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Mainstream acceptance -- and validation for fans -- came with Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in 2008's "The Dark Knight." The critically acclaimed and fan adored performance earned Ledger a posthumous Academy Award.
Stephen Vaughan photo / Warner Bros./AP
Mainstream acceptance — and validation for fans — came with Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in 2008’s “The Dark Knight.” The critically acclaimed and fan adored performance earned Ledger a posthumous Academy Award.
Chicago Tribune
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On the back of “The Caped Crusade” by NPR critic Glen Weldon, a fun and detailed exploration of the history of Batman and nerd culture, take a look at how the Dark Knight has changed since his debut in 1939.