I was very curious how Johns would explain the existence of the three Jokers. I thought maybe these are just a three Jokers from different timelines like Golden Age, Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis Jokers? I mean, we had Kara Danvers' Supergirl and Earth-Two Kara Zor-L... so it's still according to comic books rules. But apparently I was wrong. Now Joker is the title, the mantle that one person's giving to another. And I hate it. If they're literally three different persons with different origins who take the name of the Joker and continue the work of their predecessor... God ... Anything but that! It's some weird idea based on a popular fan theory. Following this line of reasoning, we should also have three Batmen: a dark, brooding avenger, whacky crime-fighter and lighthearted Bat-dad...

Secondly, I always liked the fact that we don't know about The Joker's past. It's a mystery. I think it would be ruined if there were ever a definitive answer. There are several mutually-contradictory backstories presented as the Joker's origin. The Joker is an agent of chaos, so it seems fitting that his origins don’t line up perfectly... And now this story arc did something that completely disturbed that harmony by removing the possibility of the origin story told in TKJ being complety maded up by the Joker (which was in my opinion the best part of this origin - the mystery, and that the reader is not entirely sure if it is actually true. "If I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple chocie"). One of the more recognizable qualities of the Joker was that he may remember the past differently at times, and might invent certain origin stories based on whom he’s talking to, so he can better manipulate them. But now that we actually know who he was... I guess it's all ruined now.

Also, The Killing Joke may not be my favorite Joker origin (the only Joker origins I've ever liked was the ones where they made him "evil" in the first place, like in Zero Year), but still it's an essential story to so many fans and the main point of it was to show how this one bad day may turn your average good guy into someone really bad. But now that we learned that the Joker was actually never good, it kind of rips the whole story of its meaning...

Also consider that one of the most important element of the Joker's obsession with Bats, is Batman's direct involvement in the Joker's genesis. Yet all of these Jokers seem to be equally obsessed with him, but if Batman only created one of them and the rest simply created each other, that bond with Batman is not that significant anymore. And why would some random people (a dentist, an actor, and other victims of the Three Jokers experiments) hate (or love?) Batman the way the real Joker does? Unless one of the side effects of the acid bath is an irresistible obsession with this particular hero... But again, these are also the same chemicals that the Joker pushed Harley Quinn into, and she is not necessarily inherently obsessed with the Bat.

But now two of the three Jokers are dead anyway, so we're back to square one. What was it all for?

But otherwise, even though I don’t particularly like the story, Johns' skill as a storyteller is evident. I actually liked the parts with Joe Chill, his reconciliation with Batman really touched me. The third Joker's plan was great, he's so obsessed he wants to be the main source of Batman's pain to connect to Bruce and place himself over Chill in his past. Even Jason's sudden crush on Barbara was quite interesting to me, I can understand why the boy feels a connetion to her (even if I still prefer their relationship as familial rather than romantic).

Either way, this book could make a very good Elseworlds story, but I really don't see it as canon.

(btw. seeing what's happening in the comments on other people's reviews, I'd just like to say that if you intend to attack me in the comments section, I remind you that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Write your own review and share your opinion instead of policing what other people write/like) more

Another thought-provoking issue. This one goes down a darker path than the last one. I like how the creators seem to be playing it down the middle so far; the truth is a lie and the lies are all true.

Another terrific issue with solid writing and excellent, atmospheric art. This whole series has been of the highest quality right from the start. With the sad news of its cancellation still ringing in fans' ears, we can only hope next month's final issue goes out with a satisfying bang.

Lacks the pulpy style and feel of the original series from the 1970s, but enjoyable enough. I've liked a lot of writer Gene Luen Yang's comic book writing up 'til now, and he is the reason I picked this up. The art is okay, but it made me pine for the days of Paul Gulacy, Mike Zeck, and Gene Day; true masters of the Master of Kung Fu. A fun read overall.

Intriguing story for this first issue. I'm curious to see where Tynion takes it from here. The art by Martin Simmonds matches the theme of the book and it's glorious. Weird, edgy and scratchy, it reminds me of Bill Sienkiewicz's style.

I'm late to review this, I know, but just wanted to add my two cents to the conversation. Spurrier's run on Hellblazer started off well and has got better with each issue. This one is a classic! It gives us a little look into Noah's life, as well as reminding us that this book has always been a horror comic. Recommended!

This issue was for the ones who didn’t really liked Noah as a replacement for chas (I am one of them) but spurrier proves that Noah is an amazing and good hearted character in just one issue. This issue was poetic and had very good details about its character, even the ones we see only for a page. This issue is scary, poetic and at times funny. Its everything hellblazer wants to be and should be. Another a plus story! more

As perfect as an issue can get, I think.

Probably my favorite issue of the series so far. It all works very well. It's a tight done-in-one. The writing, the art, the coloring, everything. It all works. There's not anything I can say bad about this one. This is a very pure 10/10.

As the readers have already said, this is yet another brilliant issue of Hellblazer by the new creative team. It's dark, gritty, intelligent and surprisingly moving. Spurrier gets who Constantine is. Respect! This is the comic I look forward to the most, every month.

Once again just a great comic.

Man, this run is fucking amazing.

This particular issue is just a masterpiece. The whole series has been amazing but this just takes it to another level. One of the best single issues I’ve ever read.

I think that Simon spurrier has become one of my favorite writers in hellblazer, I mean the stuff with the dreaming was good too, but hellblazer is just on another level. I mean he can show us that he can make little ghost stories turn into poetic horror. I can easily say that with this issue, Spurrier made mermaids scary. This is the best run on hellblazer since Brian Azarello’s run, John Constantine is my favorite character, and Simon spurrier shows why we love the character. I can say this a hundred times but spurrier is a gift from god to us hellblazer fans. I want to give a low score,because I rated almost every issue on this series a 10, but there’s nothing bad. I love this series. Everyone should read it! more

This is just a damn perfect issue. There's not much I can really say about this series that would do it justice, aside from praising it as the best series out right now (it is). Not a bad issue. Not even a "good" issue. Everything so far has been phenomenal, and I hope they can keep it up. As for this particular issue, it's just as good as everything before it. The humor is on point, the art is unlike anything on the shelves right now, and the story is original to boot. I give it a 12 out of 10. more

Funny at times, serious at others. Some nice nods to past characters again. Matias Bergara's art gives it a completely different feel to the first story-arc. It's not dark and gritty, but bright and colourful. He is brilliant at facial expressions, especially Constantine's. I'm intrigued by the mystery that's building. This title is the first book I read on release day. Can't wait for issue six!

This whole story arc was goddamn amazing. But despise the serious tones of the last story arc,this was actually very funny and particularly this issue builds up so many important things for the future,and I like to say again that Spurrier is a person that knows the character of John Constantine very well. And Tommy is a really fun character
PS: The Art is amazing.

Holy sh*t! This was a fantastic issue in a consistently excellent series. No spoilers, so I'll keep this brief. I couldn't put it down. The way it all came together in this final installment of the Cruel Summer story arc kind of left me speechless. Now I have to read it again from the beginning, preferably in one sitting. We know how good Brubaker can be, and I have to give a huge shout out to Sean Phillips' moody artwork. The way he draws the reader in with his sublime panel layouts, it's a masterclass in comic book art. Brilliant stuff! This is a huge recommend from me. more

I wasn't going to pick this up until I saw the two different art styles. I'm familiar with Mitch Gerads work but Evan Shaner is new to me. Both look great. I think the contrast between the two styles works well with the fractured storyline. King's love of repeating the same panel and dialog started to grate in the "real" world scenes but maybe I'm being a bit harsh. I really liked the scenes set on Rann...(is that the right name of the planet Strange was on? I'm new to Adam Strange:) It was cool seeing Batman in there. And an intriguing cliffhanger to finish. more