A Fan Recreated Jared Leto Joker From The Killing Joke

A fan gave Suicide Squad‘s Joker (Jared Leto) a comic book-inspired makeover, using a Hot Toys figure to depict Batman‘s arch nemesis as he appears in Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s iconic graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke.

c.collectibles, who posts 1/6th scale photography to Instagram, customized a Suicide Squad Hot Toys figure to recreate one of the Clown Prince of Crime’s most iconic looks.

Though the figure still displays Leto’s controversial Joker-inspired tattoos, Mister J wears a Hawaiian shirt and a purple hat, brandishing the gun that he would use to shoot and cripple Barbara Gordon, ending her career as vigilante Batgirl. Around Joker’s neck is the camera the psychopathic villain would use to photograph Barbara in her paralyzed state, later using the graphic snapshots in an attempt to drive her father, Gotham City police commissioner Jim Gordon, insane.

Batman: The Killing Joke is among the most popular and iconic Batman tales around, and with Batgirl confirmed to be making her way to the DC Cinematic Universe (courtesy of writer and director Joss Whedon), it’s possible the story makes it to the big screen in some form.

Batman (Ben Affleck) has served as the caped crusader for more than two decades, in which he’s lost at least one ally — Robin, who was murdered by the Joker and his accomplice, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie).

It’s plausible that Barbara Gordon, whatever form she may take in her solo feature, could have had some past run-in with the Joker, and it’s likely he has a history with Gotham’s police commissioner, Jim Gordon (J.K. Simmons). Even if it’s glanced only in flashbacks, Barbara’s traumatic encounter with the Joker could serve as solid ground for some backstory or character development.

Of course, whenever we next see Joker — Warner Bros. is said to be eyeing a Suicide Squad spinoff, Harley Quinn vs. the Joker, in addition to bringing Gotham City Sirens to the big screen — the macabre clown may be played by someone else.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight Canada last month on the topic of the Joker returning for Suicide Squad 2, Leto said, “Talking about the Joker is like talking about Fight Club… it’s the first rule. Unless you want to gargle your testicles, it’s probably better to leave it.”

Leto, who is on record as having been unhappy with the way his Suicide Squad performance was whittled down through the editing process, could be unhappy enough with how the movie turned out to leave the DC Cinematic Universe behind altogether. For now, Whedon will begin working on Batgirl in 2018.