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The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1
With a film starring the Joker as played by Joaquin Phoenix in the works for fall 2019, DC collects the greatest 1970s tales of the clown prince of crime in one massive hardcover for the first time!
He has been the thorn in the side of the Caped Crusader for years, always there to confound Batman and his allies before their own genius and heroics halt whatever crazy scheme has hatched from his maniacal mind. As the swinging '60s moved into the troubled '70s, so, too, did the Joker shift into something new. The Bronze Age Joker was a step away from Cesar Romero's comical portrayal in the Batman TV series toward the diabolical maniac that would eventually plaque the Batman of the modern era. The Clown Prince of Crime had come into his own, both in his own comic book series and in his psyche, or lack thereof...
Including all of the Joker's major Bronze Age appearances, including the never-before-published The Joker #10, The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus chronicles the Clown Prince of Crime's adventures throughout the DC Universe. This volume collects Batman #251, #260, #286, #291-294, #321, #353, #365-366, #400, The Brave and The Bold #111, #118, #129-130, #141, #191, DC Comics Presents #41, #72, Detective Comics #475-476, #526, #532, Justice League of America #77, The Joker #1-10, and Wonder Woman #280-283!
He has been the thorn in the side of the Caped Crusader for years, always there to confound Batman and his allies before their own genius and heroics halt whatever crazy scheme has hatched from his maniacal mind. As the swinging '60s moved into the troubled '70s, so, too, did the Joker shift into something new. The Bronze Age Joker was a step away from Cesar Romero's comical portrayal in the Batman TV series toward the diabolical maniac that would eventually plaque the Batman of the modern era. The Clown Prince of Crime had come into his own, both in his own comic book series and in his psyche, or lack thereof...
Including all of the Joker's major Bronze Age appearances, including the never-before-published The Joker #10, The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus chronicles the Clown Prince of Crime's adventures throughout the DC Universe. This volume collects Batman #251, #260, #286, #291-294, #321, #353, #365-366, #400, The Brave and The Bold #111, #118, #129-130, #141, #191, DC Comics Presents #41, #72, Detective Comics #475-476, #526, #532, Justice League of America #77, The Joker #1-10, and Wonder Woman #280-283!
832 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2019
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77 people want to read
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,751 books276 followers
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil
was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 23, 2019
This is the Joker at his most creative - both homicidal and also, at times, extremely funny. He's like a psychopathic Bugs Bunny.
June 10, 2020
When I first heard of this massive tome, I had to have it, being a fan of Batman and the Joker since childhood, and a collector of same up until the end of the era that this volume collects. In here we have every Joker appearance from 1968 until 1986, including the unpublished The Joker #10. There are a lot of high points, a few lows, and a handful of books that were in my collection in years past (no longer, though, for I'd reduced my collection, including the Batman stuff, years ago. Sometimes I wish that I could undo that action, but then I'd have 30 longboxes instead of 11.)
We start off lamely with a Justice League book that doesn't even show the Clown Prince of Crime until the final page. And he's poorly drawn, to boot. But next is the classic Batman #251, by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams, where they made the distinct effort to portray him as a deadly killer instead of a prancing goofball. A pity there isn't more Adams art in this book. Instead, we get the thoroughly adequate likes of Irv Novick and Jim Aparo. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
1975 brought us The Joker #1 by O'Neil and Novick, and looking back it seems an odd idea to give a book over to a villain. He can't really be too villainous if he's the hero of the stories. Almost every issue featured a guest villain or here: Two Face, The Creeper, Green Arrow, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, the Royal Flush Gang. I had one issue when I was younger, but couldn't find the others for a long time, before I lost interest. After the solo book folded, he's back to being the villain in the Batman, Brave & the Bold, and Detective Comics series.
1978 sees another high point, with a two-parter by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers, Detective #s 475 & 476, another effort in making the Joker a bizarre, surreal murderer. Around the corner, an artistic highlight, with an issue of Batman drawn by the great Walt Simonson. Shortly thereafter, a run with pencils by the remarkable Don Newton keeps the pages pretty. And then, out of nowhere, J. shows up in a series of back-up stories in the Wonder Woman title featuring an alternative universe version of The Huntress, and some lesser early art by Joe Staton, who I normally love. After this, a guest appearance with Superman in DC Comics Presents drawn by the incomparable Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. Following an Aparo pencilled Brave & The Bold, we're treated to more Lopez in an issue I remember owning, Batman 353 from 1983. These were the days when I wouldn't buy every Batman off the spinner rack every month, but if it had a great cover and a Joker appearance, I was in. Like the following story, the 500th appearance of Batman in Detective Comics, Detective #526. More Don Newton/Dick Giordano gorgeousness. Following this, a three-part story that includes Newton inked by Alfredo Alcala and a middle story pencilled by Gene Colan. Another bit of beautiful Simonson art graces the cover to Batman #366. A weird Superman/Joker DCCP appearance follows.
And we end with Batman #400, which sports a brilliant Bill Sienciewicz cover. I remember flipping over this one when it came out. Interior art revolves from chapter to chapter, with such comics greats as John Byrne, George Perez, Arthur Adams, Joe Kubert, Sienkiewicz, Steve Leialoha, and Brian Bolland.
Not a bad spot to end. After this period in 1986, Batman and Joker lore grew ever more complicated. Miller and Mazzuchelli's Year One. The Dark Knight mini-series. Alan Moore & Brian Bolland's The Killing Joke. Grant Morrison & Dave McKean's Arkham Asylum graphic novel. You're on your own there, kids. 832 pages of classic Bronze Age stuff is plenty.
It occurs to me, though, that this is not a comprehensive collection of Joker appearances. He was involved in Jack Kirby's 1984 Super Powers min-series and that has been left out. I guess, if you have to cut something, somewhere. And no one needs a 900 page book about the Joker.
Post script: Many references are made to the Joker's headquarters, The Ha-Hacienda, though we never see it from the outside. A pity. Also, many appearances of the Joker-car, the Joker-plane, the Joker-copter. Cool stuff.
We start off lamely with a Justice League book that doesn't even show the Clown Prince of Crime until the final page. And he's poorly drawn, to boot. But next is the classic Batman #251, by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams, where they made the distinct effort to portray him as a deadly killer instead of a prancing goofball. A pity there isn't more Adams art in this book. Instead, we get the thoroughly adequate likes of Irv Novick and Jim Aparo. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
1975 brought us The Joker #1 by O'Neil and Novick, and looking back it seems an odd idea to give a book over to a villain. He can't really be too villainous if he's the hero of the stories. Almost every issue featured a guest villain or here: Two Face, The Creeper, Green Arrow, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, the Royal Flush Gang. I had one issue when I was younger, but couldn't find the others for a long time, before I lost interest. After the solo book folded, he's back to being the villain in the Batman, Brave & the Bold, and Detective Comics series.
1978 sees another high point, with a two-parter by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers, Detective #s 475 & 476, another effort in making the Joker a bizarre, surreal murderer. Around the corner, an artistic highlight, with an issue of Batman drawn by the great Walt Simonson. Shortly thereafter, a run with pencils by the remarkable Don Newton keeps the pages pretty. And then, out of nowhere, J. shows up in a series of back-up stories in the Wonder Woman title featuring an alternative universe version of The Huntress, and some lesser early art by Joe Staton, who I normally love. After this, a guest appearance with Superman in DC Comics Presents drawn by the incomparable Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. Following an Aparo pencilled Brave & The Bold, we're treated to more Lopez in an issue I remember owning, Batman 353 from 1983. These were the days when I wouldn't buy every Batman off the spinner rack every month, but if it had a great cover and a Joker appearance, I was in. Like the following story, the 500th appearance of Batman in Detective Comics, Detective #526. More Don Newton/Dick Giordano gorgeousness. Following this, a three-part story that includes Newton inked by Alfredo Alcala and a middle story pencilled by Gene Colan. Another bit of beautiful Simonson art graces the cover to Batman #366. A weird Superman/Joker DCCP appearance follows.
And we end with Batman #400, which sports a brilliant Bill Sienciewicz cover. I remember flipping over this one when it came out. Interior art revolves from chapter to chapter, with such comics greats as John Byrne, George Perez, Arthur Adams, Joe Kubert, Sienkiewicz, Steve Leialoha, and Brian Bolland.
Not a bad spot to end. After this period in 1986, Batman and Joker lore grew ever more complicated. Miller and Mazzuchelli's Year One. The Dark Knight mini-series. Alan Moore & Brian Bolland's The Killing Joke. Grant Morrison & Dave McKean's Arkham Asylum graphic novel. You're on your own there, kids. 832 pages of classic Bronze Age stuff is plenty.
It occurs to me, though, that this is not a comprehensive collection of Joker appearances. He was involved in Jack Kirby's 1984 Super Powers min-series and that has been left out. I guess, if you have to cut something, somewhere. And no one needs a 900 page book about the Joker.
Post script: Many references are made to the Joker's headquarters, The Ha-Hacienda, though we never see it from the outside. A pity. Also, many appearances of the Joker-car, the Joker-plane, the Joker-copter. Cool stuff.
January 23, 2025
Collecting stories featuring the Joker from the late 60's and into the 70's. Most of the stories I'd give a 3 out of 5, a couple I'd give a 4. The four part Huntress story I could have done without and I love the 2 part Joker fish story by Steve Engelhart with art by Marshall Rogers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews