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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Um, before I start, Kat, Anne and everyone else...I'm sorry about the rating, but it didn't work as well as I thought it would. *ducks flying bulldozer*
I knew you guys might say that. So I've come armed with good reasons. They're right here! *pats pockets* Huh? I put them in here...somewhere...
*gets roundhoused by flying elephant*
I had 'em, I swear! *rubbing sore skull* NO PLEASE! NOT THE SCISSOR CUT!
Anyway, painful jokes aside, I can see why this would be considered a classic. It's a psychological mind bender and Batman is at his human best here. Not that it stops him from pulling a classic Batman Gambit though.
If you're wondering why I didn't rate this much higher, it's because I was somehow a little detached from the story. It's like the uncanny valley; The Joker was so far beyond normalcy, even for a villain, that it became hard to consider him human and by extension, hard to understand the scope of the threat he posed. I kind of felt like I was watching someone else's nightmare.
Of course, that is part of the idea. Bruce is continuously trying to convince himself that Joker is human, so he doesn't run screaming for cover. While I found some scenes pretty scary - the Harley incident and the burning horse, urgh - in general the gruesome stuff was so outlandish it was difficult to forget that this is fiction.
The main conflict is indeed pretty interesting, but the way it ended made me feel like I watched a gory version of the Persona 4 anime. It was a tad too easily solved, don't you think?
The art didn't click that well with me either. I understand why it was done the way it was, all gritty and noir-like, but Bruce looks way too young. He's a father and a crime fighter for goodness sakes. He shouldn't look like Liam Hemsworth crossed with Clark Gable. He shouldn't look 25.
I do, however, appreciate the presentation of the volume. I thought the opening and closing pages, with a series of half-profiles of Batman and the Joker, was extremely well done. And beautifully symbolic.
Grudgingly, I also give credit to that ending, which is creepily fitting considering everything. It's not satisfying, or cathartic, but it feels like it belongs.
So, I would say, for this one, your mileage may vary.
Get this review and more at:
I knew you guys might say that. So I've come armed with good reasons. They're right here! *pats pockets* Huh? I put them in here...somewhere...
*gets roundhoused by flying elephant*
I had 'em, I swear! *rubbing sore skull* NO PLEASE! NOT THE SCISSOR CUT!
Anyway, painful jokes aside, I can see why this would be considered a classic. It's a psychological mind bender and Batman is at his human best here. Not that it stops him from pulling a classic Batman Gambit though.
If you're wondering why I didn't rate this much higher, it's because I was somehow a little detached from the story. It's like the uncanny valley; The Joker was so far beyond normalcy, even for a villain, that it became hard to consider him human and by extension, hard to understand the scope of the threat he posed. I kind of felt like I was watching someone else's nightmare.
Of course, that is part of the idea. Bruce is continuously trying to convince himself that Joker is human, so he doesn't run screaming for cover. While I found some scenes pretty scary - the Harley incident and the burning horse, urgh - in general the gruesome stuff was so outlandish it was difficult to forget that this is fiction.
The main conflict is indeed pretty interesting, but the way it ended made me feel like I watched a gory version of the Persona 4 anime. It was a tad too easily solved, don't you think?
The art didn't click that well with me either. I understand why it was done the way it was, all gritty and noir-like, but Bruce looks way too young. He's a father and a crime fighter for goodness sakes. He shouldn't look like Liam Hemsworth crossed with Clark Gable. He shouldn't look 25.
I do, however, appreciate the presentation of the volume. I thought the opening and closing pages, with a series of half-profiles of Batman and the Joker, was extremely well done. And beautifully symbolic.
Grudgingly, I also give credit to that ending, which is creepily fitting considering everything. It's not satisfying, or cathartic, but it feels like it belongs.
So, I would say, for this one, your mileage may vary.
Get this review and more at:
I really liked this one. A clever deconstruction of Batman’s relationship with the Joker. My only criticism would be that once the revelations and psychological aspect finally got rolling, they didn’t get explored far enough. The ending is a gut-punch, how despite Batman winning, Joker has managed to cause a rift between him and the others. That corruption sticking with him was symbolized cleverly by the use of flies as a metaphor. Joker, wearing his own face as a grisly mask, is surrounded by flies and even after it is all said and done, one of them sticks around in the Batcave. I thought that element was some fantastic visual storytelling.
The New 52 Batman continues to be absolutely addictive. After a fair bit of time out of the story, Joker is finally back with a master plan to destroy Batman and his family. Of course, a master plan from Joker means organized chaos to extreme amounts, and that pretty much describes this graphic novel as a whole. After how much I loved Snyder's story arc involving the Court of Owls, I've been pretty interested as to where he'd take the series next--this did not disappoint.
I loved some of the nods to previous entries in the series, and the journey through Arkham Asylum felt particularly fitting. I ended up enjoying this more than The Killing Joke, which was pretty fabulous itself and a real landmark in the Batman series for Joker. A lot more horrific and brutal than many of the other Batman comics, with some interesting cameos from various other villains. Harley's appearance was particularly memorable for me.
I was provided a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for reviewing purposes.
I loved some of the nods to previous entries in the series, and the journey through Arkham Asylum felt particularly fitting. I ended up enjoying this more than The Killing Joke, which was pretty fabulous itself and a real landmark in the Batman series for Joker. A lot more horrific and brutal than many of the other Batman comics, with some interesting cameos from various other villains. Harley's appearance was particularly memorable for me.
I was provided a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for reviewing purposes.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the darkest and most psychotic Joker I've read to date, with psychological torture that hits Bruce Wayne and the entire Batman family of good guys where they live. Joker is playing the most deadly game yet and he's targeting Batman's allies: Alfred, Jim Gordon, Nightwing, Batgirl, Damien, and more.
The depth of the Batman universe is used well, with callbacks to significant events and strong appearances from allies. Other villains are limited to the most recognizable, with Penguin, Riddler, and Two-Face playing parts. An encyclopedic knowledge of the Batman universe isn't required, but it helps to have more than a passing familiarity with the major arcs, especially for Batman's allies.
Loved this for the well done dialogue and the intimacy of Joker and Batman's endless dance. It will be considered a classic, I'm sure.
Reviewed on Come Hither Books
The depth of the Batman universe is used well, with callbacks to significant events and strong appearances from allies. Other villains are limited to the most recognizable, with Penguin, Riddler, and Two-Face playing parts. An encyclopedic knowledge of the Batman universe isn't required, but it helps to have more than a passing familiarity with the major arcs, especially for Batman's allies.
Loved this for the well done dialogue and the intimacy of Joker and Batman's endless dance. It will be considered a classic, I'm sure.
Reviewed on Come Hither Books
I liked the fact that it drew deeply upon the history between the Joker and Batman. The plot, too, was decent. I simply don't like the new sadistic Joker. Though the effect his latest plane has on the relationship between Batman and his allies was a good one.
'Twas a solid, if ultimately, disappointing story.
'Twas a solid, if ultimately, disappointing story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
Wow! This story arc did not disappoint. I have always loved the darker Batman comics, and this was certainly one of them! I love when the whole Bat-Family gets together, and the Joker certainly didn't go easy on them. He had some of his most mechanical and twisted moments yet. Absolutely wonderful, and definitely one of my all-time favorite.
One of the best takes on the Batman/Joker dynamic. I like the things discussed about how the Joker views Batman, this has the best handle on the New 52 Harley Quinn and for once, the Bat Family feels right. I liked it a lot.