Another filler. Not a bad read with some nice art, but a filler nonetheless that barely propels the story forward. I feel like there is more story in Prelude to the Wedding issues than in this one.

This was a very complex issue for me, which is a good thing. On the one hand, it was very interesting to see Joker losing it over the possibility of Batman getting married. Their relationship is very twisted and he is spiraling out of control. On the other hand, I'm starting to question Batman's effectiveness with his criminals. Joker was out of control and there was nothing Batman could do about it. At this point, Batman needs to evaluate if he is really doing a disservice to Gotham. The lock em' up for them to break out trope is not working. At the rate of these killings, a new victim syndicate team could be formed. How many people have to die for Batman and Catwoman to be happy? After this story arc, I hope we get some real reflection from Batman. I'll definitely keep reading to see where they go from here. more

This is proof that Tom King haters have made a hobby of it.

King's Batman continues to be the most intrepid run on the character in all these 80 years. There is no comic book I look forward to more each couple weeks. Even his lesser stories are told in boldly interesting ways. And when he's great, he's really freaking great.

I like Janin's art but King is again writing Batman as sort of an apathetic idiot. Throwing a batarang at Joker's face was supposed to do what?? Kill him? I thought he was against killing. Maim him? What's the point of that. Also I found it most shocking that Batman didn't figure out a way to save the bride in the church from getting killed. Very out of character for the world's greatest detective. On top of that, after the bride's dead body falls to the ground, Batman looks like he doesn't even care. Is the real Batman locked away in a basement somewhere, because this Batman is an ass... more

Probably the best King issue since I am Gotham. Although some of the ways Batman gets caught is kind of whack considering with prep time, this is the guy who could beat anyone. Anyway, the art is good as always, but the story for me was way better than that Booster garbage we got.

Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten.

Well, so Joker wants to be the best man. Is he really deserving of the title? I mean really? Come on man. They have had their bromance for a while now.... since Jokes and Riddles... but is that long enough to be Batman’s best man? Let’s find out.

The issue is a quick read and won’t take to long to summarize to be honest. Joker goes into a church where a small wedding was happening, and basically goes nuts killing everyone to draw Batman to him. Joker has a theme. He puts the gun to the hostages heads and tells them not to move “one inch” or he’ll shoot them... but each time he shoots them anyway. Go figure?

Well, Joker shoots and kills the groom and Batman comes flying in through a ceiling window.... I think... to save the day. So, he was too late to save the groom. Joker grabs the bride and goes through his “one inch” routine again but blows her head up anyway. Batman and Joker fight it out for a bit until Joker, realizing that he has no more hostages because they’re all dead, shoots Batman in the head while wrestling with him. But his cowl is bullet proof so he wasn’t hurt.

Joker then uses himself as a hostage and puts the gun to his own head. Joker continues his long diatribe about his mother and bends down to pray in front of the church with Batman only to find out that he placed a bomb there blowing them both up knocking Batman unconscious and leaving Joker up and ready for action. We end the issue realizing that Selina was told to wait outside the entire time and now is heading in to save Bruce.

So, I got a couple things. The first is the art was fantastic as always and I loved the portrayal of Joker. He looks nuts! Not cut off my face Texas chainsaw nuts, but still crazy enough that we wouldn’t want to be alone with him at an Applebee’s. I loved Jokers look as well. He seemed new age-y with his hair style which is what the kids are doing these days. So, the highlights in the issue were definitely Joker.

The parts that bothered me were with Batman to be honest. Let’s just say he didn’t know the groom was about to get shot and give him a free pass on him and the others in the church. Batman isn’t Omnipresent and can’t be everywhere at once nor can he save everyone. And ultimately, he didn’t shoot anyone. But remember, Batman arrived after that happened. So again, I say free pass for those deaths

But he saw Joker take the bride as a hostage. Why didn’t he do something else to stop him from blowing her head off? And after that happens, Batman looks totally unfazed. And then, Joker puts the gun to his head and asks him to kneel with him or he’ll kill himself. I understand Batman is about saving everyone and doesn’t want anyone to die but he just lost tons of good people and now your going to kneel beside the man who just killed them all to stop him from taking his own life? No way!

I get it. Every life matters and I am all for that. But Joker would never have killed himself. No way! Batman’s rule is no killing. But, he wouldn’t have killed Joker. Joker would have killed himself. Throw a batarang and wrap him up right there. And if he happened to shoot himself in the process, think of all the future killing you would have saved. I can understand not doing that to save the bride since you may be nervous that you could potential have the gun go off and kill her. But, that would never have happened with Joker. He would have never done it.

I just feel like too many people died because Batman wasn’t reacting how I feel he should be. Batman seems indecisive on every decision lately. Honestly, in every book he’s in. That’s a big problem to me. Huge problem! I could forget about it in Jokers and Riddles. I could tell myself that Batman’s new and still working through some stuff. But this is a Batman that just got back from fighting evil Dark Batmen, possibly Batmen from the future and Brother Eye, and maybe back from space, and your telling me he let’s that bride die like that AND falls into that simple trap from Joker totally unfazed. I’m sorry but I can buy it. Something is wrong with Batman. Is it the wedding? Is he going to realize that he can’t be happy and that he shouldn’t be with Selena because too many people are dying? Because he has not been focused for a long time now. I’m not saying I haven’t liked Kings run. I actually love it. But something just hasn’t felt right for me since the poison ivy issues.

Also, Joker vs Batman... that fight should be totally uneven. Batman should kick his butt repeatedly. Over and over again. But not in here. Joker gets hit and keeps on coming. I don’t know, I feel like this idea of the wedding and the gift and the telling his family and friends is just dragging on now. I’m just getting tired of it and want to move on now. This wasn’t what I expected BUT that said, I loved his take on Joker and I loved the art. I personally feel like King has done better. But I think I’m ready for a new story line right now.

Should you read it... yes. Will I read the next issue... yes. Am I frustrated that I feel like the run has stalled... yes. It’s still better than many issues we are getting at DC right now in my opinion. But I think I’m more frustrated in general at the character of Batman as a whole in all books. Lots of people are dying and he just seems to get a free pass for that... again in all Batman titles. Can we fix that issue please?

If you like what you heard, love talking all types of comics, and are interested in joining a comic chat group, hit me up at dispatchdcu@gmail.com or @dispatchdcu on twitter. Catch you all later! Peace more

Finally, proper action begins, and Joker reaches Batman, the only way he knew how. It's a tense issue, focusing on psychotic and unpredictable nature of him - and I love it. Dialogues, or to be more precise, Joker's monologues, are always in the center of attention, but they don't feel heavy - most panels reads very quickly.
Don't miss two little easter eggs - one related to particular cathedral, other to a street! Such a nice touch. more

Incredibly well-written, especially the Joker himself. I can see why some may not particularly enjoy this issue - all the events in this issue happened in a span of no more than 10 minutes, which may not be what some may want from a Batman book. Unpopular (?) opinion: King writes the Joker a lot better than Snyder does. Janin's art was very enjoyable here.

I loved it! This is the most Joker-heavy issue King has delivered, and it was hilarious. Janin's overly rendered style continues to simultaneously pull me in and push me away.

Joker kind of carries the whole issue and acts like a total maniac. I am okay with this.

Not surprised the typical humorless horde of King critics cant appreciate this issue.

I loved it, actual laughter from a Joker story, unheard of. Shouldnt he be cutting off faces BECUASE OMG ITS CRAWLING IN MY SKIN THESE WOUNDS CAN NOT HEAL.

Man I missed this goofy JLI-like Booster so much! He was so much more entertaining than his recent appearance in Action Comics. I was so confused by a lot of what was going on but slowly put together the big picture. My only complaint would be that I can't imagine Dick Grayson ever becoming what he was in this issue.

Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten.

We open with Hal Jordan uncharacteristically grinning, breaking ring protocol, and shooting himself in the head with his ring. We aren’t sure but it does look like he killed himself and the “grin” points us to something involving the Joker.

Booster and Skeets basically tell us that they got Batman a gift and go in search for him. We see that Tim Drake never became Red Robin and works for Wayne Tech; Jason Todd has his own tire business that tazes Jokers; and Duke must have been “Jokered” at one point and had brain surgery to try to fix the problem... making him a vegetable.

Booster and Skeets find Batman pretty quick. Turns out, Batman is all about guns, bombs, grenades, armor, and is actually Dick Grayson. And did I mention that THIS BATMAN is amazing and I want stories about him! I wish we could explore this timeline. King, if your listening, how bout a maxi black label of this universe?

The art, as always, is fantastic but the Grayson-Batman art is phenomenal. Batman tries to kill Booster at least twice but fails since Skeets upgraded his suit with body armor at some point, which was a smart move Skeets!

We also see that Penguin is President and Ra’s runs Europe and Asian, while Talia is the heir with no children (meaning no Damian), and somehow people become Jokers... tons of them like some form of being Jokerized but worse. And this all happened because Booster stopped Thomas and Martha from dying as a wedding gift to Bruce.

Booster wanted Bruce to see how important him being Batman was. But like usual, Booster realized he made a mistake and went to find Bruce to fix it. Turns out, Bruce thought something was off and had dreams about what should have been. But we end with Bruce grabbing a fire poker and smashing Skeets so they can’t change back time. more

Maybe this review is biased by my love of all things Tom King, but I thought this issue was fantastic! The two-man (er, one-man and one machine) comedy team of Booster and Skeets made me LOL several times. The story’s concept is fun, and the actual words are terrific, as always. Tony Daniel’s art was awesome as well.

Not sure I understand the low marks this issue is getting.