Travis Langley - The Joker Psychology: Evil Clowns and the Women Who Love Them

At the time Michael Uslan volunteered to write this books foreword, he didnt know Id always planned to dedicate this book to him. As an educator, historian, author, and filmmaker experienced in taking on one Goliath after another, Michael opened the path that made these books possible. In order to teach the first university-accredited course seriously studying comic books, Uslan as an undergraduate stood before a skeptical dean, who had no intention of approving such a class, and asked the dean to recount the story of Moses and the origin of Superman. The dean described each until the parallel between the two struck him. He stopped in midsentence, stared at young Mike for what felt like an eternity, and said, Mr. Uslan, your course is accredited.bookended by a second Uslan foreword. Without him and Denny ONeil helping me on that first book, we might not have had people such as Stan Lee, Katy Manning, and John Russo join us later on.

I first met Michael Uslan, along with some other remarkable folks, through the Comics Arts Conference. Held at both San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon, the CAC is a scholarly conference-within-the-convention which Peter Coogan and Randy Duncan founded, Kathleen McClancy now chairs, and I now help organize. When CAC accepted psychologist Robin Rosenbergs topic for a presentation, she asked if we could enlist other panelists to discuss the Jokers psychopathy. Coogan said to invite Michael Uslan and asked if Id like to help, as if I had to ask. I recruited Jerry Robinson, Steve Englehart, and Adam West: (1) Jerry created/co-created the Joker; (2) Steve (who had to join us by phone) wrote The Laughing Fish, a story cited as evidence that the Joker is genuinely insane; and (3) Adam, of course, played Batman in the 19661968 TV series. Skipping a Family Guy panel where he could have talked about his then-current work, Adam instead joined us so he could talk about his shows Joker, the late Cesar Romero, and because he wanted to meet Jerry. Adam, Jerry, and Michael each later remarked on what a wonderful experience and historic moment that was. Nina West Tooley and James Tooley helped make that happen. The last time I saw Adam, he greeted me with a surprised smile. Travis! How the hell are ya, doc? Thats when I had the honor of introducing him to Batman co-creator Bill Fingers only living descendants: Bills granddaughter Athena and her son Benjamin.

Marc Tyler Nobleman helped the world discover Bill Finger. Athenas fellow granddaughters of the Golden AgeChristie Marston, Chelle Mayer, Jacque Nodell, and Nicky Wheeler-Nicholsonspread the word about their forebears roles as comics pioneers, and Jens Robinson still discusses his father Jerry with me.

So many people who bring the fantastic heroes to life have shared their knowledge and experience in our convention panels, interviews, and personal conversations. Comics pros include Neal Adams, Allen Bellman, Greg Capullo, Victor Dandridge Jr., Paul Dini, Steve Englehart, Mark Evanier, Danny Fingeroth, Joe Giella, Mike Gold, Devin Grayson, Dean Haspiel, Phil Jimenez, Chip Kidd, Stan Lee, Paul Levitz, Jonathan Maberry, Molly Mahan, Andy Mangels, Hannah Means-Shannon, Bryan Q. Miller, Dennis ONeil, Trina Robbins, Jim Salicrup, Bob Schreck, Kevin Smith, J. Michael Straczynski, J. J. Sedelmaier, Brandon Seifert, Gail Simone, Scott Snyder, Gabe Soria, Joe Staton, Maggie Thompson, Peter J. Tomasi, Marguerite Van Cook, Fred Van Lente, Renee Witterstaetter, Marv Wolfman. While all those creators deserve individual spotlights, I must make special mention of now-departed Wolverine/Swamp Thing/Lucius Fox co-creator Len Wein, who had become my go-to guy at conventions and whom we all greatly miss.

Screenwriters who joined us on convention panels include Christine Boylan, Jonathan Butler, Adam Glass (who also wrote Harleys New 52 origin and interviewed for this book), and Deric A. Hughes, with a nod to Batman scripter Sam Hamm for answering an important question. Actors who have discussed heroes and villains with us include Dino Andrade, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Dean Cain, Kevin Conroy, Carmine Downey, Lou Ferrigno, Anthony Michael Hall, Maurice LaMarche, Katrina Law, Loren Lester, Tiny Lister, Jason Marsden, Lee Meriwether, Brandon Routh, Burt Ward. (Thanks again to Adam: Batman introduced me to Robin.) Other panel experts include Will Brooker, Mike Bruen, Eric Bruce, Genese Davis, Cilla Hagle, Alan Kistler, Rick Klaw, Andrea Letamendi, Ryan Litsey, Mike Madrid, William Patrick Murphy, Jill Pantozzi, Rob Peaslee, Alan J. Porter, Vasilis Pozios, Brad Ricca, Derek Royal, Peter Sanderson, Arlen Schumer, Barrett Tribe, Jamie Walton, Rob Weiner, Marc D. White, Mara Whiteside Wood, Kyle Williamson, E. Paul Zehr. Documentary filmmakers who provided opportunities to express my thoughts on comic book characters include Don Argott, Brett Culp, Scott Devine, Sheena Joyce, J. M. Kenny, Todd Kent, Rick Ramirez, Morgan Spurlock.