2007-09-04 06:59:31 · 7 answers · asked by ryan f 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Comics & Animation
Meh. -_- I really don't consider either one of those two "more effective" really. That word, "effective" rather implies that they pulled something off, did something and *got away with it*, which is not something that happens terribly often on the DC side of the fence.
Sure, in terms of *scope* one could argue that Lex Luthor is the "bigger" bad guy. After all, he was President of the United States recently in the DCU (right before the lead-up to _Infinite Crisis_, in the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies arc). And he did nuke Metropolis back in the day, but....
He got caught. Metropolis got rebuilt. He got caught and kicked out of Public Office for doing "business" with an Illegal Power (Darkseid namely).
Compare this to the Joker.
He crippled Babs Gordon. She still can't walk.
He *killed* one of the Robins, and it took some "time-punching" retconning nonsense to bring Jason Todd back from the dead, if I understand the loopholing correctly. And even so, he was at least unofficially "dead" for some time, screwing with Batman's head all the while.
The Joker is small-time, yes, and he's crazy, oh hell yes, but...he gets results and *They Stick*. Granted, part of it is that Batman is as *close* to a realistic, street-level hero as it gets in the DCU (on average, balancing out the goofy years with the Frank Miller ones). A Joker-caliber villian wouldn't get results *that stick* in Metropolis. The rules are a little different.
But still, you mentioned that word, "effective". And to the extent that *anything* can be considered "effective" or even "permanent" in comic books (which are *all about* Second Act), the Joker's crippling of Babs Gordon was effective. Killing her baby was effective. And until this past year or two, so was his killing of Jason Todd.
I'd submit *nothing* Lex Luthor has done has stuck so well. Nothing since the Golden Age anyway.
Thanks for your time! ^_^
2007-09-04 07:25:43 · answer #1 · answered by Bradley P 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The Joker, and here is why - The Joker (aka, Jack Napier) is willing to consider the ridiculously absurd methods to accomplish his goals. Lex Luthor, while impressively intelligent, tends to stick to logical methods. The Joker on the other hand, would consider gassing a complete city with Smylex poison just to wreak havoc and exterminate his opposition (see "Batman" - 1989). Talk about crazy mad!
On a side note, Jack Nicholson's "Joker" is perhaps the greatest portrayal of a criminal mastermind in movie history. Gene Hackman's "Lex Luthor" was decent, but Luthor is not a bumbling, begging idiot. Kevin Spacey's "Luthor" was much more cold-blooded. Neither of those though compare to Nicholson's "Joker." WAIT 'TIL THEY GET A LOAD OF ME!
2007-09-04 14:09:35 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Semi-Evil 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Joker is crazier and perhaps more dangerous an a small scale. But Luthor has more assets and smarts and it probably the bigger threat to more people.
2007-09-04 16:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by The Corinthian 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Joker, he's completely unhinged, and will just kill randomly, he even kills his own henchmen once they're no longer "entertaining". He always seems to escape death at the last minute (even being resurrected when Nightwing actually kills him).
The Joker is utterly terrifying at times, and despite all the horror movies I've seen, all the books and comics I've read, all the shows I've watched, he's the only villain whose every had a staring role in a nightmare.
The Joker isn't just terrifying in what he does, but in his appearance. He's the sort of man, that if you ever saw in real life, would chill your blood.
2007-09-04 14:36:02 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Lex Luthor hands down. He has unlimited resourses because he is so rich. Joker only pulls petty thief gags.
2007-09-04 14:32:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Luthor is an evil genius, Joker a small time crook.
2007-09-04 14:07:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Joker, for sure, he's ****** awsome
2007-09-04 14:08:00 · answer #7 · answered by shamrocks 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋