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The Greatest Stories Ever Told
Pura Maldad: Joker
El más célebre de los enemigos de Batman fue también uno de los primeros en integrar su irrepetible galería de villanos: el Joker. Su debut se remonta a 1940, en el número 1 de Batman, y este primer volumen de Pura maldad lo recopila junto a la sorprendente versión inicial de su origen (de 1951), un clásico enfrentamiento de los años setenta y la novela gráfica El Joker: Abogado del Diablo (1996), aparte de dos aventuras más recientes de Detective Comics que retratan como pocas el alcance de esa rivalidad. La colección Pura maldad nace con el objetivo de reunir, en un solo volumen, algunas de las historias más representativas de un villano (o villana, claro). Brainiac, Dos Caras y Lex Luthor son solo algunos de los que nos aguardan en futuras entregas.De Bill Finger a Paul Dini, de Neal Adams a Graham Nolan, esta antología constituye una perfecta muestra de la trayectoria del príncipe payaso del crimen desde sus comienzos hasta el presente.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Bill Finger
645 books105 followersWilliam "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development. In later years, Kane acknowledged Finger as "a contributing force" in the character's creation. Comics historian Ron Goulart, in Comic Book Encyclopedia, refers to Batman as the "creation of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger", and a DC Comics press release in 2007 about colleague Jerry Robinson states that in 1939, "Kane, along with writer Bill Finger, had just created Batman for [DC predecessor] National Comics".
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 4, 2009
First, once you get past the early stories that were geared at children, you get a great look at one of the more enduring villains in comic history. His first appearance is full of nonsensical and unnecessary violence and his character eventually grows entirely into that character, despite some time as a childish, whimsical bad guy. His relationship with Batman is intriguing, and I think that they are shown to be two sides of the same coin; each, without question needs the other. The Joker reminds Batman of his need not to give in and become a crimefighter without rules, without order. He needs the anarchy of the Joker to remind him why he chose the path he did. And the Joker, well, he needs someone to break in two, someone to crush, someone to turn evil. And who better that the epitome of law and order?
"The Laughing Fish," "Laughter After Midnight," "Case Study," and "Hush Chapter 7: The Joke" are great.
Second, and more important . . .
For the love of God, get this collection of classic Joker tales and read no more than the second one, "The Joker's Comedy of Errors." Apparently, "boner" used to mean a mistake, and in the comic, Joker makes a boner during a crime, the newspapers (yep, there were such things) run the story, and he then sets up a bunch of crimes that mirrored great "boners" throughout history to redeem himself. Here are some great lines from the comic:
"So! They laugh at my boner, will they?! I'll show them! I'll show them how many boners the Joker can make!"
"This emphasis on boners has given me an idea for a new adventure in crime! Gotham City will rue the day it mentioned the word boner!"
"Yes -- there are more boner crimes to come! But more important -- soon, Batman will make the boner of the year!"
"What does he mean Bruce? How can he force you into a boner?"
"Let's continue our study of the greatest boners of all time."
"Batman -- we've got to stop the Joker! Those boner crimes are making us look bad! And I'm worried about the boner he's readying for you!"
"It is well that I am ready to trick him into his boner! Then the tables will be turned!"
"You were so busy forcing me into a boner, you forgot you were committing one yourself!"
"Let's hope we've the last of things like boners -- and Jokers!"
"The Laughing Fish," "Laughter After Midnight," "Case Study," and "Hush Chapter 7: The Joke" are great.
Second, and more important . . .
For the love of God, get this collection of classic Joker tales and read no more than the second one, "The Joker's Comedy of Errors." Apparently, "boner" used to mean a mistake, and in the comic, Joker makes a boner during a crime, the newspapers (yep, there were such things) run the story, and he then sets up a bunch of crimes that mirrored great "boners" throughout history to redeem himself. Here are some great lines from the comic:
"So! They laugh at my boner, will they?! I'll show them! I'll show them how many boners the Joker can make!"
"This emphasis on boners has given me an idea for a new adventure in crime! Gotham City will rue the day it mentioned the word boner!"
"Yes -- there are more boner crimes to come! But more important -- soon, Batman will make the boner of the year!"
"What does he mean Bruce? How can he force you into a boner?"
"Let's continue our study of the greatest boners of all time."
"Batman -- we've got to stop the Joker! Those boner crimes are making us look bad! And I'm worried about the boner he's readying for you!"
"It is well that I am ready to trick him into his boner! Then the tables will be turned!"
"You were so busy forcing me into a boner, you forgot you were committing one yourself!"
"Let's hope we've the last of things like boners -- and Jokers!"
September 20, 2020
Ni más ni menos que lo que dice la portada. Un conjunto de historias representativas del personaje, su relación con Batman, y su papel en la historia, empezando por su primera aparición. Me ha encantado.
July 25, 2013
A nice book full of boners
March 29, 2020
“Hazles reír, hazles llorar. Hazles esperar. Esa es la clave de un buen espectáculo, Batman”
La pequeña colección de Pura Maldad protagonizada por Joker y la compañía me deja muy buenas sensaciones.
Se trata de una pequeña recopilación de unos cómics muy destacados de la historia del gran Joker, desde su estreno en 1940 con dos ediciones y su relación con el famoso Capucha Roja, hasta la masacre sobre ruedas de 2007 protagonizada por el tercer Robin.
Los dos primeros no consiguieron engancharme como esperaba, me faltaba algo de “locura” a la que estoy acostumbrado del gran Joker como se ha demostrado por ejemplo en la broma asesina.
Las otras ediciones estuvieron mucho mejor, mostrando un Joker mucho mas desequilibrado y psicótico.
Me ha encantado el Abogado del Diablo.
Una obra maestra, un guión magnifico tanto con suspense como con pistas del mundo del detective.
El diseño del Joker es brutal y podemos observar una actitud de Batman muy volcada en relación con la justicia.
Poco mas que añadir a esta obra literaria.
Si te gusta Joker, lo vas a disfrutar, pues el príncipe payaso del crimen es impredecible.
La pequeña colección de Pura Maldad protagonizada por Joker y la compañía me deja muy buenas sensaciones.
Se trata de una pequeña recopilación de unos cómics muy destacados de la historia del gran Joker, desde su estreno en 1940 con dos ediciones y su relación con el famoso Capucha Roja, hasta la masacre sobre ruedas de 2007 protagonizada por el tercer Robin.
Los dos primeros no consiguieron engancharme como esperaba, me faltaba algo de “locura” a la que estoy acostumbrado del gran Joker como se ha demostrado por ejemplo en la broma asesina.
Las otras ediciones estuvieron mucho mejor, mostrando un Joker mucho mas desequilibrado y psicótico.
Me ha encantado el Abogado del Diablo.
Una obra maestra, un guión magnifico tanto con suspense como con pistas del mundo del detective.
El diseño del Joker es brutal y podemos observar una actitud de Batman muy volcada en relación con la justicia.
Poco mas que añadir a esta obra literaria.
Si te gusta Joker, lo vas a disfrutar, pues el príncipe payaso del crimen es impredecible.
September 21, 2017
From the cover: "Coulrophobia. The Fear of clowns. Most people laugh it off as silly or irrational, but to the citizens of Gotham City it is a fact of life."
13 stories, my favourites being:
The Joker's Comedy of Errors (1951) -- the infamous 'boner' issue, in which Batman & co. repeatedly use the word 'boner' to mean something like 'mistake'.
Joker's Last Laugh (1964) -- in which we find out the Joker's laughing gas is made from 'locoweed', Batman and Robin get high on antihistamines to overcome it.
The Laughing Fish (1978 ) -- Joker tries to kill Gotham City bureaucrats after they refuse to grant him a copyright over poisoned fish that bear a resemblance to the Crown Prince of Crime.
New Year's (1994) -- Part of The Long Halloween, Joker tries to 'help' Batman by killing everyone in Gotham Square at midnight on New Year's Eve, because it's statistically probable that the Holiday Killer will be in the crowd.
Slayride (2007) -- Joker kidnaps the newest Robin on Christmas Eve.
13 stories, my favourites being:
The Joker's Comedy of Errors (1951) -- the infamous 'boner' issue, in which Batman & co. repeatedly use the word 'boner' to mean something like 'mistake'.
Joker's Last Laugh (1964) -- in which we find out the Joker's laughing gas is made from 'locoweed', Batman and Robin get high on antihistamines to overcome it.
The Laughing Fish (1978 ) -- Joker tries to kill Gotham City bureaucrats after they refuse to grant him a copyright over poisoned fish that bear a resemblance to the Crown Prince of Crime.
New Year's (1994) -- Part of The Long Halloween, Joker tries to 'help' Batman by killing everyone in Gotham Square at midnight on New Year's Eve, because it's statistically probable that the Holiday Killer will be in the crowd.
Slayride (2007) -- Joker kidnaps the newest Robin on Christmas Eve.
September 19, 2025
Joker, based on work by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and others
Eight out of 10
There are so many levels to talk about in and about Joker, which seems to be a favorite already for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – and indeed, Joaquin Phoenix is mesmerizing, spectacular, overwhelming as The Joker aka Arthur Fleck.
On the basic level, this cinephile and some publications have been less than exultant about the complete motion picture – leaving aside the aforementioned rare, ebullient, marvelous and so complex Joaquin Phoenix one man show – and some would be ready to dismiss it altogether as Much Ado About Little – let us not say nothing.
But even if one is tempted to look only at the surface and simplistically say there is not much substance, apart from the troubles of a lunatic that becomes a dangerous killer and the long quest for revenge, an outpouring of violence – hence the R rating – which does not seem all that different from and superior to other movies.
There is also the idea that Joker is not much more than an amalgam made from two Martin Scorsese classics, The King of Comedy and Taxi Driver, and the writer – director Todd Philips (director, producer of The Hangover) accepts the influence, but appears to suggest that ‘it was a specific era of cinema that inspired his take on the classic villain’.
The descent into Hades does not come in a flash, but we expect – we are also aware in advance, from the rating and the tremendous the buzz surrounding the film – that things would go downhill quickly, even if at the start, poor Arthur is a victim.
Actually, on another level – and as mentioned before, there are some different perspectives, angles from which we could look at the saga of Arthur Fleck – we can see the antihero as a victim, given that he discovers (and the audience with him) that he had been abused in childhood and moreover, his mother had been a bystander, with hindsight, it she could be seen as an accomplice, when the boy was subject to violence, physical and psychological.
As a myriad of studies demonstrate, those who have been abused in their tender age, become more than likely to inflict pain and suffering on others, once they become adults – which raises the question of how to look at them, at the issue and more importantly, what to do about it, how to prevent calamities and be reasonable, delicate and cautious…all at the same time
In the opening scenes, the joker is attacked; some teenagers steal a sign he was pushing, in his costume – by the way, the makeup and the look of the main character are extraordinary and help the exuberant, fantastic actor project such a troubling, Haunting Image – and he makes the mistake of chasing after them, only to be kicked and hurt terribly.
Seeing that he is so bruised, Randall, one of the colleagues at the outfit where the antihero works, offers him a gun – one of the parts that seem bizarre (but then, when dealing with a psychopath, all his demeanor must look outré by definition) is the attack on this individual, which seems unmotivated, unless the undersigned has missed so much – and later on, Arthur takes it to a children’s party
The relationship that Arthur has with his mother – up to the moment when he discovers that the past is not what he thought it was – reminds the viewer of the unforgettable, miraculous Rupert Pupkin – who shouted when he was reviewing his comedy act…’it’s impossible, it’s impossible!’- but when the aspiring comedian is recorded trying on his peculiar, tense, scary, strenuous, outlandish laugh and the humor in a hall, it reaches the show of Murray Franklin aka divine Robert De Niro.
The talk show host mocks Arthur and his performance, calling it a Joker, and he would pay dearly for this contempt, later on, when the antihero is invited on the air – which is yet another similarity with Pupkin, who wants to be presented on the show of Jerry Langford aka dark, hostile and impressive Jerry Lewis.
When three men start harassing a woman who is travelling in the train, in the subway, the Joker seems to be the only other passenger around and he starts with his by now familiar, grating, haunting, strange, signature laugh, which annoys the attackers to the point where they come to the protagonist and start kicking and hitting him, up to the point where he takes the gun out and starts using it with fervor and apparently gusto.
This is one of the scenes where we can perhaps have a hint of the value of the film, the fact that it is more complex than usual, average features, for although the comedian is cornered, it looks like self-defense and indeed, he would be immediately celebrated a s a hero by the public – just as Trump is such a great guy for so many fools – it is still appalling to see him enjoy the violence, immensely…
The joker has just broken a record, it has become the highest – grossing R- rated movie (and already at number 13 (!) on the top Rated Movies list, as ranked by the public) with a total of $ 788.1 million at the box office and maybe on the way to at least one Oscar…
Eight out of 10
There are so many levels to talk about in and about Joker, which seems to be a favorite already for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – and indeed, Joaquin Phoenix is mesmerizing, spectacular, overwhelming as The Joker aka Arthur Fleck.
On the basic level, this cinephile and some publications have been less than exultant about the complete motion picture – leaving aside the aforementioned rare, ebullient, marvelous and so complex Joaquin Phoenix one man show – and some would be ready to dismiss it altogether as Much Ado About Little – let us not say nothing.
But even if one is tempted to look only at the surface and simplistically say there is not much substance, apart from the troubles of a lunatic that becomes a dangerous killer and the long quest for revenge, an outpouring of violence – hence the R rating – which does not seem all that different from and superior to other movies.
There is also the idea that Joker is not much more than an amalgam made from two Martin Scorsese classics, The King of Comedy and Taxi Driver, and the writer – director Todd Philips (director, producer of The Hangover) accepts the influence, but appears to suggest that ‘it was a specific era of cinema that inspired his take on the classic villain’.
The descent into Hades does not come in a flash, but we expect – we are also aware in advance, from the rating and the tremendous the buzz surrounding the film – that things would go downhill quickly, even if at the start, poor Arthur is a victim.
Actually, on another level – and as mentioned before, there are some different perspectives, angles from which we could look at the saga of Arthur Fleck – we can see the antihero as a victim, given that he discovers (and the audience with him) that he had been abused in childhood and moreover, his mother had been a bystander, with hindsight, it she could be seen as an accomplice, when the boy was subject to violence, physical and psychological.
As a myriad of studies demonstrate, those who have been abused in their tender age, become more than likely to inflict pain and suffering on others, once they become adults – which raises the question of how to look at them, at the issue and more importantly, what to do about it, how to prevent calamities and be reasonable, delicate and cautious…all at the same time
In the opening scenes, the joker is attacked; some teenagers steal a sign he was pushing, in his costume – by the way, the makeup and the look of the main character are extraordinary and help the exuberant, fantastic actor project such a troubling, Haunting Image – and he makes the mistake of chasing after them, only to be kicked and hurt terribly.
Seeing that he is so bruised, Randall, one of the colleagues at the outfit where the antihero works, offers him a gun – one of the parts that seem bizarre (but then, when dealing with a psychopath, all his demeanor must look outré by definition) is the attack on this individual, which seems unmotivated, unless the undersigned has missed so much – and later on, Arthur takes it to a children’s party
The relationship that Arthur has with his mother – up to the moment when he discovers that the past is not what he thought it was – reminds the viewer of the unforgettable, miraculous Rupert Pupkin – who shouted when he was reviewing his comedy act…’it’s impossible, it’s impossible!’- but when the aspiring comedian is recorded trying on his peculiar, tense, scary, strenuous, outlandish laugh and the humor in a hall, it reaches the show of Murray Franklin aka divine Robert De Niro.
The talk show host mocks Arthur and his performance, calling it a Joker, and he would pay dearly for this contempt, later on, when the antihero is invited on the air – which is yet another similarity with Pupkin, who wants to be presented on the show of Jerry Langford aka dark, hostile and impressive Jerry Lewis.
When three men start harassing a woman who is travelling in the train, in the subway, the Joker seems to be the only other passenger around and he starts with his by now familiar, grating, haunting, strange, signature laugh, which annoys the attackers to the point where they come to the protagonist and start kicking and hitting him, up to the point where he takes the gun out and starts using it with fervor and apparently gusto.
This is one of the scenes where we can perhaps have a hint of the value of the film, the fact that it is more complex than usual, average features, for although the comedian is cornered, it looks like self-defense and indeed, he would be immediately celebrated a s a hero by the public – just as Trump is such a great guy for so many fools – it is still appalling to see him enjoy the violence, immensely…
The joker has just broken a record, it has become the highest – grossing R- rated movie (and already at number 13 (!) on the top Rated Movies list, as ranked by the public) with a total of $ 788.1 million at the box office and maybe on the way to at least one Oscar…
October 20, 2017
The Joker: The Greatest Stories Ever Told
Total: 40 (out of 5 stars per tale, for 13 stories)
Batman versus the Joker – 5 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
Sadistic unrelenting and vile; evil incarnate. This story really captures the unfathomable cruelty and random nature of Joker. He was truly a symbol of the lack of hope. But what really made me like this tale, was the fact that it really was about Joker; it was like a POV from his side of maddening stubbornness & persistence & wit (a feeling carried over to the next few stories, which helped me enjoy them). What was the joke? No matter how you prepare, you cannot stop chaos. Luck coincidence & chance were the only means to defeat such mind-boggling cruelty & insanity. Thing is, is Joker insane? Or is he just a broken soul that enjoys misery & pain? It does not matter really; Joker must be stopped for there to be peace & hope
The Joker’s Comedy of Errors – 2 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
How did they not think of this? Did the word not mean the same thing then? But the premise alone: crimes based on history’s greatest errors? They makes no sense at all. It only plays to Joker’s psychosis not his genius. So I could not get aboard this one
Joker’s Utility Belt – 0 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare – or maybe not!)
I got nada, just, don’t waste your time
Crime of the Month Club – 3 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
Right up the alley for the Grinning Criminal. I wish they had done this premise for the Justice League animated series – it would’ve been a hoot.
Joker’s Last Laugh – 1 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
The Joker using chemicals to make people laugh at his nonsense so that he could achieve his criminal goal? That seemed odd to me. Could not really get behind that. I mean, the Joker I have grown up with would not want to stoop to forcing folks to laugh. He wanted people to get the joke. Right? But what really did it in for me was the fact that a man (talking about Batman here) could have the wits to perfectly remember the shape of a key from a second of seeing it so-much-so that he could recreate it from a random piece of wood (and yes, it worked), yet he was fooled by a turntable jail-gate and a fake police station? Trying too hard to show Batman is a genius, anyone?
The Laughing Fish – 4
Only the Joker would try to franchise/patent living resources. The forethought it took for him to do what he did, would it not imply a genius intellect? Joker is insane. He is intelligent. The Caliph of Clowns is vicious & self-indulged; one only knows that he will do harm. The story beginning could have been far better; the introduction made me not want to read on. Bruce may have found that one to love but he is not sure, but she deduced his secret. Some random date figured out he was batman while the rest of Gotham is clueless? Same reasoning as a pair of eye-glasses masking an identity? Either way, when they show how smart, prepared, and twisted the Joker is, the story wins out. Most times
Sign of the Joker – 3
The unpredictability of a sick & twisted mad genius was displayed quite well; it almost made Joker an equal to Batman in a game of wits – which can be argued, but only with difficulty. Joker is an evil & broken soul, but a genius nonetheless. The madman is deductive in reasoning and makes good points regarding history (ex. Jesters were held in high esteem in royal courts of old because the jester could do whatever they wanted without fear of judgment & ridicule). The downside of this story was the distracting tying-up-of-loose-ends Rupert Thorne story, and the ‘whatever, who cares about her” brief “love interest” between Bruce & Silver. Those 2 aspects really took away from the story in my opinion.
Have a Dreadful Birthday, Mr. Joker – 1
The sadistic & random nature displayed well, not to mention the horrifying humor the Joker possesses. But, Batman had time to rig an escape for his intended doom but not enough time to free the other candle-tied hostages? He chose to walk pass them, rig his rocket, and then leave to await to see if the Joker plays to his guesstimated intentions? Seriously? Conceited prick! This is why Joker wins so often, leaving Batman to throw him back through the ever-revolving door of Arkham.
Laughter After Midnight – 5
This guy is completely off the radar. I mean, the Joker is running for a touchdown, wearing flip-flops and holding a badminton & not a ball – that was all metaphor for how off his mind is. Joker gets tossed out a blimp and saunters over to a donut shop because, well, who does not love donuts at 2am. But just before that he blows up an apartment for being yelled at for screaming in the alley in the middle of the night; totally legit & appropriate response. Then he kills the poor cashier for no particular reason other than he can. In the final moment he gets away by using a jelly donut against a cop; trust me, even I enjoyed that subtle humor. What is not to love? He is a maniac and shows it brilliantly in this tale
New Year’s Eve – 3
Madness unhinged, that is this story in a nutshell. Who is this person Joker wants to kill? And why does he think Batman wants the guy dead too? Does any of that matter? It’s a fun, simple, and short slice of the eternal struggle that is the Joker vs Batman
Case Study – 5
Sadistic, masochist, genius; that is the Joker. For years he has pulled the cover over everyone’s head. He is not insane. He is chaos, pure & simple. He delights & amuses in misery & pain; he gets away with it every time because the loopholes of the law is ridiculous. At a certain point is there no one that can make the claim that the continued pattern of mayhem is not simply a state of vicious insanity, but rather a twisted & broken soul that enjoys suffering from others? The anonymous hood turned crime boss because of theatrics and relentless violence is a far better origin for the grim jester (I cannot stand the “almost-family-man trying to get ahead in life origin).
Hush Chapter 7: the Joke – 3
So I liked this one for the fact that it delves into bat’s mind and why he should kill the ever-psychotic Joker. Joker has taken so much from Batman, as well as, Gotham City in general. Would anyone in the city really blame bats for strangling the guy? Would anyone pursue justice for the slain Clown Prince of Crime? But crossing that line means so much more than that, and awesome (former Commissioner) James Gordon is the voice of reason, reminding bats of what was at stake: pursuit of justice & inner turmoil. However, on that same note, it is an oxymoron: bats is still a vigilante, so lawbreaking is what he does. I liked that unspoken statement of truth with this tale. Needless to say, Batman was “thinking” of how he could kill Joker, yet only kept punching him. It never really felt like he was going to do it. It was more like he was just venting & letting off steam, at the expense of Joker’s face. This story also made me think of the animated “Red Hood” in which the question of why Batman NOT killing Joker is okay. This pulls at moral & psychological & ethical strings that could unwind leaving the mind fractured & at odds with itself. Oh, and what about Hush? Hush just sucks; so there you have it
Slayride - 5
Perfect example of why it is problematic to have a teen sidekick. However, even though Robin was foolish for jumping into a stranger’s car, this tale really displayed the madness that the Joker is known for. He is simply out on a joy ride & bumps into is arch nemesis in trouble, but instead of aiding the criminals, he apparently aids his enemy, in the spirit of the season. Awesome premise. Then, the twist of innocent carnage and utterly apparent disillusioned mind that is the chaos of Joker. I liked this one – even the way it ended. Joker dead? Alive? Who cares! There will be fewer victims for a while!
Total: 40 (out of 5 stars per tale, for 13 stories)
Batman versus the Joker – 5 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
Sadistic unrelenting and vile; evil incarnate. This story really captures the unfathomable cruelty and random nature of Joker. He was truly a symbol of the lack of hope. But what really made me like this tale, was the fact that it really was about Joker; it was like a POV from his side of maddening stubbornness & persistence & wit (a feeling carried over to the next few stories, which helped me enjoy them). What was the joke? No matter how you prepare, you cannot stop chaos. Luck coincidence & chance were the only means to defeat such mind-boggling cruelty & insanity. Thing is, is Joker insane? Or is he just a broken soul that enjoys misery & pain? It does not matter really; Joker must be stopped for there to be peace & hope
The Joker’s Comedy of Errors – 2 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
How did they not think of this? Did the word not mean the same thing then? But the premise alone: crimes based on history’s greatest errors? They makes no sense at all. It only plays to Joker’s psychosis not his genius. So I could not get aboard this one
Joker’s Utility Belt – 0 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare – or maybe not!)
I got nada, just, don’t waste your time
Crime of the Month Club – 3 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
Right up the alley for the Grinning Criminal. I wish they had done this premise for the Justice League animated series – it would’ve been a hoot.
Joker’s Last Laugh – 1 (Ignoring campy kiddish flare)
The Joker using chemicals to make people laugh at his nonsense so that he could achieve his criminal goal? That seemed odd to me. Could not really get behind that. I mean, the Joker I have grown up with would not want to stoop to forcing folks to laugh. He wanted people to get the joke. Right? But what really did it in for me was the fact that a man (talking about Batman here) could have the wits to perfectly remember the shape of a key from a second of seeing it so-much-so that he could recreate it from a random piece of wood (and yes, it worked), yet he was fooled by a turntable jail-gate and a fake police station? Trying too hard to show Batman is a genius, anyone?
The Laughing Fish – 4
Only the Joker would try to franchise/patent living resources. The forethought it took for him to do what he did, would it not imply a genius intellect? Joker is insane. He is intelligent. The Caliph of Clowns is vicious & self-indulged; one only knows that he will do harm. The story beginning could have been far better; the introduction made me not want to read on. Bruce may have found that one to love but he is not sure, but she deduced his secret. Some random date figured out he was batman while the rest of Gotham is clueless? Same reasoning as a pair of eye-glasses masking an identity? Either way, when they show how smart, prepared, and twisted the Joker is, the story wins out. Most times
Sign of the Joker – 3
The unpredictability of a sick & twisted mad genius was displayed quite well; it almost made Joker an equal to Batman in a game of wits – which can be argued, but only with difficulty. Joker is an evil & broken soul, but a genius nonetheless. The madman is deductive in reasoning and makes good points regarding history (ex. Jesters were held in high esteem in royal courts of old because the jester could do whatever they wanted without fear of judgment & ridicule). The downside of this story was the distracting tying-up-of-loose-ends Rupert Thorne story, and the ‘whatever, who cares about her” brief “love interest” between Bruce & Silver. Those 2 aspects really took away from the story in my opinion.
Have a Dreadful Birthday, Mr. Joker – 1
The sadistic & random nature displayed well, not to mention the horrifying humor the Joker possesses. But, Batman had time to rig an escape for his intended doom but not enough time to free the other candle-tied hostages? He chose to walk pass them, rig his rocket, and then leave to await to see if the Joker plays to his guesstimated intentions? Seriously? Conceited prick! This is why Joker wins so often, leaving Batman to throw him back through the ever-revolving door of Arkham.
Laughter After Midnight – 5
This guy is completely off the radar. I mean, the Joker is running for a touchdown, wearing flip-flops and holding a badminton & not a ball – that was all metaphor for how off his mind is. Joker gets tossed out a blimp and saunters over to a donut shop because, well, who does not love donuts at 2am. But just before that he blows up an apartment for being yelled at for screaming in the alley in the middle of the night; totally legit & appropriate response. Then he kills the poor cashier for no particular reason other than he can. In the final moment he gets away by using a jelly donut against a cop; trust me, even I enjoyed that subtle humor. What is not to love? He is a maniac and shows it brilliantly in this tale
New Year’s Eve – 3
Madness unhinged, that is this story in a nutshell. Who is this person Joker wants to kill? And why does he think Batman wants the guy dead too? Does any of that matter? It’s a fun, simple, and short slice of the eternal struggle that is the Joker vs Batman
Case Study – 5
Sadistic, masochist, genius; that is the Joker. For years he has pulled the cover over everyone’s head. He is not insane. He is chaos, pure & simple. He delights & amuses in misery & pain; he gets away with it every time because the loopholes of the law is ridiculous. At a certain point is there no one that can make the claim that the continued pattern of mayhem is not simply a state of vicious insanity, but rather a twisted & broken soul that enjoys suffering from others? The anonymous hood turned crime boss because of theatrics and relentless violence is a far better origin for the grim jester (I cannot stand the “almost-family-man trying to get ahead in life origin).
Hush Chapter 7: the Joke – 3
So I liked this one for the fact that it delves into bat’s mind and why he should kill the ever-psychotic Joker. Joker has taken so much from Batman, as well as, Gotham City in general. Would anyone in the city really blame bats for strangling the guy? Would anyone pursue justice for the slain Clown Prince of Crime? But crossing that line means so much more than that, and awesome (former Commissioner) James Gordon is the voice of reason, reminding bats of what was at stake: pursuit of justice & inner turmoil. However, on that same note, it is an oxymoron: bats is still a vigilante, so lawbreaking is what he does. I liked that unspoken statement of truth with this tale. Needless to say, Batman was “thinking” of how he could kill Joker, yet only kept punching him. It never really felt like he was going to do it. It was more like he was just venting & letting off steam, at the expense of Joker’s face. This story also made me think of the animated “Red Hood” in which the question of why Batman NOT killing Joker is okay. This pulls at moral & psychological & ethical strings that could unwind leaving the mind fractured & at odds with itself. Oh, and what about Hush? Hush just sucks; so there you have it
Slayride - 5
Perfect example of why it is problematic to have a teen sidekick. However, even though Robin was foolish for jumping into a stranger’s car, this tale really displayed the madness that the Joker is known for. He is simply out on a joy ride & bumps into is arch nemesis in trouble, but instead of aiding the criminals, he apparently aids his enemy, in the spirit of the season. Awesome premise. Then, the twist of innocent carnage and utterly apparent disillusioned mind that is the chaos of Joker. I liked this one – even the way it ended. Joker dead? Alive? Who cares! There will be fewer victims for a while!
February 26, 2024
Español
Me encanta. Creo que constituye una antología que todo fanático tendría que tener. Pasando por el primer número de Batman en el que aparecería el Joker, y mostrando su evolución como personaje de criminal cínico a asesino despiadado y macabro. El que más disfruté fue "Masacre sobre ruedas" (por su estilo, particularmente) pero toda la historia de este personaje y quienes lo inspiraron me gusta. Así también, la justificación de por qué jamás tuvo un origen, propiamente dicho.
English
I love it. I think it is an anthology that every fan should have. Going through the first issue of Batman in which the Joker would appear, and showing his evolution as a character from a cynical criminal to a ruthless and macabre killer. The one I enjoyed the most was "Massacre on Wheels" (for its style, particularly) but I like the whole story of this character and those who inspired him. Likewise, the justification for why it never had an origin, properly speaking.
Me encanta. Creo que constituye una antología que todo fanático tendría que tener. Pasando por el primer número de Batman en el que aparecería el Joker, y mostrando su evolución como personaje de criminal cínico a asesino despiadado y macabro. El que más disfruté fue "Masacre sobre ruedas" (por su estilo, particularmente) pero toda la historia de este personaje y quienes lo inspiraron me gusta. Así también, la justificación de por qué jamás tuvo un origen, propiamente dicho.
English
I love it. I think it is an anthology that every fan should have. Going through the first issue of Batman in which the Joker would appear, and showing his evolution as a character from a cynical criminal to a ruthless and macabre killer. The one I enjoyed the most was "Massacre on Wheels" (for its style, particularly) but I like the whole story of this character and those who inspired him. Likewise, the justification for why it never had an origin, properly speaking.
June 23, 2025
Very funny cute collection though many are from anniversary books. Of most note is the comic that says boner 100 times in the orig 40s meaning of mistake but it def feels an intentional innuendo. Love the Joker fish and police blimps, the donut gags, the razor cards and utility belt, the corny lady jokes and crazy more playing card vampiric faces. This one says he jumped in chemicals to evade Bat, not got pushed. Parts of Hush where Bat wants to kill him and the beautifully blue Xmas issue where he drives around Robin for a joyride.
March 9, 2021
Wicked man.
August 7, 2021
Pienso que cuenta historias muy interesantes del Joker y nos muestra las evoluciones que ha tenido este personajes a lo largo de su historia, y de la mano de muy buenos escritores.
September 12, 2025
Early stories are definitely dated but once they get to the 70s and on, the stories pick up a lot more
March 9, 2017
Huge Batman fan but I don't know that much about the joker surprisingly so I picked this up at my local library. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it because the first couple of comics were meant mainly for little children, but I decided to power through and I may have actually enjoyed some of the simpler comics. What was really nice was that they were put in a chronological order so they went from late to recent years. I enjoyed the more recent comics that were put into the book. I'd recommend this book to any joker fans.
February 16, 2015
i do not read many graphic work, i did not as a kid, i do not search it out now. if i had not befriended an illustrator, this would still be the case. so, accidentally, i can look at this work innocently. as it covers the history of the comic it is possible to see stylistic, technical, artistic and printing advances. the early stories are primitive, drafting skill simple, and while the stories do not much advance the artwork does. limited by the writing tech, there are blocks of solid colour that have no consistent borders but stimulates or enables quick perusal... this printing remains consistent through the fifties, then there seem to be advances, as the drawing is closely cropped, figures rounded, expressive features...
i try to read this as watching a film. at first there is crowded, extensive dialog, describing each act, claiming attacks, death, the joker's odd murderous humour, which by the 70s was all becoming thought bubbles, particularly what batman is struggling with himself. generally these are not subtle musings but rather tortured silences, too melodramatic to voice. the joker himself begins as a character, a comedian, whose schemes all revolve around his jokes/murders etc. there are these originals that seem aimed more for kids, but soon there is some bleak, dramatic, nighttime weather on an urban background- which might be batman's 'look', there is almost conscious retro look around one adventure, there is playful abstraction, there is there is a very good black and white 'realistic' shaded story, there are shadows, cackling laughter, there is more recently a definite hypertrophy of musculature, though this might be just more display than action, and now there is blackly comic humourless rebuttal of batman to the anarchic joker. but by these later works the joker is terrifying and not amusing. interesting to see the evolution of the joker. he is now definitely not for kids...
i try to read this as watching a film. at first there is crowded, extensive dialog, describing each act, claiming attacks, death, the joker's odd murderous humour, which by the 70s was all becoming thought bubbles, particularly what batman is struggling with himself. generally these are not subtle musings but rather tortured silences, too melodramatic to voice. the joker himself begins as a character, a comedian, whose schemes all revolve around his jokes/murders etc. there are these originals that seem aimed more for kids, but soon there is some bleak, dramatic, nighttime weather on an urban background- which might be batman's 'look', there is almost conscious retro look around one adventure, there is playful abstraction, there is there is a very good black and white 'realistic' shaded story, there are shadows, cackling laughter, there is more recently a definite hypertrophy of musculature, though this might be just more display than action, and now there is blackly comic humourless rebuttal of batman to the anarchic joker. but by these later works the joker is terrifying and not amusing. interesting to see the evolution of the joker. he is now definitely not for kids...
August 3, 2025
Great book! Really like the cover of the book by Alex Ross!
Starts off with 5 classic stories (one of which being from Batman No. 1 (which I’ve read many times). There was another classic that constantly talked about “boners” (no I am not joking) and I found this issue quite hard to take seriously. The other classic’s weren’t too bad but obviously not very serious.
I’d always wanted to read “The Laughing Fish”, so I was very glad that was included in this book and I enjoyed it a lot! The Laughing Fish, as well as The next story was also from the 1970’s and reminds me of “Dark Detective” (which I loved).
There are also snippets of brilliant stories involving Joker such as: Hush and The Long Halloween (which were great to read again).
And finally a few other stories I hadn’t read before. One being “Case Study” from Black and White Batman, written by Paul Dini with incredible artwork by Alex Ross. This was a brilliant short story, questioning the Joker’s insanity!
The last story was a pretty good Christmas tale with Robin.
Overall this was a pleasure to read, despite the obvious missing pieces such as The Killing Joke and Death in the Family, but still a really good collection of Joker’s greatest stories! Would definitely recommend!
Starts off with 5 classic stories (one of which being from Batman No. 1 (which I’ve read many times). There was another classic that constantly talked about “boners” (no I am not joking) and I found this issue quite hard to take seriously. The other classic’s weren’t too bad but obviously not very serious.
I’d always wanted to read “The Laughing Fish”, so I was very glad that was included in this book and I enjoyed it a lot! The Laughing Fish, as well as The next story was also from the 1970’s and reminds me of “Dark Detective” (which I loved).
There are also snippets of brilliant stories involving Joker such as: Hush and The Long Halloween (which were great to read again).
And finally a few other stories I hadn’t read before. One being “Case Study” from Black and White Batman, written by Paul Dini with incredible artwork by Alex Ross. This was a brilliant short story, questioning the Joker’s insanity!
The last story was a pretty good Christmas tale with Robin.
Overall this was a pleasure to read, despite the obvious missing pieces such as The Killing Joke and Death in the Family, but still a really good collection of Joker’s greatest stories! Would definitely recommend!
April 3, 2011
I can only guess I bought this book thinking it would be better than it was. As it is, adult me feels like I've actually lost IQ points reading this garbage. Seriously, the greatest Joker stories wouldn't fit in this book because they're books on their own: Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum, Mad Love and -- of course -- Dark Knight Returns. Go read those, unless you like the usual superhero (and villain) drek. Another one to jettison from my library.
February 16, 2017
These are the best of the Joker’s capers? This is far from my favorite collection of stories. While I liked some stories on their own, as a unit some of the comics didn’t make sense without the comic published before it. A few I questioned why they were included as they focused much more on Batman than the Joker. It’s a better read for those who are fans of the 60’s Joker as there are more stories in the book from that era.
August 12, 2016
My favorite part of this was seeing how the art style, the word style, and the story directions changed over the years.
Although, I'm not sure how you can have a volume like this, and not include the 1989 story when The Joker kills Jason Todd...
Although, I'm not sure how you can have a volume like this, and not include the 1989 story when The Joker kills Jason Todd...
September 9, 2019
En víspera del estreno de la nueva película sobre el Guasón, esta compilación queda a modo para entender un poco mejor al personaje. A título personal considero que faltaron la Broma Asesina y Muerte en la familia.
July 29, 2010
He can take a joke!
December 3, 2012
[3 and 1/2 stars]
January 17, 2013
Some good stories, some boring stories. As cool as the Joker is sometimes, I don't think he's my character.
January 9, 2015
The first half is old Detective Comics issues that I found monotonous when I read it as a new fan, but I was really happy with the later issues and thought it was a good compilation all together.
June 19, 2016
I enjoyed reading about the Joker through the years. I enjoyed the stories from around the 80s to the present.
October 4, 2020
Recopilación de algunas de las mejores historias del joker, si te gusta el personaje, te gustará!
November 5, 2020
Todas, son grandes historias sobre el genio del mal que Joker.
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