Hey, I'm new here and thought this section would be the place to do this. I'm not looking for any help in particular, just general feedback and critiques. I'm finished with my classic Joker costume (bar a few minor accessories like cards) and would like some general feedback from any fans of the character or Batman fans overall.

The costume isn't any one version of the character, rather based on a few elements of my favorite depictions. The suit is from Arkham City, the shirt and waistcoat were my own personal choices for the look I wanted to go for, and the makeup is based on Jim Bolland and Alex Ross' renditions of the Joker.

Any general feedback is appreciated. I've done lots of costumes before but they've always been of horror characters and not comic book so I wanted some opinions on the outcome. Classic Joker is something I've wanted to do for a while since I feel there are way too many Heaths out there stealing the spotlight.

Here's a few reference pics that I forgot.
The Arkham Asylum suit:
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110610104940/batman/images/d/de/Joker-arkham-asylum.jpg
Jim Bolland's Joker:
http://beyondthebunker.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/bolland-joker.jpg?w=630
Alex Ross' Joker:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzi5ry8zGS1qbp7xlo1_500.jpg

I think you've got the look down pretty well and your expressions fit the character nicely.

I particularly like the clashing/contrasting colours with the waistcoat and bowtie. And that you tinted your eyebrows

There were a few classic heroes and villains at October's Expo in London. I like this trend. I'm all for variety

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I'd love to get down to London for that some time, I'm all the way up in Newcastle

Love it dude! you should get out there and have some really lush photos!! The cosplay is great now go out there take over the world and have your gothem girls by yourside your hot im sure you find some! But watch out for the batman!

I'm totally in love with this. I really like how it's made up of different components. The material and the pattern on the waistcoat are absolutely beautiful. I also really think that you suit The Joker as a character too, both physically and theatrically.

Kudos to you for doing Classic Joker, it's really refreshing to see someone cosplaying a different version of The Joker. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Heath Ledger's Joker but I'd rather see another version for a change.

Thanks so much guys, it's nice to hear that people like the costume. Since it's only just been finished for the most part, I haven't had the chance to wear it anywhere yet. I have a cane now and I'll be modding it to suit my tastes in the next few days. I'll get some more pics up soon. Thanks again for all the compliments.

If you are accessorising, a large lapel flower would work rather well (and make everyone nervous ^_^ )

I second the flower idea!

The hairline that joker has is one of the signature features, though to have that widow's peak is up to you.

I do however like how you've detailed the edges on the lipstick, getting that really sharp cartoonish smile. Kudos for the creepy smile.

The widows peak isn't something I'm too worried about. A lot of depictions of him don't have a very prominent widows peak. The only way to achieve a widows peak without shaving one into my hair (which I will not do) would be with a skullcap and wig, and 95% of wigs look very fake and tacky. I also think that certain things that work on a comic book character don't transfer well onto a real person since features are always exaggerated greatly in comics.

Thanks for noticing the lipstick though, it really does give the illusion of a much wider mouth and I love how the corners turn up when I do the frowny

Haha, no worries. It's the little things that matter.

I also like the fact that you're quite lean, classic joker was always quite wirey and I'd suggest you tailor the suit a tiny bit to really fit and hug at you. Makes you look crazier, oddly enough.

If you really wanna push the boat out, I'd suggest prosthetics for your nose and chin, and a little makeup on your eyebrows to make them look sharper and more arched.

Anything to look creepy is good with me. I love creepy cosplays.

I'd recommend tailoring your suit as said above, it generally looks better for someone to have a suit that fits as it looks cleaner and more professional (and if you ask me, the Joker is the sort of character who is somehow able to get ahold of tailor made suits). As said, it also would show off your slim frame and generally look more well-fitting and better-looking over all.

Secondly on the suit, give it a good iron. It looks a little crumpled here and there, especially on the legs, and it just doesn't look good to wear cosplays with creases and crumples in. Plus again, I think the Joker would somehow keep his tailor-suit in very good, well-ironed condition to enhance the absurdity of the rest of his appearance.

Of course, if you don't want to go down this route with the Joker's appearance being uncanny and absurd with his looks and then a sharp suit, I would recommend making more of an effort to go towards the roughened up Arkham Asylam version. Add some patches where its been fixed up, tear a couple of the seams and unthread buttons and so on to make it have a more worn appearance, as well as dirtying it up a bit. It depends what sort of version you're aiming for.

Regardless of the version, it might be nice to remove some of the buttons from the waistcoat/shirt/suit and replace them with some different buttons, to make the garment look more original and not something you can put together from items found on Ebay. The waistcoat currently has matching buttons, replace them with wooden ones, or fancy ones. Just something to stand out and show that extra care and attention to look different and original.

If you don't want to go for prosthetics, I recommend playing some more with make-up. Your initial go looks pretty good, but I think you should have a go at enhancing your features more. Pluck your eyebrows a bit and make them neater, in fact, draw them in slightly to make them look more pointed and sleek, that coupled with the clown make-up will give a creepy, uncomfortable appearance.

As you've done with the lines between your nose and mouth, use dark shadowing on your cheekbones to give your face a more gaunt, elongated look like traditional Joker. (Makeup can work wonders to create this effect). Also, to enhanced the 'crazed' look, put some shadows to enhance the lines across your forehead, it will make your expressions even more enhanced and creepy! In fact, use your Alex Ross' Joker ref as a way of seeing what lines on your face you should enhance with shadowing and contouring, it is perfect for a make-up reference!

Do not underestimate the power of the eyes, some eyeliner and careful make-up can really make them pop out and seem more noticeable and creepy. Don't overdo it, but liquid eyeliner will certainly make them more poignant.

Finally perhaps consider doing something with your hair. I'm not saying cut in the widow's peak, but currently it looks as if you have your normal hairstyle just sprayed green. I'd recommend taking a look at different versions of Joker's hairstyles, and trying to do a bit more work on that. See about sweeping your fringe, don't be afraid to use products like straightners or gel to get it to stay in place. Definitively see about what style suits you and which you think works with the rest of the outfit, but I definitively recommend working on a collection of styles until you find one which finishes off the outfit nicely.

Finally, not necessarily an outfit suggestion, but it seems you want to play the part of Joker for photos and keeping in character. You've already got the facial expressions played very well, but I would recommend a bit of work on your posture. Joker is creepy because he isn't really afraid of anything, he's too crazy for that. A way to bring this across in posture is to always stand up straight, and make good use of body angles. Slouching or standing casually doesn't have the same effect. Have your back and legs always predominantly straight when standing upright, don't have limp wrists or arms, make good use of elbows and shoulders and other corner parts of the body. (Fingers are also very good for creating creepy looks by having very sharp, pointing angles with the body).

Try out some poses in front of a mirror, see what works best. You said you have a cane and that will add to the angle effect, always think of very clean, straight poses, that seem strange or unnatural, and it will help encourage the creepy atmosphere surrounding you.

Sorry this post is so long, I didn't realise it would be when I started. Good luck with your cosplay, and I hope you get some fun photos soon.

Adding to Monkey's thing about posture; exaggerate everything as well. Joker is one giant exaggeration, every movement he does in a big way. When he sighs/is tired his entire body sags; shoulders way down, arms completely limp, really hunched over, knees really bent, etc.

But yeas, normally he's very straight backed and makes himself look very tall ;p

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I appreciate it, especially with the make up. The suit itself is already tailor made to my frame. I didn't want it to hug too tight but I think the way I'm standing in these (again with posture) doesn't really show off the fit.

I've been thinking about ways to improve the make up. I need to start doing more shading, make slightly purple, almost bruised coloured circles around my eyes. I'm not a fan of the over done black around the eyes at all that a lot of people seem to go with and none of my favorite depictions seem to have it anyway. I've wanted to accentuate the lines, wrinkles, and contours of my face more too, especially around the forehead and corners of my eyes.

I'm not really sure what else I can do with my hair. I need to find some higher quality spray dyes. I've had really good ones in the past that will stand up to brushing too and still hold so I'll need to track those down again. I think my best would be to have it a little more loose and messy, sort of brushed back with bits that are loose to make it look a bit crazy.

I've been contemplating which direction to take the look in. I'm not entirely decided if I want to go crisp and tidy or a little bit dirty and grimy. There have been a fair few renditions of him that have been quite dirty, not just his Arkham Asylum/City appearances. Part of me likes the idea of him having freshly pressed suits, nice and crisp and fresh. Another part of me likes it when he looks like he's been wearing the same suit for weeks, not really caring too much about looking perfect. I think both looks have their good points and both can make him seem pretty crazy.

Yes, I do have the cane now. It's actually just one of the cheap Joker canes you can buy online but I'm going to mod it to look really nice and make it feel more authentic. As they come, they're hollow plastic and very light. I'm going pack the entire thing with dry sand, seal it up again, spray the shaft a high gloss black, and the head and tip a high gloss gold.

Here's a link to the cane, they're actually all gold with no orange or any other colour. http://www.soylentcomics.com/66742-thickbox/joker-cane-costume-replica.jpg

It's been a long time since I posted this thread but I thought I'd post a little update.

I love it dude! fantastico! would get pics with my Bane anytime!

Nice to see the Classic Joker's getting some love; and in style, too!

I love how it's not just taken from a single "old-school" source and is an amalgamation of just about all of them. It's a great way to bring the pre-Ledger Joker to life while simultaneously making it your own.

And it's good to see that the cane turned out awesome too. Nice work!

Thanks! I wanted to a few renditions of the character as reference since it gives me more freedom to add my own spin to it. I can use various items of clothing or accessories and still be true to my vision of the Joker without being considered an inaccurate version of any particular rendition.