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The Joker (2021) #2
The Joker, Volume Two
The Joker is on the run and James Gordon is tracking right behind him!
Following the events of The Joker Vol. 1 (Infinite Frontier and the Joker War), the Joker is on the run and now he’s off to Europe?! Jim Gordon pursues the madman, but the seeds of doubt begin to sprout…if The Joker didn’t gas Arkham Asylum, who did? And what’s the next move for Vengeance, daughter of Bane?
This story will leave you searching for answers at every turn—and even questioning if Gordon will risk his own life to save…The Joker?
Collecting The Joker #6-9 and The Joker 2021 Annual #1!
Following the events of The Joker Vol. 1 (Infinite Frontier and the Joker War), the Joker is on the run and now he’s off to Europe?! Jim Gordon pursues the madman, but the seeds of doubt begin to sprout…if The Joker didn’t gas Arkham Asylum, who did? And what’s the next move for Vengeance, daughter of Bane?
This story will leave you searching for answers at every turn—and even questioning if Gordon will risk his own life to save…The Joker?
Collecting The Joker #6-9 and The Joker 2021 Annual #1!
160 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2022
About the author
James Tynion IV
1,756 books2,234 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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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 30, 2023
Joker is an awful, awful man but the author is doing that thing where we don't mind him so much as it is revealed there are much, much worse out there. Takes some doing, but man he's doing it.
Also, Vengeance is cool.
Yes, why yes I am.
Also, Vengeance is cool.
Yes, why yes I am.
August 20, 2022
Joker's second volume introduces new threats and builds on previous revelations as Jim Gordon edges ever closer to the truth about A-Day. Plus, a trip down memory lane for Jim and the Joker as we revisit the earliest years of the GCPD's battle with the Clown Prince Of Crime.
It'd be easy for this volume to spin its wheels, given that it's not setting up the story and it's not concluding it either, but it serves as a steady middle that keeps things ticking over without getting boring. It can be a tad verbose at times, but it's not often we get to see inside Jim Gordon's head, so I welcome the opportunity.
There are some horrible new characters introduced here, including the Sampson family, who fit right in with the depravity of the Joker's world. They're probably a hair's breadth away from getting this set up as a Black Label book, but if you're going to have rivals for the Joker's head, it pays to have them be this disgusting.
The annual is also good fun, particuarly because Francesco Francavilla is on art and that's always a good time. His timeless style bends to the darkness of the Joker with ease, and is a stark contrast to the almost-too-realistic-at-times stylings of Guillem March on the main series issues.
The journey towards the truth continues, and while this volume can feel a little light on the ground compared to the first and presumably what will be in the last, it keeps things ticking over enough without stalling the momentum, and it looks pretty good doing it, even if it'll make you feel a little ill sometimes.
It'd be easy for this volume to spin its wheels, given that it's not setting up the story and it's not concluding it either, but it serves as a steady middle that keeps things ticking over without getting boring. It can be a tad verbose at times, but it's not often we get to see inside Jim Gordon's head, so I welcome the opportunity.
There are some horrible new characters introduced here, including the Sampson family, who fit right in with the depravity of the Joker's world. They're probably a hair's breadth away from getting this set up as a Black Label book, but if you're going to have rivals for the Joker's head, it pays to have them be this disgusting.
The annual is also good fun, particuarly because Francesco Francavilla is on art and that's always a good time. His timeless style bends to the darkness of the Joker with ease, and is a stark contrast to the almost-too-realistic-at-times stylings of Guillem March on the main series issues.
The journey towards the truth continues, and while this volume can feel a little light on the ground compared to the first and presumably what will be in the last, it keeps things ticking over enough without stalling the momentum, and it looks pretty good doing it, even if it'll make you feel a little ill sometimes.
September 7, 2022
The Joker Vol. 2 collects issues 6-9 and Annual 1 of the DC Comics series written by James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg with art by Guillem March, Francesco Francavilla, and Stefani Rafaele.
James Gordon continues his world wide search for the Joker. As he continues to investigate, he begins to learn that A-Day wasn’t all what it seemed and there have been forces in play for years that have target the villains and heroes of Gotham City.
This book continues to be all about Gordon. I don’t have any problem with Gordon but it is kind of slimes for DC to capitalize off the Joker name to sell a book that doesn’t actually star him. While Gordon may be chasing Gordon, there is very little actual Joker appearances in the comic until the 9th issue which opens the series to continue without getting repetitive. I’m enjoying Lady Bane but the Sampson clan is bad ripoff on the Sawyer family from Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I loved the annual which was a flashback to Gordon cleaning up the GCPD and worried about Barbara as he knows she is Batgirl. Francavilla is one of my favorite artists and he really shows off why he belongs on Bat books. March’s art in the ongoing series is also fantastic as usual.
James Gordon continues his world wide search for the Joker. As he continues to investigate, he begins to learn that A-Day wasn’t all what it seemed and there have been forces in play for years that have target the villains and heroes of Gotham City.
This book continues to be all about Gordon. I don’t have any problem with Gordon but it is kind of slimes for DC to capitalize off the Joker name to sell a book that doesn’t actually star him. While Gordon may be chasing Gordon, there is very little actual Joker appearances in the comic until the 9th issue which opens the series to continue without getting repetitive. I’m enjoying Lady Bane but the Sampson clan is bad ripoff on the Sawyer family from Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I loved the annual which was a flashback to Gordon cleaning up the GCPD and worried about Barbara as he knows she is Batgirl. Francavilla is one of my favorite artists and he really shows off why he belongs on Bat books. March’s art in the ongoing series is also fantastic as usual.
December 6, 2023
Mysteries behind the Mysteries
On a personal level, I feel better about getting this book from Gordon's perspective and seems to be his story, though it is definitely the Joker leading the dance.
Gordon continues to follow the Joker. Now, in France, he seems to have hot a dead-end, but is this just the more of the Joker's "plan".
The book also connects the dots in a couple of the biggest losses for the Batfamily as will as the origin of the new Bane and the Network. There is also a backup story of Gotham's transition from a city run by organised crime to the costumed criminals. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
On a personal level, I feel better about getting this book from Gordon's perspective and seems to be his story, though it is definitely the Joker leading the dance.
Gordon continues to follow the Joker. Now, in France, he seems to have hot a dead-end, but is this just the more of the Joker's "plan".
The book also connects the dots in a couple of the biggest losses for the Batfamily as will as the origin of the new Bane and the Network. There is also a backup story of Gotham's transition from a city run by organised crime to the costumed criminals. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
January 14, 2025
Still enjoying this run. There is what feels like real stakes here at times. I like the tie ins to the Black Mirror and the return of Franco Francavilla as well.
October 18, 2022
Kinda drags. It has cool parts, I like Vengeance… but overall, it feels like a book in search of a plot. The art from Guillem March is next level, and JTIV is always a great writer, but there was something unfocussed about the narrative that had me constantly wondering “why are we even here?”
December 28, 2022
This is 100% a Jim Gordon comic, and it's better cor it. Joker is still on the run, and Jim is coming up empty-handed. That is until he meets a certain hulking beast of a woman. Lots of cool moments here with an excellent annual make this volume another strong one for the series.
October 30, 2022
This is definitely a little bit more of an interim volume, introducing more characters at play and their motivations.
July 27, 2022
Clown serviert man eiskalt
Inhalt: Im zweiten Band der neuen "Der Joker"-Reihe von James Tynion IV verschlägt James Gordon die Jagd nach dem Killer-Clown nach Paris. Dort gerät er nicht nur in einen Hinterhalt von Interpol, sondern trifft auch die Bane-Nachfolgerin Vengeance wieder. Gleichzeitig verfolgt Oracle die Reise ihres Vaters vom Uhrenturm aus. Noch ist sie sich nicht bewusst, dass sie nicht allein im Versteck ist...
Bewertung: Die Jagd nach dem Joker geht weiter. Dieses Mal mit mehr Action als im ersten Teil. Das kann man gut oder schlecht finden. Ich war etwas enttäuscht, dass der psychologische Gruselfaktor, den die vorherige Ausgabe noch bot, im zweiten Band verloren geht. Dafür waren die Figuren wieder sehr schön dargestellt. Ex-Comissioner Gordon, der nichts von seiner Scharfsinnigkeit verloren hat, aber zunehmend einsehen muss, dass er sich etwas übernommen hat mit seiner Aufgabe. Außerdem Barbara, die nicht glücklich ist mit seiner Aufgabe, ihn aber aus Liebe unterstützt, wo es nur geht (Hier gefiel mir auch besonders der Auftritt der Batgirls). Und nicht zu vergessen Vengeance, die nicht nur cool aussieht, sondern auch einiges auf dem Kasten hat und für eine große Überraschung sorgt. Der Einzige, der in diesem Band kaum in Erscheinung tritt, ist die Person, nach der die Reihe benannt ist. Das war schade. Ich hoffe Tynion spart sich die coolen Joker-Momente für die nächsten Ausgaben auf. Besonders lobend hervorheben möchte ich die Anspielungen auf klassische frühere Batman-Geschichten, die nicht nur erwähnt werden, sondern deren Schlüsselszenen auch grafisch neu interpretiert wurden. Apropos Zeichnungen: Da hat der zweite Teil wieder Einiges auf dem Kasten. Sehr schöne Farben mit tollen Details, die sehr realitätsnah wirken - da bleibt kein Auge trocken.
Fazit: Gelungener zweiter Teil, der einen Tick gegenüber dem vorherigen nachgelassen hat, aber viele coole Ideen mit sich bringt. Gesamt: 4/5
November 14, 2022
Gordon heads further down the rabbit hole, teaming up with the test-tube daughter of Bane to track down the Joker in Europe. We've also got Texas cannibals, Oracle attacked by the Talon, and a mysterious lab. So what's the Joker really up to here?
Honestly, not much. I'm enjoying The Joker series a fair bit - it's nice when a Batman book really is a detective story and it's oddly charming to see a decidedly non-superhero in Jim Gordon thrust into a more superheroic role. But you could excise the Joker from this series (and this volume especially) and it wouldn't make a difference. Perhaps his importance will grow in future volumes - right now, all eyes are on Santa Prisca, home of Bane's venom serum.
The back-up issue featuring Gordon as a commissioner rooting out corruption (and finding it's more than just firing all the dirty cops) is definitely a step up from the main series. Makes me long for a reboot of Gotham P.D.
Honestly, not much. I'm enjoying The Joker series a fair bit - it's nice when a Batman book really is a detective story and it's oddly charming to see a decidedly non-superhero in Jim Gordon thrust into a more superheroic role. But you could excise the Joker from this series (and this volume especially) and it wouldn't make a difference. Perhaps his importance will grow in future volumes - right now, all eyes are on Santa Prisca, home of Bane's venom serum.
The back-up issue featuring Gordon as a commissioner rooting out corruption (and finding it's more than just firing all the dirty cops) is definitely a step up from the main series. Makes me long for a reboot of Gotham P.D.
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.
September 17, 2024
Meh.
It’s okay, some good bits and some slow boring bits.
I have to assume it’s still going though I have no idea.
Probably should have called this series “Jim Gordon” not “joker”, but each to their own.
It’s okay, some good bits and some slow boring bits.
I have to assume it’s still going though I have no idea.
Probably should have called this series “Jim Gordon” not “joker”, but each to their own.
June 9, 2026
Just as good as volume one and lot of great characters continue to join in on this.
August 19, 2022
Commissioner Gordon Vol. 2, I mean Joker Vol. 2 continues to bore. Gordon is so verbose is his narration that the letterer had to use a smaller font to fit all the text on the page. The Joker typically shows up on one page per issue as Gordon talks to people for 19 of the 20 pages each issue. There was some cool things presented in the last issue so maybe this will head somewhere interesting in the next volume.
July 16, 2023
Story:
Nach dem Gasangriff auf Arkham Asylum wurde James Gordon von einer mysteriösen, wohlhabenden Person angeheuert, um den Joker für ein Preisgeld von 25 Millionen Dollar zu töten. Während er seine Reise um die Welt fortsetzt, entdecken die Leser, dass er nicht der Einzige ist, der versucht, den Joker zu töten.
Meinung:
Wir bekommen hier keine traditionelle Joker-Geschichte, die aus der Sicht des Jokers erzählt wird, sondern eine Geschichte von James Gordon über seine Beziehung zum Joker – über das Trauma und die Trauer, die der ehemalige Kommissar ertragen musste. Dennoch spielt der Joker hier eine wichtige Rolle, aber taucht meist nur in Schlüsselmomenten der Geschichte auf. In den seltenen Fällen, in denen er auftritt, erzeugt seine Anwesenheit ein starkes Gefühl von Unbehagen und Unvorhersehbarkeit. Häufiger erscheint er in Rückblenden oder als Anspielung auf James Gordans Trauma. Dass man den Joker seltener sieht, ist viel effektiver, da der Joker so rüberkommt, wie jemand der mysteriös ist, im Schatten lauert und ein Alptraum ist. Mehr möchte ich hier nicht verraten zu den Comics, nur eins noch, es gibt eine Familie der sehr an The Texas Chainsaw Massacre angelegt ist. Das Einzige, was etwas störend ist, sind die Geschichten um den Jungen Gordon und dass es stellenweise verwirrend ist. Die Zeichnungen von Francesco Francavilla, Guillem March, sind hervorragend, ein düsterer und realistischer Stil, dazu die großartige Story von James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg machen diese Reihe zu einem Muss für Fans und Sammler von mir ☆☆☆☆☆
Nach dem Gasangriff auf Arkham Asylum wurde James Gordon von einer mysteriösen, wohlhabenden Person angeheuert, um den Joker für ein Preisgeld von 25 Millionen Dollar zu töten. Während er seine Reise um die Welt fortsetzt, entdecken die Leser, dass er nicht der Einzige ist, der versucht, den Joker zu töten.
Meinung:
Wir bekommen hier keine traditionelle Joker-Geschichte, die aus der Sicht des Jokers erzählt wird, sondern eine Geschichte von James Gordon über seine Beziehung zum Joker – über das Trauma und die Trauer, die der ehemalige Kommissar ertragen musste. Dennoch spielt der Joker hier eine wichtige Rolle, aber taucht meist nur in Schlüsselmomenten der Geschichte auf. In den seltenen Fällen, in denen er auftritt, erzeugt seine Anwesenheit ein starkes Gefühl von Unbehagen und Unvorhersehbarkeit. Häufiger erscheint er in Rückblenden oder als Anspielung auf James Gordans Trauma. Dass man den Joker seltener sieht, ist viel effektiver, da der Joker so rüberkommt, wie jemand der mysteriös ist, im Schatten lauert und ein Alptraum ist. Mehr möchte ich hier nicht verraten zu den Comics, nur eins noch, es gibt eine Familie der sehr an The Texas Chainsaw Massacre angelegt ist. Das Einzige, was etwas störend ist, sind die Geschichten um den Jungen Gordon und dass es stellenweise verwirrend ist. Die Zeichnungen von Francesco Francavilla, Guillem March, sind hervorragend, ein düsterer und realistischer Stil, dazu die großartige Story von James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg machen diese Reihe zu einem Muss für Fans und Sammler von mir ☆☆☆☆☆
November 9, 2022
This book continues to be about Jim Gordon so much more than the Joker, but it's still a good detective story.
Highlights:
- The Joker, still on the run, heads to Europe, and is trailed by Gordon to Paris
- While following leads, he is picked up by Interpol, having been framed for a murder by Joker. He establishes a rapport with the Interpol agent, but chaos ensues when Vengeance (the female Bane everyone has been mentioning) comes to their restaurant and kills the agent.
- The Belfry (home of Oracle and the Batgirls) is hacked by Talons from the Court of Owls, but they defeat them.
- Vengeance takes Gordon onboard her yacht and they head to Majorca. Gordon takes the trip to tell all the stories about how Joker has affected his life, which further enrages Vengeance.
- Arriving in Majorca, they find Joker meeting with a member of The Network (still need a good fleshing out of what this world-spanning organization does), who shuts down Vengeance with a series of code words. Gordon is shown their cloning operation and then stabbed in the chest.
- As Gordon is dying, crying out for help, Barbara finds out that the Talon who attacked them is her brother James.
Interesting end to a not so interesting Volume. Curious enough to want to know what happens next.
Recommend
Highlights:
- The Joker, still on the run, heads to Europe, and is trailed by Gordon to Paris
- While following leads, he is picked up by Interpol, having been framed for a murder by Joker. He establishes a rapport with the Interpol agent, but chaos ensues when Vengeance (the female Bane everyone has been mentioning) comes to their restaurant and kills the agent.
- The Belfry (home of Oracle and the Batgirls) is hacked by Talons from the Court of Owls, but they defeat them.
- Vengeance takes Gordon onboard her yacht and they head to Majorca. Gordon takes the trip to tell all the stories about how Joker has affected his life, which further enrages Vengeance.
- Arriving in Majorca, they find Joker meeting with a member of The Network (still need a good fleshing out of what this world-spanning organization does), who shuts down Vengeance with a series of code words. Gordon is shown their cloning operation and then stabbed in the chest.
- As Gordon is dying, crying out for help, Barbara finds out that the Talon who attacked them is her brother James.
Interesting end to a not so interesting Volume. Curious enough to want to know what happens next.
Recommend
October 22, 2022
I am really loving Tynion’s Joker series. It’s not as strong an entry as the first volume was but it is still pretty great and leaves me incredibly excited for volume 3.
Volume 2 sees Gordon’s investigation get further down the rabbit hole as he discovers the origin of Vengeance, daughter of Bane, and her connection to Joker. This was a whole lot of fun and a really good plotline.
We also Interpol get involved and the welcome return of Julia Pennyworth. Harvey Bullock also gets brought into the story and I love his relationship with Jim.
On top of that, the Court of Owls strikes at Oracle in response to her investigation and the main story this volume ends with a shocking reveal that there is much more to come with plenty more twists I’m sure.
There’s also an annual included set in the past with some classic Joker-Gordon action and sees Joker turning Gordon’s war on corruption against him in Joker’s iconic horrific way.
This series is still a must read.
Volume 2 sees Gordon’s investigation get further down the rabbit hole as he discovers the origin of Vengeance, daughter of Bane, and her connection to Joker. This was a whole lot of fun and a really good plotline.
We also Interpol get involved and the welcome return of Julia Pennyworth. Harvey Bullock also gets brought into the story and I love his relationship with Jim.
On top of that, the Court of Owls strikes at Oracle in response to her investigation and the main story this volume ends with a shocking reveal that there is much more to come with plenty more twists I’m sure.
There’s also an annual included set in the past with some classic Joker-Gordon action and sees Joker turning Gordon’s war on corruption against him in Joker’s iconic horrific way.
This series is still a must read.
November 9, 2022
Halfway through the Jim Gordon biopic, 'Joker: The Title That Draws In Readers'...
Locked up in France, Gordon is toyed with and finally given a bunch of information that could be useful in his search for the Joker. He gets to watch some more people get maimed in front of him. Bad guys (or not) give up their origin story in the hope of developing some pathos. He also gets to inspect a hunting knife up close and personal. Hmmm....
Batgirl (and the Batgirls?) keep trying to dig up dirt on the lady with the credit card, but they've drawn the attention of a Talon. Could the 'Court of Owls' be involved? You wish.
=====
Arguably, the B story of Harper Row trying to dig up dirt on Punchline is more interesting than the main story. Details of her (Punchline's) teen years are learned and she's......something.
Ick.
Bonus: Talons don't flinch.
Bonus Bonus: Vengeance has a backstory? Oh.... I didn't need to know that. Seriously.
Locked up in France, Gordon is toyed with and finally given a bunch of information that could be useful in his search for the Joker. He gets to watch some more people get maimed in front of him. Bad guys (or not) give up their origin story in the hope of developing some pathos. He also gets to inspect a hunting knife up close and personal. Hmmm....
Batgirl (and the Batgirls?) keep trying to dig up dirt on the lady with the credit card, but they've drawn the attention of a Talon. Could the 'Court of Owls' be involved? You wish.
=====
Arguably, the B story of Harper Row trying to dig up dirt on Punchline is more interesting than the main story. Details of her (Punchline's) teen years are learned and she's......something.
Ick.
Bonus: Talons don't flinch.
Bonus Bonus: Vengeance has a backstory? Oh.... I didn't need to know that. Seriously.
January 7, 2024
As with any Joker story, if your a fan there's no reason you won't like this.
Not much new, except in the way some of the characters are acting in particular Jim Gordon, and like the new version of Bane. Liked the whole dynamic of the joker, Gordon and the Dr when their together. But with this story so far, it's been very nice art and coloring. The lettering and style in which it's done is also very nice. Nothing that's redefining the genre but again if your a fan of the joker and Gotham and all it's nuts and bolts you'll enjoy this. Especially since it's mainly a Joker and Gordon story but really liked the way it ended with them going back in time to show you what it was like when it was cleaned up and no more mafia and Batman and Gordon have made a difference only for Joker to step in and throw the whole system off balance. Can't wait to read volume 3.
Not much new, except in the way some of the characters are acting in particular Jim Gordon, and like the new version of Bane. Liked the whole dynamic of the joker, Gordon and the Dr when their together. But with this story so far, it's been very nice art and coloring. The lettering and style in which it's done is also very nice. Nothing that's redefining the genre but again if your a fan of the joker and Gotham and all it's nuts and bolts you'll enjoy this. Especially since it's mainly a Joker and Gordon story but really liked the way it ended with them going back in time to show you what it was like when it was cleaned up and no more mafia and Batman and Gordon have made a difference only for Joker to step in and throw the whole system off balance. Can't wait to read volume 3.
January 14, 2024
Kniha ve který Joker nehraje první a vlastně ani druhý housle. Druhý díl od Jamese Tyniona nás zavede do Paříže a ukáže nám i jistou kanibalistickou skupinu amerických občanů, prim hraje i dcera Banea. Nicméně oproti první knize zde něco chybí. Je to furt zajímavý a vyprávění odsýpá. Důležitý je i propojení s mnoha dalšími komiksy, což je pro fanouška vždycky zajímavý.
Jen prostě je zde málo Jokera a James Gordon nepůsobí jako postava, která by měla být tahounem. Obzvlášť když okolo je tolik zajímavejch postav. Pro finále jsou figurky rozestavěny více než zajímavě, ale jinak druhý díl zase tak zajímavý nebyl.
Jen prostě je zde málo Jokera a James Gordon nepůsobí jako postava, která by měla být tahounem. Obzvlášť když okolo je tolik zajímavejch postav. Pro finále jsou figurky rozestavěny více než zajímavě, ale jinak druhý díl zase tak zajímavý nebyl.
November 9, 2022
3.5 stars
Solidly entertaining but very much a middle chapter in how it expects you to recall complicated plotting from Vol1 without much refreshing, and then it ends on a very unresolved cliffhanger for Vol3 to tie up. It’s still mostly a James Gordon book, with the Batgirls and Lady Bane in heavy supporting roles, and only the hint of Joker haunting the story’s margins. March’s art continues to look garish and rough in a way that looks great for intentionally grotesque scenes and less so when he’s drawing something that’s supposed to be more normal.
Solidly entertaining but very much a middle chapter in how it expects you to recall complicated plotting from Vol1 without much refreshing, and then it ends on a very unresolved cliffhanger for Vol3 to tie up. It’s still mostly a James Gordon book, with the Batgirls and Lady Bane in heavy supporting roles, and only the hint of Joker haunting the story’s margins. March’s art continues to look garish and rough in a way that looks great for intentionally grotesque scenes and less so when he’s drawing something that’s supposed to be more normal.
Review of advance copy
Jim Gordon continues his international hunt for the Joker and that leads him deeper into more dangerous and dark places.
James Tynion's "Joker book" is, obviously by now, a book more about Gordon. Which is actually a smart move because the tone of the book is a bit "noir" - and that tone works well with the subject matter. Don't get me wrong, there's still aspects that hammer home the fact that we are in the DC universe - but it does really feel more like a detective story. Just one with cannibalistic families and female super villain clones.
I'm a fan of Guillem March's work - and here it really highlights some of the more exaggerated aspects of the story. One thing that I think works well is the fact that the quest is taking its toll on Gordon, and the art does a good job to convey his fatigue and struggle. I think Gordon is a bit over his head and the art does a good job of showing that.
This has been a pleasant surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Jim's hunt in the next volume.
James Tynion's "Joker book" is, obviously by now, a book more about Gordon. Which is actually a smart move because the tone of the book is a bit "noir" - and that tone works well with the subject matter. Don't get me wrong, there's still aspects that hammer home the fact that we are in the DC universe - but it does really feel more like a detective story. Just one with cannibalistic families and female super villain clones.
I'm a fan of Guillem March's work - and here it really highlights some of the more exaggerated aspects of the story. One thing that I think works well is the fact that the quest is taking its toll on Gordon, and the art does a good job to convey his fatigue and struggle. I think Gordon is a bit over his head and the art does a good job of showing that.
This has been a pleasant surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Jim's hunt in the next volume.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm still enjoying this series a lot, and glad that it's not actually featuring the Joker as the protagonist. (It would be more accurately titled "Jim Gordon Hunting the Joker," but I guess that's not as catchy.) A good guy (even a tortured/conflicted one) hunting a bad guy is much more compelling to me than just the Joker causing mayhem for five issues.
And that story in the annual was a great Jim/Barbara story! I thought it was gonna tie into the legendary Killing Joke again, but it's probably good that it didn't (that's been done a lot already).
And that story in the annual was a great Jim/Barbara story! I thought it was gonna tie into the legendary Killing Joke again, but it's probably good that it didn't (that's been done a lot already).
March 25, 2023
I continue to really enjoy this title with this second volume of the collected edition.
Of course the title is missleading, the Joker is not the main character, Gordon is. The Joker is not even the main villain so far (obscure crime families and a female Bane are). But that is not really a bad thing.
The content is a little light, with only 5 issues. But I guess DC wanted to drag the title over 3 books rather than 2...
Of course the title is missleading, the Joker is not the main character, Gordon is. The Joker is not even the main villain so far (obscure crime families and a female Bane are). But that is not really a bad thing.
The content is a little light, with only 5 issues. But I guess DC wanted to drag the title over 3 books rather than 2...
August 2, 2023
I kind of forgot about this mini series and only now got around to continuing it. Then raced through it, as it's high octane stuff. Theres a mixture of just about everything here, from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre through mad scientists cloning people on Majorca to Miller's Year One. And the Joker loose in Europe! It's great, pulpy - comic-booky - stuff, with good artwork from various artists throughout.
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May 17, 2024La règle continue de s’appliquer : Les récents comics de l’univers Batman qui déconstruisent les nombreux défauts du canon dont ils héritent sont fichtrement bons. Surtout que cela se mêle d’une réelle fidélité pour proposer un récit sous un angle différent où le violences des héros perd de son fantasme. Ici le propos dessine plus subtilement les liens entre la criminalité et le maintien de la classe bourgeoise. Et ce sans sacrifier à l’ambiance sombre qui faisait la qualité du premier tome
September 13, 2022
Volume two is a continuation of the first one as James Gordon continues his search for the Joker. Seriously, this should have gotten a different title as it's still focused on Jim and not Joker. There are only a few moments where we get to see the Joker.
Lady Bane is the one that stands out in this story. She's fierce and reckless and somehow she works in this universe.
Lady Bane is the one that stands out in this story. She's fierce and reckless and somehow she works in this universe.
December 2, 2022
Public library copy.
As a casual reader of DC books borrowed from the library, the DC universe and continuity is a mess. Hardly anything in this volume was fresh and not something told time and again.
As a casual reader of DC books borrowed from the library, the DC universe and continuity is a mess. Hardly anything in this volume was fresh and not something told time and again.
December 20, 2022
This is so good it has me wondering what went wrong when Tynion was in charge of the regular Batman title. He's obviously a talented writer and the story here is riveting. Add the outstanding artwork from Guillem March, Stefano Raffaele, and Francesco Francavilla, and DC's really got something.
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May 9, 2023Very enjoyable read
Found this to be a very entertaining read and a page turner. It has a lot of interesting sub plots on the go and plenty of shocks along the way. Well worth a read.
Found this to be a very entertaining read and a page turner. It has a lot of interesting sub plots on the go and plenty of shocks along the way. Well worth a read.
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