Written by Dan Jurgens
Illustrated by Brett Booth
Published by DC Comics
Just when you thought this title couldn’t get any better artistically, they go ahead and put Brett Booth on this. When you add that together with Dan Jurgens, writing a strong story about that return of the original Joker, it becomes a must read book. This certainly did not disappoint.
This issue starts off with a fight between Barbara and the Joker. Booth gives us such a frenetically drawn sequence that I had anxiety! That’s how effective his art is. The whole thing felt like a shot of adrenaline and it just did not let up. It really is something else.
Jurgens also has a great handle on the Joker. His Joker is dangerous and lethal as hell and tells some really awful jokes. After the initial confrontation, the Joker gets away! He makes a stunning getaway.
And then, we cut set to another part of town.
We see the Batman of the future and the Robin of the future swinging in to save the day.
They do of course and they know the person who is responsible of all the hubbub. The Joker takes notice of them. He’s wrecking havoc throughout the city. Buildings are blowing up! People are dying! It’s utter insanity in the way it should be.
Barbara reports that she has seen him. Everyone forms a plan. The Joker must be taken down at any cost. At the end of the issue we that the Joker has a plan for that Robin of the future.
And that future references a certain crowbar and the death of Robin. It’s getting quite serious!
The story is fast paced and doesn’t let up. Jurgens really turns up the speed and it’s truly exhausting and exhilarating. The art matches the story perfectly. This is a great storyline that is only getting better every time you turn the page!
RATING: A
