Last Knight on Earth?
Batman: The Smile Killer #1
| Writer | Jeff Lemire |
| Artist | Andrea Sorrentino |
| Cover Price | $5.99 |
It wouldn't be a Joker story without a surprise...and right on cue, here's an unexpected one-shot epilogue to Joker: Killer Smile! Young Bruce Wayne grew up watching The Mr. Smiles Show - and the show might have been watching him back! And not only was young Bruce watching, he was listening... listening as Mr. Smiles spoke across the airwaves only to him... The Eisner Award-winning creative team of writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino land one last gut-punch - turning the mythos of the Batman on its head in the most devastating trick The Joker has ever devised! PRESTIGE FORMAT.
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Comics: The Gathering - Wes Greer
Jun 23, 2020The way this story ends also is another interesting part because it seems like it may be the final part of this story but it appears it may also be the beginning of another and I really hope at some point in the near future we see this creative team come together once more to deliver even more stories. There is not one thing I could find to complain about with this issue and it is a huge payoff that was well worth the wait. Batman The Smile Killer #1 is available now so head to your local shop and make sure you pick it up! This issue is also available via digital download. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts on this issue and what stood out to you the most down below in the comments section! Read Full Review
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10
ComicBook.com - Spencer Perry
Jun 24, 2020Batman: The Smile Killer follows suit, picking up the reins where that series ended in a fashion, but this issue is able to capitalize on the ideas of its predecessor in a more interesting fashion to greater effect. Read Full Review
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10
Dark Knight News - Kendra Hale
Jun 26, 2020The story of Batman: The Smile Killer has only drawn me in more. One of my favorite scenes was where Martha Wayne was trying to make Bruce remember what really happened to his Dad Thomas, the night he died. There are moments in this comic where you're even unsure of the Dark Knight himself, and you begin to sway, just like he does, on just what's real and what isn't. This is a testament to just how well the lead-up and the execution has been for this book. Read Full Review
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10
Horror DNA - James Ferguson
Jul 04, 2020I was already a fan of Joker: Killer Smile, but this one-shot epilogue amplified that by a thousand percent. This is not just a great take on Batman and the Clown Prince of Crime that presents a fascinating look at these two decades-old characters. It is also a chilling read that will absolutely haunt you. This is top-tier horror and it should not be missed. You don't need to have read Killer Smile to dig into this. Do yourself a favor and seek it out. Read Full Review
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9.6
Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz
Jun 24, 2020It's a good epilogue but it is short. I would have liked a bit more breathing room. But overall, it is an excellent coda to an excellent series. I love this creative team and it is essential reading. Read Full Review
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9.5
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Jun 23, 2020It's a perfect coda to one of the best miniseries in recent years, and more evidence that Jeff Lemire is one of the few writers in comics who can write almost any genre. Read Full Review
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9.5
Batman-News - Casper Rudolph
Jun 23, 2020Batman: The Smile Killer is an intriguing epilogue to the Joker: Killer Smile miniseries. It embraces themes such as psychosis, existential horror, hallucinations and mystery, all of which can be found in Killer Smile as well, though in a slightly different context. It also embraces ambiguity, as it doesn't hold readers by the hand, nor does it provide any clear answers to what's going on. This is a book that makes you think, and I definitely recommend adding this to your collection, provided you've picked up the Joker: Killer Smile issues as well. Read Full Review
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9.4
Geek'd Out - Muriel Truax
Jun 24, 2020Batman: The Smile Killeris an excellent read that is a refreshing change from the slew of purely action-based comics. It's a story that grabs the readers attention in the first issue and is perfect for both well-versed Batman fans and beginning comics readers. Read Full Review
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9.0
Black Nerd Problems - Keith Reid-Cleveland
Jun 24, 2020Batman side stories are fun because the canon universe is rooted in so much history and structure that it can be a treat to see things flipped upside down. The Smile Killer looks like it'll give us plenty of that throughout its run. Read Full Review
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9.0
Newsarama - David Pepose
Jun 24, 2020Limits of suspension of disbelief aside, Sorrentino's swinging for the fences in Batman: The Smile Killer, and the results are breathtaking. Even if Lemire is bringing us through some well-trod territory with the actual storyline, he delivers some strongly unsettling work here, and Sorrentino's take on the Dark Knight is just so striking that it's impossible to dismiss. If you pick up one Big Two book this week, make sure it's this one. Read Full Review
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8.7
Sequential Planet - Ethan Maddux
Jun 26, 2020Batman: The Smile Killer #1 manages to breathe life into a Batman story that could easily come off as bland under a team with less experience and talent. Sorrentino and Bellaire are an art force to be reckoned with, and they bring so much subtlety to Lemire's concise script. In future issues it's many mysteries will need to pay off in a way that's satisfying, and as of yet I'm only assuming they will due to my confidence in the team. As an issue on its own, though, it's very well done. Read Full Review
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8.3
Major Spoilers - Wayne Hall
Jun 27, 2020In this book, we see just how different Bruce Wayne might have been if just a few things had happened differently in his formative years. Read Full Review
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8.0
AIPT - Sam Rutzick
Jun 23, 2020Andrea Sorrentino and Jeff Lemire collaborate on a book that is fantastic to look at, but just okay to read. Read Full Review
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8.0
DC Comics News - Carl Bryan
Jun 26, 2020I'm in despite the parallel story lines of the movie and Snyder's recent work. The darkness of any Joker tale is too good to not read. But my guard is up as I am not a fan of reruns on already explored ideas. Read Full Review
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6.3
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Jun 24, 2020Andrea Sorrentino delivers some beautiful, noir-style art throughout the issue. The use of shadow is brilliant and the composition of the panels is fantastic. Read Full Review
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5.7
Multiversity Comics - Quinn Tassin
Jun 29, 2020A tired concept is saved by gorgeous art in "Batman: The Smile Killer #1" Read Full Review
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5.0
But Why Tho? - Lizzy Garcia
Jun 23, 2020The conclusion is lackluster and there is no rhyme or reason as to why the story twists and turns the way it does. It feels like a shock for the sake of shock but a half-assed attempt at that considering this concept has been explored better in previously Batman stories. Overall, Batman: The Smile Killer #1 is a disappointing follow-up to what was a fantastic horror series. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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9.0
This kind of Batman story has been told several times, and Jeff Lemire himself has written a similar story with Moon Knight. Even with that against it, it's still just a pretty solid comic book. It made his Joker series a lot more interesting by expanding it.
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9.0
" Ruined-- Ruined my smile. Not Nice ! " - JOKER
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8.0
I really liked this. For those who was disappointed by Snyder's version of Batman in Last Knight, than this is the version you were looking for. To start, the art, panels and lettering are absolutely top notch. Sorrentino's art is so unique to fit this psychological thriller niche, faded but has texture that really gives the book an edge to it. The colors as well, switching from dark to faint colors depending on the mood the Lemire wants you to feel. It as good as the Original Killer Smile Series, and is done with such style to create this melancholy and dark atmosphere. On to the story, the idea is the shining beacon. Not to spoil it, but Lemire plays around with the idea of Batman in both a realistic setting but dashed with a eeir more
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8.0
It was a cool little story with some great art that shows the resolve of Batman. If this is a one shot which I believe it is, it really didnt do anything special except start a decent story with no ending.
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8.0
Not much explanation for anything that happens, and Lemire basically rehashes one of his Moon Knight stories for Batman, but the horror suspense and the art still make this a good read
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7.5
Doesn't utilize the R-Rating whatsoever. It's a story we've seen a thousand times before. "Oh Batman is just his imagination, wooooahh". However it's a very competent story even tho the concept is a bit tired. I am however super excited to see what comes next. Jeff Lemire takes the tired concept and makes it his own. The art is great, overall it's a good read.
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6.0
It feels like a cliche though the art is really good
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5.5
I could swear that I've read this exact same story somewhere before. Maybe I'm the one going crazy. I liked the art a lot though, and the writing style is good despite everything.
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4.5
This is lame. It sets up a mystery and does nothing with it. Guess I'll just go read Lemire's Moon Knight instead. I don't want more of this. I thought the Joker miniseries was very mediocre and this just makes it less appealing. But since it's Batman, we'll probably get 12 more sequels if we're lucky.
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4.5
I don't really know what to think of this, aside from liking the art. Great concept, but ultimately it fails to deliver more than surface level imagery and ideas.
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4.0
Such a disappointing story. Definitely not worth the hefty price tag.
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