The Joker #2

Writer: Sam Johns, James Tynion IV Artist: Mirka Andolfo, Guillem March Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: April 14, 2021 Cover Price: $5.99 Critic Reviews: 18 User Reviews: 50
8.5Critic Rating
8.3User Rating

As the dust settles on Arkham Asylum and tragic recent events, The Joker is the most wanted man in the world-and powerful forces are lining up around the globe to hunt him...but where exactly is the Clown Price of Crime? Jim Gordon, facing his twilight years haunted by the madman, knows where to start the hunt, and he’s been given the go-ahead to pursue him...but will he be willing to pay the price? And what shocking revelation will Gordon stun Batman with before he departs?
And in the backup story, within the walls of Blackgate Penitentiary, Punchline has become the target of the Queen of Spades from the Royal Flush Gang. It’ll ta more

  • 10
    But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford Apr 13, 2021

    When all is said and done, The Joker #2 delivers a fantastic second issue. It perfectly sets up the story to come while delivering powerful character moments and ratcheting up the stakes. I don't know where it is all going to end up from here, but I'm confident Tynion and the team have set us up for one memorable ride. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Apr 13, 2021

    For a title with Joker in the title, Joker has relatively little to do in this series so far"and that's a good thing. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    GWW - Joseph Gilmore Apr 13, 2021

    I never expected Det. Gordon could be the co-lead of such a captivating book, but here we are " and frankly, I can't get enough. Read Full Review

  • 9.3
    The Comicbook Dispatch - acnbat Apr 14, 2021

    Tynion and Guillem have crafted a wide-reaching story in scope and possibilities and I can't wait to read more. This is quickly reaching the top of my favorite DC ongoing books! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DC Comics News - Carl Bryan Apr 14, 2021

    BUY THIS BOOK! For those lucky enough to get on the ground floor of anything that James Tynion IV does, he's one of the hottest authors the past few years. I am not sure how his imaginative faucet gets turned on, or where he is creating Joker stories. But I am drinking from his fire hydrant! This should be on your shelf! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Batman Universe - Scott Waldyn Apr 13, 2021

    The Joker #2 takes the concept of what this story is from last issue and defines the rules of the game, dropping a bombshell or two along the way. The art is great. The tone is consistently moody, and this story is setting itself up to be quite the amazing international game of cat and mouse. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Dark Knight News - Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr Apr 16, 2021

    The Joker #2 continues the successes of the first issue, and gets better. The concept of the story is cemented and now the rules have been established. James Tynion IV couldn't settle for one bombshell with Gordon's reveal; he had to sink the whole ship by bringing the Court of Owls into the fold. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicBook.com - Evan Valentine Apr 14, 2021

    The most ironic part of this new series following the Clown Prince of Crime is that the Joker is the most boring part of the story, in a good way. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Apr 13, 2021

    This is a title that is exceeding expectations so far and the main hope is Tynion can keep this manhunt for Joker just as intriguing when Gordon is out from the umbrella of Batmans covering. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Graphic Policy - Brett Apr 13, 2021

    The Joker #2 is another fantastic issue. The series has begun to balance its serious tones with the lighter aspects of Batman's world. It also sets up what should be an action-packed series going forward as the various competing groups eventually clash. It continues to surprise me forgoing the expectations I had of it and instead delivering a series that doesn't celebrate the chaos of the Joker and instead examines the lingering damage that endures. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - Dan Spinelli Apr 13, 2021

    The best part about "The Joker" is that it's not about the Joker. It's a horror book starring Jim Gordon"and things are only getting scarier. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Apr 13, 2021

    The Joker series, where Jim Gordon is the main character continues to be a special kind of book that defies all expectations about what you thought it would be or where you thought it would go. The story is entertaining, deep and ultimately, the weakest part of this book is the Joker himself and even though his name is on the cover, he has very little to do here. I'm really enjoying this book and the backup and the art is great throughout. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Black Nerd Problems - Morgan Hampton Apr 14, 2021

    In a short at the end of the issue, we get the continued story following Harper Row as she tries to figure out what Puncline is planning while behind bars and on trial for aiding the Joker in multiple murders.  Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Timala Elliott Apr 13, 2021

    Tight, extremely detailed drawings are highlighted by bold colors and undertones of green in March and Prianto's work. I like how the major villains look worn and have ravaged faces. They are scary in feature and character. Overall, the artwork is well done and makes for a visually pleasing issue. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    BGCP - Timothy Vega Apr 16, 2021

    I would definitely recommend Joker #2 to Batman fans as this is a worthwhile development for Jim Gordon that follows up the events of multiple great past stories. I wouldn't say that the Punchline backup story is worthwhile, which is sad to see after I found the character quite interesting in James Tynion IV's previous run. But overall I think the title story makes the issue worthwhile enough for fans to pick it up and enjoy it. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Multiversity Comics - Gregory Ellner Apr 19, 2021

    While not a story centered on the Joker as its protagonist, there is enough to entertain many Batman fans, especially those from the Scott Snyder era. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Apr 14, 2021

    James Tynion and Guillem March keep the momentum they created from the first issue going with their work in Joker #2. We see the player pool in the hunt for Joker expand as more Batman villains get involved. But what steals the show is Jim Gordon's conversations with both Batman and Barbara Gordon. The revelations made in these scenes is something Batman fans will want to read for themselves to see how they played out. Read Full Review

  • 5.5
    Batman-News - Corbin Nelson Apr 15, 2021

    Overall, I didn't hate Joker #2. I went in dreading it a bit and came out pleasantly surprised. It's still chock full of cliches, but the decision to continue to focus on Jim Gordon is a smart one, and the introduction of all these new rival factions makes me a bit more hopeful for the story overall. Read Full Review

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