BATMAN #98 (DC, early November 2020) Part Four of The Joker War. James Tynion IV, writer. Jorge Jiminez, artist. Tomeu Morey, colors. Clayton Cowles, letters. Guillem March & Tomeu Morey, cover. Francesco Mattina, variant cover.
I’m very glad I decided to follow this storyline. I am fully engaged.
Before I comment on the story, I want to recognize the bang-up job Jorge Jimenez is doing on the art and Tomeu Morey’s fantastic job with colors. They really enhance the proceedings. I’ve been enjoying this series as it moves along, rating the various issues “four” out of a possible “five”. Issue #98 is a definite “five” out of “five”.
While the Joker’s henchmen set fires in the city, the other super-criminals in Gotham hide out in Penguin’s casino/fortress playing a bingo board where they place bets on the outcomes. Batman remains semi-conscious in Poison Ivy’s garden, waiting for the effects of Harley Quinn’s recuperative tea to rid his body of the Joker toxins. In his dream state, Batman converses with the ghost of Alfred. Punchline intrudes upon the scene, and gets into battle with Harley Quinn.
I’m going to risk offending some readers by getting a little political here. I can’t help it, as there is one particular page that reminds me of the electoral contest going on between Biden (Batman) and Trump (Joker). Sorry if you don’t agree with me, but Trump is an evil, manipulative man. Here’s what Alfred tells Batman about the Joker. Please reflect on the message:
“You saw it from the beginning.
The Joker lives in a cold, dead world, where you and he are the only real living beings.
He mocks love and family by pulling his acolytes close to him. Making a joke of your family. Your relationships.
But he’d just as soon put a bullet in their heads if that gave him the upper hand against you.
He puts so many lives at risk so you know you can’t save them all.
Because he knows you are his opposite.
There is no difference to him in taking one life or a million lives.
But there is to you.”
There’s also a conversation between Punchline and Harley where Punchy’s words remind me of the jaded remarks of a conned Trump worshipper, someone who sampled too much of Trump’s hate and fear toxins. Harley’s retort could be the words of a Republican voter who realizes her personal values and her party’s values are no longer being represented:
“Y,know? I feel sorry for you, kid. You still don’t see that we’re exactly the same.
I thought Mr. J had a heart. You think he has a brain.
But he’s not doing this for any of the reasons you think he is. He doesn’t believe in anything.
He’s a manipulator. He’s manipulating you.”
Get a copy of this issue for yourself and see if you agree with me.This brings up the question: Is Tynion’s The Joker War a metaphor for the 2020 presidential election?
Whether or not that is Tynion’s intention, I’ve never read a better assessment of the inner make-up of both characters (Batman and Joker) than what Alfred says this issue. Here’s his analysis of Bruce:
“You take yourself so seriously, Master Bruce. But Batman is a child’s dream. That you can travel the world and learn every possible way to save everyone.
And there is a part of you that believes you can.
And the dream is powerful, and beautiful. And you must hold onto it.”
I don’t think I”ve ever quoted the dialogue from a comic as much as I have in this review. The fact that a simple story causes me to compare it to events in the real world and to reflect on those implications is powerful indeed. Here’s to the power of the comics medium!
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