The Laughing Man - A Joker Fan Film That Will Blow You Away!!!

We live in a golden age of comic book based Fan Films... the work that people like Bat In the Sun and others have done over the past 5-7 years is often BETTER than the work turned out by regular studios. So when I come across a Fan Film that is getting a lot of buzz, I am not skeptical... as a matter of fact, I am INTRIGUED. Intrigued way more than I am for more studio fare. Give me a Super Power Beat Down over another mediocre mainstream project EVERY SINGLE TIME! A pair of Mexican brothers, Diego and Julio Hallivis, are hoping to join the club of people who got it more than right with their comic fan film "The Laughing Man".

It is a dark take on the creation of the Joker... and it draws inspiration from everyone from JD Salinger (his short story The Laughing Man features a character that cuts has a damaged face) to Scott Snyder (the Batman author featured a simiar Joker in his Death of the Family storyline) along the way. With only one full movie credit under their belt, they deliver an amazing take on one of the most complex characters in comic book history.

They get one hell of a performance from actor Zach Avery, who portrays the Laughing Man, and absolutely kills it (both figuratively and literally). In an ironic twist of fate, Avery had an unaccredited role in David Ayers film Fury... and Ayers currently has the Suicide Squad out in theaters featuring his own Laughing Man Jared Leto as the Joker. We also get an appearnace from another Suicide Squader.. Harley Quinn also makes an appearance!

The short fan film was added to Youtube on August 2 and is setting the Internet ON FIRE! I for one can't wait to see what the Brothers Hallivis has in store from us in the future.

Don't believe us? Take a look for yourself!  

The Killing Joke Brought Back To Life By Mr. Misiano

The Killing Joke is one of the most iconic comics ever to come to fruition. I hate Alan Moore as a person, but I so love him as a writer. Artist Brian Bolland draws the characters in a very unique way... especially The Joker, who is the centerpiece of the book. He has never looked as normal and as maniacal as he did in that book. In one frame he looks as normal as a white face painted clown could, wearing silly clothes (the Hawaiian shirt scene) and looking normal. Then there are the iconic images of him looking crazier then ever (think the Hahahahaha background) and him doing wacked out shit like shooting poor Barbara Gordon. Bolland really toes the line between sanity and insanity when it comes to the Joker in this book, and that is what makes it such an iconic work for that character. Enter Joker cosplayer Mr. Misiano, who brings the Joker to life in a way that I have never seen duplicated. He has many poses and scenes for sale on his site, but his two best have to be from The Killing Joke. He re-creates both the cover and the HaHaHa scene masterfully. They are so close to the originals it is scary. It makes you really appreciate a good... no, GREAT cosplayer. Check out both with the comparison photos after the jump...

Original Bolland Art

Mr. Misiano Version

Original Bolland Cover

Mr. Misiano

      

The Joker Eats A Snickers Bar...

I have always giggled at those stupid Snickers commercials that show a group of people with one of them being some celebrity acting nuts, like Joe Pesci or Robin Williams. Then their friends tell them to eat a Snickers cause they get nuts when they are hungry, and viola.. the person is back to their regular self as they enjoy their nuget-y goodness. But in the latest commercial from the candy company we get a visit from The Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker himself. A cool nerd twist to the commercial series. Gotta love that this Joker is in the style of Caesar Romero's Joker from the Batman '66 TV show. Enjoy it after the jump...

The Batman vs The Joker by Jim Lee

I follow a ton of people on Twitter (click here and follow us!), but recently I have become bored with the social media app. To many people are not really using the system for the purposes that it can be used for. But every once in a blue I see something great published by someone, and it restores my hope in the service. Jim Lee, artist extraordinaire  Dc Comics co-publisher, recently tweeted out a killer sketch of The Batman fighting his arch nemesis The Joker. It is captioned that it is a 'Christmas piece for a good cause' and I am pretty sure that lee did it himself, although since there is very little info on the post I can't be sure. I am also a huge sucker for black & white pieces, so there is that. I always liked the way Lee drew Batman, and it does seem to be in his style. Follow Lee on Twitter by clicking here. thanks for restoring the faith for me Jim! Enjoy the piece after the jump...

Nicky Barkla Adds Some Color To Some Of The Most Recognizable Characters Of Fiction

Fan art is one of the most popular things we feature here on CCD. I think it is the familiarity of the characters that attracts people to these pieces. But every once and a blue I come across someone who takes those familiar characters and tosses them on their ear, recreating them in a way that inspires awe despite the fact that we have known these characters for years.  Australian artist Nicky Barkla does just that with her over-sized rainbow painted character portraits, and they are fantastic. The swirls of colors are hypnotizing, yet they do not take away from the recognizable features that each piece possess. Plus she is a bit of a hottie herself  (check out her self portraits....ming!!!).  You can click here to see all of her work, and you can click after the jump to see my faves...

Image Avalanche #5: CCD All Horror Week Edition by Cal

Our good Canadian buddy Cal from the Cave of Cool is back with more stunning images from around the web, and today he has got some spooky images just in time for CCD's All Horror Week. I always love the eclectic collection my boy Cal puts together... and this weeks bunch is no exception. Take a look at this weeks avalanche after the jump...

'I'd Buy That...As a Tee!' Vol 16 by Jeff Bond

Always on the look out for inspiring art... emblazoned across the chest of humanity. Here's some of the t-shirts I have my eye on to do just the trick but, there's only one problem....they aren't for sale yet! Please click the links below to the Threadless.com (my favoritest and most user friendly t-shirt contribution site) voting pages for each and give these beauties '5' ratings so I can throw 'em on my charge card one day.

'Pass You Shall Not' puts a more qualified wizard in charge of the depths of Mordor.

**Please click READ MORE below for more T-rific tees!**

'Speeder Flip' has a nameless imperial soldier doing his best Matt Hoffman.

'Appetite for Avenging' pairs next summers box office buster 'The Avengers' with one of the greatest rock album covers of all time.

'Spellbound'.....We'll miss you, Potter!

OooooOOOo those 'AT-Legs' ! Classy!

'Ronald McJoker' is probably my favorite this week. Heath Ledger's Joker get's a fast food make-over with a chilling result. Would you like fries with that?

'Architecture of Dreams' does Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' some justice.

Super Mario's 'coon skin retrieval creeps me the f*ck out. 'There's Something In Those Leaves' ....and, for added effect check out the artist's tag-a-long explanation notes:

"Gonna get inside that skin, you weird bear thing. Gonna get in there and your strange magic is gonna get me those coins."

Batman/Star Wars Mashups From The Gang @ Draw2d2

These are some wonderful mashups from the really cool blog Draw 2d2 featuring The Dark Knight and Star Wars. These guys are all professional artists and really kill all the mashups they make every 2 weeks, so make sure you check out all they have posted by clicking here. These are just incredible.

Emperor Joker by Joe Marsella

Bobatman by Plinio Plinto

Droids On Patrol by Adam Carlson