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Batman
Joker
An original hardcover graphic novel that tells the story of one very dark night in Gotham City--from the creative team behind the graphic novel LEX MAN OF STEEL.The Joker has been mysteriously released from Arkham Asylum, and he's none to happy about what's happened to his Gotham City rackets while he's been "away." What follows is a harrowing night of revenge, murder and manic crime as only The Joker can deliver it, as he brutally takes back his stolen assets from The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face, Killer Croc and others.Brian Azzarello brings to THE JOKER all the visceral intensity and criminal insight that has made his Vertigo graphic novel series 100 BULLETS one of the most critically-acclaimed and award-winning series in all of comics.
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2008
427 people are currently reading
11.4k people want to read
About the author
Brian Azzarello
1,267books1,080followersBrian Azzarello (born in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American comic book writer. He came to prominence with 100 Bullets, published by DC Comics' mature-audience imprint Vertigo. He and Argentine artist Eduardo Risso, with whom Azzarello first worked on Jonny Double, won the 2001 Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story for 100 Bullets #15�18: "Hang Up on the Hang Low".
Azzarello has written for Batman ("Broken City", art by Risso; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire", art by Lee Bermejo, Tim Bradstreet, & Mick Gray) and Superman ("For Tomorrow", art by Jim Lee).
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless, with artist Marcelo Frusin.
As of 2007, Azzarello is married to fellow comic-book writer and illustrator Jill Thompson.
information taken from
Azzarello has written for Batman ("Broken City", art by Risso; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire", art by Lee Bermejo, Tim Bradstreet, & Mick Gray) and Superman ("For Tomorrow", art by Jim Lee).
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless, with artist Marcelo Frusin.
As of 2007, Azzarello is married to fellow comic-book writer and illustrator Jill Thompson.
information taken from
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,547 reviews
July 3, 2021
Plotwise, I thought this was kind of overrated.
It's ok.
Not amazing. Not mind-blowing.
Not OHMYGODTHATCHANGEDTHEGAME.
It's ok.
The gist is that Joker gets released from prison because he's 'not crazy' anymore. <--what the actual fuck? That's not science.
Anyway. The next few weeks or so is told through the eyes of this low-level thug who volunteered to pick him up.
The book seems to be a more realistic crime tale than a superhero comic, and the tone would fit just about any gritty cop show on tv.
EXCEPT for the part about why the hell Joker is roaming around a free man. Ok, even if they somehow 'cured' a psychopath of his psychotic tendencies, you do not just get a free fucking pass to test out your newfound sanity on the streets. That's not how Law and Order works.
Right, Ice-T?
Alright. So you gotta suspend disbelief for the first few pages.
Because, of course, as soon as Joker gets in the car, he immediately goes on a (rather gory) crime spree.
And then everything is pretty much a bland(ish) tale of this nutty gangster with a fucked-up face doing nutty gangster stuff for no discernable reason, whilst toting this scuzzy narrating thug along for the ride of his scuzzy life.
They have good times, they have bad times...
And while it isn't a terrible story by any means, it's just not all that meaty or engaging once you strip away the visuals. <--which I thought were awesome, by the way.
The reimaginings of some of the traditional Batman villains are hit or miss.
Killer Croc has a bit less crocodile problems and more...eczema issues? He's definitely not the product of life as a mistreated sideshow freak, he's just a guy who needs to moisturize that flaky looking skin.
Riddler is just this skinny Elton John knock-off with pigeon-toes and a fedora.
Hello, I'm Edward Nigma. I've got some weird tats and a cigarette dangling between my lips. And I steal shit and sell it on the black market while rattling off nonsensical puzzles.
Ok.
Two-Face is Two-Face.
He has...two faces? And ONE side is almost always in the shadows.
Get it -foreshadowing!
Anyway. Decent story, cool art.
It's ok.
Not amazing. Not mind-blowing.
Not OHMYGODTHATCHANGEDTHEGAME.
It's ok.
The gist is that Joker gets released from prison because he's 'not crazy' anymore. <--what the actual fuck? That's not science.
Anyway. The next few weeks or so is told through the eyes of this low-level thug who volunteered to pick him up.
The book seems to be a more realistic crime tale than a superhero comic, and the tone would fit just about any gritty cop show on tv.
EXCEPT for the part about why the hell Joker is roaming around a free man. Ok, even if they somehow 'cured' a psychopath of his psychotic tendencies, you do not just get a free fucking pass to test out your newfound sanity on the streets. That's not how Law and Order works.
Right, Ice-T?
Alright. So you gotta suspend disbelief for the first few pages.
Because, of course, as soon as Joker gets in the car, he immediately goes on a (rather gory) crime spree.
And then everything is pretty much a bland(ish) tale of this nutty gangster with a fucked-up face doing nutty gangster stuff for no discernable reason, whilst toting this scuzzy narrating thug along for the ride of his scuzzy life.
They have good times, they have bad times...
And while it isn't a terrible story by any means, it's just not all that meaty or engaging once you strip away the visuals. <--which I thought were awesome, by the way.
The reimaginings of some of the traditional Batman villains are hit or miss.
Killer Croc has a bit less crocodile problems and more...eczema issues? He's definitely not the product of life as a mistreated sideshow freak, he's just a guy who needs to moisturize that flaky looking skin.
Riddler is just this skinny Elton John knock-off with pigeon-toes and a fedora.
Hello, I'm Edward Nigma. I've got some weird tats and a cigarette dangling between my lips. And I steal shit and sell it on the black market while rattling off nonsensical puzzles.
Ok.
Two-Face is Two-Face.
He has...two faces? And ONE side is almost always in the shadows.
Get it -foreshadowing!
Anyway. Decent story, cool art.
November 17, 2016
Seriously. Being The Joker is no laughing matter.
The Joker left the campy, groovy �60’s in the dust some time ago. Maybe rearranging Robin’s (Jason Todd) hairline with a tire iron was a turning point for him. Who knows? Let’s leave that debate for the comic book scholars. The family friendly cartoon version usually portrays him as 25% Insanity � 50% Madcap humor � 25% Menace.
Brian Azarello plays with these percentages a bit, but doesn’t let you in on the formula. Sure the crazy is still there, the humor goes from the trick BANG! gun to the kind of humor that if you think it’s at all amusing you keep it to yourself in polite company. Menace? It’s like a snake lying low in the grass waiting to strike anyone lulled into thinking The Joker’s your pal.
Cheers!
This one starts off with Jonny Frost choosing the short straw and getting to pick up The Joker after he’s released from Arkham. In an effort to “get acquainted�, The Joker pays a visit to some of his old pals, including the Penguin.
Along the way the body count goes up and free advice is proffered.
Bottom Line: As a comic book villain (character?), the Joker’s regularly makes most people’s top five lists, usually beat out by cosmic level villains like Dr. Doom. This book along with Moore’s should be must reads for comic book fans who want to get more of an understanding as to what makes The Joker tick.
And seriously? Good luck with that.
The Joker left the campy, groovy �60’s in the dust some time ago. Maybe rearranging Robin’s (Jason Todd) hairline with a tire iron was a turning point for him. Who knows? Let’s leave that debate for the comic book scholars. The family friendly cartoon version usually portrays him as 25% Insanity � 50% Madcap humor � 25% Menace.
Brian Azarello plays with these percentages a bit, but doesn’t let you in on the formula. Sure the crazy is still there, the humor goes from the trick BANG! gun to the kind of humor that if you think it’s at all amusing you keep it to yourself in polite company. Menace? It’s like a snake lying low in the grass waiting to strike anyone lulled into thinking The Joker’s your pal.
Cheers!
This one starts off with Jonny Frost choosing the short straw and getting to pick up The Joker after he’s released from Arkham. In an effort to “get acquainted�, The Joker pays a visit to some of his old pals, including the Penguin.
Along the way the body count goes up and free advice is proffered.
Bottom Line: As a comic book villain (character?), the Joker’s regularly makes most people’s top five lists, usually beat out by cosmic level villains like Dr. Doom. This book along with Moore’s should be must reads for comic book fans who want to get more of an understanding as to what makes The Joker tick.
And seriously? Good luck with that.
August 16, 2016
We’ve all read (or seen) the story before: the savvy but borderline crazy street-level crimeboss goes about his day, protecting his turf, extorting money, consuming copious quantities of drugs and alcohol, skinning a guy in a strip club, and having some laughs. It’s equal parts scary and depressing, and maybe even a little bit thrilling.
This time around, instead of being some slick-haired mobster type, our antihero is the Joker. Does that make the story scarier? More depressing? More thrilling? All three?
I think it’s all three, in addition to being simultaneously more interesting and more disappointing. Clearly, I have some ambivalence about this story.
On the one hand, it’s a gripping and well-executed tale of a man on the edge, a desperate man living in a desperate world doing desperate things to survive. It’s terrifying, but strangely relatable.
On the other, this is THE JOKER. One of the craziest, most insane villains to ever grace the four-color funny pages. To see him reduced to this—a common street criminal whose vices are not the stuff of spandex-clad legend, but rather the sad coping mechanisms of a troubled mind—runs counter to why we (or, at least, I) read comics in the first place.
I’m not a huge grim-and-gritty kind of guy when it comes to comics. I can enjoy and respect a well-told tale regardless of what angle it takes, but when I read a Joker story, I want it to be wild and over the top and so outlandish that it could only happen in a comic—not suburban New Jersey.
So, maybe the long story short is this: this is a well-written, well-conceived story with quality art. It features an intriguing antihero. And it keeps the pages turning. It’s just maybe not quite optimally suited for me, and so fell a little short. (Then again, I once wrote a 1,600-word impassioned review/manifesto/screed about the greatness of Saved by the Bell, so feel free to openly question my taste.)
We’ll call it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
This time around, instead of being some slick-haired mobster type, our antihero is the Joker. Does that make the story scarier? More depressing? More thrilling? All three?
I think it’s all three, in addition to being simultaneously more interesting and more disappointing. Clearly, I have some ambivalence about this story.
On the one hand, it’s a gripping and well-executed tale of a man on the edge, a desperate man living in a desperate world doing desperate things to survive. It’s terrifying, but strangely relatable.
On the other, this is THE JOKER. One of the craziest, most insane villains to ever grace the four-color funny pages. To see him reduced to this—a common street criminal whose vices are not the stuff of spandex-clad legend, but rather the sad coping mechanisms of a troubled mind—runs counter to why we (or, at least, I) read comics in the first place.
I’m not a huge grim-and-gritty kind of guy when it comes to comics. I can enjoy and respect a well-told tale regardless of what angle it takes, but when I read a Joker story, I want it to be wild and over the top and so outlandish that it could only happen in a comic—not suburban New Jersey.
So, maybe the long story short is this: this is a well-written, well-conceived story with quality art. It features an intriguing antihero. And it keeps the pages turning. It’s just maybe not quite optimally suited for me, and so fell a little short. (Then again, I once wrote a 1,600-word impassioned review/manifesto/screed about the greatness of Saved by the Bell, so feel free to openly question my taste.)
We’ll call it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
February 10, 2025
Brian Azzarello/Lee Bermejo + Joker (J) = classic tale of power and revenge! Highest recommendation! After Batman: The Killing Joke I would say this is the most in depth look at what makes J 'tick' - a very disturbing tale of revenge and power that will stay with you as you read more about this iconic character.
September 7, 2019
The Joker is let out of Arkham and looking to reclaim his turf. This isn't your typical Joker story. It is in fact an Elseworlds tale without the label. This is Batman's Rogues reimagined as rival gang leaders and street thugs. The story is told through the eyes of a two bit criminal, Jonny Frost, as he looks to upgrade to the big time by volunteering to be Joker's driver. This allows us to see the Joker at his most menacing, a compete psychopath. He's clearly based on Heath Ledger's Joker, all menace without the humor, clearly unhinged. This is one of the darkest comics I've read and Azzarello's treatment of Harley's is problematic, so be warned.
Bermejo's art is a star in its own right. I could just look at a book of his art without any word balloons and take in his art. It's gritty and dark, yet incredibly detailed. His characters look and feel like real people that just stepped off the street.
Bermejo's art is a star in its own right. I could just look at a book of his art without any word balloons and take in his art. It's gritty and dark, yet incredibly detailed. His characters look and feel like real people that just stepped off the street.
September 12, 2016
I thought this was a pretty good story. I didn't think the graphics were too great but there was something about the story I really liked. It seemed sort of laid back to me but still the Joker if that makes any sense.
Jonny Frost gets to pick up the Joker when he gets let out of Arkham. Jonny hangs out with the Joker and takes him all around. He tells the story in his perspective. I mean that's not the whole story with Jonny telling it, he just tells his thoughts as well.
We get appearances from Harley Quinn, Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and of course Batman. I might have left someone out. Anyway, there are a lot of other freaks and what not in the novel too. And of course people being killed and things being blown up. You know, Joker stuff!
I'm not good at writing reviews for graphic novels. I have said this time and time again so I'm just leaving it at . . . I have wanted to read this book for a long time and it didn't disappoint me :-)
December 15, 2008
Welcome to the most overhyped Graphic novel of the year. Boring, pointless, and containing nothing interesting to say about The Joker either as an Icon or a Character. Boring, both over and under plotted, and with art that crosses the line from simply ugly to fucking stupid (Gotta Love 2 Fast 2 Furious Riddler).
Those hyping it as the next Killing Joke are kidding themselves.
Those hyping it as the next Killing Joke are kidding themselves.
July 18, 2022
Am I missing something here? Why the actual fuck is this rated so high? I mean different strokes for different folks, but Jesus fucking Christ, my parent's divorce was less miserable than this reading experience.
Besides Lee Bermejo's art, this was a completely dogshit read with absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. I don’t get the appeal for “realistic Batman villains� (why is making colorful villains realistic so appealing in the first place?) and this entire book is basically an excuse to show off said versions of these characters that this creative team came up with. And they all suck, it’s just Azzarello and Bermejo casting a Gotham movie like The Riddler looks EXACTLY like Johnny Depp. I only read it because it was given to me and I really wish I hadn’t.
Also, only a man child, like Brian Azzarello, would have the Joker rape someone and think it’s a good idea. Actually so fucking dumb and unnecessary. At the same time, this is the same exact fucking dipshit who thought making Thomas and Martha Wayne into the Batman and Joker was “cool� (which it might be if you are still emotionally stuck in high school), wrote Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl fucking Batman on a rooftop in the Killing Joker movie, and canonically made the Amazon's rapists during the New 52 Wonder Woman run and they threw a hissy fit on Twitter when DC (thankfully) retconned it, so I don’t know what I actually expected from this utter moron.
The Joker as a character seriously just fucking sucks at this point and feels like the type of dude who would unironically cut off his genitals just to make a shitty “I’m-14-and-this-is-deep� point about society. I’ve said it like a hundred times now, but his best moment in the last decade is when he got skinned alive by an alien kaiju. Peak Joker moment.
Also Azzarello and Bermejo acting like they came up with this Joker’s design and didn’t just plagiarize Heath Ledger’s look is fucking hysterical. Like the fucking hacks clearly did. Skip this if you like reading good books and check this out if you like reading bad ones.
Besides Lee Bermejo's art, this was a completely dogshit read with absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. I don’t get the appeal for “realistic Batman villains� (why is making colorful villains realistic so appealing in the first place?) and this entire book is basically an excuse to show off said versions of these characters that this creative team came up with. And they all suck, it’s just Azzarello and Bermejo casting a Gotham movie like The Riddler looks EXACTLY like Johnny Depp. I only read it because it was given to me and I really wish I hadn’t.
Also, only a man child, like Brian Azzarello, would have the Joker rape someone and think it’s a good idea. Actually so fucking dumb and unnecessary. At the same time, this is the same exact fucking dipshit who thought making Thomas and Martha Wayne into the Batman and Joker was “cool� (which it might be if you are still emotionally stuck in high school), wrote Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl fucking Batman on a rooftop in the Killing Joker movie, and canonically made the Amazon's rapists during the New 52 Wonder Woman run and they threw a hissy fit on Twitter when DC (thankfully) retconned it, so I don’t know what I actually expected from this utter moron.
The Joker as a character seriously just fucking sucks at this point and feels like the type of dude who would unironically cut off his genitals just to make a shitty “I’m-14-and-this-is-deep� point about society. I’ve said it like a hundred times now, but his best moment in the last decade is when he got skinned alive by an alien kaiju. Peak Joker moment.
Also Azzarello and Bermejo acting like they came up with this Joker’s design and didn’t just plagiarize Heath Ledger’s look is fucking hysterical. Like the fucking hacks clearly did. Skip this if you like reading good books and check this out if you like reading bad ones.
November 9, 2012
In this one-off non-canon book, writer Brian Azzarello and artist Lee Bermejo, both extraordinary artists, imagine a more realistic take on Joker partly in the style of Chris Nolan’s “Dark Knight� film. The story is told through the eyes of Jonny Frost, a low-level thug sent to pick up a newly-released Joker from Arkham Asylum. Joker sets about reclaiming his criminal empire against Two-Face with the help of Killer Croc.
Re-reading this 4 years after I first picked it up, the book still retains its power and brilliance. Azzarello creates a Joker with newly revealed sides to his character than just the insane murderer he’s usually portrayed as. In a brilliant one panel aside, Joker is seen in private on his knees, arms wrapped around Harley Quinn, sobbing, as we really see his relationship with her � she is the only one he can truly be himself with. Azzarello’s Joker is a pill-popping junkie, snorting lines and chugging brown liquor, fuelling his rampages to explain his extreme behaviour than simply writing off his actions as those of a crazy man.
Azzarello and Bermejo utilise comics� unique format of the spaces between the panels to intimate some truly heinous actions by Joker. In one scene Joker randomly wanders into an apartment and murders an elderly couple in their beds with a razor blade, but the reader sees only the break-in and a murky aftermath as Joker lies on the bed atop contorted and bloodied human forms, the blade glinting off to the side. Later, Jonny’s wife is saved from Two-Face and it’s hinted that Joker then raped her before setting her free. Azzarello’s vision of Joker in this book is far more human and far more scary in moments like this than has been seen before in other comics. This makes Joker even scarier as he seems almost charming and likeable in moments of (seemingly) sober contemplation, as both the narrator and the reader find themselves warming to him despite his horrible deeds.
Lee Bermejo draws the book beautifully. His Joker takes his cue from Heath Ledger’s visual portrayal with the cut-open mouth making up a grotesque clown’s smile but otherwise it’s the familiar Joker of old minus the stark white face and a more cut figure. I thought his depiction of Croc as less a mutant-lookalike and more a thug with a real-life skin disease was an inspired choice though his depiction of Batman’s outfit (he appears briefly at the end) was a bit too S&M, there were too many straps. You won’t find a more brilliant artist drawing Batman comics today � I highly recommend checking out his own Batman scripted and drawn book “Batman: Noel� for another example of his fantastic art as well as an excellent Batman book.
“Joker� is an incredible book, maybe the best one about Joker ever written � yes I’m including “Killing Joke�. Azzarello captures Joker’s voice and character perfectly, making all the right artistic choices with the other characters. While the book’s plot doesn’t really resolve itself, hinging on a “Pulp Fiction�-type literary device, the book is less about plot and story and more about giving the reader a fully realised character study of the Joker. In that, the book succeeds completely, complimented perfectly with Bermejo’s gorgeous art. “Joker� is a powerful vision of one of the best literary villains ever created and a must-read for all Batman fans. If you enjoyed this, definitely look up Azzarello and Bermejo’s previous book on another DC villain, “Lex Luthor�.
Re-reading this 4 years after I first picked it up, the book still retains its power and brilliance. Azzarello creates a Joker with newly revealed sides to his character than just the insane murderer he’s usually portrayed as. In a brilliant one panel aside, Joker is seen in private on his knees, arms wrapped around Harley Quinn, sobbing, as we really see his relationship with her � she is the only one he can truly be himself with. Azzarello’s Joker is a pill-popping junkie, snorting lines and chugging brown liquor, fuelling his rampages to explain his extreme behaviour than simply writing off his actions as those of a crazy man.
Azzarello and Bermejo utilise comics� unique format of the spaces between the panels to intimate some truly heinous actions by Joker. In one scene Joker randomly wanders into an apartment and murders an elderly couple in their beds with a razor blade, but the reader sees only the break-in and a murky aftermath as Joker lies on the bed atop contorted and bloodied human forms, the blade glinting off to the side. Later, Jonny’s wife is saved from Two-Face and it’s hinted that Joker then raped her before setting her free. Azzarello’s vision of Joker in this book is far more human and far more scary in moments like this than has been seen before in other comics. This makes Joker even scarier as he seems almost charming and likeable in moments of (seemingly) sober contemplation, as both the narrator and the reader find themselves warming to him despite his horrible deeds.
Lee Bermejo draws the book beautifully. His Joker takes his cue from Heath Ledger’s visual portrayal with the cut-open mouth making up a grotesque clown’s smile but otherwise it’s the familiar Joker of old minus the stark white face and a more cut figure. I thought his depiction of Croc as less a mutant-lookalike and more a thug with a real-life skin disease was an inspired choice though his depiction of Batman’s outfit (he appears briefly at the end) was a bit too S&M, there were too many straps. You won’t find a more brilliant artist drawing Batman comics today � I highly recommend checking out his own Batman scripted and drawn book “Batman: Noel� for another example of his fantastic art as well as an excellent Batman book.
“Joker� is an incredible book, maybe the best one about Joker ever written � yes I’m including “Killing Joke�. Azzarello captures Joker’s voice and character perfectly, making all the right artistic choices with the other characters. While the book’s plot doesn’t really resolve itself, hinging on a “Pulp Fiction�-type literary device, the book is less about plot and story and more about giving the reader a fully realised character study of the Joker. In that, the book succeeds completely, complimented perfectly with Bermejo’s gorgeous art. “Joker� is a powerful vision of one of the best literary villains ever created and a must-read for all Batman fans. If you enjoyed this, definitely look up Azzarello and Bermejo’s previous book on another DC villain, “Lex Luthor�.
August 6, 2023
Thank you, Brian Azzarello, for this Joker mini series. Batman only has two scenes, so this book is one for the villains, pure Joker.
Azzarello creates a low level thug named Jonny Frost (read: Joe Chill?) who narrates and serves as Joker's right hand man. Let me tell you, Jonny sees some wild shit. So wild, at one point he stands on a rooftop edge for an entire afternoon he's so dumbfounded at what's happening. Yeah, it's pretty intense.
What's most brilliant about the writing is the Joker is at his most psychological: human, fragile, broken, disguised beneath his war paint. He laughs, cries, rages. He sucks down pills and liquor, lusts after women, projects his own self-hatred and disillusionment onto others through his brutal and senseless acts of violence. Jonny says he isn't crazy and I think he's right. Joker is just pure evil, one complex villain, and my favorite.
Even the best writing can suffer from terrible art and doom a potential classic to be forgotten. But Lee Bermejo absolutely kills it. It's scratches and slashes, dark and muddy, and maybe wouldn't work with a different subject. But the art perfectly complements the writing and the "weather" Joker creates. Azzarello just gets dark and gritty Joker.
This comic is overwhelmingly good. It's close to being on par with the Killing Joke. Close. Not enough Batman for that. Not quite timeless enough. Not enough jokes. But here's one for you: Where's the safest place to hide when the world is against you? In sanity.
October 13, 2015
Off the Damn Side of the City, Man!
“The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture,� Alfred Hitchcock once observed, and that rule of thumb is arguably even more relevant for comic books than for movies. The Joker is usually described as the greatest comic-book villain of all time, yet he is often written as little more than a clownish, spectacularly absurd nut case who happens to be obsessed with keeping the Batman on his toes. Not all that interesting.
Occasionally, though, a writer comes along who manages to unlock the Joker’s full terrifying potential, and Brian Azzarello is one of those writers. Granted, Azzarello's Joker still tells a lot of jokes, but the thing is � those jokes are not even remotely funny. Instead, they seem to bring down the room temperature by about 30 degrees from one second to the next � and that’s before things start to get ugly�
Make no mistake: Azzarello’s Joker is one earth-shattering force of chaos. He has the unique ability to see all those little “strings� attached to us and our feeble realities, that is, he fully understands the degree to which our lives are determined by social rules and bonds and structures. And he has come to the conclusion that those strings must be cut. After all, who in his right mind would voluntarily transform himself into a mere puppet by becoming a productive member of society? As far as the Joker is concerned, he’d much rather toy with all those little puppets out there, and Lee Bermejo’s detailed artwork ensures that such alternative forms of entertainment look appropriately nasty and disturbing.
One of the Joker's henchmen sums up the whole mess like this: "I been to some parties in my day... but this... was one hell of a party. It wasn't just off the hook... it tore the hook off the wall... and the wall off the house... off the damn side of the city, man." Sounds like fun?
“The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture,� Alfred Hitchcock once observed, and that rule of thumb is arguably even more relevant for comic books than for movies. The Joker is usually described as the greatest comic-book villain of all time, yet he is often written as little more than a clownish, spectacularly absurd nut case who happens to be obsessed with keeping the Batman on his toes. Not all that interesting.
Occasionally, though, a writer comes along who manages to unlock the Joker’s full terrifying potential, and Brian Azzarello is one of those writers. Granted, Azzarello's Joker still tells a lot of jokes, but the thing is � those jokes are not even remotely funny. Instead, they seem to bring down the room temperature by about 30 degrees from one second to the next � and that’s before things start to get ugly�
Make no mistake: Azzarello’s Joker is one earth-shattering force of chaos. He has the unique ability to see all those little “strings� attached to us and our feeble realities, that is, he fully understands the degree to which our lives are determined by social rules and bonds and structures. And he has come to the conclusion that those strings must be cut. After all, who in his right mind would voluntarily transform himself into a mere puppet by becoming a productive member of society? As far as the Joker is concerned, he’d much rather toy with all those little puppets out there, and Lee Bermejo’s detailed artwork ensures that such alternative forms of entertainment look appropriately nasty and disturbing.
One of the Joker's henchmen sums up the whole mess like this: "I been to some parties in my day... but this... was one hell of a party. It wasn't just off the hook... it tore the hook off the wall... and the wall off the house... off the damn side of the city, man." Sounds like fun?
May 16, 2021
This was really interesting. The focus of this was on the Joker and getting a deeper look into his character through his actions and dialogue. The narrative was told from one of his underlings, a young hood named Jonny Frost, who served as Joker's right-hand man. The story took the criminal element as Joker attempted to retake the city of Gotham after being released from Arkham Asylum. This time the author highlighted the Joker's mental illness and instability throughout the story.
The art was stunning and had lots of range. It went from being grimy and gritty to clear and highly detailed. I liked this stylized visual because the art reflected was going on in the story: it was turbulent and violent for one moment and then had moments of clarity and insight. The story overall had a crime noir feel but not in a cheesy way. This was dark and sinister on every page.
This was a really fun read. I liked the story, the artwork, and getting another angle on the Joker. I would highly recommend this to Joker and graphic novel fans. Thanks!
The art was stunning and had lots of range. It went from being grimy and gritty to clear and highly detailed. I liked this stylized visual because the art reflected was going on in the story: it was turbulent and violent for one moment and then had moments of clarity and insight. The story overall had a crime noir feel but not in a cheesy way. This was dark and sinister on every page.
This was a really fun read. I liked the story, the artwork, and getting another angle on the Joker. I would highly recommend this to Joker and graphic novel fans. Thanks!
April 22, 2021
Joker is one of those DC characters that I find extremely intriguing. I've seen him characterized as a literal joke and I've seen him characterized as a person that truly embraces the malice within. I've been reading the single issues of the new Joker book and so far they've been amazing. And while those mainly focus on Gordon, they have made me even more interested in reading more stories related to the Joker. This specific book was available on Comixology so I decided to check it out. It's a reimagining of Gotham and the Joker as a gang leader. It's dark and gritty. Honestly, it's probably one of the darker comics that I've read in a while. After being released from Arkham Asylum, Joker connects with Johnny Frost (the story is told from his perspective) who becomes his driver. Readers see the Joker's true descent into madness as he encounters various rivals including Two-Faced and The Penguin. There is no humor to Joker's character in this book. Even from Frost's perspective it is clear to see that there is no understanding the Joker and his madness. I had one major issue with this one which was namely the way that Harley was represented. She did not talk the entire comic and she was clearly over sexualized. Honestly, Azzarello could have done with not including her in this at all.
Overall, it was a interesting read. I highly doubt that this is a read for everyone. The artwork was gritty and dark following the same theme as the text. I'll be interested in seeing the other ways that Joker manifests in other comics.
Overall, it was a interesting read. I highly doubt that this is a read for everyone. The artwork was gritty and dark following the same theme as the text. I'll be interested in seeing the other ways that Joker manifests in other comics.
January 11, 2022
Damn Brian.
Writer Brian Azzarello’s 2008 GN Joker pays homage to the Batman Dark Knight film released that same year and artist Lee Bermejo’s depiction of Joker looks like Heath Ledger’s iconic portrayal.
It’s dark and gritty and mean and captures the essence of the character.
Describing a day when Joker is inexplicably released from Arkham, we follow THE DC villain as he visits rival crime lords to reclaim his turf and told from the perspective of a minor league hood who gets noticed and picked up for the ride.
I especially liked the way Killer Croc was illustrated and written.
Not for the faint of heart but fans of Batman’s rogue gallery will want to read this.
Writer Brian Azzarello’s 2008 GN Joker pays homage to the Batman Dark Knight film released that same year and artist Lee Bermejo’s depiction of Joker looks like Heath Ledger’s iconic portrayal.
It’s dark and gritty and mean and captures the essence of the character.
Describing a day when Joker is inexplicably released from Arkham, we follow THE DC villain as he visits rival crime lords to reclaim his turf and told from the perspective of a minor league hood who gets noticed and picked up for the ride.
I especially liked the way Killer Croc was illustrated and written.
Not for the faint of heart but fans of Batman’s rogue gallery will want to read this.
July 20, 2017
3.25
Tras la liberación del Joker del asilo Arkham, este se ve en la necesidad de recuperar a toda costa aquello que le pertenece: su ciudad, Gotham.
Visto desde los ojos de su nuevo esbirro, nos percatamos de una nueva visión del malvado villano, posiblemente, esa que sólo sus más fieles seguidores son capaces de ver.
A lo largo de la entera extención de la novela nos encontramos con una historia más bien densa, sin ese toque característico de humor que siempre parece estar presente en el hombre sonriente, con algunos de los antagonistas de la historia base de Batman, y una Harley Quinn aparentemente muda.
No me pareció especialmente buena como "The Killing Joke". Sin embargo, pretendo estar leyendo un poco más de Batman �Year One entre otros� y sus villanos en los próximos meses.
"A bit of advice... don't ever apologize to no one for the way you look."
"I don't know what he was thinking... or if he even was.
Joker, I was lernin'... wasn't about thinkin'... but all about doin'."
"You'd know that the safest place to hide... is in sanity."
"They say there's no honor among thieves. I guess that's true. But is that exclusive to thieves? Maybe there's just no honor, period.
"You know what I hate, Jonny Jonny? Everything."
"My friend... Jonny Jonny... What I hate more than everything is apologies."
"I'm on the top of the world, looking down. You know what I see? Do you want to know what I see? I see you. A disease. One that has been around longer than Gotham, the city infected. A disease that's older than any city. Hell, it's probably the same disease that built the first one. There will always be a Joker. Because there's no cure for him. Not at all. Just a Batman."
Tras la liberación del Joker del asilo Arkham, este se ve en la necesidad de recuperar a toda costa aquello que le pertenece: su ciudad, Gotham.
Visto desde los ojos de su nuevo esbirro, nos percatamos de una nueva visión del malvado villano, posiblemente, esa que sólo sus más fieles seguidores son capaces de ver.
A lo largo de la entera extención de la novela nos encontramos con una historia más bien densa, sin ese toque característico de humor que siempre parece estar presente en el hombre sonriente, con algunos de los antagonistas de la historia base de Batman, y una Harley Quinn aparentemente muda.
No me pareció especialmente buena como "The Killing Joke". Sin embargo, pretendo estar leyendo un poco más de Batman �Year One entre otros� y sus villanos en los próximos meses.
"A bit of advice... don't ever apologize to no one for the way you look."
"I don't know what he was thinking... or if he even was.
Joker, I was lernin'... wasn't about thinkin'... but all about doin'."
"You'd know that the safest place to hide... is in sanity."
"They say there's no honor among thieves. I guess that's true. But is that exclusive to thieves? Maybe there's just no honor, period.
"You know what I hate, Jonny Jonny? Everything."
"My friend... Jonny Jonny... What I hate more than everything is apologies."
"I'm on the top of the world, looking down. You know what I see? Do you want to know what I see? I see you. A disease. One that has been around longer than Gotham, the city infected. A disease that's older than any city. Hell, it's probably the same disease that built the first one. There will always be a Joker. Because there's no cure for him. Not at all. Just a Batman."
March 1, 2021
7.8/10
Even if the Joker is in the asylum , it doesn't mean the city is not his anymore and now that he is out, people going to find that out the hard way.
This is quite different from other stories i read with Joker, here we see a raw, gritty and more realistic version. Basically he is a mentally unstable crime boss that is going to make his hands dirty in order to take back the control of the city. This is one of the scariest versions of the character, there is nothing charming here just a very very bad guy that you have no idea what is going on in his mind and you definitely don't want to mess with.
Azzarello's writing is good and although i am not sure i like the art, it does fit this story well.
Even if the Joker is in the asylum , it doesn't mean the city is not his anymore and now that he is out, people going to find that out the hard way.
This is quite different from other stories i read with Joker, here we see a raw, gritty and more realistic version. Basically he is a mentally unstable crime boss that is going to make his hands dirty in order to take back the control of the city. This is one of the scariest versions of the character, there is nothing charming here just a very very bad guy that you have no idea what is going on in his mind and you definitely don't want to mess with.
Azzarello's writing is good and although i am not sure i like the art, it does fit this story well.
December 17, 2024
Dark, gritty!
January 2, 2009
I don't understand why so many panties are damp for this (or for the latest Dark Knight movie for that matter, but that's another argument). The art is good but not great. Artistically, the Joker here is obviously modeled after Heath Ledger's. The story is ok. The Joker gets out of Arkham Asylum and goes around killing people? Quelle surprise. I guess it's 'edgy' if you don't get out much, but I really didn't see anything new here. Telling the tale from the viewpoint of the henchman-wannabe-badass was a good idea, but loses steam early on. The man's got no depth and is therefore uninteresting. You want nutjob bad guys and over-the-top violence in your comic books? Read . He seems to stay awake nights trying to come up with ways to be disturbed. It gets old. Tell me a good story and give me some artwork that makes me say "Wow."
Note to dust jacket blurb-writers: Telling a story at night does not make it 'noir.'
Note to dust jacket blurb-writers: Telling a story at night does not make it 'noir.'
November 7, 2020
Brian Azzerello tries to give Joker the Ed Brubaker ‘Criminal� treatment and it works reasonably well but I wasn’t ever really blown away.
When the artwork was at its best, it was really good. Unfortunately, it was also wildly inconsistent.
While this wasn’t a bad read by any stretch of the imagination, for me, it failed to live up to all the hype. Still, I don’t regret buying it.
When the artwork was at its best, it was really good. Unfortunately, it was also wildly inconsistent.
While this wasn’t a bad read by any stretch of the imagination, for me, it failed to live up to all the hype. Still, I don’t regret buying it.
February 3, 2019
Not my favorite protagonist, but good insider information.
September 1, 2016
This is a dark comic with a Heath Ledger look-alike Joker.
And I dare say it's a comic about Jonny Frost since it's told from his point of view.
As I said it's a dark comic with a really scary Joker. And I have to say I prefer the classic Joker with the purple suit and his jokes. This one is just a madman without a funny bone in his entire body.
Also, there's Harley Quinn.
She's reduced to a stripper who doesn't have a single line in the entire comic. That doesn't work for me as Harley is the reason the Joker started to grow on me in the first place. There's only one moment when Jonny spies through a bedroom door and sees Joker crying while holding Quinn. But she appears to be quite detached which I find so unlike her.
All in all, I'm not sorry I've read , but I could have lived without it. Meh.
And I dare say it's a comic about Jonny Frost since it's told from his point of view.
As I said it's a dark comic with a really scary Joker. And I have to say I prefer the classic Joker with the purple suit and his jokes. This one is just a madman without a funny bone in his entire body.
Also, there's Harley Quinn.
She's reduced to a stripper who doesn't have a single line in the entire comic. That doesn't work for me as Harley is the reason the Joker started to grow on me in the first place. There's only one moment when Jonny spies through a bedroom door and sees Joker crying while holding Quinn. But she appears to be quite detached which I find so unlike her.
All in all, I'm not sorry I've read , but I could have lived without it. Meh.
December 10, 2019
The Joker is one of the great Batman villains. While others from Penguin to Two Face are to be considered dangerous criminals, none match the Joker for sheer bloody minded havoc.
The Joker has been released from Arkham (for some stupid reason) and Johnny Frost has chosen to be his flunky. Frost walks down a dark path of madness and horror as he learns just what it means to work for the Joker. Azzarello's Joker is awesome!
Dark, humorous and completely bat-shit crazy. As is said in the story, for the Joker death is the punchline. We see a released Joker find out that in his absence his crime business has not been "kept up". As he gathers his crew, along with Harley Quinn and Killer Croc, he begins to "take back Gotham". This leads to conflict with Two-Face. That's the gist of the story and while it is likely to not sound all that original (it isn't in concept), but this story really is about Joker and his mental issues. It gives you a solid prespective, from Frost's viewpoint, of what it is like to work for a complete maniac like Joker.
This is one of my favorite Joker stories (along with the "Killing Joke") and while the story and art can be considered disturbing, it ought to be. The Joker is a truly disturbing character and Azzarello's Joker is superb.
I highly recommend this to any Batman fan, but this is a must read for any Joker fan. One of the best Joker stories in a long time.
The Joker has been released from Arkham (for some stupid reason) and Johnny Frost has chosen to be his flunky. Frost walks down a dark path of madness and horror as he learns just what it means to work for the Joker. Azzarello's Joker is awesome!
Dark, humorous and completely bat-shit crazy. As is said in the story, for the Joker death is the punchline. We see a released Joker find out that in his absence his crime business has not been "kept up". As he gathers his crew, along with Harley Quinn and Killer Croc, he begins to "take back Gotham". This leads to conflict with Two-Face. That's the gist of the story and while it is likely to not sound all that original (it isn't in concept), but this story really is about Joker and his mental issues. It gives you a solid prespective, from Frost's viewpoint, of what it is like to work for a complete maniac like Joker.
This is one of my favorite Joker stories (along with the "Killing Joke") and while the story and art can be considered disturbing, it ought to be. The Joker is a truly disturbing character and Azzarello's Joker is superb.
I highly recommend this to any Batman fan, but this is a must read for any Joker fan. One of the best Joker stories in a long time.
April 15, 2017
Brian Azzarello's graphic novel tells a gang war story set in Gotham City and focuses on The Joker after some dumbass at Arkham Asylum granted him an early release and he just strolls out of there of his own accord. The story is told through the eyes of a two-bit, low-level hood named Jonny Frost, who's the only one with the balls and ambition to pick up The Joker on his release and join him on a rampage through the Gotham City underworld to re-stake his claim.
The stand-out element in this scuzzy, grungy little crime book is a now infamous depiction of the Crown Prince of Crime, with the longer hair, the wrinkled, scarred face, and the ragged Glasgow Smile cut through his cheeks. Reportedly, early drafts of this depiction were used as reference for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and it's Heath Ledger version of the villain, which popularized the look. And within these pages, backed by Lee Bermejo's artwork, it's pretty freaky to look at.
And the story is pretty good too, as we see Joker bumping heads with other baddies for a change and it's interesting to see him through the eyes of criminals rather than the good guys this time. And the tension really ramps up as Jonny begins to see just how unhinged and unpredictable and downright insane The Joker is, and how it's a huge mistake to believe that you can simply be "friends" with a man like that. The Joker is possibly one of the greatest villain characters ever created in any medium, and this book does him justice.
The stand-out element in this scuzzy, grungy little crime book is a now infamous depiction of the Crown Prince of Crime, with the longer hair, the wrinkled, scarred face, and the ragged Glasgow Smile cut through his cheeks. Reportedly, early drafts of this depiction were used as reference for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and it's Heath Ledger version of the villain, which popularized the look. And within these pages, backed by Lee Bermejo's artwork, it's pretty freaky to look at.
And the story is pretty good too, as we see Joker bumping heads with other baddies for a change and it's interesting to see him through the eyes of criminals rather than the good guys this time. And the tension really ramps up as Jonny begins to see just how unhinged and unpredictable and downright insane The Joker is, and how it's a huge mistake to believe that you can simply be "friends" with a man like that. The Joker is possibly one of the greatest villain characters ever created in any medium, and this book does him justice.
December 3, 2016
English review at the bottom
Muy bueno. El viaje del Joker a través de Gotham para recuperar su ciudad, pero con un sentido menos cómico (lo cual es un poco decepcionante, eso es partede su personalidad) acompañado con una increiblemente sexy y muda Harley. Además nos encontraremos con El Pingüino, Dos Caras y El Acertijo.
La historia es interesante, pero nada fuera del otro mundo,utiliza muchos recursos que podemos encontrar en otras historias de Batman peor los utiliza de manera correcta, el problema es que no puedo verlo como algo realmente original. Hay mucha comparación con y en dibujo personalmente me gusto mucho el de este issue, pero la historia no logra ser tan memorable. Una buena historia que no logra entrar en la magnificencia por falta de un je ne sais quoi y no por falta de recursos.
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A good interesting history that shows what happen when Gotham forget pay the right to exist to The Joker. Bad idea, he is the kind of men that needs be recognized, craziness is part of that. This travel isn't more violent than insane, and i really miss the lack of the black humor that almoust always came with this rare clown.
Even when the history was good didn't blow my mind, but i can't say what the history needs to do it. Anyway capture my interest and Jeez, the illustrations was absolutely awesome.
Muy bueno. El viaje del Joker a través de Gotham para recuperar su ciudad, pero con un sentido menos cómico (lo cual es un poco decepcionante, eso es partede su personalidad) acompañado con una increiblemente sexy y muda Harley. Además nos encontraremos con El Pingüino, Dos Caras y El Acertijo.
La historia es interesante, pero nada fuera del otro mundo,utiliza muchos recursos que podemos encontrar en otras historias de Batman peor los utiliza de manera correcta, el problema es que no puedo verlo como algo realmente original. Hay mucha comparación con y en dibujo personalmente me gusto mucho el de este issue, pero la historia no logra ser tan memorable. Una buena historia que no logra entrar en la magnificencia por falta de un je ne sais quoi y no por falta de recursos.
___________________________________________
A good interesting history that shows what happen when Gotham forget pay the right to exist to The Joker. Bad idea, he is the kind of men that needs be recognized, craziness is part of that. This travel isn't more violent than insane, and i really miss the lack of the black humor that almoust always came with this rare clown.
Even when the history was good didn't blow my mind, but i can't say what the history needs to do it. Anyway capture my interest and Jeez, the illustrations was absolutely awesome.
January 17, 2025
The artwork is phenomenal, the story a little less, but it's a graphical treat 🙂↕�
December 22, 2020
This book was disturbing. I know that Joker's supposed to be disturbing. What disturbed me wasn't just Joker's behaviour. There were a few things.
1) The portrayal of women as playthings, as objects.
2) Harley Quinn- Her character has always been such a strong one. But in this book all she does is stand in the sidelines coming to the front whenever Joker needs her to spend the night in his bed.
3) This line:
"There will always be a Joker. Because there's no cure for him. No cure at all...just a Batman."
As far as I know Joker was initially just a mentally ill man. So, this just increases the stigma around mental health. There is always a cure for mental health disorders, you don't have to go around causing bloodshed. You could talk to your family and friends, if the need arises you could see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Just remember there is always a cure, it could take months or years but eventually you will become healthy again. Even if you do become like Joker, you could improve with an expert's help. You don't need a fucking batman to kill you.
Initially I was giving the book 2 stars but that line, that line just made the book all the more bad.
1) The portrayal of women as playthings, as objects.
2) Harley Quinn- Her character has always been such a strong one. But in this book all she does is stand in the sidelines coming to the front whenever Joker needs her to spend the night in his bed.
3) This line:
"There will always be a Joker. Because there's no cure for him. No cure at all...just a Batman."
As far as I know Joker was initially just a mentally ill man. So, this just increases the stigma around mental health. There is always a cure for mental health disorders, you don't have to go around causing bloodshed. You could talk to your family and friends, if the need arises you could see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Just remember there is always a cure, it could take months or years but eventually you will become healthy again. Even if you do become like Joker, you could improve with an expert's help. You don't need a fucking batman to kill you.
Initially I was giving the book 2 stars but that line, that line just made the book all the more bad.
December 26, 2020
This is definitely one of the darkest Joker books I've read up to now. This book is really more about Joker being the biggest crime boss in Gotham rather than his ongoing battle with Batman. I think of Joker being more obsessed with Batman than money or who has the most clout amongst the criminal element of the city, so this one was a bit of a different take for me. It's a good story, even though it seemed over familiar as far as crime stories go. The art is pitch black as well. This isn't my favorite Joker story, but I enjoyed it.
February 17, 2013
Introduction:
After reading the classic “Batman� tale, I wanted to read more stories about one of Batman’s most infamous villains, the Joker! So, I went ahead and picked up Brian Azzarello’s take on the Joker “Joker� and while it has many slow scenes, it was a truly interesting take on the psychotic mind of the Joker in a more dark and gritty way that I would have never imagined possible!
What is this story about?
This story is being told from the viewpoint of one of the Joker’s newest henchmen, Jonny Frost and in this story; the Joker was just released from Arkham Asylum and he is NOT HAPPY! The Joker just realized that while he was gone, his fellow villains, the Penguin, Killer Croc, The Riddler and Two-Face had sold off his properties and the Joker is planning on getting them back! Be prepared for one violent and nightmare ride as we see how scary the Joker can be when he is really angry!
What I loved about this story:
Brian Azzarello’s writing: Since this is the first time I had read any of Brian Azzarello’s works, I was actually impressed with how dark and gritty this story is and the fact that it fits so perfectly with the Joker’s insane nature. I loved the fact that this story has a bit of crime noir in it as I am a huge fan of crime stories and it was interesting seeing the story being played out from a villain’s point of view. What was so intriguing about this story was the fact that Brian Azzarello really showed the dark side of the Joker as the Joker spends most of this story committing horrible crimes and torturing his fellow criminals and yet, gets away with everything until the very end of the story. I enjoyed the dark and gritty take on the Joker and he seems to remind me heavily of Heath Ledger’s version of the Joker in “The Dark Knight� movie as both characters were dark and were trying to prove a point to other people. It was also interesting that we actually get a good look at the Joker from the perspective of his henchman since it added more dimension on how the Joker’s own henchman feels about the Joker himself.
Lee Bermejo’s artwork: Lee Bermejo’s artwork may seem a bit scratchy in some panels, but in doing the close up images of the Joker looking so crazed and dramatic, it was truly beautiful! I loved the way that Lee Bermejo painted the images of the Joker’s face close up as it truly looks disturbing since it seems like the Joker had cut his mouth open to make it look like an actual smile and that was truly disturbing to see!
What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:
The reason why I gave this comic a four star rating is that there were many slow scenes in this comic as most of the scenes basically dealt with the Joker just discussing with the other rogues gallery about how he wants to split the profits with them. Also, there is some language and gory violence in this book, where the violence includes people getting shot and blood spurting out of the wounds and there is one REALLY DISTURBING scene that I cannot really say, but let us just say that it involves some SKIN RIPPING!
Final Thoughts:
Now, even though I liked reading “Joker,� I still preferred “Batman: The Killing Joke� over this story since I felt that “The Killing Joke� was one of the best “Joker� stories I had ever read. “The Killing Joke� was trying to define the different ideologies between both Batman and the Joker while “Joker� was just showing the more violent and dark side of the Joker. However, I did enjoy both books for different reasons and if you want to read a “Joker� story that shows the Joker’s violent side, then “Joker� is a great book to read!
Review is also on:
December 9, 2019
You can find my review on my blog by clicking .
It's one thing to know someone by their reputation but it's another to see what they are about for yourself. One's imagination is enough to perpetually reinforce our image of a person to the point where we believe what we tell ourselves despite what reality has to say. The Joker is one of those individuals whose reputation precedes him and the mere mention of his name sparks a fury of preconceptions regarding him, whether it's what he's accomplished as a deranged killer or what he's capable of accomplishing when you least expect it. Thanks to the phenomenal creative team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Lee Bermejo—the same duo that has given fans Luthor, Before Watchmen: Rorschach, and Damned—we're offered the chance to tag along on an unforgettable ride brimming of crude violence, lust, sexuality, and manipulation, as we watch the Joker reestablish himself as the craziest lunatic in town.
What is Joker about? The Clown Prince of Gotham has somehow completed his time in Arkham Asylum and mysteriously exits the madhouse with no one to pick him up for the next chapter of his life. Unfortunately, Jonny Frost is the unlucky dedicated driver and becomes Joker's personal chauffeur. Where things will go from there is unknown to all but the Dark Knight's archnemesis has a plan brewing in his mind and it begins with visiting the crimelords of Gotham City who have disappointed him during his absence. This beloved miniseries thus follows a low-level thug into a night filled with vice, evil, and madness, a night allowing him to become someone he never thought of becoming, but also to enter the deranged mind of an erratic psychopath.
Writer Brian Azarello and artist Lee Bermejo stun the world with one of the most harrowing interpretations of the Joker that will later give way to the stand-alone sequel entitled Damned. Loyal to the familiar persona associated with the villain, they flawlessly bring to life a character prone to insanity, comedy, brutality, and deception. This is perfectly executed and perceived through the eyes of a narrator who starts off insignificant and gradually becomes a trusted insider to the Joker's life. Where the creative team behind this miniseries especially outshine themselves is in the exquisite relationship built between this thug and the clown. The level of intimacy that is allowed in their bond is almost palpable and it brings the reader to embrace the raw brutality and the irrational behaviour that is unmistakably associated with the Clown Prince of Gotham.
It would be a mistake not to mention the awe-inspiring artwork that only artist Lee Bermejo is capable of delivering with his prodigious talents. His visual design for the Joker is bewildering and immediately captures the incrusted evil within the villain. With darker shades and heavy use of shadows that insert a grim and suffocating atmosphere to the narrative, he's able to capture the corruption that leaks through the streets of Gotham.With the help of inker Mick Gray and colourist Patricia Mulvihill, this creative team was able to give fans a tour of what it really means to be mad. This story wasn't just about capturing the essence of an iconic villain within a city that lives and dies on fear but to simulate the chocking sensation that comes from stepping into a world where evil reigns over the rich and the poor, where who you are isn't about what you've done but what you do.
Joker is a striking and sublime classic masterpiece diving deep into the disturbing psyche of a psychopath and unearthing the very definition of insanity.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog:
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Insanely beautiful.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog:
October 8, 2019
Joker by Brian Azzarello is one of these graphic novels you cant take breaks off you will gobble it up in a day.
What a novel !
Did you ever wish for a graphic novel based only on joker and no one else but joker?
Well, in this graphic novel Azzarello hands us this wish on a golden plate.
So, the joker has convinced his doctors that he is sane and they can release him and he gets released, only to find out that all his business have been split between different crime lords.
Its weird enough that by page 24 we haven't seen anyone get killed by the joker yet , but in page 25 he delivers crime lords are killed all over Gotham.
Johnny frost is somehow the co-star in this journey , yes we know you are somebody now Johnny hell all of this might hint that you are the future joker in the time stream that this graphic novel belongs in.
Johnny is excited to work with the joker but is he really? it proves to be too much for him but in the end we see him get disfigured in a similar way to the joker while the joker is getting beaten by the batman.
We also get to see the forever sexy and abso-fucking-lutely crazy Harley Quinn but sadly she doesn't have a big part in this.
What about the joker frightening the hell out of Penguin and Harvey Dent? no one holds a candle to the joker because he is unexpected he is totally nuts and you never know what he will do !
And finally i also loved that Killer Croc was the joker's side kick in this journey.
I don't really know if i have read anything by Brian Azzarello before but Now i know i did.
What a novel !
Did you ever wish for a graphic novel based only on joker and no one else but joker?
Well, in this graphic novel Azzarello hands us this wish on a golden plate.
So, the joker has convinced his doctors that he is sane and they can release him and he gets released, only to find out that all his business have been split between different crime lords.
Its weird enough that by page 24 we haven't seen anyone get killed by the joker yet , but in page 25 he delivers crime lords are killed all over Gotham.
Johnny frost is somehow the co-star in this journey , yes we know you are somebody now Johnny hell all of this might hint that you are the future joker in the time stream that this graphic novel belongs in.
Johnny is excited to work with the joker but is he really? it proves to be too much for him but in the end we see him get disfigured in a similar way to the joker while the joker is getting beaten by the batman.
We also get to see the forever sexy and abso-fucking-lutely crazy Harley Quinn but sadly she doesn't have a big part in this.
What about the joker frightening the hell out of Penguin and Harvey Dent? no one holds a candle to the joker because he is unexpected he is totally nuts and you never know what he will do !
And finally i also loved that Killer Croc was the joker's side kick in this journey.
I don't really know if i have read anything by Brian Azzarello before but Now i know i did.
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