Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Published by DC Comics
This is an amazing comic book with an incredible creative team. They have really created one hell of a vision of the Joker.
Jeff Lemire has taken this character and turned him on his head. Sorrentino takes the incredible script and makes one hell of a visual spectacular.
The opening of this book shows Doctor Ben Arnell on a ride down a mystical highway. He lands and goes into a diner called Arkham’s. He is welcomed by a guy who looks like Two-Face.
Then he meets up with the Joker and a scene of absolute horror follows. It is a visual masterpiece full of some of the most gruesome imagery that I have seen in a while.
Then Arnell wakes up from that nightmare. He is home, safe in his bed.
Or is he?
Lemire and Sorrentino fill every panel with dread. There is something called The Smiles that is all around Arnell. He tries to relate to his son, but there is something else there. There is something that is making life a living nightmare for Arnell.
Doctor Arnell decides to have a conversation with The Joker. It is an intense conversation. The Joker starts to get under Arnell’s skin. The Joker seems to know more about Arnell than he should. Their meeting ends on a sour note. Things start to come apart from Arnell. And that is when things start to really get dark.
Arnell continues to have dark visions as things start to become unbearable. Is the Joker responsible? What dark things lie ahead for Arnell? There is a sense of dread that is palpable.
Jeff Lemire writes another fine script here. It keeps you guessing and intrigued the entire time. The art again is tops. I am glad that this team is working on this book. It is truly a spectacular comic book story they have going here.
RATING: A
