JOKER (DC Comics, November 2008)( Brian Azzarello, writer. Lee Bermejo, artist. Hardcover, 128 pages. ISBN #1401215815 / 9781401215811 Winner of IGN Literary Award For Best Original Graphic Novel of 2008.
Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .
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 LUTHOR: MAN OF STEEL.
The Joker has been mysteriously released from Arkham Asylum, and he's none too 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.
My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
JOKER offers a version of the famous comic book villain that is more edgy, gritty and realistic. As depicted by artist Lee Bermejo, Joker is less campy villain and more noir criminal. The images will remind of Heath Ledger's gritty performance in Nolan's Batman film; and at times appear to resemble Joaquin Phoenix's physical features in the Joker movie - even though this was published back in 2008, years before that film.
Writer Brian Azzarello offers up a psychological profile of Joker, a character portrait that reveals his twisted nature and inner turmoil/passion/anger through his actions. It's much more of a character portrayal than it is a complete story with a conflict and a resolution. The story just seems to . . . . . end. Not really - there is a final pages confrontation with Batman, but the climax of that is vague, left to our interpretation. The commentary concludes that "There will always be a a Joker. Because there's no cure for him. No cure at all. Just a Batman.”
Helping to establish the crime novel feel of the story is the first-person narration and commentary by secondary character and low level criminal Jonny Frost. Frost is an appropriate name, as Jonny appears to be ice-cold towards the brutal actions of the Joker that he witnesses, as a willing driver to his escapades.
The story begins with the premise that the Joker has been judged "cured" by doctors at Arkham Asylum, and released. I would have loved to see Azzarello reveal that final interview where Joker cons his way out. Alas, that never happens here. No explanation is given.
So what might he do upon his release? As you might expect, its' payback time for all the other villains who stole his piece of the Gotham crime pie while he was absent.
Some readers may be disappointed by the lack of a complete story, but what saved it for me is the amazing expressive and realistic art of Bermejo. Moody and atmospheric, and perfect for this story.
Familiar Batman villains like Penguin, Two-Face, Killer Croc, Harley Quinn and The Riddler also get the darker, realistic look. Croc looks more like a huge disfigured thug than a reptilian frightmare. Bermejo catches all the nuances and body language of the characters. The detail is incredible, down to lines in faces, shadows, and wrinkles in clothing. This is worth the asking price just for the art.
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