Two lines on the Jokers face aside, Bemejos interpretation is still powerful. The inking duties have been split between himself and Mick Gray, whose vastly different styles perform wonders in the story. Bermejo limits the pages he does to those with a great impact; the first full-page, full shot of the Joker, a lot of his welcoming party at a strip club, and a lot of the final pages of the novel, most notably an extreme close-up shot of the Batmans face to juxtapose the cover. These pages carry an extra weight to them and can be seen as visible markers of the narration of the story. But Mick Grays inking allows for a rougher feel to the bulk of the story. His inking allows for things the polished look of Bermejos couldnt, like the heavy shading associated with Two-Face or the extreme blood involved in ssome of the Jokers more extreme bouts of violence. Read Full Review

Regardless, what I think is best " and I know this is probably rich coming from someone who is writing a review " ignore the reviews you've seen and make an assessment for yourself. This is truly a masterpiece of cinema, and I think it will become one of the most important films of the century. I know how overblown that sounds, but even if you think the film itself isn't that good, the ripple effect this will have on the industry makes this worthy of your time and attention. See this film and let us know what you thought! Opening a dialogue lets us enjoy this film for longer than the 122 minutes it took us to watch it, and its in these discussions that its legacy will be cemented. Read Full Review

A very interesting, and entertaining book. Azzarello, and Bermejo have done a brilliant job of giving us something that's not only enjoyable, but unique. The story is dark, but also emotional, and above all else, a very good read. I would highly recommend this book as it's very enjoyable, and well worth the read. Read Full Review

Which brings us back to the word; dark. Joker is dark for one key reason you will want to read it with the lights on, just in case its not you thats having the last laugh... Read Full Review

As a spiritual sequel to this summer's movie, or as, perhaps, a deranged counter-argument, "Joker" works quite well. It's a beautifully ugly graphic novel, suitably so. But it's certainly not perfect, although I'm sure the Joker wouldn't have it any other way. Read Full Review

I picked 'Joker, DC Black Label Edition' after reading Azzarello's Batman: Damned because people said there's a little connection to it. So I started reading it expecting the usual, from at least what I know about Joker and what he does, but this book proved to be entirely different, it's a masterpiece to say the least. Anyone who is slightly interested in getting to know the real Joker, to peep into the mind of a psychotic killer, should read this book. I saw a comment here in CBRU that said "Joker shouldn't be praised for what he does - and - Thank God for Batman", I stand by it. This comic is thought-provoking, cautionary, disturbing, psychological, insane and violent. This could give nightmares for the soft-hearted.

Observe the story from the perspective of a man called Jonny Frost, who at first wants to feel powerful, so he becomes the driver for Joker. Jonny heeds whatever that Joker says, eventually Joker starts to like him and occasionally he teaches him. Joker even confessed to Jonny once the way he had never did to anybody, well, apart from Harley Quinn who shouldn't be taken into account. The story starts with a monologue, "It spread like Wildfire, Joker is a disease that infected Gotham city..." And it ends with, "There's no cure for Joker, no cure at all, just a Batman." - Brilliant!

Art by Lee Bermejo makes the whole thing look cinematic, only this guy could visualise Brian Azzarello's script this good. Every panel that Joker's in, he's terrifying to look at. more

I read reviews that this was a dark graphic novel. That was an understatement. I walked into the story being a fan of the Joker, just like the protagonist, being drawn to his care-free and creepy personality. However, by the end I was absolutely abhorred by the Joker. Because of this graphic novel, I no longer see him as this somewhat appealing character, but as a psychotic, evil man who deserves no one's praise. This book made me see the true nature of the Joker, and makes me appreciate Batman that much more. Thank God for the Batman.


The writing was very good, but my goodness, the artwork. So detailed and shadowy, it set a serious atmosphere that made the Joker's outbursts of laughter that much more off putting.


I would argue this piece will go down right next to "The Killing Joke." So if you have any interest in the Batman universe, or have a misguided fascination with the Joker, this is a must read. more

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• rayonymous

rayonymous - Aug 30, 2019

On point.

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Stunning, very enjoyable.

DC Black Label Edition

This is the only Brian Azzarello book that I genuinely enjoy. I think anyone would have fun reading this.

Very good, although it feels somewhat under-developed and the art style can be very inconsistent

I hate how Azzarello turned the Joker into a self-pitying rapist in this book. Jonny was a decent character though.