When you're making a "Joker" origin story, there's a lot of madness to cover for DC Comics' perpetually grinning archvillain.

Yet three new photos of Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck from Todd Phillips' dark film (now headed for a Toronto International Film Festival world premiere) cover just as much ground as the first trailer.

The first picture features Fleck as a downtrodden, heartbroken man riding through the streets of Gotham. Warner Bros. has described the film is "an exploration of a man disregarded by society that is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale."

The next shot is Fleck taking to his Joker makeup/armor as he cannot deal with Gotham life. Phillips has described his movie as a "tragedy."

By the third shot, Phoenix's forgotten Fleck is full-on Joker, the most iconic DC villain. He's proudly strutting and dancing in the infamous clown villain attire.

"I used to think my life was a tragedy," Fleck says in the trailer. "But now I realize, it's a comedy."

Not pictured: Robert De Niro as a talk-show host playing his part in driving Phoenix’s character to go mad and become the Clown Prince of Crime, as well as cast members Zazie Beetz and Marc Maron.

The 76th Venice Film Festival, Aug. 28 to Sept. 7, will feature "Joker," with festival director Alberto Barbera calling it "darker than the Dark Knight" with Phoenix "at the height of his powers."

We'll see this all play out when "Joker" hits theaters Oct 4.

What we know (so far):About the 'Joker' movie with Joaquin Phoenix