Since becoming enthralled with the character of the Joker, portrayed by Heath Ledger, I decided it was about time I sorted myself out the mask he wears in "the dark knight" at the start of the film. I went looking for licensed replicas and was bitterly disapointed. I haven't displayed them but they're easy to find if you use your google-fu! Rubies, the halloween costume people have released one, its cheap and cheerful and pretty innaccurate. Made from vinyl, it doesn't sit correctly and has a mildly conehead appearance. Ok for trick or treating, but not something you can really display. Noble has also produced a mask. The prototype shots revealed very little, as they had used a photoshopped picture of a screen shot from the film, literally cutting and pasting the image onto the stand they had created. When they eventually released pics, it was if a blind man had sculpted it out of butter using a hammer. Many pre-orders were sent back. it was made out of porcelein, maybe to reduce the chance of someone trying to wear it, as rubies had the costuming rights. The original was carved using an auto cad designer and carved out of foam before being vacuum formed over. It is supposed to be stiff and retains its shape. I dont have a vacuum former, so it was a WED clay sculpt, which was then moulded in RTV silicone, and then cast from fiberglass resin and matting. This first one is my master and is verrrrry thick so doesnt fit my face very well, even though I will be making them thinner from here on in. It just means that I can display this until my mould dies and then use it to make new moulds. I hope to make a few more to sell to friends whilst I'm out of work. God knows, the world definitely needs more accurate representations of this iconic piece. Enjoy!
