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The Joker (2021) #1
The Joker, Volume One
Batman: The Joker War was only the beginning!
Arkham Asylum has been attacked and all eyes are on the Joker. A mysterious benefactor hires former Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordon to go on a global manhunt to catch…and possibly kill…the Clown Prince of Crime!
But nothing with the Joker is ever as easy as it seems. What Gordon finds and what the Joker wants him to see…will change his perspective on the world forever. And he’s not the only one who wants the Joker found…
Who are the wicked Sampson family? And who is Vengeance, daughter of Bane, striking fear into the world’s heart?!
Brought to you by the all-star creative team behind Batman: Their Dark Designs, James Tynion IV and Guillem March, this volume includes a special Year One flashback issue co-written with Matthew Rosenberg (Legends of the Dark Knight) and Francesco Francavilla (Batman: The Black Mirror).
Collects: The Joker #1-5, plus Joker stories from Batman #100 and Batman: The Joker War Zone.
Arkham Asylum has been attacked and all eyes are on the Joker. A mysterious benefactor hires former Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordon to go on a global manhunt to catch…and possibly kill…the Clown Prince of Crime!
But nothing with the Joker is ever as easy as it seems. What Gordon finds and what the Joker wants him to see…will change his perspective on the world forever. And he’s not the only one who wants the Joker found…
Who are the wicked Sampson family? And who is Vengeance, daughter of Bane, striking fear into the world’s heart?!
Brought to you by the all-star creative team behind Batman: Their Dark Designs, James Tynion IV and Guillem March, this volume includes a special Year One flashback issue co-written with Matthew Rosenberg (Legends of the Dark Knight) and Francesco Francavilla (Batman: The Black Mirror).
Collects: The Joker #1-5, plus Joker stories from Batman #100 and Batman: The Joker War Zone.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
139 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
James Tynion IV
1,663 books1,998 followersPrior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
October 12, 2025
Got to say this book is a lot better than I was expecting. I thought the Joker War was going to be the biggest Joker story, but the Joker is just getting started. This book picks up right where Joker War left off.
The only thing worse than chasing the devil is catching him. Jim Gordon has been hired by a mysterious benefactor to kill the Joker. Not catch but kill. Also, it looks like he is not the only one. This book proves once again that the Joker is the premier evil in Gotham. Jim will have to relive everything the Joker has done to him and his family. Also, the Joker's biggest plan is yet to come.
Great story, artwork and a huge prelude of things to come. The story starts by calling The Joker the boogeyman and the devil he more than lives up to both monikers. The book (apart from the bonus stories) finishes on cliffhangers for all, and introduces the next generation and established Gotham underworld. Yet the Joker is still a leap ahead of everyone. The final bonus story is the Dead Ringer from the Joker War.
The only thing worse than chasing the devil is catching him. Jim Gordon has been hired by a mysterious benefactor to kill the Joker. Not catch but kill. Also, it looks like he is not the only one. This book proves once again that the Joker is the premier evil in Gotham. Jim will have to relive everything the Joker has done to him and his family. Also, the Joker's biggest plan is yet to come.
Great story, artwork and a huge prelude of things to come. The story starts by calling The Joker the boogeyman and the devil he more than lives up to both monikers. The book (apart from the bonus stories) finishes on cliffhangers for all, and introduces the next generation and established Gotham underworld. Yet the Joker is still a leap ahead of everyone. The final bonus story is the Dead Ringer from the Joker War.
January 14, 2023
The Joker’s latest atrocity is a bombing at Arkham Asylum resulting in the deaths of dozens, including Bane (we’ll see how long that sticks), before an escape to Belize. A retired but cash-strapped Jim Gordon is approached by a mysterious woman offering him a fortune to hunt down and kill the Joker. Except he’s not the only one headed to the tropics - others wanting revenge for the Arkham deaths are also after Joker. Will Jim end up killing Joker or saving him?
The storyline isn’t bad - it’s a lot better than the preceding Joker War, which was abysmal - but, as ever, James Tynion IV takes forever to get things moving and the book’s over shortly after it begins, so it’s an unsatisfying first volume.
Yes, Joker’s in the title but Jim Gordon is the main character - this is always the case though. No Joker book has him as the lead, he’s always lurking in the background, causing all the things that propel the plot forward, and that’s fine - it’s to be expected and should always be the case with this character.
But we know Gordon takes the job because there’d be no story otherwise, which is why it’s dismaying that he doesn’t land in Belize until the third issue. This book is also basically four issues long because the Matthew Rosenberg (with Tynion)/Francesco Francavilla fifth issue is a flashback and the two add-ons are previously published stories from other Batman books wherein Joker tells Bane he’s disappointed in him for how the City of Bane storyline played out, and another which is the postscript to Joker War/prelude to this spin-off, which should probably have been put at the front of the book rather than be the closer. All are pointless filler comics.
Guillem March’s art is fine throughout with the occasional standout page, like the warped Joker leering at Gordon as he stands over his son’s grave. Tynion writes Joker’s voice well and he’s hooked me - I do want to find out what happens next - it’s just a shame that he took so long to set up the actual story and that we’re given so little in this first book.
The Joker, Volume 1 is an underwhelming and weak start to a potentially decent Joker series - don’t expect much with this first book and maybe even wait until the omnibus which will probably collect the whole storyline so you’re not left hanging.
The storyline isn’t bad - it’s a lot better than the preceding Joker War, which was abysmal - but, as ever, James Tynion IV takes forever to get things moving and the book’s over shortly after it begins, so it’s an unsatisfying first volume.
Yes, Joker’s in the title but Jim Gordon is the main character - this is always the case though. No Joker book has him as the lead, he’s always lurking in the background, causing all the things that propel the plot forward, and that’s fine - it’s to be expected and should always be the case with this character.
But we know Gordon takes the job because there’d be no story otherwise, which is why it’s dismaying that he doesn’t land in Belize until the third issue. This book is also basically four issues long because the Matthew Rosenberg (with Tynion)/Francesco Francavilla fifth issue is a flashback and the two add-ons are previously published stories from other Batman books wherein Joker tells Bane he’s disappointed in him for how the City of Bane storyline played out, and another which is the postscript to Joker War/prelude to this spin-off, which should probably have been put at the front of the book rather than be the closer. All are pointless filler comics.
Guillem March’s art is fine throughout with the occasional standout page, like the warped Joker leering at Gordon as he stands over his son’s grave. Tynion writes Joker’s voice well and he’s hooked me - I do want to find out what happens next - it’s just a shame that he took so long to set up the actual story and that we’re given so little in this first book.
The Joker, Volume 1 is an underwhelming and weak start to a potentially decent Joker series - don’t expect much with this first book and maybe even wait until the omnibus which will probably collect the whole storyline so you’re not left hanging.
November 22, 2021
I seem to be in the minority from my friends here on Goodreads, but I thought this was really boring. This is a Jim Gordon comic disguised as a Joker comic. He's now a PI hired to track down the Joker. Tynion has Gordon narrate stories from his early days as a cop while he's tracking down leads on the Joker in the art. The stories are boring and go on forever. There is SO MUCH narration. I found it detracted from the story the art was telling. I found the flashback story from Matthew Rosenberg to be much more interesting.
Guillem March's art was very good. In addition to the first 5 issues, Tynion and March stories from The Joker War Zone and Batman #100 were also included.
Guillem March's art was very good. In addition to the first 5 issues, Tynion and March stories from The Joker War Zone and Batman #100 were also included.
October 23, 2023
Definitely a Commissioner Gordon book but I still loved it. The storytelling and art were chefs kiss.
August 12, 2021
Definitely a better WFH Tynion book right now, very stylish and moody. And yeah, this is a really good Jim Gordon comic that unfortunately had to be titled Joker so fans of that dreadful movie would buy it or something. Either way, it's a fun read and I hope Tynion sticks the landing before leaving licensed property books for that sweet, sweet Substack money he'll apparently be getting for indie work. Good for him, I say.
October 29, 2021
I've always been surprised that the Joker hasn't had his own series for literally decades at this point, but then if you think about it for more than a second it makes sense - he's not a character that you can tell a solo story about. He's an agent of chaos, and that doesn't make for a reliable narrator or a good main character. Enter James Tynion IV's Joker series, which is actually a Jim Gordon book in disguise, and I begin to see how it can be done.
Joker's presence is felt in every page of this series even if he's not always present. The effect he's had on Jim's life as well as his most recent crimes as part of the Joker War and A-Day (even if that one might not have been him) drive the story forward as this mystery-thriller takes some unexpected twists and turns in Jim's pursuit of the Clown Prince of Crime. This is only part one of a longer narrative, so it's not surprising that things don't exactly end, but it's compelling enough that even half a story is satisfying to read even if you will want to see what happens next as soon as possible afterwards. There are some unexpected players involved here, and even some new ones who are bound to become fan favourites.
Guillem March is on art, which has its pros and cons. He does creepy like nobody's business, but it does mean that the more pedestrian scenes can come off looking strange. His characters are always kind of elongated as well (though the foot fetish stuff from his earlier art has long since faded, thank god).
A Joker solo series? Madness, I say. And yet, here we are, and here it is - sometimes madness is exactly what it takes to tell a story.
Joker's presence is felt in every page of this series even if he's not always present. The effect he's had on Jim's life as well as his most recent crimes as part of the Joker War and A-Day (even if that one might not have been him) drive the story forward as this mystery-thriller takes some unexpected twists and turns in Jim's pursuit of the Clown Prince of Crime. This is only part one of a longer narrative, so it's not surprising that things don't exactly end, but it's compelling enough that even half a story is satisfying to read even if you will want to see what happens next as soon as possible afterwards. There are some unexpected players involved here, and even some new ones who are bound to become fan favourites.
Guillem March is on art, which has its pros and cons. He does creepy like nobody's business, but it does mean that the more pedestrian scenes can come off looking strange. His characters are always kind of elongated as well (though the foot fetish stuff from his earlier art has long since faded, thank god).
A Joker solo series? Madness, I say. And yet, here we are, and here it is - sometimes madness is exactly what it takes to tell a story.
September 27, 2023
First things first, to address the usual criticism, yes, this is more of a Jim Gordon comic than a Joker comic, but you don't move massive amounts of copies with "GORDON" on the cover so it makes perfect sense to me that DC would name the comic for the principle adversary instead.
All that said, this for me was a fantastic "Gotham City's Inexorable Slide Into Criminal Insanity" story with poor old Police Commissioner James Gordon (retired) at its centre. And wouldn't you know it? Good old Jim has taken up a entirely new career to keep himself busy,
Joking at Gordon's expense aside, the writer and (most of) the art was really masterful, intentionally brining back echoes of the glories of Batman stories past, most notably "The Killing Joke" but also bringing in elements from more recent arcs including "The Court of Owls".
Absolutely recommended for anyone who is a fan of Batman lore, or just well constructed comics tales around the margins of larger events.
All that said, this for me was a fantastic "Gotham City's Inexorable Slide Into Criminal Insanity" story with poor old Police Commissioner James Gordon (retired) at its centre. And wouldn't you know it? Good old Jim has taken up a entirely new career to keep himself busy,
Joking at Gordon's expense aside, the writer and (most of) the art was really masterful, intentionally brining back echoes of the glories of Batman stories past, most notably "The Killing Joke" but also bringing in elements from more recent arcs including "The Court of Owls".
Absolutely recommended for anyone who is a fan of Batman lore, or just well constructed comics tales around the margins of larger events.
November 14, 2021
This book is better than it has any right to be.
The Joker is free after the Joker Wars and someone comes to James Gordan to ask for help. This mysterious woman tells James that she'll give him 25 million dollars to hunt down and kill the Joker. Easy, right? But Gordan is a man of justice and honor but even he, after years of being tortured by the sick clown freak joker, can't take much more of it.
This is mostly a Jim Gordan book. Joker is here, and he has some great moments, but he is just the shadow behind the plot. The real story is all about Jim dealing with his PDST and issues with the joker. Drawn wonderfully with excellent art, and some really solid storytelling, even if it can get a bit heavy handed and TOO much talking, it still a interesting story none the less.
A 4 out of 5.
The Joker is free after the Joker Wars and someone comes to James Gordan to ask for help. This mysterious woman tells James that she'll give him 25 million dollars to hunt down and kill the Joker. Easy, right? But Gordan is a man of justice and honor but even he, after years of being tortured by the sick clown freak joker, can't take much more of it.
This is mostly a Jim Gordan book. Joker is here, and he has some great moments, but he is just the shadow behind the plot. The real story is all about Jim dealing with his PDST and issues with the joker. Drawn wonderfully with excellent art, and some really solid storytelling, even if it can get a bit heavy handed and TOO much talking, it still a interesting story none the less.
A 4 out of 5.
May 24, 2024
Although titled after the bad guy, much of this collection is told from the point of view of Commissioner Gordon, and is all the better for it - much like the excellent Gotham Central series. When the Gotham world focuses on the 'real' police and people, and the real humans, the grounded stories are much better. A collection worth following to see how it progresses.
August 11, 2021
Who would have thought a Joker book would be one of the best comic titles right now? Well, surprise, that’s because this is a stealth Jim Gordon series! The narration is captivating, and I’ve never been more invested in either character than I am now during this cat and mouse game. Throw in Punchline, Harper Row, Oracle, and the Court of Owls— and I’m sold! You need to check this out. 5/5 stars and a new favorite graphic novel.
May 7, 2022
I love Tynion's take on the Batman universe. I also think that Jim Gordon is a criminally underused character, as his importance to the Batman mythology is up there with almost anyone.
Joker and Gordon obviously have such a storied past, and this book takes a deep dive on exactly how much damage was done over the course of Killing Joke. We also get to see a wider perspective on how Joker sees Gordon, Bats, and the idea of good vs. evil as a concept.
Exceptional writing, good art, and an interesting premise. Aces from me.
Joker and Gordon obviously have such a storied past, and this book takes a deep dive on exactly how much damage was done over the course of Killing Joke. We also get to see a wider perspective on how Joker sees Gordon, Bats, and the idea of good vs. evil as a concept.
Exceptional writing, good art, and an interesting premise. Aces from me.
November 17, 2021
3.5 stars
Actually a “Retired Commissioner Gordon and the Batgirls” book, with pervasive allusions to both The Killing Joke and Snyder’s Batman run. I thought this started out stronger than it left off, but it’s consistently entertaining and surprised me a few times. I wasn’t a big fan of March’s lecherous art on the main Batman series with Tynion, but his “lurid spandex ogling as near body horror” style feels like it fits the creepy tone of this story a bit better.
Actually a “Retired Commissioner Gordon and the Batgirls” book, with pervasive allusions to both The Killing Joke and Snyder’s Batman run. I thought this started out stronger than it left off, but it’s consistently entertaining and surprised me a few times. I wasn’t a big fan of March’s lecherous art on the main Batman series with Tynion, but his “lurid spandex ogling as near body horror” style feels like it fits the creepy tone of this story a bit better.
November 8, 2021
The Joker Vol. 1 collects issues The Joker 1-5, Batman 100, and Batman: The Joker War Zone 1 written by James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenbeg and art by Guillem March and Fransesco Francavilla.
The Joker has detonated bombs that released a powerful Joker toxin that has killed or left missing hundreds of Arkham Asylum inmates and then disappears into hiding. A mysterious benefactor confronts retired commissioner Jim Gordon and offers him the deal of a lifetime: $25 million and all expenses paid to kill the Joker once and for all.
An extremely good book that is more about Jim Gordon than the Joker. I love the flashbacks to Gordon's career in Gotham and his all too familiar history with the Clown Prince of Crime. The art in the book is also incredibly strong. Can't wait to see where the rest of this story goes!
The Joker has detonated bombs that released a powerful Joker toxin that has killed or left missing hundreds of Arkham Asylum inmates and then disappears into hiding. A mysterious benefactor confronts retired commissioner Jim Gordon and offers him the deal of a lifetime: $25 million and all expenses paid to kill the Joker once and for all.
An extremely good book that is more about Jim Gordon than the Joker. I love the flashbacks to Gordon's career in Gotham and his all too familiar history with the Clown Prince of Crime. The art in the book is also incredibly strong. Can't wait to see where the rest of this story goes!
December 8, 2021
solid 5 of 5 stars
Ashley from Bookish Realm on YouTube put me on this comic and boy am I glad about it!! The art was an old school style and it fit very well with the story. I'd never heard of the character Punchline before so I was happy to be introduced to her. Yeah...what more to say? I'm waiting for volume 2. It technically took me almost a week to finish this but only because physical reading has just not been something I can do very often...nothing to do with a lack of enjoyment. Get into it y'all! Ashley don't be missing with the comic recs!!
Ashley from Bookish Realm on YouTube put me on this comic and boy am I glad about it!! The art was an old school style and it fit very well with the story. I'd never heard of the character Punchline before so I was happy to be introduced to her. Yeah...what more to say? I'm waiting for volume 2. It technically took me almost a week to finish this but only because physical reading has just not been something I can do very often...nothing to do with a lack of enjoyment. Get into it y'all! Ashley don't be missing with the comic recs!!
August 10, 2024
Really enjoyed this one
November 14, 2022
"The Joker" might be on the cover, but this series should be titled "Jim Gordon". Admittedly, Gordon is haunted by his history with the Joker and the Joker does show up in the book, but this series seems entirely set up to be a Jim Gordon character piece. Not that that's a bad thing.
In the midst of the A-Day shenanigans from the Future State series that I never read, Gordon receives a request from a mysterious benefactor: hunt down the Joker for $25 million. After cautiously consulting with Batman and Oracle (), Gordon takes the case, which takes him to Belize and a showdown with the Joker - along with a bunch of other goons who also want to take out the Joker.
The book is a fine of mix of detective noir and action set-pieces, though the dense dialogue and voiceovers can make for sludgy reading. A handful of one-shots at the end expand on the Joker's plans and Gordon's shitty family life. I was pretty engaged throughout, though I'm not sure where this series plans to go - are they really going to kill off the Joker? Doubtful.
In the midst of the A-Day shenanigans from the Future State series that I never read, Gordon receives a request from a mysterious benefactor: hunt down the Joker for $25 million. After cautiously consulting with Batman and Oracle (), Gordon takes the case, which takes him to Belize and a showdown with the Joker - along with a bunch of other goons who also want to take out the Joker.
The book is a fine of mix of detective noir and action set-pieces, though the dense dialogue and voiceovers can make for sludgy reading. A handful of one-shots at the end expand on the Joker's plans and Gordon's shitty family life. I was pretty engaged throughout, though I'm not sure where this series plans to go - are they really going to kill off the Joker? Doubtful.
September 22, 2024
Fun read that's free if you are a Prime member. I like a good Joker story and while this might be the beginning of one, it takes a bit to get there. Which means I think Vol 2 will be better. If you like Gordon and the idea of Joker being set up for something he didn't do. This will be for you
March 9, 2022
A collection of three stories, mostly by Tynion.
The first one I really liked. It's about Jim Gordon and he's been made an offer shortly after A-Day to hunt down and kill the Joker. The story is all about Jim and his mindset, which is something that Tynion does well and I will miss that aspect of his stories. He examines Jim through all of the major traumatic events of his life (the dissolution of his marriage, the death of his son, the attack on his daughter and himself). All of it gives just a taste of his mental state after going through those which is often overlooked in comics. People don't go through some of those things and then next month they are back to "normal". The story is drawn by Guillem March, and while there's nothing wrong with his work, it just doesn't appeal to me.
The second story is written by Rosenberg and is a flashback to Year One and isn't bad. Again, it focuses on Jim and his state of mind during that early years with Batman and the Joker.
The final story fits somewhere around the end of Tynion's Joker War and primarily showcases the new dynamic between Bane and the Joker, foreshadowing an upcoming conflict between them. I believe this is one of the many seeds that Tynion planted for DC before he left.
Lastly, there are a few pages looking at Punchline after her arrest and trial. It gives you a peak into her mindset but also just what does the Joker think about it?
It's a decent collection, but it does require knowledge of what happened during Tynion's run to make sense. These would be better in an omnibus and placed chronologically where they should be, additional stories that only enhance the main continuity and are a worthwhile read in that context.
The first one I really liked. It's about Jim Gordon and he's been made an offer shortly after A-Day to hunt down and kill the Joker. The story is all about Jim and his mindset, which is something that Tynion does well and I will miss that aspect of his stories. He examines Jim through all of the major traumatic events of his life (the dissolution of his marriage, the death of his son, the attack on his daughter and himself). All of it gives just a taste of his mental state after going through those which is often overlooked in comics. People don't go through some of those things and then next month they are back to "normal". The story is drawn by Guillem March, and while there's nothing wrong with his work, it just doesn't appeal to me.
The second story is written by Rosenberg and is a flashback to Year One and isn't bad. Again, it focuses on Jim and his state of mind during that early years with Batman and the Joker.
The final story fits somewhere around the end of Tynion's Joker War and primarily showcases the new dynamic between Bane and the Joker, foreshadowing an upcoming conflict between them. I believe this is one of the many seeds that Tynion planted for DC before he left.
Lastly, there are a few pages looking at Punchline after her arrest and trial. It gives you a peak into her mindset but also just what does the Joker think about it?
It's a decent collection, but it does require knowledge of what happened during Tynion's run to make sense. These would be better in an omnibus and placed chronologically where they should be, additional stories that only enhance the main continuity and are a worthwhile read in that context.
December 22, 2021
After all this time, Joker finally gets a solo title.... except it isn't really focused on Joker. It is much more so a Jim Gordon book. Taking place after "The Joker War", Gordon is hired to go to Belize in search of the Joker... and kill him. Obviously, our 'always law-abiding lawman' isn't going to do it, but he has doubts and the $25 million he'd make would allow him to retire in peace. And so, after revealing that he has known Barbara is Batgirl/Oracle for quite a long time (WHAT? REALLY? THIS IS A HUGE REVELATION!), he seeks help from her and Batman.
There will definitely be a Volume 2 because of these loose ends:
- It is discovered that the person who hired Gordon is from the Court of Owls.
- A Talon has been dispatched to take out Barbara.
- Some sort of female Bane (further research has told me she is Vengeance, daughter of Bane) has been sent to kill Joker.
- Jim finds Joker and they have a real talk.... culminating with Joker hiring Gordon to find out who really gassed and murdered the people in Arkham Asylum (see Joker War), claiming emphatically that it wasn't him
A good book, if the title is a bit deceiving. Recommend.
There will definitely be a Volume 2 because of these loose ends:
- It is discovered that the person who hired Gordon is from the Court of Owls.
- A Talon has been dispatched to take out Barbara.
- Some sort of female Bane (further research has told me she is Vengeance, daughter of Bane) has been sent to kill Joker.
- Jim finds Joker and they have a real talk.... culminating with Joker hiring Gordon to find out who really gassed and murdered the people in Arkham Asylum (see Joker War), claiming emphatically that it wasn't him
A good book, if the title is a bit deceiving. Recommend.
July 20, 2023
Fun with some good twists. I’ll stick around for volume two.
November 8, 2021
Surprisingly, it was an enjoyable read. This is the first time I read and saw a female Bane character. Looking forward to reading future volumes.
March 21, 2022
This wasn't bad, though it's more James Gordon-centric. The story follows new PI Jim Gordon, who's hired by a mysterious woman (Cressida) to track down and kill the Joker, following the events of "A-Day" from the recent Joker War storyline. In between his major crime sprees and when not housed in Arkham, the Joker likes to take up residence in a variety of secret hideaways around the world and word has it he might have been spotted in Belize. Gordon is torn--he doesn't have much retirement money to speak of and has been promised a big payday, plus he hates the Joker--but is he a killer? Also hot on the Joker's trail are members of the Sampson family from Texas (cannibals or something? not entirely clear) and Bane's daughter (his real daughter? just a figurative one? also not entirely clear), with everyone converging on the scene at about the same time. The artwork is strong throughout and the story hooked me enough to want to see what happens next. It's almost too bad that DC would never commit to actually killing off the Joker, because it's way past time, but all in all, this wasn't too bad of a story.
November 9, 2022
Barbara states it pretty simply about a third of the way through this volume. 'You could write a book about your relationship...and be set for life.' She meant Jim Gordon's life interwoven with Batman. It's true, that would be a bestseller. How about a book about Jim Gordon's life being haunted by the Joker?
Since Joker can't really hold a book on his own (agent of chaos and all that jazz) we get the next best thing. We get a private eye story with former Comissioner Gordon chasing down The Joker. The Joker War is over. Punchline is locked up (more on her soon, I'll bet). A-Day sets everybody on edge. It's a very Joker-esque gassing. Surely he's to blame....and HOW DARE HE!
Somebody with deep pockets waves a credit card with no limit at Gordon and tells him to find and kill the Joker for $$$ and peace of mind. Can you put a price on that? After years of working within the law, can Gordon do business in this gray area?
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To me, this book feels...jerky? It's like somebody is learning how to drive a manual transmission. There's a lot of stopping and starting. Some of the pacing is smooth and engaging and then *CLUNK* we're thrown back into our seat as we stop suddenly. The art doesn't really help the situation. In some of the more 'fever dream' moments with Joker, it has that surreal edge. That's not sustainable through large parts of the story. It's too much of a noir story to carry that.
Narratively, this seems WAY longer than it should be. In comparison, Joker War's main story was 5 issues with (16 other issues as tie-ins). This series is 15 issues. Volume 1 collects the first 5 issues....
Bonus: Bane has a ...daughter? *Bane voice* Interesting.
Bonus Bonus: That creepy family hunting Joker gives me Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibes.
Since Joker can't really hold a book on his own (agent of chaos and all that jazz) we get the next best thing. We get a private eye story with former Comissioner Gordon chasing down The Joker. The Joker War is over. Punchline is locked up (more on her soon, I'll bet). A-Day sets everybody on edge. It's a very Joker-esque gassing. Surely he's to blame....and HOW DARE HE!
Somebody with deep pockets waves a credit card with no limit at Gordon and tells him to find and kill the Joker for $$$ and peace of mind. Can you put a price on that? After years of working within the law, can Gordon do business in this gray area?
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To me, this book feels...jerky? It's like somebody is learning how to drive a manual transmission. There's a lot of stopping and starting. Some of the pacing is smooth and engaging and then *CLUNK* we're thrown back into our seat as we stop suddenly. The art doesn't really help the situation. In some of the more 'fever dream' moments with Joker, it has that surreal edge. That's not sustainable through large parts of the story. It's too much of a noir story to carry that.
Narratively, this seems WAY longer than it should be. In comparison, Joker War's main story was 5 issues with (16 other issues as tie-ins). This series is 15 issues. Volume 1 collects the first 5 issues....
Bonus: Bane has a ...daughter? *Bane voice* Interesting.
Bonus Bonus: That creepy family hunting Joker gives me Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibes.
September 29, 2022
I know it’s super uncool to like the Joker now for internet reasons I don’t fully understand… but who cares. I loved this. It was a lot of twisted Joker fun, and I really liked how closely linked to older classic stories like Year One and The Killing Joke it was. Even Guillam March’s art was similar in many ways to Brian Bolland, with his inhumanely clean lines.
Cool story, great character study of Jim Gordan, and lots of R rated bloody murder to keep it at the right level of edginess.
All in all, a really satisfying Batman read on the heels of Joker War. Tynion’s Bat stint has been a blast, and the fun def don’t stop here.
Cool story, great character study of Jim Gordan, and lots of R rated bloody murder to keep it at the right level of edginess.
All in all, a really satisfying Batman read on the heels of Joker War. Tynion’s Bat stint has been a blast, and the fun def don’t stop here.
August 25, 2022
A surprisingly great book that's less a Joker story than it is a story about other people reacting TO the Joker-- in particular former Commissioner James Gordon, the actual protagonist of the story, who's tasked with tracking down the Clown Prince of Crime by a shady billionaire (and who has to grapple with his own traumatic history with the Joker in the process).
It's a great start to a compelling crime/detective thriller narrative, and I can't WAIT to get to the next books in the series!
It's a great start to a compelling crime/detective thriller narrative, and I can't WAIT to get to the next books in the series!
February 24, 2024
Comme ça devient peu à peu la règle, les comics Batman où on traite des personnages autres que le justicier mégalo sont ceux qui m’intéressent le plus. Moins radicale que mes précédentes lectures, ce récit où on suit l’inspecteur Gordon à la retraite et usé à la poursuite du Joker creuse un des aspects sombres de cet univers dont le Joker ne semble être qu’une facette clinquante.
Je suis curieux d’en lire la suite
Je suis curieux d’en lire la suite
March 25, 2022
No fault of the book, the book was really captivating but as I haven't read the book this follows on from (joker war I believe) some parts I didn't understand fully but I am sure to be reading that and the nect volume of the joker as soon as I can!
October 30, 2022
I think this is a really interesting angle to focus on Gordon and the Joker, as opposed to the Joker and Batman. There's a lot about morality and it works, even though Batman is only on the periphery of the story.
November 15, 2022
*Review is for all 3 volumes
Bait and switch that has been normalized over the last few years -- It may be called 'Joker' but he's not even a tertiary character in the story - instead you'll be forced to read about a string of uninteresting, super-stronk, spunky, Mary-Sue clones.
Bait and switch that has been normalized over the last few years -- It may be called 'Joker' but he's not even a tertiary character in the story - instead you'll be forced to read about a string of uninteresting, super-stronk, spunky, Mary-Sue clones.
July 7, 2023
Historia ze świata Batmana bez Batmana? I to jeszcze ciekawa?
poproszę więcej takich tytułów :)
poproszę więcej takich tytułów :)
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