart, but, either way, the romance of fighting colorful crime in Gotham City made a formidable impression on me.
My favorite Special Guest Villain was Cesar Romero’s Joker.
Romero was in his late 50s when producer William Dozier tapped him to play the larger-than-life criminal and he attacked the part with the energy of a man a third of his age. He exploded into rooms, filling every corner with howling laughter and star power. (He was certainly one of the first actors I knew by name at such a young age.)
As time went on, I devoured every comic I could get my hands on. It was a love affair with the medium that led me to pursuing art and even having my own self-published title, The Quick and the Dad. Batman’s battles with the Joker fired my imagination and formed my future.
As an exercise, I often draw Romero’s Joker as a way to “recalibrate “ and reconnect with that child inside.
Hail Cesar! Here are the 13 MOODS OF CESAR ROMERO’S JOKER:
Astonished
Bitter
Surprised
Flirty
Suspicious
Ecstatic
Wistful
Shocked
Angry
Mocking
Scheming
Scared
Triumphant
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MORE
— The Complete JOKER WEEK Index of Features. Click here.
— SAID THE JOKER TO THE THIEF — 13 Thoughts About BATMAN ’66: THE FUNNY FELINE FELONIES. Click here.
April 26, 2025
Ken! These are absolutely wonderful! Very nice work!
April 26, 2025
Yes, Ken! This is fantastic! Thanks for taking me back to Grade-School evenings in front of the TV! (And thank you, Mr. Romero!)
April 26, 2025
You’ve got Romero’s Joker! Right down to the greasepaint applied over his unshaven moustache!
April 26, 2025
RE: Right down to the greasepaint applied over his unshaven moustache!
I was going to mention that!
April 26, 2025
April 26, 2025
Fantastic work Ken!
April 26, 2025
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate getting to acknowledge some of the foundational pillars of my love of comics