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Batman: Three Jokers
Batman: Three Jokers #1
Thirty years after Batman: The Killing Joke changed comics forever, Three Jokers reexamines the myth of who, or what, The Joker is and what is at the heart of his eternal battle with Batman. New York Times bestselling writer Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok, the writer/artist team that waged the “Darkseid War” in the pages of Justice League, reunite to tell the ultimate story of Batman and The Joker!
After years of anticipation starting in DC Universe: Rebirth #1, the epic miniseries you’ve been waiting for is here: find out why there are three Jokers, and what that means for the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime. It’s a mystery unlike any Batman has ever faced!
After years of anticipation starting in DC Universe: Rebirth #1, the epic miniseries you’ve been waiting for is here: find out why there are three Jokers, and what that means for the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime. It’s a mystery unlike any Batman has ever faced!
54 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2020
32 people are currently reading
1454 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,718 books2,409 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
November 1, 2020
After teasing us in DC Rebirth and a 4 year wait, Geoff Johns finally delivers Three Jokers.
I went back and reread DC Rebirth so you wouldn't have to. These are the only three panels in DC Rebirth that reference Three Jokers.
I love how this begins with Batman getting patched up, focusing in on his many scars and then flashing back to how he got them. Eventually, we move on to the Jokers after similar glimpses in to Batgirl and Red Hood. Apparently, the Jokers have committed three different crimes at the exact same time. The rest of the story I'll leave for you to peruse. I cannot wait for the next two issues.
Jason Fabok does some real heavy lifting in this. Several sequences are told almost completely by the art alone. Fabok is such a great Batman artist. His art hearkens back to Brian Bolland in Killing Joke.
Re-Read
Did a re-read now that the entire series is out and it's just as good the second time around.
I went back and reread DC Rebirth so you wouldn't have to. These are the only three panels in DC Rebirth that reference Three Jokers.
I love how this begins with Batman getting patched up, focusing in on his many scars and then flashing back to how he got them. Eventually, we move on to the Jokers after similar glimpses in to Batgirl and Red Hood. Apparently, the Jokers have committed three different crimes at the exact same time. The rest of the story I'll leave for you to peruse. I cannot wait for the next two issues.
Jason Fabok does some real heavy lifting in this. Several sequences are told almost completely by the art alone. Fabok is such a great Batman artist. His art hearkens back to Brian Bolland in Killing Joke.
Re-Read
Did a re-read now that the entire series is out and it's just as good the second time around.
August 27, 2020
On the same night, at the same time, the Joker kills a crime family, murders a comedian on a live stream and dumps a trio of Red Hood lookalike corpses at Ace Chemicals before making off with a tanker full of the green stuff that turned him into who he is. But Joker couldn’t have done all that by himself - unless there were… Three Jokers!
It’s been over FOUR YEARS since Geoff Johns teased the Three Jokers storyline in DC Universe: Rebirth, the only storyline from that bumper issue that hasn’t been fulfilled - until now. And this first issue (of three) wasn’t bad considering this is Geoff Johns.
When I first heard about Three Jokers, for a moment I thought it was going to be an examination of Joker’s character metaphorically - exploring his many sides, addressing the changes to the character over the years, keeping the mystery behind who he really is but also digging down into the core of the guy - which would’ve been interesting to see. And then I remembered this was Papa Johns and of course we’re going the literal route. There are actually three Jokers putzing about Gotham for this storyline.
And this is DC anyway where the Multiverse is real with multiple Earths and on each Earth-# there’s at least one Joker, so there’s always the possibility that two (or maybe more?) Jokers are from one of these other Earths. It’s still an intriguing premise though. Is Joker a mantle that gets handed down a la James Bond/007 (in the movies)? Was Joker always three people - and why three anyway? And what are they up to…
The theme of this issue (besides the number 3) is past trauma haunting the present. The opening sequence shows Bruce’s numerous scars from battling his performance artist rogues gallery over the years, while the other two characters joining Bruce on this jolly - Babs Gordon/Batgirl and Jason Todd/Red Hood - both bear the legacies of brutal injuries inflicted on them by the Joker from The Killing Joke and A Death in the Family.
Fair enough - doesn’t make for gripping reading though. Besides drearily reminding us of the familiar (to all but new readers) ways that the Joker’s made our trio of characters miserable, there’s ANOTHER bloody rehash of the night Bruce’s parents were moiderized, a lot of Harvey Bullock doing his Ben Grimm-esque dialogue, and a whole bunch of boring, stupid, overlong fights. It feels like what it is: Johns streeeeetching out some pretty thin material to get three large-sized comics.
The scene with the three Jokers was good though as was that final scene, which I suppose was shocking but let’s be real here: deaths in superhero comics have become an inside joke at this point. I don’t know anybody who takes them seriously anymore and, after decades of DC and Marvel pulling these stunts then hastily reneging on them, why should anyone? And also, this storyline in particular is a numbers game AND this is the first issue so, y’know - I especially don’t think this is any kind of definitive moment. Maybe it gets people talking and that’s the point? Eh.
By far the best part of the issue is Jason Fabok’s beautiful art. Fabok is always good - he’s such a great Batman artist. His style has that appropriately polished, clean look of a major title and you really feel the physicality of Batman - this is how Batman should look. He also draws an excellent Joker, reminiscent of Brian Bolland, and his action scenes read very smoothly and kinetically.
It’s not the most impressive beginning but Johns does just enough to keep me wanting to find out what happens next. Coupled with Fabok’s masterful art and you’ve got a decent comic. We’ll see whether it was worth the 4+ year wait but, with Three Jokers #1, so far, so meh-k.
It’s been over FOUR YEARS since Geoff Johns teased the Three Jokers storyline in DC Universe: Rebirth, the only storyline from that bumper issue that hasn’t been fulfilled - until now. And this first issue (of three) wasn’t bad considering this is Geoff Johns.
When I first heard about Three Jokers, for a moment I thought it was going to be an examination of Joker’s character metaphorically - exploring his many sides, addressing the changes to the character over the years, keeping the mystery behind who he really is but also digging down into the core of the guy - which would’ve been interesting to see. And then I remembered this was Papa Johns and of course we’re going the literal route. There are actually three Jokers putzing about Gotham for this storyline.
And this is DC anyway where the Multiverse is real with multiple Earths and on each Earth-# there’s at least one Joker, so there’s always the possibility that two (or maybe more?) Jokers are from one of these other Earths. It’s still an intriguing premise though. Is Joker a mantle that gets handed down a la James Bond/007 (in the movies)? Was Joker always three people - and why three anyway? And what are they up to…
The theme of this issue (besides the number 3) is past trauma haunting the present. The opening sequence shows Bruce’s numerous scars from battling his performance artist rogues gallery over the years, while the other two characters joining Bruce on this jolly - Babs Gordon/Batgirl and Jason Todd/Red Hood - both bear the legacies of brutal injuries inflicted on them by the Joker from The Killing Joke and A Death in the Family.
Fair enough - doesn’t make for gripping reading though. Besides drearily reminding us of the familiar (to all but new readers) ways that the Joker’s made our trio of characters miserable, there’s ANOTHER bloody rehash of the night Bruce’s parents were moiderized, a lot of Harvey Bullock doing his Ben Grimm-esque dialogue, and a whole bunch of boring, stupid, overlong fights. It feels like what it is: Johns streeeeetching out some pretty thin material to get three large-sized comics.
The scene with the three Jokers was good though as was that final scene, which I suppose was shocking but let’s be real here: deaths in superhero comics have become an inside joke at this point. I don’t know anybody who takes them seriously anymore and, after decades of DC and Marvel pulling these stunts then hastily reneging on them, why should anyone? And also, this storyline in particular is a numbers game AND this is the first issue so, y’know - I especially don’t think this is any kind of definitive moment. Maybe it gets people talking and that’s the point? Eh.
By far the best part of the issue is Jason Fabok’s beautiful art. Fabok is always good - he’s such a great Batman artist. His style has that appropriately polished, clean look of a major title and you really feel the physicality of Batman - this is how Batman should look. He also draws an excellent Joker, reminiscent of Brian Bolland, and his action scenes read very smoothly and kinetically.
It’s not the most impressive beginning but Johns does just enough to keep me wanting to find out what happens next. Coupled with Fabok’s masterful art and you’ve got a decent comic. We’ll see whether it was worth the 4+ year wait but, with Three Jokers #1, so far, so meh-k.
May 5, 2021
This book has been teased so long that I though I'll never see it published, but it did, and the wait was worth it. Johns can still write a decent superhero mystery, but it's Fabok who's doing the heavy lifting with his glorious artwork.
August 28, 2020
The three jokers has been teased for like 5 years now but we finally get some answers AND some resolution real quick.
I believe this is only 3 issues, or 3 parts, so they ain't playing around. This is fast paced, brutal, and pretty damn entertaining. Joker has effected a lot of people's lives but the big three (Bruce, Barbara, and Jason) take center stage on trying to locate the 3 sons of bitches who ruined their lives. With their actually being some big mystery, the biggest being their plans, what are the Jokers up to and how are there 3? Why? Where did they come from?
There's some amazing shots in here, my favorite being Bruce and his scars moment. No spoilers but it's powerful and really well done. The dialogue is pretty solid, and I love seeing Jason a asshole so he worked well here. Barbara gets to shine and I can't wait to see where she goes. Bruce is by far the most unhinged but I can't wait.
The ending is a blast and I want more. A 4 out of 5.
I believe this is only 3 issues, or 3 parts, so they ain't playing around. This is fast paced, brutal, and pretty damn entertaining. Joker has effected a lot of people's lives but the big three (Bruce, Barbara, and Jason) take center stage on trying to locate the 3 sons of bitches who ruined their lives. With their actually being some big mystery, the biggest being their plans, what are the Jokers up to and how are there 3? Why? Where did they come from?
There's some amazing shots in here, my favorite being Bruce and his scars moment. No spoilers but it's powerful and really well done. The dialogue is pretty solid, and I love seeing Jason a asshole so he worked well here. Barbara gets to shine and I can't wait to see where she goes. Bruce is by far the most unhinged but I can't wait.
The ending is a blast and I want more. A 4 out of 5.
August 26, 2020
A really good first issue! This series has been such a long time coming just because of its mind-blowing concept of there being three jokers! The writing and artwork were all top tier quality with Jason Fabok killing it with his art and Johns delivering an intriguing mystery. Can't wait to see where this goes!
August 25, 2020
"When's the last time you missed, Barbara?"
In a year that brought us so many Joker stories, this might be the only one that matters, despite, ironically, possibly not being in continuity.
This issue doesn't try to bury the lede so I won't either, yes there are physically Three Jokers. The title isn't a misnomer, there are Three Jokers, and for some reason they are deciding to work together, possibly for the first time, at least to the first time at this scale.
But the true heart of the book is in exploring what "Joker" as a whole has done to Bruce, Jason, and Barbara. With specifically Jason and Barbara doing most of the emotional heavy lifting in this issue. Barbara, who's built herself into something better after her injury all those years ago and Jason who despite moving on in some ways will always be chained to his trauma as evidenced by his Red Hood identity. The emotional intensity explodes in the last three pages, which will be talked about for a long time to come. This isn't necessarily a subtle book (No Geoff Johns book really is) but it doesn't necessarily give a clear answer to something that happens at the end, even though the implications are strong.
The story itself is surprisingly gripping despite the silly premise, but where this book really shines is the art. Jason Fabok really put his all into this one, I know people like to complain about delays, but I think in this case it really gave Fabok the time to give this book the prestige art that it deserves. While the writing peaks in the end I would argue the Artwork starts off swinging and gives you some of the biggest gut punches at the start, with a montage of Batman's scars and how he got them, with him replicating famous bits from stories past (He also does this with the introductions of Jason and Barbara too, and my god do those moments look good in their "HD" update).
The premise will undoubtedly put some people off, but I really think this is something every comic book fan should follow, especially knowing it's not confirmed to be in Continuity yet and wasn't inherently designed to be, it's a unique take if maybe offputting take on Joker, with an emotional core and amazing art that give even the biggest critics of the premise something to latch onto.
In a year that brought us so many Joker stories, this might be the only one that matters, despite, ironically, possibly not being in continuity.
This issue doesn't try to bury the lede so I won't either, yes there are physically Three Jokers. The title isn't a misnomer, there are Three Jokers, and for some reason they are deciding to work together, possibly for the first time, at least to the first time at this scale.
But the true heart of the book is in exploring what "Joker" as a whole has done to Bruce, Jason, and Barbara. With specifically Jason and Barbara doing most of the emotional heavy lifting in this issue. Barbara, who's built herself into something better after her injury all those years ago and Jason who despite moving on in some ways will always be chained to his trauma as evidenced by his Red Hood identity. The emotional intensity explodes in the last three pages, which will be talked about for a long time to come. This isn't necessarily a subtle book (No Geoff Johns book really is) but it doesn't necessarily give a clear answer to something that happens at the end, even though the implications are strong.
The story itself is surprisingly gripping despite the silly premise, but where this book really shines is the art. Jason Fabok really put his all into this one, I know people like to complain about delays, but I think in this case it really gave Fabok the time to give this book the prestige art that it deserves. While the writing peaks in the end I would argue the Artwork starts off swinging and gives you some of the biggest gut punches at the start, with a montage of Batman's scars and how he got them, with him replicating famous bits from stories past (He also does this with the introductions of Jason and Barbara too, and my god do those moments look good in their "HD" update).
The premise will undoubtedly put some people off, but I really think this is something every comic book fan should follow, especially knowing it's not confirmed to be in Continuity yet and wasn't inherently designed to be, it's a unique take if maybe offputting take on Joker, with an emotional core and amazing art that give even the biggest critics of the premise something to latch onto.
October 6, 2020
Three different Jokers all working together? Or are the same person at all?? Let the cat and mouse game begin. Great artwork in this one. The Joker seems like he ha as master plan. The Red Hood has already been pushed to what looks like what Joker wanted him to do. Digging this. Bring on issue 2.
September 18, 2020
Issue 1 of Batman: The Three Jokers has Batman, Red hood and Batgirl face off against not 1 but 3 Jokers in a captivating and brutal story. Each of the Jokers have directly traumatised the three heroes of the story and this is explored through graphic flashbacks to famous Joker stories such as the Killing Joke and Death in the Family. The detailed artwork by Jason Fabok perfectly sets the tone for the comic as well as the themes present. The first issue shows great promise I can't wait to see what madness will unfold in the next two issues. If you are a fan of Batman or the Joker(s) this comic written by Geoff Johns is a must read!!
August 30, 2020
I rarely pick up single issues anymore but with the hype surrounding this book, I didn't want to miss out. We have been waiting for this story since it was teased in Justice League all the way back in 2016.
Gotham news agencies are reporting that a series of murders all occured around the same time and all had eye witness or video proof of the Joker commiting the crimes. All the murders fit the Joker's MO, but it wouldn't be possible for the Joker to have committed all three. Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood search for clues and hunt down what might be three different Jokers.
Geoff Johns writes a tight book that looks like its going to require a good amount of detective work which are my personal favorite Batman stories. Fabok's art is great throughout the series and his cover art is absolutely beautiful. This has the potential to become one of the top tier of Batman and Joker stories.
Gotham news agencies are reporting that a series of murders all occured around the same time and all had eye witness or video proof of the Joker commiting the crimes. All the murders fit the Joker's MO, but it wouldn't be possible for the Joker to have committed all three. Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood search for clues and hunt down what might be three different Jokers.
Geoff Johns writes a tight book that looks like its going to require a good amount of detective work which are my personal favorite Batman stories. Fabok's art is great throughout the series and his cover art is absolutely beautiful. This has the potential to become one of the top tier of Batman and Joker stories.
September 7, 2020
Fish with lipstick on. Scraping the bottom of the barrel over there at DC, aren't ya?
If I read one more new batty comic with the fuckin origin story about Wayne's parents and the whole emotional-psychological-trauma, I'll start dreaming of falling pearls everytime i sleep. Enough with that already..are you that desparate?
Art's decent.
If I read one more new batty comic with the fuckin origin story about Wayne's parents and the whole emotional-psychological-trauma, I'll start dreaming of falling pearls everytime i sleep. Enough with that already..are you that desparate?
Art's decent.
September 6, 2020
the way jason written here is exactly what i have wanted him to be like. edgy angry sarcastic jason in three jokers >>>>>> N52/Rebirth lobdell version
August 30, 2020
This is how i want to read batman
August 26, 2020
Awesome!!! Best comic I've read in a while. It was horribly dark, have a great cast of characters, something more of and old schools Batman Detective story, less focus on action, even if it has a lot, but more on the story, the who?, the why? I really love it! Can't wait for the next issue!
August 23, 2021
Al fin algo fresco e interesante, buen guion y buen dibujo
Se me iso corto
Se me iso corto
June 28, 2021
i enjoyed this immensely but i have a huge problem with it, the joker is too chaotic too self absorbed, too proud to know there is two more of him and be fine working with them even if its to beat the batman, it just doesn't add up for the usual joker we are used to.
but that being said this was beautifully drawn and beautifully written.
it all starts with batman being patched up showing all his scars and who dealt him those scars then we find the many scars that batman got because of the joker.
we also get the famous batman's parents scene where they are killed, we never get tired of seeing that.
three crimes are committed by three jokers at the same time, and there are three jokers and seeing by the final scene it feels like by the end of this graphic novel we will have 1 joker only, they will kill off the other two.
seeing them it felt like one of the jokers was the death in the family joker, and the other one was the killing joke joker the third one though the calm one i don't recognize so maybe its a comic that i haven't read before.
anyway really interested to continue reading this.
but that being said this was beautifully drawn and beautifully written.
it all starts with batman being patched up showing all his scars and who dealt him those scars then we find the many scars that batman got because of the joker.
we also get the famous batman's parents scene where they are killed, we never get tired of seeing that.
three crimes are committed by three jokers at the same time, and there are three jokers and seeing by the final scene it feels like by the end of this graphic novel we will have 1 joker only, they will kill off the other two.
seeing them it felt like one of the jokers was the death in the family joker, and the other one was the killing joke joker the third one though the calm one i don't recognize so maybe its a comic that i haven't read before.
anyway really interested to continue reading this.
September 2, 2020
Jestli jsem se na něco za poslední roky u DC fakt těšil tak Three Jokers. Jasně, když se začali teasovat tři Jokerové, tak to znělo tak trošku jako přepíčenej koncept ale co za poslední roky u DC není.
Když se ukázalo, že se toho chopí Geoff Johns a Jason Fabok, tak moje očekávání vystřelilo do vesmíru a s tím zároveň obavy, protože o to víc by mě sralo, kdyby komiks skončil v průměru nebo dokonce podprůměru. Spolu s tím co se všechno u DC dělo před vydáním začaly převažovat obavy a díky bohu, tím myslím Faboka, se ukázaly býti lichými. :D
Jak Johns ukočíroval tuhle sestavu postav aby to neskončilo směšným kýčem je nad moje chápání. Scénář je zajímavej, plnej odkazů na starší komiksy a události kolem Jokera a v tomhle případě to není jenom samoúčelný pomrkávání na neckbeardy. Zásadní mi přijde, že tempo a rozsah jsou naprosto ideální. Příběh běží svižně ale není extrémně zkratkovitej, za mě super.
Největší plus komiksu je bezpochyby art Jasona Faboka. Jasně, je skvělej kreslíř ale tohle je asi jeho vrchol. Umírám z panelování. Nádherný, čistý, skvěle pracuje s tempem a několik devítipanelovejch stránek patří k tomu nejlepšímu, co jsem s tímhle rozložením za poslední roky viděl.
Těch pět hvězd je samozřejmě trošku overkill, vzhledem k tomu, čemu dávám plný hodnocení ale imho takhle má vypadat moderní, pláštěnkovej mainstream. Ne čistejch pět ale je to blízko :D
Když se ukázalo, že se toho chopí Geoff Johns a Jason Fabok, tak moje očekávání vystřelilo do vesmíru a s tím zároveň obavy, protože o to víc by mě sralo, kdyby komiks skončil v průměru nebo dokonce podprůměru. Spolu s tím co se všechno u DC dělo před vydáním začaly převažovat obavy a díky bohu, tím myslím Faboka, se ukázaly býti lichými. :D
Jak Johns ukočíroval tuhle sestavu postav aby to neskončilo směšným kýčem je nad moje chápání. Scénář je zajímavej, plnej odkazů na starší komiksy a události kolem Jokera a v tomhle případě to není jenom samoúčelný pomrkávání na neckbeardy. Zásadní mi přijde, že tempo a rozsah jsou naprosto ideální. Příběh běží svižně ale není extrémně zkratkovitej, za mě super.
Největší plus komiksu je bezpochyby art Jasona Faboka. Jasně, je skvělej kreslíř ale tohle je asi jeho vrchol. Umírám z panelování. Nádherný, čistý, skvěle pracuje s tempem a několik devítipanelovejch stránek patří k tomu nejlepšímu, co jsem s tímhle rozložením za poslední roky viděl.
Těch pět hvězd je samozřejmě trošku overkill, vzhledem k tomu, čemu dávám plný hodnocení ale imho takhle má vypadat moderní, pláštěnkovej mainstream. Ne čistejch pět ale je to blízko :D
November 14, 2022
How can there be three separate Jokers commiting crimes that are too messed up for the average person, all in one night?
Everyone is hella confused. Which one is the true Joker?
We follow Batman, Batgirl & Red Hood as they try to investigate matters. There's flashbacks revolving around Red Hood in his last moments as Robin.
Just, wow.
Everyone is hella confused. Which one is the true Joker?
We follow Batman, Batgirl & Red Hood as they try to investigate matters. There's flashbacks revolving around Red Hood in his last moments as Robin.
Just, wow.
August 25, 2020
As you can see in the very subtle title, there are three Jokers. Batman and his allies are hunting them down. Excited yet? Well, guess what: it seems the three Jokers want to create more Jokers! This really blows your mind, don't it?
Seriously now. The very premise of this story highly diminishes the Joker as a character. It strips away his psychological complexity, overcomplicates his history with Batman and removes the mystery of his character. Grant Morrison's explanation of the Joker's hypersanity is a much more interesting approach, allowing to explain the characters radical transformations while adding depth to the apparent randomness of them and making the character much more bizarre and unpredictable. The moment of this story where I became absolutely convinced of how diminished the Joker was by the premise of there being three of him was the scene depicting the interaction between the Jokers (happening in a wooden cabin in the woods, the most original setting of all). Never has his presence had so little impact. The Joker is no longer a force of chaos to be reckonned with (a notion perhaps taken too far by Scott Snyder in "Endgame"), he's just a guy having a boring chat about shirts with a guy looking exactly like him. What's more, the Jokers have a method and a hierarchy, with a Joker-mastermind that supervises and controls the others' actions. And they aren't particularly smart, for they commit different crimes at the exact same time, openly announcing to the world the existence of their trio. They kept their thing going for decades and now they suddenly decide to reveal themselves? Maybe that will be answered in the next chapters, but I wouldn't expect that. In fact, I don't know why Batman informed his pupils of the existence of three Jokers while leaving THE POLICE oblivious to it. It's just Geoff Johns being himself.
Oh and another typical thing of Johns which he also does here. He mimmicks other, superior, works to enhance his own flawed storytelling. This book shamelessly rips off "The killing joke", it's influence explicit in every page, every scene transition, from the page layouts to the settings and the character designs. It's so obvious that the book becomes a visual copy rather than an homage. On a story level, the book takes many story beats from Snyder's "Death of the Family", with the Jokers reenacting many of their past crimes (and even bringing long forgotten sidekicks for fan service) and dividing the bat-family through the use of past traumas.
The story, aside from the serious degradation of the Joker's mistique, has nothing we haven't seen before, and plays with the influence of the stories it ripps off to seem a grand work of comics art. Even the supposedly dramatic cliffhanger lacks impact for featuring a would-be pivotal moment bogged down by the story's very premise of multiple Jokers.
Fabok's art is the only reason I give this 3 stars instead of two. He truly is one of the best illustrators in the business. Shame he doesn't have a story worthy of his talent backing him up.
Seriously now. The very premise of this story highly diminishes the Joker as a character. It strips away his psychological complexity, overcomplicates his history with Batman and removes the mystery of his character. Grant Morrison's explanation of the Joker's hypersanity is a much more interesting approach, allowing to explain the characters radical transformations while adding depth to the apparent randomness of them and making the character much more bizarre and unpredictable. The moment of this story where I became absolutely convinced of how diminished the Joker was by the premise of there being three of him was the scene depicting the interaction between the Jokers (happening in a wooden cabin in the woods, the most original setting of all). Never has his presence had so little impact. The Joker is no longer a force of chaos to be reckonned with (a notion perhaps taken too far by Scott Snyder in "Endgame"), he's just a guy having a boring chat about shirts with a guy looking exactly like him. What's more, the Jokers have a method and a hierarchy, with a Joker-mastermind that supervises and controls the others' actions. And they aren't particularly smart, for they commit different crimes at the exact same time, openly announcing to the world the existence of their trio. They kept their thing going for decades and now they suddenly decide to reveal themselves? Maybe that will be answered in the next chapters, but I wouldn't expect that. In fact, I don't know why Batman informed his pupils of the existence of three Jokers while leaving THE POLICE oblivious to it. It's just Geoff Johns being himself.
Oh and another typical thing of Johns which he also does here. He mimmicks other, superior, works to enhance his own flawed storytelling. This book shamelessly rips off "The killing joke", it's influence explicit in every page, every scene transition, from the page layouts to the settings and the character designs. It's so obvious that the book becomes a visual copy rather than an homage. On a story level, the book takes many story beats from Snyder's "Death of the Family", with the Jokers reenacting many of their past crimes (and even bringing long forgotten sidekicks for fan service) and dividing the bat-family through the use of past traumas.
The story, aside from the serious degradation of the Joker's mistique, has nothing we haven't seen before, and plays with the influence of the stories it ripps off to seem a grand work of comics art. Even the supposedly dramatic cliffhanger lacks impact for featuring a would-be pivotal moment bogged down by the story's very premise of multiple Jokers.
Fabok's art is the only reason I give this 3 stars instead of two. He truly is one of the best illustrators in the business. Shame he doesn't have a story worthy of his talent backing him up.
August 27, 2020
I’m not kidding when I tell you that I almost died while reading this. My three babies in one place, reliving all their traumas and this issue started with Jason’s straight away.
I mean... I couldn’t ask for more. I didn’t even knew I needed this in my life till now.
Cannot wait for the next one, I just know it’s going to be perfect in every aspect. Art and story look gorgeous already.
Also: that cliffhanger at the end is going to be the death of me.
I mean... I couldn’t ask for more. I didn’t even knew I needed this in my life till now.
Cannot wait for the next one, I just know it’s going to be perfect in every aspect. Art and story look gorgeous already.
Also: that cliffhanger at the end is going to be the death of me.
August 27, 2020
OK, interested, but not wowed so far.
January 3, 2021
أول كوميكس اقراة ل باتمان و الجوكر مع بعض و القصة دى مفيهاش جوكر واحد بس لكن فية ثلاثة جوكر ، القصة حلوة و الرسومات ممتازة
May 23, 2021
Purtroppo mi è piaciuto. Ora non mi resta che decidere se prendere i successivi o attendere il volume unico tra qualche mese.
August 26, 2020
Worth it for the art alone, Jason Fabok has pulled out all the stops here. Aside from the art its a good start to a very intriguing Batman detective story that feels like it has some weight behind it.
October 4, 2020
I would like to take a minute and list all the things this issue was good at:
- Simplicity (specifically the part where the 3 "Batmen" are talking to the Jokers goons right before they fight).
- Visuals (Great artwork and panel style reminiscent of "Doomsday Clock").
- That part when Batman fucking jumps from the Batmobiles hood, sticks a fucking plunger on top of an ambulance and fucking swing-kicks the backdoors open.
- The almost perfect accuracy on Jason's characterization (I'm a big Red Hood fan lol).
- AND, a great use of composition to subtly engage the audience with visual quirks. For example when Jason had his hand next to a gravestone that said R.I.P alluding to his bla bla bla you know what I'm talking about...
Now for the things this issue did wrong:
- Weird dialogue choices, specifically when the Joker's giving out his "I created you" speech; a speech we've read before on "Red Hood and the outlaws #0" which in essence makes everything he said in this book all recycled bullshit (I'm watching you Johns...).
- Lame "Kill me, I fucked your life up lol" trope (I don't know where this trope originated, but I'm gonna blindy say that it came from "Se7en"...).
- They killed the Joker. Ha, Ha...
- That fucking final part where Jason says "when do you miss?" or something like that. Really? and then Barbara starts crying and leaves, FUCKING REALLY? Is there a more direct way to contradict what you've presented me from the beginning of the book about a characters characterization? (Redundant, whatever). From a strong, defiant women to a regular and pesky "BatGIRL" (See what I did there?) I mean, I know people are fragile and all but give my girl a break damn. Let's change things up and stop unconsciously diminishing these brave characters.
(Batgirl's so hot I can't even...).
- Simplicity (specifically the part where the 3 "Batmen" are talking to the Jokers goons right before they fight).
- Visuals (Great artwork and panel style reminiscent of "Doomsday Clock").
- That part when Batman fucking jumps from the Batmobiles hood, sticks a fucking plunger on top of an ambulance and fucking swing-kicks the backdoors open.
- The almost perfect accuracy on Jason's characterization (I'm a big Red Hood fan lol).
- AND, a great use of composition to subtly engage the audience with visual quirks. For example when Jason had his hand next to a gravestone that said R.I.P alluding to his bla bla bla you know what I'm talking about...
Now for the things this issue did wrong:
- Weird dialogue choices, specifically when the Joker's giving out his "I created you" speech; a speech we've read before on "Red Hood and the outlaws #0" which in essence makes everything he said in this book all recycled bullshit (I'm watching you Johns...).
- Lame "Kill me, I fucked your life up lol" trope (I don't know where this trope originated, but I'm gonna blindy say that it came from "Se7en"...).
- They killed the Joker. Ha, Ha...
- That fucking final part where Jason says "when do you miss?" or something like that. Really? and then Barbara starts crying and leaves, FUCKING REALLY? Is there a more direct way to contradict what you've presented me from the beginning of the book about a characters characterization? (Redundant, whatever). From a strong, defiant women to a regular and pesky "BatGIRL" (See what I did there?) I mean, I know people are fragile and all but give my girl a break damn. Let's change things up and stop unconsciously diminishing these brave characters.
(Batgirl's so hot I can't even...).
October 16, 2020
The story was agonising, shocking and beautiful in a way all good joker stories should be. No complaints regarding that.
But why does everyone feel the need to waste panels over Batman's origin story over and over again. It is quite possibly the most popular origin story in the history of comic books.
Skip that part, please. I'm tired of pearls falling on the ground.
But why does everyone feel the need to waste panels over Batman's origin story over and over again. It is quite possibly the most popular origin story in the history of comic books.
Skip that part, please. I'm tired of pearls falling on the ground.
August 24, 2020
Three Jokers.
Batgirl threw a Batarang to stop Jason.
Red Hood Shot a gun to kill Joker.
One Joker Died.
Two Left.
Batgirl missed.
"When was the last time you missed Barbara" ~ Jason.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
Batgirl threw a Batarang to stop Jason.
Red Hood Shot a gun to kill Joker.
One Joker Died.
Two Left.
Batgirl missed.
"When was the last time you missed Barbara" ~ Jason.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2020
4.5/5
Estoy dentrisimo. Espectacular idea y desarrollo con un dibujo que me maravilla. Le quito medio punto por cierta cosa... Necesito más y tenerlo en físico.
Estoy dentrisimo. Espectacular idea y desarrollo con un dibujo que me maravilla. Le quito medio punto por cierta cosa... Necesito más y tenerlo en físico.
September 4, 2020
Lot of hype behind this one. Will admit, I was a bit sleep before starting this book so that might’ve had an effect on my read through. I enjoyed it...Fabok’s art is incredible. I think what they’re doing with shaking up the Joker mythos and being able to do it out-of-continuity is fun, and in this issue you sort of find out how these three co-exist. There’s quite some lore that you have to be familiar with and while there were some parts where I was like...”oh this is from that that I haven’t read yet”, I still got the gist. The strongest part of the book for me was probably the end with you know who killing you know who (avoiding spoilers). Even though I haven’t read “their” book yet (I know, I know), I know a lot about that part of the mythology. I’m hoping book two and three surpass this one — I didn’t quite think it was GREAT, but maybe I need another read through..
*Read again a couple of days later*
*4.5 stars if I could* (get on yo sh!t, Goodreads)
Blame it on me reading this while super sleepy the other day, but I enjoyed this so much more the second time around. Shaking up the mythos while providing an eye through Batman, Barbara, and Jason creates something really exciting. I’ll hold out until issue 2 and 3 but so far it looks like Johns and Fabok have played their cards right and have this planned out smartly (hopefully). This might go down as one of the best JOKER books OAT. My fear is that (half the time, in comics I’ve read) after a good setup, shit just goes south lol and it gets apparent that the storytellers didn’t know their endgame / just put out lame ideas. But...hopefully this isn’t the case.
*Read again a couple of days later*
*4.5 stars if I could* (get on yo sh!t, Goodreads)
Blame it on me reading this while super sleepy the other day, but I enjoyed this so much more the second time around. Shaking up the mythos while providing an eye through Batman, Barbara, and Jason creates something really exciting. I’ll hold out until issue 2 and 3 but so far it looks like Johns and Fabok have played their cards right and have this planned out smartly (hopefully). This might go down as one of the best JOKER books OAT. My fear is that (half the time, in comics I’ve read) after a good setup, shit just goes south lol and it gets apparent that the storytellers didn’t know their endgame / just put out lame ideas. But...hopefully this isn’t the case.
August 28, 2020
The highly anticipated comics is finally here after FOUR years of waiting!!
This literally combined all the jokers we've ever seen (who turned out to be three after all), flashbacks from previous dark events that affected the Bat family, and lastly, revealing more and more secrets.
Hoping to finally get to know who the three jokers are, looking forward to Book 2 & Book 3.
Highly recommended to Batman and The Joker fans, trust me, you really don't want to miss this one.
This literally combined all the jokers we've ever seen (who turned out to be three after all), flashbacks from previous dark events that affected the Bat family, and lastly, revealing more and more secrets.
Hoping to finally get to know who the three jokers are, looking forward to Book 2 & Book 3.
Highly recommended to Batman and The Joker fans, trust me, you really don't want to miss this one.
August 27, 2020
I always love Geoff Johns work, and he doesn't disappoint here. Batfans have been looking forward to this story for a long time and so far it's delivering. The mystery is intriguing, dialogue is great, and art is fantastic. There is some great action too. The only disappointing thing is that this may not be part of the main continuity. Looking forward to the next issue.
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