There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we’re putting on a happy face and take a look at “The Joker,” wherein Jim Gordon and the Joker face off in a gripping game of cat and mouse.
Who is this by?
“The Joker” is written by James Tynion IV, whose previous work on “Batman” needs no introduction. He’s worked on books covering all edges of the bat-family, from “Batman and Robin” to “The Batman Who Laughs,” and even three “Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” comics (that were surprisingly good). Outside of DC, he’s also known for “The Department of Truth” for Image Comics, “Something is Killing the Children” for Boom Studios, and several other highly-acclaimed comics. His grasp of pacing, character voice, drama, and weaving together intricate plotlines in the world of “Batman” (or any other comic he gets his hands on) is impeccable, and he brings his A-game to “Joker.”
It’s illustrated by Guillem March, an artist who also has no shortage of experience with “Batman” books. His work includes “Batman Eternal,” “Talon,” “Catwoman,” and even a few “Justice League” comics. His highly-detailed, dark yet clean style adds incredible depth to the world, backed up by excellent color work by Arif Prianto.
Each issue also includes a Punchline-focused backup comic, where Sam Johns joins James as writer, and Seeney Boo takes over the art and colors. This carries on the tone of the main story nicely, bringing Bluebird into the mix as she investigates Punchline in the lead-up to her trial, while using a very different art style that focuses on softer designs and brighter colors, contrasting nicely from the main story.
What’s it all about?
Following an attack on Arkham Asylum attributed to the Joker, the clown prince of crime has gone into hiding. Jim Gordon is hired by a mysterious but incredibly wealthy patron to hunt him down and bring him to justice – and she doesn’t mean the American legal system. This takes Gordon on a chase around the world, where he grapples with the task at hand, the nature of the Joker, and the traumatic impact he’s had on not only Gordon’s life, but the lives of everyone around him.
Of course, it’s never that easy. The Joker is unpredictable, dangerous, and far too smart for anyone else’s own good, and once he knows Gordon is after him, he starts having fun with it. Also, he claims that he’s not the one who murdered everyone in Arkham, but in that case, who did? Not to mention, there’s a new Bane on the scene, and she’s only one of the many gunning for Joker.
Meanwhile, in the backup issues, Bluebird/Harper Row goes on her own crusade against Punchline, who’s doing a good job turning public perception in her favor while simultaneously taking over the prison.
What makes it so great?
“The Joker” is made by a creative team with literal years of “Batman” experience under their collective belts, and oh does it ever show. James Tynion IV has an absolutely dead-on grasp of all the characters, down to the inner workings of their psyches. He takes us inside Jim Gordon’s mind and shows us how many things in his life he grapples with, creating a compelling character-driven story that keeps us gripped and surprised at each turn.
Rather than try to put us inside the Joker’s mind and view the story from his perspective, “The Joker” works so much better as we explore how others view him and how he’s impacted their lives (never for the better, of course).
All the while, multiple plot threads intersect as mysteries are both revealed and added to the mix. Ulterior motives collide, morals are put to the test, and the Joker remains this imposing figure pulling at just the right strings for maximum chaos.
The pacing, the character work, and the drama are all expertly delivered. It’s a testament to the writer’s ability and the characters’ legacies.
Of course, the same praise can be given to the artwork. With Guillem March’s experience with “Batman” comics, how could it not? His style is completely suited for the atmosphere, nailing the composition of each panel for maximum style and impact. The character designs capture the key, iconic elements from any of their incarnations, complete with a wonderful level of expressiveness and details that don’t drop out of focus even when the characters are further back.
Continued belowIt’s detailed, it’s dark, it’s dramatic – it’s damn good, that’s what it is.
Arif Prianto’s color work is a perfect match for March’s style and the comic’s tone. The colors are clean and stand out against their backgrounds, setting and adjusting the atmosphere while getting just the right level of boldness and darkness for the scene.
You want a comic done by pros at the top of their game at every level, with perfect synergy and a story they were made for? Read “The Joker.”
How can you read it?
“The Joker” is published by DC Comics. Issue #6 hits stores this week, while issues #1-5 can be found at your local comic shop or on Comixology. Volume 1, which collects issues #1-6, will be available this November.
