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Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1-7
Batman & the Joker: The Deadly Duo
The Joker will go to any lengths to get Harley Quinn back after she is abducted by a strange culprit. But who? Mysterious, Joker-like monsters are stalking the streets of Gotham, collecting severed heads. But why? Jim Gordon is missing, and after receiving a package containing a bloody piece of Gotham's commissioner, Batman knows he must be willing to do anything to save him. But how? When the Joker proposes an uneasy alliance with Batman, the answers to those questions begin to become clear-and they will shake Gotham City and the Bat-Family to their core. This meticulously crafted tale of the Dark Knight's deadliest team-up will introduce you to a grim and gritty Gotham that only Marc Silvestri could bring you. You are not ready. Collects issues #1-7 of the smash-hit series.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2023
63 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Marc Silvestri
606 books68 followersMarc Silvestri is an American comic book artist, creator and publisher. He currently acts as the CEO for Top Cow Productions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
October 6, 2025
(A-) 81% | Very Good
Notes: All fisticuffs, it's stunning stuff, an artwork exhibition, plot's okay, stretched-out and strays, but still an ace rendition.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-3 ◦ Issues #4-5 ◦ Issues #6-7
Notes: All fisticuffs, it's stunning stuff, an artwork exhibition, plot's okay, stretched-out and strays, but still an ace rendition.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-3 ◦ Issues #4-5 ◦ Issues #6-7
December 21, 2023
Strong art, interesting (and also "interesting") plot...a sufficiently entertaining read. But, I like candy corn once in a (very great) while, so what do I know?
December 12, 2024
Enjoyed this book from start to finish. The artwork is amazing. The story was good. The idea of Batman and the Joker being too sides of the same coin has been done a lot in Batman comics, books, and media. This is one of the better ones for me.
Someone has stolen something from the Joker. Of course, the Joker does not play by anyones rules but his. So he takes someone from Batman to bring him into the game. However, is that the Joker's idea, or is he still being played? The games will push Batman to and past his moral, mental, and physical limits. How far will the Joker who has no limits go for what he "loves". The end game could change Gotham forever.
I love the big brutal fights, blood is spilt, and teeth are knocked out. It is a black label book it is all good. The one thing I would say is, as it is a black label book, why block out the swearing? I know I am not a lover of bad language used in books, but I say that for books not rated for adults. It does not mean every word has to be a curse word, but used sparingly, it does add realism and emphasis.
This is one of my favourite Batman Black Label books. Great artwork, story, and the characters are also done very well. I especially liked the parts with Batman shoeing a bit of a dark sense of humour. The book also calls into question for all the good Batman does what about collateral damage from his battles. The book finishes with a huge cover gallery, sketch book, and a great Afterword from the writer.
Someone has stolen something from the Joker. Of course, the Joker does not play by anyones rules but his. So he takes someone from Batman to bring him into the game. However, is that the Joker's idea, or is he still being played? The games will push Batman to and past his moral, mental, and physical limits. How far will the Joker who has no limits go for what he "loves". The end game could change Gotham forever.
I love the big brutal fights, blood is spilt, and teeth are knocked out. It is a black label book it is all good. The one thing I would say is, as it is a black label book, why block out the swearing? I know I am not a lover of bad language used in books, but I say that for books not rated for adults. It does not mean every word has to be a curse word, but used sparingly, it does add realism and emphasis.
This is one of my favourite Batman Black Label books. Great artwork, story, and the characters are also done very well. I especially liked the parts with Batman shoeing a bit of a dark sense of humour. The book also calls into question for all the good Batman does what about collateral damage from his battles. The book finishes with a huge cover gallery, sketch book, and a great Afterword from the writer.
May 3, 2023
This was hardcore and fun and wild and ridiculous, as I imagined that it would be. What I really enjoyed was that you could tell Marc Silvestri cares a lot about Batman and he gets the characters in this story down fairly well, even when being a bit over the top.
September 23, 2024
Batman & The Joker: Deadly Duo collects issues 1-7 of the DC Comics Black Label series written and drawn by Marc Silvestri.
A series of gruesome public murders across Gotham catches Batman’s attention when eyewitnesses report seeing someone who matches The Joker fleeing from the crime scene. After Batman is attacked by a monstrous creature who shares aspects of The Joker, DNA analysis reveals there is someone out there who has created a new biological weapon using Joker’s DNA that has the ability to heal itself from death.
Whoever is behind the creation of these monsters is also blackmailing Joker and forcing the two adversaries to team-up in order to save Gotham and get what each ultimately wants.
I liked the premise of this book but it got overly complicated. I felt there were two interesting stories here and they were just mushed together, sometimes with head scratching results. I’m not a big fan of art with lot of ink and pencil lines, but it is still a beautifully crafted book. I think the over-sized magazine format would have been better to showcase Silvestri’s style. The hardcover edition is deceivingly large because about 40% of it is a variant cover gallery and inked scans of Silvestri’s art.
This is still a good book with a unique look at Batman and the Joker’s relationship and should be a must read for Batman fans.
A series of gruesome public murders across Gotham catches Batman’s attention when eyewitnesses report seeing someone who matches The Joker fleeing from the crime scene. After Batman is attacked by a monstrous creature who shares aspects of The Joker, DNA analysis reveals there is someone out there who has created a new biological weapon using Joker’s DNA that has the ability to heal itself from death.
Whoever is behind the creation of these monsters is also blackmailing Joker and forcing the two adversaries to team-up in order to save Gotham and get what each ultimately wants.
I liked the premise of this book but it got overly complicated. I felt there were two interesting stories here and they were just mushed together, sometimes with head scratching results. I’m not a big fan of art with lot of ink and pencil lines, but it is still a beautifully crafted book. I think the over-sized magazine format would have been better to showcase Silvestri’s style. The hardcover edition is deceivingly large because about 40% of it is a variant cover gallery and inked scans of Silvestri’s art.
This is still a good book with a unique look at Batman and the Joker’s relationship and should be a must read for Batman fans.
August 30, 2023
This has been one of the best Batman stories I have read as a complete, independent plot. I had not read anything bu Marc Silvestri before, but he definitely know Batman. Well done, sir. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
May 4, 2025
3.5/5
This was a solid read and another one added to my ever growing batman collection.
I can't say I was disappointed in any way because I had no expectations for the comic coming in, I bought it on the fly after stumbling across it because I saw "batman and joker team up" and thought 'hell yeah'.
Let's start with the good. The parts were we do get to see joker and batman team up are incredibly fun and it was pretty cool to see. There aren't too many of these parts in the comic but at one point in paticular there is a really cool moment that showcases just how unstoppable a duo of joker and batman would be. I do wish that the comic would have leaned more into it as that is what purely sold me to read it but I was still satisfied with what I got.
The art style is objectively really good. I saw another review saying it was just an excuse for the guy who does the art to show off and I can see what he meant. It's not my personal favourite by any means but i do like it and objectively it's real good.
The darkness of the comic works really well with the plot. Probably one of the darker batman comics I've read and it's definitely akin to the grim dark genre.
The joker as he always seems to be is at his best with some real funny quips and his usual hilarious humour.
I loved the ending. So much so that it nearly managed to life this one to a 4.
I also love batman's suit.
Now for the negatives. The villain just does not work for me. I like and respect the idea of trying to come up with a new character as opposed to sampling the many used before characters of Bruce's rogue gallery but I just can't tell you I'm a huge fan of it. It works for the story and it's by no means terrible but I'd rather just see an under utilised character like Hugo strange, doll maker, or Firefly given a chance personally.
The plot can be a bit rushed in places and by the end point is a little repetive at times. I did like it a lot overall but in places it was poor and it showed.
The technical/science side was also lost on me a little bit. I didn't mind it and it was crucial to the plot but I do think they could have afforded to a bit more general with it.
Overall this was a solid read. Nowhere near one of my favourite batman comics but also not near the bottom. A middle of the pack merchant I'd say.
This was a solid read and another one added to my ever growing batman collection.
I can't say I was disappointed in any way because I had no expectations for the comic coming in, I bought it on the fly after stumbling across it because I saw "batman and joker team up" and thought 'hell yeah'.
Let's start with the good. The parts were we do get to see joker and batman team up are incredibly fun and it was pretty cool to see. There aren't too many of these parts in the comic but at one point in paticular there is a really cool moment that showcases just how unstoppable a duo of joker and batman would be. I do wish that the comic would have leaned more into it as that is what purely sold me to read it but I was still satisfied with what I got.
The art style is objectively really good. I saw another review saying it was just an excuse for the guy who does the art to show off and I can see what he meant. It's not my personal favourite by any means but i do like it and objectively it's real good.
The darkness of the comic works really well with the plot. Probably one of the darker batman comics I've read and it's definitely akin to the grim dark genre.
The joker as he always seems to be is at his best with some real funny quips and his usual hilarious humour.
I loved the ending. So much so that it nearly managed to life this one to a 4.
I also love batman's suit.
Now for the negatives. The villain just does not work for me. I like and respect the idea of trying to come up with a new character as opposed to sampling the many used before characters of Bruce's rogue gallery but I just can't tell you I'm a huge fan of it. It works for the story and it's by no means terrible but I'd rather just see an under utilised character like Hugo strange, doll maker, or Firefly given a chance personally.
The plot can be a bit rushed in places and by the end point is a little repetive at times. I did like it a lot overall but in places it was poor and it showed.
The technical/science side was also lost on me a little bit. I didn't mind it and it was crucial to the plot but I do think they could have afforded to a bit more general with it.
Overall this was a solid read. Nowhere near one of my favourite batman comics but also not near the bottom. A middle of the pack merchant I'd say.
June 8, 2025
Dark big book, more B than Joker. They work together to get back his varied overpowered Jokery mutants. Reminds me of the zombie game Hunter. Gordon and his fam held separately in a bit of a SAW situation. Meanwhile Harley is down some well waiting casually to be saved, eating rats. Yet still looks really cute lol.
Good metaly art, some interesting Wayne fam locales and I norm hate reading about B. Humor is usually as good as the Dark Knight movie (even when bad, not terrible). There are always twists without it being too snapneck. People’s choices are usually well-explained. Wish there was a part two cuz I wanna see the honeymoon and revenge of the new character.
Good metaly art, some interesting Wayne fam locales and I norm hate reading about B. Humor is usually as good as the Dark Knight movie (even when bad, not terrible). There are always twists without it being too snapneck. People’s choices are usually well-explained. Wish there was a part two cuz I wanna see the honeymoon and revenge of the new character.
November 29, 2023
The art was fine but the story wasn't as good or deep as it thought it was.
November 30, 2023
3.5 stars
October 8, 2024
A genuinely excellent book, a refreshingly straight forward old school batman tale.
There is a mystery to solve, there are lives on the line, there is a new villian at play and the batman has to trust to joker to stop the crime from playing out.
In truth this is probably a 4 star story.
But the art is sublime, the mood and colouring perfect, the dialogue fun and snappy. A great version of the joker which is rarer these days than it should be.
But mostly it gave me the feeling of reading batman comics years ago. Which has been increasingly rare in DCs output as of late.
Great stuff
There is a mystery to solve, there are lives on the line, there is a new villian at play and the batman has to trust to joker to stop the crime from playing out.
In truth this is probably a 4 star story.
But the art is sublime, the mood and colouring perfect, the dialogue fun and snappy. A great version of the joker which is rarer these days than it should be.
But mostly it gave me the feeling of reading batman comics years ago. Which has been increasingly rare in DCs output as of late.
Great stuff
November 10, 2024
Όπως αναφέρει ο ίδιος ο Silvestri στο επίμετρο του τόμου, όταν πρότεινε στον Jim Lee της DC την περίληψη της υπόθεσης παραξενεύτηκε τόσο με την ενθουσιώδη αποδοχή της, όσο και με το γεγονός ότι η ένωση Batman – Joker «δεν είχε ξαναγίνει άπειρες φορές». Ωστόσο, το ένστικτο του πολύπειρου κομίστα, μάλλον σε αυτό το σημείο τον πρόδωσε γιατί στην πραγματικότητα ο λόγος που δεν έχουν ξαναενώσει τις δυνάμεις τους οι δύο αρχετυπικοί εχθροί των κόμικς δημιουργεί και το βασικό σεναριακό πρόβλημα στην ιστορία του: επειδή αυτή η συμμαχία είναι αδιανόητη και μη ρεαλιστική! Και αυτό, δυστυχώς, επιβεβαιώνεται σε κάθε καρέ που φιλότιμα προσπαθεί ο Silvestri να την κάνει να δουλέψει.
Παρόλο που ο Joker βάφτισε την ένωση με τον αρχετυπικό εχθρό του ως «Φονικό Δίδυμο», στην πραγματικότητα ήταν αδύνατο να λειτουργήσει αρμονικά αυτή η ομάδα, ακόμα και εάν ο σκοπός τους ήταν να καταπολεμήσουν έναν ισχυρότερο εχθρό. Ο Batman έχει προβλήματα συνεργασίας με την αστυνομία της Gotham City, με την Justice League, ακόμα και με τα ίδια τα μέλη της batfamily πολλές φορές. Πώς θα μπορούσε να συνεργαστεί για οποιονδήποτε σκοπό με τον Joker; Και στο κάτω – κάτω ο Joker δεν έχει κάποια υπερδύναμη που χρειάζεται πραγματικά στον Batman προκειμένου να αντιμετωπίσει τον κοινό τους εχθρό. Οπότε, καταλήγει περισσότερο αναγκαστική η ένωσή τους, υπαγορευμένη απ’ το διεστραμμένο σχέδιο ενός villain, παρά αναγκαία. Και παρόλο που ο Batman αντιδρά ρεαλιστικά στην αναγκαστική του συνύπαρξη με τον Joker (αντιμετωπίζοντάς τον διαρκώς εχθρικά και καχύποπτα), από την άλλη ο Joker υιοθετεί έναν πιο χιουμοριστικό ρόλο, σε σημείο που για να κάνει bonding με τον Batman χρησιμοποιεί ατάκες που ταιριάζουν περισσότερο στον Spider–Man ή στον Deadpool, αλλά σε καμία περίπτωση στον παρανοϊκό εγκληματία που στ��χεύει να καταστρέψει την πόλη του Batman διασπείροντας το χάος.
Μολονότι, όμως, η κεντρική ιδέα του κόμικ πάσχει, σαν σύνολο η ανάγνωση του τίτλου παραμένει απολαυστική, χάρις στην καλοδουλεμένη ��ου ιστορία και το εξαιρετικά ατμοσφαιρικό σχέδιο του δημιουργού του. Στον τόμο της DC Black Label συλλέγονται 7 τόμοι, με πυκνή πλοκή, πλούσιους διαλόγους και καλοδουλεμένα subplots που διατηρούν το αναγνωστικό ενδιαφέρον μέχρι το τέλος. Η ιδέα των zombie–like αντιπάλων μπορεί να μην φέρνει κάποια καινοτομία, αντιθέτως ίσως να αδικεί σε μία πρώτη ματιά την πλοκή, η οποία είναι ιδιαίτερα ευρηματική και αναπάντεχη. Ο βασικός εχθρός του διδύμου χτίζεται προσεκτικά σε αφηγηματικό επίπεδο, ενώ οι αποστολές που θέτει στους ήρωες δεν είναι τυχαίες, αλλά είναι φτιαγμένες προκειμένου να τους φέρουν αντιμέτωπους με ηθικά διλήμματα που χαρακτηρίζουν ολόκληρη την κοσμοθεωρία τους και με αυτόν τον τρόπο να αναδειχθεί ο αντιθετικός αξιακός τους κώδικας. Χαρακτηριστική είναι η αποστολή με το τρένο, η οποία αναπαράγει το φιλοσοφικό «δίλημμα του τρόλεϊ», μία φιλοσοφική σκέψη που φέρνει σε αντίθεση την ωφελιμιστική θεωρία με την καντιανή σκέψη που υποστηρίζει ότι ο άνθρωπος είναι πάντοτε αυτοσκοπός και δεν πρέπει ποτέ να λειτουργεί -ή να αντιμετωπίζεται- ως μέσο για την επίτευξη ενός άλλου σκοπού.
Κείμενο στο Smassing Culture
Παρόλο που ο Joker βάφτισε την ένωση με τον αρχετυπικό εχθρό του ως «Φονικό Δίδυμο», στην πραγματικότητα ήταν αδύνατο να λειτουργήσει αρμονικά αυτή η ομάδα, ακόμα και εάν ο σκοπός τους ήταν να καταπολεμήσουν έναν ισχυρότερο εχθρό. Ο Batman έχει προβλήματα συνεργασίας με την αστυνομία της Gotham City, με την Justice League, ακόμα και με τα ίδια τα μέλη της batfamily πολλές φορές. Πώς θα μπορούσε να συνεργαστεί για οποιονδήποτε σκοπό με τον Joker; Και στο κάτω – κάτω ο Joker δεν έχει κάποια υπερδύναμη που χρειάζεται πραγματικά στον Batman προκειμένου να αντιμετωπίσει τον κοινό τους εχθρό. Οπότε, καταλήγει περισσότερο αναγκαστική η ένωσή τους, υπαγορευμένη απ’ το διεστραμμένο σχέδιο ενός villain, παρά αναγκαία. Και παρόλο που ο Batman αντιδρά ρεαλιστικά στην αναγκαστική του συνύπαρξη με τον Joker (αντιμετωπίζοντάς τον διαρκώς εχθρικά και καχύποπτα), από την άλλη ο Joker υιοθετεί έναν πιο χιουμοριστικό ρόλο, σε σημείο που για να κάνει bonding με τον Batman χρησιμοποιεί ατάκες που ταιριάζουν περισσότερο στον Spider–Man ή στον Deadpool, αλλά σε καμία περίπτωση στον παρανοϊκό εγκληματία που στ��χεύει να καταστρέψει την πόλη του Batman διασπείροντας το χάος.
Μολονότι, όμως, η κεντρική ιδέα του κόμικ πάσχει, σαν σύνολο η ανάγνωση του τίτλου παραμένει απολαυστική, χάρις στην καλοδουλεμένη ��ου ιστορία και το εξαιρετικά ατμοσφαιρικό σχέδιο του δημιουργού του. Στον τόμο της DC Black Label συλλέγονται 7 τόμοι, με πυκνή πλοκή, πλούσιους διαλόγους και καλοδουλεμένα subplots που διατηρούν το αναγνωστικό ενδιαφέρον μέχρι το τέλος. Η ιδέα των zombie–like αντιπάλων μπορεί να μην φέρνει κάποια καινοτομία, αντιθέτως ίσως να αδικεί σε μία πρώτη ματιά την πλοκή, η οποία είναι ιδιαίτερα ευρηματική και αναπάντεχη. Ο βασικός εχθρός του διδύμου χτίζεται προσεκτικά σε αφηγηματικό επίπεδο, ενώ οι αποστολές που θέτει στους ήρωες δεν είναι τυχαίες, αλλά είναι φτιαγμένες προκειμένου να τους φέρουν αντιμέτωπους με ηθικά διλήμματα που χαρακτηρίζουν ολόκληρη την κοσμοθεωρία τους και με αυτόν τον τρόπο να αναδειχθεί ο αντιθετικός αξιακός τους κώδικας. Χαρακτηριστική είναι η αποστολή με το τρένο, η οποία αναπαράγει το φιλοσοφικό «δίλημμα του τρόλεϊ», μία φιλοσοφική σκέψη που φέρνει σε αντίθεση την ωφελιμιστική θεωρία με την καντιανή σκέψη που υποστηρίζει ότι ο άνθρωπος είναι πάντοτε αυτοσκοπός και δεν πρέπει ποτέ να λειτουργεί -ή να αντιμετωπίζεται- ως μέσο για την επίτευξη ενός άλλου σκοπού.
Κείμενο στο Smassing Culture
November 22, 2023
Storia molto bella, ha quel tocco di oscurità che ci vuole nei fumetti di Batman. Tavole ben fatte e colori stupendi, ho amato leggere questo fumetto... O meglio l'ho divorato.
L'impronta che hanno dato alla storia è magnifica, batman e Joker che si alleano contro un armata di "morti viventi" è strana, ma comunque interessante.
L'impronta che hanno dato alla storia è magnifica, batman e Joker che si alleano contro un armata di "morti viventi" è strana, ma comunque interessante.
February 17, 2024
I've always been a fan of Silvestri's artwork, and you can tell this book was a labor of love. The story was good as well, as we've got a classic Batman/Joker story here with some "zombies" thrown in as well. A new character is introduced into the Batman gallery that I'm guessing we may see more of in the future. The story gets a little complicated at times, but never goes off the rails.
Visually stunning, and overall a really good series.
Visually stunning, and overall a really good series.
August 22, 2024
Someone has kidnapped Harley Quinn, prompting Joker to ask Batman to team up to rescue her. A silly, obvious premise, but Marc Silvestri does a pretty good job with it, crafting a tight narrative that leads to a big finale. Maybe too big -
Still, the artwork carried me through the silly villains and unsurprising twists. Silvestri writes a good Joker too - I could hear Marc Hamill's classic voice in the dialogue. You could skip The Deadly Duo and be perfectly happy, but it's not a terrible addition to the Batman canon by any means.
Still, the artwork carried me through the silly villains and unsurprising twists. Silvestri writes a good Joker too - I could hear Marc Hamill's classic voice in the dialogue. You could skip The Deadly Duo and be perfectly happy, but it's not a terrible addition to the Batman canon by any means.
June 1, 2025
One of my favorite X-Men artists of all-time, Marc Silvestri pulls double duty as here as both writer and artist for this Elseworlds tale involving Batman having to work with Joker to solve an issue. The book was dark and gritty like the best Batman stories always are and does a good job of building a world. The story isn't anything groundbreaking but it was very enjoyable. The Joker and Harley were funny and Bruce was smart and powerful. Silverstri's art was very good and fit the story well. I thought the book was overally verbose at times but it was still a good read. Overall, an entertaining read that showcased the most dysfunctional relationship in comics.
June 5, 2024
DC Black Label. We’ve seen plenty of the “Batman and Joker are equal opposites” theme. This series plays with that theme too but in a different way. In this one, Batman and Joker have to work together to solve a puzzle. The story is great when it’s about Batman and Joker working together. It’s a bit slower when it veers from that. The art work is incredible.
All in all, this series is way better than in anything in the main Batman line in the past few years.
All in all, this series is way better than in anything in the main Batman line in the past few years.
October 24, 2023
3.5 Stars
January 31, 2025
im obsessed with the artwork
April 8, 2025
I like it Picasso.
January 16, 2024
3.5 stars
December 19, 2025
This right here is the reason I read comics and not books - the artwork. The level of detail is amazing. And the story isn't bad either. It has the right amount of action, mystery and detective work to be entertaining throughout.
Gotham City has a new threat: a monster that is a challenge even for Batman. A tissue sample reveals it has Joker's DNA. Batman suspects Joker is at the root of it all, but his DNA was stolen. Joker offers to team up, though they are the most unlikely pair in history. Batman agrees. What's the worst that can happen?
Meanwhile Jim Gordon has body parts literally carved out of him to send Batman a message. Batman must scramble to save his friend.
Gotham City has a new threat: a monster that is a challenge even for Batman. A tissue sample reveals it has Joker's DNA. Batman suspects Joker is at the root of it all, but his DNA was stolen. Joker offers to team up, though they are the most unlikely pair in history. Batman agrees. What's the worst that can happen?
Meanwhile Jim Gordon has body parts literally carved out of him to send Batman a message. Batman must scramble to save his friend.
October 9, 2023
Joker’s somehow become superpowered and is on yet another killing spree and Gordon’s been kidnapped. But wait - it’s not the Joker but a small army of superpowered Joker zombie things. Who made them and why? Batman teams up with Joker for some reason to find out.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo is a pants Batman comic. Marc Silvestri is one of those Image founders - like Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld - who set the standard for how superhero comics look today but also can’t write for shit.
I don’t understand the campy title or concept behind the miniseries. Batman and Joker have teamed up numerous times over the years so it’s not like this is something new?
The story is a grab-bag of set pieces that don’t quite gel into a coherent plot. Without giving away who’s behind it all (nobody interesting or someone you’re likely to see again outside of any further Silvestri Bat-books), I don’t see what the Riddler-esque traps of Batman having to choose which random parent to save or stopping a runaway train has to do with the villain’s plan of making a better Gotham. Similarly, the Joker’s motivation for doing what he does in this book is underwhelming too. The whole storyline reads like the overwritten, convoluted and unmemorable mess that it is.
But Marc Silvestri can draw right? Eh. Sure. If you like that ‘90s style. He’s not really changed over the years - Batman looks like any of his ‘roided-out male protagonists and the women all have absurdly stacked hourglass figures. His designs for Batman’s toys are simply awful though. The Batmobile’s chassis in particular is so low to the ground it’s impractical and so easily damaged. And every Bat-vehicle has these ridiculous jagged features that looks childish and silly.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo wasn’t for me. It’s deadly dull, overwrought, pointless, forced, poorly conceived and executed, and instantly forgettable. Definitely don’t expect much if you’re going to pick up this nonsensical and ultimately very boring book.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo is a pants Batman comic. Marc Silvestri is one of those Image founders - like Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld - who set the standard for how superhero comics look today but also can’t write for shit.
I don’t understand the campy title or concept behind the miniseries. Batman and Joker have teamed up numerous times over the years so it’s not like this is something new?
The story is a grab-bag of set pieces that don’t quite gel into a coherent plot. Without giving away who’s behind it all (nobody interesting or someone you’re likely to see again outside of any further Silvestri Bat-books), I don’t see what the Riddler-esque traps of Batman having to choose which random parent to save or stopping a runaway train has to do with the villain’s plan of making a better Gotham. Similarly, the Joker’s motivation for doing what he does in this book is underwhelming too. The whole storyline reads like the overwritten, convoluted and unmemorable mess that it is.
But Marc Silvestri can draw right? Eh. Sure. If you like that ‘90s style. He’s not really changed over the years - Batman looks like any of his ‘roided-out male protagonists and the women all have absurdly stacked hourglass figures. His designs for Batman’s toys are simply awful though. The Batmobile’s chassis in particular is so low to the ground it’s impractical and so easily damaged. And every Bat-vehicle has these ridiculous jagged features that looks childish and silly.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo wasn’t for me. It’s deadly dull, overwrought, pointless, forced, poorly conceived and executed, and instantly forgettable. Definitely don’t expect much if you’re going to pick up this nonsensical and ultimately very boring book.
May 3, 2023
This was a fun story I guess, like its not the greatest and was sort of overhyped but I can see the appeal of the art and why many people may like it more because of that..
The plot is focusing on Batman and Joker teaming up to rescue Gordon whose been kidnapped and some weird Joker type zombies are roaming the city and killing people, also Batman gets the call with the big bad behind it all and he has to work with Joker and then you have a part of the story focusing on Daniel Sims aka Bruce Wayne's co.'s new partner and we get his backstory and what happened with his daughter which is kinda sad and then and so how will Batman escape it? Plus what was Joker's real plan all along? And who will in the end..
Its like one of these okay stories where the plot kinda becomes predictable but its the character work thats interesting but the explanation of how the power of the threats came to be is weird but still its okay considering the medium its writing itself in. I really like how it also has some great art scenes like the one in the train which is like a classic imagery now, also focusing on the zombies and there are some pages which give you genuine nightmare and are so good.
So yeah good book and you will enjoy it a lot more now that its collected and you know the villain behind it could be a great addition to the main continuity, its got some neat ideas that need expanding and will work as a great Bat-villain/Gotham threat!
The plot is focusing on Batman and Joker teaming up to rescue Gordon whose been kidnapped and some weird Joker type zombies are roaming the city and killing people, also Batman gets the call with the big bad behind it all and he has to work with Joker and then you have a part of the story focusing on Daniel Sims aka Bruce Wayne's co.'s new partner and we get his backstory and what happened with his daughter which is kinda sad and then and so how will Batman escape it? Plus what was Joker's real plan all along? And who will in the end..
Its like one of these okay stories where the plot kinda becomes predictable but its the character work thats interesting but the explanation of how the power of the threats came to be is weird but still its okay considering the medium its writing itself in. I really like how it also has some great art scenes like the one in the train which is like a classic imagery now, also focusing on the zombies and there are some pages which give you genuine nightmare and are so good.
So yeah good book and you will enjoy it a lot more now that its collected and you know the villain behind it could be a great addition to the main continuity, its got some neat ideas that need expanding and will work as a great Bat-villain/Gotham threat!
January 22, 2025
Really great Batman and Joker book with amazing artwork, a good story and engaging dialogue!
The artwork is very good, particularly the pencils and for some reason they chose to use desaturated colours: but it still works and actually brings out the pencil work in ways I haven’t seen before.
I found the actual team up between Batman and Joker was a little too easy and brief. It Wasn’t very believable. I also didn’t really like the way they wrote The Joker’s dialogue. I couldn’t imagine the Joker ever speaking in the ways he does in this book, and his drawings were very inconsistent (sometimes looked great and sometimes a little poor). In contrast, Batman’s drawings were always spot on (almost as good as Jim Lee’s pencils).
The story starts off strong, but does dip a little midway through. However, it really picks up and gets exciting towards the end.
Unfortunately, due to the fact 1/4 of the book is variant covers: the ending of the book came far before I believed it would. I do think this slightly impacted the way I feel about the ending which currently feels anticlimactic. It feels very sequel bait because there are several things left without resolution, and the fact I didn’t expect the book to end when it did really didn’t help.
I think I could read this book multiple times in the future and probably enjoy it more each time.
The actual book build and quality is fantastic, and looks great on a shelf.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am hopeful for a sequel. The strongest aspect is the astonishing pencils!
Would recommend to any Batman or Joker fan!
The artwork is very good, particularly the pencils and for some reason they chose to use desaturated colours: but it still works and actually brings out the pencil work in ways I haven’t seen before.
I found the actual team up between Batman and Joker was a little too easy and brief. It Wasn’t very believable. I also didn’t really like the way they wrote The Joker’s dialogue. I couldn’t imagine the Joker ever speaking in the ways he does in this book, and his drawings were very inconsistent (sometimes looked great and sometimes a little poor). In contrast, Batman’s drawings were always spot on (almost as good as Jim Lee’s pencils).
The story starts off strong, but does dip a little midway through. However, it really picks up and gets exciting towards the end.
Unfortunately, due to the fact 1/4 of the book is variant covers: the ending of the book came far before I believed it would. I do think this slightly impacted the way I feel about the ending which currently feels anticlimactic. It feels very sequel bait because there are several things left without resolution, and the fact I didn’t expect the book to end when it did really didn’t help.
I think I could read this book multiple times in the future and probably enjoy it more each time.
The actual book build and quality is fantastic, and looks great on a shelf.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am hopeful for a sequel. The strongest aspect is the astonishing pencils!
Would recommend to any Batman or Joker fan!
August 23, 2025
4 - 4.5 ⭐️ I think we, as a society, moved on from the gimp mask set up way too quickly. This was very fun; I was a bit apprehensive picking up the issues, since I didn't know Marc Silvestri's game and he did both art and story for The Deadly Duo, so it is as one-man show as it gets...But thankfully it became obvious early on that not only Silvestri likes these characters - he also gets them, and the dynamic itself, and is willing to play with it and have fun too. One of the best features of this collection is that it is incredibly funny and provocative, in a way that is not obnoxious quipping for children but actually witty and smart. The way Silvestri gently ridicules Bruce all throughout the run was exceptional.
You can pinpoint some inspiration sources for The Deadly Duo straight away, Europa being a major one, but I would argue that TDD has a better, more focused narrative and is overall stronger on consistency. The artwork was great, the plot was intriguing, and there was a lot of ingenuity in how these very different characters actually complemented each other when trying to find solutions to urgently lethal problems. Somehow, the ending made me go le gasp. The way Harley was used was also fantastic. Overall, it's almost perfect. The overlong pseudoscientific hocus-pocus and the stock evil villain from hell did somewhat dampen my excitement, but at this point these are staples of the medium, and what can you do about it.
You can pinpoint some inspiration sources for The Deadly Duo straight away, Europa being a major one, but I would argue that TDD has a better, more focused narrative and is overall stronger on consistency. The artwork was great, the plot was intriguing, and there was a lot of ingenuity in how these very different characters actually complemented each other when trying to find solutions to urgently lethal problems. Somehow, the ending made me go le gasp. The way Harley was used was also fantastic. Overall, it's almost perfect. The overlong pseudoscientific hocus-pocus and the stock evil villain from hell did somewhat dampen my excitement, but at this point these are staples of the medium, and what can you do about it.
September 13, 2023
A pretty by the numbers Batman miniseries with the main appeal being Marc Silvestri's artwork, which does deliver for sure. Batman finds himself working with the Joker to save a kidnapped Gordon from a horde of Jokerized-zombie beings that have been unleashed by a new enemy. It's pretty predictable how things will play out from start to finish and leaves little in the way of suspense. The series drags itself to a conclusion that is very much to be expected - the Joker has a secret plan behind it all and that he and Batman are irrevocably on a path towards destruction. It's all pretty tired from a storytelling standpoint, so I imagine that one's enjoyment of Batman & the Joker: The Deadly Duo must be derived solely from Silvestri's artwork. I enjoyed the dense crosshatching style employed by Silvestri, who seems to have upped the grittiness a notch since I've last seen his work. Though I do think showing the black & white artwork as extras was a poor choice, since Silvestri's artwork looks much better uncolored. Overall, this was a pretty tepid take on both Batman and the Joker, and I can't imagine many people will remember this comic in the long run unless DC plans to utilize the new villain created here again.
December 11, 2023
"Alfred, this doesn't make sense."
"The subjects that interest you seldom do."
I waited for this for years and by the time it finally came out my enthusiasm had waned considerably. In the end, this story had a lot of set up but no satisfying payoff.
The moment Joker said "Nobody takes what's mine" I knew this wasn't about Harley, this was about Batman. Because when it comes to Joker, it's ALWAYS about Batman.
I liked Amanda Simms as a villain and I like the concept of her character even if her motivations don't make sense but I feel like she wasn't utilized to her full potential in this story. I mean she can learn everything about a person just from scratching their skin and it only came in to play with Bruce's identity. I feel like way more could have been done with her, she has great potential.
I liked Harley in this. Her design is super cute and she's always cracking off shitty puns and to me, Harley is at her best when she's being a cute and funny sidekick.
Needs more Bullock. I was kind of looking forward to Batman and Bullock working together to save Jim but Bullock just disappears halfway through the story.
Nightwing, Catwoman and Batgirl made their cameo appearances and then immediately fucked off.
"The subjects that interest you seldom do."
I waited for this for years and by the time it finally came out my enthusiasm had waned considerably. In the end, this story had a lot of set up but no satisfying payoff.
The moment Joker said "Nobody takes what's mine" I knew this wasn't about Harley, this was about Batman. Because when it comes to Joker, it's ALWAYS about Batman.
I liked Amanda Simms as a villain and I like the concept of her character even if her motivations don't make sense but I feel like she wasn't utilized to her full potential in this story. I mean she can learn everything about a person just from scratching their skin and it only came in to play with Bruce's identity. I feel like way more could have been done with her, she has great potential.
I liked Harley in this. Her design is super cute and she's always cracking off shitty puns and to me, Harley is at her best when she's being a cute and funny sidekick.
Needs more Bullock. I was kind of looking forward to Batman and Bullock working together to save Jim but Bullock just disappears halfway through the story.
Nightwing, Catwoman and Batgirl made their cameo appearances and then immediately fucked off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2025
Альтернативна історія про те, як Джокер Бетмену помагав, бо хтось у Готемі почав буквально відривати людям голову. Але це - верхній шар історії, в якій бійки зображено майже ідеально, герої не говорять зайвого, а жертвою може стати будь-хто із основної пачки персонажів, бо це Блек Лейбл (серйозно, я не буду в десяте нагадувати, що це означає). І намальовано соковито, з такою штриховкою, наче сам боженька допомагав, а той, хто згори на це клав фарбу, дуже й дуже проникся. Не сподобалась лише фінальна реморалізація (це коли лиходій стає ледь не головним борцем за добро), але за це я не буду спалювати альбом у ватрі.
Коротко: малюнок ок, сюжет ок (хоч там і черговий хитрий план у хитрому плані), фінал мені не дуже, бо я перечитався всякого. Практичні спостереження показують, що менше прочитав - більше вподобав. Дозволяю користуватись цією хитрою мудацькою конструкцією, щоб не видаватися йобаним снобом.
Верстка української версії… Емм… Ці граблі з нерівним текстом та недомальованими рамками верстальники різних видавництв пересилають один одному Новою Поштою, аби пошвидше. Колись хтось почне після себе перевіряти. І перед тим, як у друк віддати, перевірятимуть. Казкові будуть часи.
Коротко: малюнок ок, сюжет ок (хоч там і черговий хитрий план у хитрому плані), фінал мені не дуже, бо я перечитався всякого. Практичні спостереження показують, що менше прочитав - більше вподобав. Дозволяю користуватись цією хитрою мудацькою конструкцією, щоб не видаватися йобаним снобом.
Верстка української версії… Емм… Ці граблі з нерівним текстом та недомальованими рамками верстальники різних видавництв пересилають один одному Новою Поштою, аби пошвидше. Колись хтось почне після себе перевіряти. І перед тим, як у друк віддати, перевірятимуть. Казкові будуть часи.
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