Joker Review

I just recently purchased and read the original graphic novel titled Joker, written by Brian Azzarello and art by Lee Bermejo. Brian Azzarello writes the grizzled crime series 100 Bullets and has collaborated with Bermejo in the past with Lex Luthor: Man of Steel. This is arguably the best take on the Joker since Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke. The Joker in this sways a little from the in-continuity Joker and merging it with Heath Ledger’s version of the character. Although the book was more than likely written before Azzarello saw The Dark Knight but he may have used some influence from the trailers.

Joker reads pretty much like I expected a point of view from his side of things would read. A messed up, psychotic, twisted and sadistic way of life that the Joker lives. To say this is a Joker only story though would be a misstep as new character, Johnny Frost, is created to be the narrator. This is the problem with the book, as Frost isn’t a character that matters but just a subplot that is intersecting with the Joker’s. Frost is a way for us to view the Joker during this story but Azzarello doesn’t just use him as a narrative tool but incorporates his story as well. As we follow the Joker from his unexplained release from Arkham Asylum to his rise back to reacquire “his city”. Joker shows us the Gotham underground and its dirty, grim nature as he shoots and slices his way back to the top. Not knowing if the Joker is insane all the time or just when he feels like it is part of the allure he brings to the pages.

With the book not being in-continuity we are treated to new takes on existing characters. Killer Croc is now just a big strong thug living in a meat locker. The Penguin is illegitimate business man “running the city” while the Joker is away. Harley Quinn is shown briefly throughout the book as the Joker’s girlfriend. The Riddler is the very different in this story. His cane serves a purpose as his right leg is limp, while clothing is a completely different style. You don’t know what his purpose is but he steals things, whether it is for himself and sells them or is commissioned by others to steal certain items we do not know. He is shown selling something to the Joker that was “impossible” to get, but we are never privy to find out what it was. Two Face is living or at least looks like he is trying to live a somewhat normal life. We don’t know if he is evil or good but has cops on his payroll who are working for him to try to keep the Joker out of power.

The art in this book is fantastic and at first I didn’t think that was the case when I was just a few pages in. Bermejo changes his style throughout the book from his main pencil and inks to a combination of semi-painted panels and then to dark tones with lots of black. At first I was turned off by this shift in art styles but then I realized the reason for this was to show the nature of the Joker and how he sees everything differently. Not just different but a constant change from one minute to the next. Bermejo also uses the differing art styles and storytelling perfectly to focus on certain moments in the story

Not a perfect look, but a gaze into the Joker’s mind and character. This book is gorgeous in an ugly sort of way and should sit on your shelf next to The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum. Any fan of the Batman mythos, crime stories or psychological thrillers would enjoy this book.

4 out of 5 stars
Colin Enquist