Scan barcode
alandd's review
4.0
Una muy buena colección de historias originales. La demencia llega a nuevos niveles con muchas de estas historias y vemos al Guasón en papeles que van más allá de solo ser el villano. Las primeras historias fueron normales, no hubo mucha sorpresa, aunque sí creatividad, pero me encantaron principalmente Birthday Bugs y No Heroes. Muy, muy recomendadas.
A very good collection of original stories. Insanity reaches new levels with many of these stories and we see the Joker in roles that go beyond just being the villain. The first stories were common, there was not much surprise, although there was creativity, but I mainly loved Birthday Bugs and No Heroes. Highly, highly recommended.
A very good collection of original stories. Insanity reaches new levels with many of these stories and we see the Joker in roles that go beyond just being the villain. The first stories were common, there was not much surprise, although there was creativity, but I mainly loved Birthday Bugs and No Heroes. Highly, highly recommended.
kiralovesreading's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
corvusastrum's review against another edition
2.75
As this a collection of several short stories all around the Joker, I'm going to rate them individually here.
Scars 4/5
It's really interesting to see some of the Joker's victims and how they are trying to live on. Also the ending is clever and terrifying, I love it!
What Comes After a Joke? 1/5
This is the first time I've seen ore even heard about Punchline and I already can't stand her. I hate this modern approach on "strong women" who in reality are nothing but overconfident, belligerent and oh so snarky. Give me a break, I want actual interesting female characters, it's not that difficult.
Kill the Batman 1.5/5
Why does Harvey Dent look exactly like Bruce Wayne and why does nobody notice the undisguised Joker standing in the crowd? The story itself was fine until the very last panel. Kinda screams "I don't know how to end this so have this bad, overdone joke" to me.
Introducing the Dove Corps 2.5/5
After The Killing Joke I hoped I'd never have to see the Joker in shorts again. I was very much mistaken, my nightmares continue. The story feels very ... old. Like something you would have seen 50 years ago, idk. Not bad, but really nothing special at all.
The War Within 3/5
I don't get it, but the art is really nice.
The Last Smile 3.5/5
Would've preferred it if it weren't a nightmare. The Joker having nightmares just makes him seem too human, and isn't that exactly what one should be trying to avoid when writing stories about him? Maybe that's just me.
Birthday Bugs 4.5/5
Aww the Joker has a soft spot, how wholesome haha! <3
No Heroes 3/5
This feels oddly reminiscent of The Dark Knight. Not an over the top Joker like we're used to, but a more gritty, serious approach. I like it!
Penance 3.5/5
Well that explains why the priest's face wasn't moving at all. Old but gold.
Two fell Into the Hornets Nest 1/5
I don't get it. That's it.
Scars 4/5
It's really interesting to see some of the Joker's victims and how they are trying to live on. Also the ending is clever and terrifying, I love it!
What Comes After a Joke? 1/5
This is the first time I've seen ore even heard about Punchline and I already can't stand her. I hate this modern approach on "strong women" who in reality are nothing but overconfident, belligerent and oh so snarky. Give me a break, I want actual interesting female characters, it's not that difficult.
Kill the Batman 1.5/5
Why does Harvey Dent look exactly like Bruce Wayne and why does nobody notice the undisguised Joker standing in the crowd? The story itself was fine until the very last panel. Kinda screams "I don't know how to end this so have this bad, overdone joke" to me.
Introducing the Dove Corps 2.5/5
After The Killing Joke I hoped I'd never have to see the Joker in shorts again. I was very much mistaken, my nightmares continue. The story feels very ... old. Like something you would have seen 50 years ago, idk. Not bad, but really nothing special at all.
The War Within 3/5
I don't get it, but the art is really nice.
The Last Smile 3.5/5
Would've preferred it if it weren't a nightmare. The Joker having nightmares just makes him seem too human, and isn't that exactly what one should be trying to avoid when writing stories about him? Maybe that's just me.
Birthday Bugs 4.5/5
Aww the Joker has a soft spot, how wholesome haha! <3
No Heroes 3/5
This feels oddly reminiscent of The Dark Knight. Not an over the top Joker like we're used to, but a more gritty, serious approach. I like it!
Penance 3.5/5
Well that explains why the priest's face wasn't moving at all. Old but gold.
Two fell Into the Hornets Nest 1/5
I don't get it. That's it.
jbyrne97's review
4.0
"Kill the Batman" by Whitta and Miller is a perfect story. "No Heroes" by Medeiros and Albuquerque is also amazing. All stories in this anthology are between good and stellar. Highly recommended if you are a DC comics fan.
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, and Blood
anthroxagorus's review
4.0
Of all the tributes DC and Marvel have been doing, really liked this one. Joker's just a fun character, but definitely not queer enough for my liking :/
rocketbeard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thirty37seven's review
4.0
Scars - Scott's Joker is always creepy as fuck and I love it. I don't blame the guy for getting rid of the flesh-rose when he was a kid, what kind of parents give their child a rose made of flesh? Then beat him for throwing it away because he's terrified of it. Terrible people, that's who.
"What Comes After A Joke?" - A decent origin story for Punchline. I don't really know what to say, I guess I expected more. I'm glad she's not a Harley clone and I love her outfit. Great character design.
Kill The Batman - The aftermath of Joker killing Batman. I've always wanted a full story like this but more serious. The story ending with him working at the DMV because he doesn't know what to do with himself but he still wants to hurt people was a great... uh... punchline.
Introducing The Dove Corps - Probably my least favorite of this collection. It felt like an old school Joker story though and I liked that.
The War Within - This was different from all the rest, more of a poem I guess.
The Last Smile - This had the most adorable artwork. I didn't read the writing credits at the beginning but when I finished it I said "Paul Dini wrote this didn't he? ... Yep." Dude has a magical touch when it comes to Batman.
Birthday Bugs - Great story. Were the "hotdogs" the dad's fingers?
No Heroes - You know, Rafa? I see you draw Joker and all I can really see is how similar he looks like Skinner. Joker is a descendant of Skinner Sweet. Goddamn it I fucking miss Skinner.
Penance - Went exactly how I expected, minus the Scooby Doo reveal. Liked the touch with the whistle at the end.
Two Fell into the Hornet's Nest - Cute little tribute to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the ending made me laugh.
"So long, old... chump."
"What Comes After A Joke?" - A decent origin story for Punchline. I don't really know what to say, I guess I expected more. I'm glad she's not a Harley clone and I love her outfit. Great character design.
Kill The Batman - The aftermath of Joker killing Batman. I've always wanted a full story like this but more serious. The story ending with him working at the DMV because he doesn't know what to do with himself but he still wants to hurt people was a great... uh... punchline.
Introducing The Dove Corps - Probably my least favorite of this collection. It felt like an old school Joker story though and I liked that.
The War Within - This was different from all the rest, more of a poem I guess.
The Last Smile - This had the most adorable artwork. I didn't read the writing credits at the beginning but when I finished it I said "Paul Dini wrote this didn't he? ... Yep." Dude has a magical touch when it comes to Batman.
Birthday Bugs - Great story. Were the "hotdogs" the dad's fingers?
No Heroes - You know, Rafa? I see you draw Joker and all I can really see is how similar he looks like Skinner. Joker is a descendant of Skinner Sweet. Goddamn it I fucking miss Skinner.
Penance - Went exactly how I expected, minus the Scooby Doo reveal. Liked the touch with the whistle at the end.
Two Fell into the Hornet's Nest - Cute little tribute to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the ending made me laugh.
"So long, old... chump."
kierscrivener's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Average
The first three were stellar. A couple of the middle and end ones let me down and a few more were really great or had aspects that were good without full follow through. If you are a comics fan and you want to celebrate eighty years of The Joker I would recommend and I look forward to reading more anniversary editions of other beloved characters.
5 Stars-Scars [Written by Scott Snyder, artist: Jock, David Baron: colours, Tom Napolitano: letters]
This was my favourite of the all of the stories, it follows a psychotherapist that is trying to help Joker's victims heal after attacks, it is haunting, it is beautifully written, explored and drawn. And an amazing place to begin this anthology with.
4 Stars-What Comes At The End of The Joke [James Tynion IV: Writer, Mikel Janin: Artist]
This explores the origin of Alexis Kaye and how she became Punchline. It is beautifully outlined in how the art makes the story have much more of a punch, it subverts a lot of traits and discusses a lot of elements around current culture, I took a lot of notes for this one]
5 Stars-Kill The Batman [Gary Whitta/Greg Miller: Writers, Dan Mora: Artist]
I truly loved this one as well, all the cameos and the end was point and the very end was hilarious. It looks into the idea of 'What is a villain without a hero?'
1.5 Stars-Introducing The Dove Corps [Denny O'Neil: Writer, Jose-Luis Garcia-Lopez: Artist]
This one just wasn't for me, it was just meh. UN Guatemala Trip, soldiers who are committed to not killing, no one being at all curious that they have a dude with white makeup, green hair and plastered on smile . . . matching the description of one of the world's most well known terrorists.
2.5 Stars-The War Within [Peter J. Tomasi: Writer, Simone Bianchi]
This is written in songlike verse next to a gritty art style. I would give the story 2 Stars, it had potential but didn't fully live up to it but the writing 3/3.5 stars. "Is he the martyr or the madman?"
is the truly poignant line, but that last image will haunt me.
3 Stars-The Last Smile [Paul Dini: Writer, Riley Rossmo: Artist]
This is surprisingly the only story that includes Harley Quinn, when it begins with Joker waking up from a nightmare and Harley using those old psychologist's talents to calm him down and talk him through. This story included Poison Ivy, and a lot of nods to characters and the end is a gut punch.
3 Stars-Birthday Bugs [Tom Taylor: Writer, Eduardo Risso: Artist]
This is a seemingly endearing story, where Joker bonds with a boy who mutilates his bugs and than coerces neighbours to come to his birthday party. It includes one of the funniest lines to me: "Seriously? You keep one box of torture bugs and everyone's judgemental." and of course it also is deeply horrifying.
4 Stars-No Heroes [Eduardo Medeiros: Writer, Rafael Albuquerque: Writer/Artist]
This one follows a young man who is an intern at a bank, and 'is a hero' trying to stop the armed robbery, which results in him killing a man. Joker leaves him with "You know I have a bit of a crush on heroes because sooner or later, they all become martyrs."
2 Stars-Penance [Tony St. Daniel: Writer/Artist]
"Killing is a mortal sin, we've had this conversation before" A head of a Gotham Crime Family stops by a church to confess his sins. I must admit, this is one of my favourite tropes. It is the part I loved so much about the Daredevil show and many other medias that incorporate it. It is juxtaposed and funny to be when it involves this dynamic. The end took a turn that was cool if it didn't kind of seem like very incongruent and left me a bit unfulfilled.
2 Stars-Two Fell Into The Hornet's Nest [Brian Azzarello: Writer, Lee Bermejo: Artist]
I loved that it took place in Arkham, loved that included almost the whole rogues gallery, loved that the smile looked glued on. (One of my favourite aspects throughout was seeing the different renderings of Joker and especially the depiction of his smile). . . . but the rest was a strange fever dream. I have my own speculations but I am not sure what message or plot this was trying to convey. Insanity, abuse of patients, illusions, arrogance of Bats, the everchanging reality of Joker and his past and story, that 'treatment' is what drove him, that he and Batman are the same. . . I honestly don't know. Maybe none. Maybe all.
_________
also a note: out of the 37 writers/artists/colourist, letterers, only one is female
of the additional 13 artists used for one take pages/cover: two more are female
there are no female writers, and Fiona Staples is the only female artist employed that was given creative freedom and of that is given one page, the very last page.
Jordie Bellaire was a colourist, and Michelle Madsen was a co-artist.
3/50 is 0.06% meaning less than one percent of people hired were women.
The first three were stellar. A couple of the middle and end ones let me down and a few more were really great or had aspects that were good without full follow through. If you are a comics fan and you want to celebrate eighty years of The Joker I would recommend and I look forward to reading more anniversary editions of other beloved characters.
5 Stars-Scars [Written by Scott Snyder, artist: Jock, David Baron: colours, Tom Napolitano: letters]
This was my favourite of the all of the stories, it follows a psychotherapist that is trying to help Joker's victims heal after attacks, it is haunting, it is beautifully written, explored and drawn. And an amazing place to begin this anthology with.
4 Stars-What Comes At The End of The Joke [James Tynion IV: Writer, Mikel Janin: Artist]
This explores the origin of Alexis Kaye and how she became Punchline. It is beautifully outlined in how the art makes the story have much more of a punch, it subverts a lot of traits and discusses a lot of elements around current culture, I took a lot of notes for this one]
5 Stars-Kill The Batman [Gary Whitta/Greg Miller: Writers, Dan Mora: Artist]
I truly loved this one as well, all the cameos and the end was point and the very end was hilarious. It looks into the idea of 'What is a villain without a hero?'
1.5 Stars-Introducing The Dove Corps [Denny O'Neil: Writer, Jose-Luis Garcia-Lopez: Artist]
This one just wasn't for me, it was just meh. UN Guatemala Trip, soldiers who are committed to not killing, no one being at all curious that they have a dude with white makeup, green hair and plastered on smile . . . matching the description of one of the world's most well known terrorists.
2.5 Stars-The War Within [Peter J. Tomasi: Writer, Simone Bianchi]
This is written in songlike verse next to a gritty art style. I would give the story 2 Stars, it had potential but didn't fully live up to it but the writing 3/3.5 stars. "Is he the martyr or the madman?"
is the truly poignant line, but that last image will haunt me.
3 Stars-The Last Smile [Paul Dini: Writer, Riley Rossmo: Artist]
This is surprisingly the only story that includes Harley Quinn, when it begins with Joker waking up from a nightmare and Harley using those old psychologist's talents to calm him down and talk him through. This story included Poison Ivy, and a lot of nods to characters and the end is a gut punch.
3 Stars-Birthday Bugs [Tom Taylor: Writer, Eduardo Risso: Artist]
This is a seemingly endearing story, where Joker bonds with a boy who mutilates his bugs and than coerces neighbours to come to his birthday party. It includes one of the funniest lines to me: "Seriously? You keep one box of torture bugs and everyone's judgemental." and of course it also is deeply horrifying.
4 Stars-No Heroes [Eduardo Medeiros: Writer, Rafael Albuquerque: Writer/Artist]
This one follows a young man who is an intern at a bank, and 'is a hero' trying to stop the armed robbery, which results in him killing a man. Joker leaves him with "You know I have a bit of a crush on heroes because sooner or later, they all become martyrs."
2 Stars-Penance [Tony St. Daniel: Writer/Artist]
"Killing is a mortal sin, we've had this conversation before" A head of a Gotham Crime Family stops by a church to confess his sins. I must admit, this is one of my favourite tropes. It is the part I loved so much about the Daredevil show and many other medias that incorporate it. It is juxtaposed and funny to be when it involves this dynamic. The end took a turn that was cool if it didn't kind of seem like very incongruent and left me a bit unfulfilled.
2 Stars-Two Fell Into The Hornet's Nest [Brian Azzarello: Writer, Lee Bermejo: Artist]
I loved that it took place in Arkham, loved that included almost the whole rogues gallery, loved that the smile looked glued on. (One of my favourite aspects throughout was seeing the different renderings of Joker and especially the depiction of his smile). . . . but the rest was a strange fever dream. I have my own speculations but I am not sure what message or plot this was trying to convey. Insanity, abuse of patients, illusions, arrogance of Bats, the everchanging reality of Joker and his past and story, that 'treatment' is what drove him, that he and Batman are the same. . . I honestly don't know. Maybe none. Maybe all.
_________
also a note: out of the 37 writers/artists/colourist, letterers, only one is female
of the additional 13 artists used for one take pages/cover: two more are female
there are no female writers, and Fiona Staples is the only female artist employed that was given creative freedom and of that is given one page, the very last page.
Jordie Bellaire was a colourist, and Michelle Madsen was a co-artist.
3/50 is 0.06% meaning less than one percent of people hired were women.
etienne02's review against another edition
4.0
I ain't the biggest fan of those comic anthology, but I like this one. We get a lot of variety in art style and story style as well. Some are better than other, but overall we get a good quality of story. My only concern, and it isn't for this book in particular, but all comic anthology, is that we get short story of comic story. Something between 5 to 10 pages is very short in comic and I just feel like we get just too few pages to get into each story. I would have like maybe a bit less story but more depth in them. Still very enjoyable and fun for every Joker fans!
More...