localjester 's review for:

Joker: The Deluxe Edition by Brian Azzarello
2.0
dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
I'm cutting myself on the edge coming from this comic.

Without even looking at the publishing date, it's obvious this was made around the time The Dark Knight movie was released. The story, characters, artwork, and tone are all a product of its time and work together to create a cohesive comic. The art is technically sound, and has some detailed and beautiful panels displaying the characters and Gotham with an unending gloom that is typical of the city. (Personally I love the black and white artwork originals shown at the end of the Deluxe Edition more than the final product, something about it just hits harder). Joker is violent and greasy; watching his cruelty unfold through the eyes of a average henchman, Johnny, is an interesting and fun way for the story to unfold. Outsider POV being big fun. 

That being said, even as someone who can enjoy the Dark Knight's Joker, this one felt... different? An every day mob boss in white face paint. His worst deeds are committed because the story needs to give the audience a shock. In a time when there are so many well executed versions of the Joker, this one fails to impress. And he needed to impress when the whole story is centered around the Joker and Johnny. 

It strongly embodies the grimdark masking as realism of the time. Not a story for me, even with all the talent behind it. 
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