Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Jorge Jiminez
Published by DC Comics
Well, James Tynion’s run on this title putters along again here in this issue.
Honestly, it is a bit tough for me to read this title these days. It could be that I liked Tom King’s run so much as it went on. This feels just muddled and it is difficult to find just what the point of it all is.
The Joker begins the issue with a needless rant. I know Tynion was trying a new angle and trying to give it an edge but it was flat.
The art and the storytelling by artist Jorge Jimenez is excellent here but it feels like a big time killer right at the beginning of the issue.
From there, we get to see Batman going up against Deathstroke. Again, it is a beautifully illustrated by Jimenez.
There is then a scene with Harley Quinn and Catwoman. It doesn’t add up to much but becomes a storyline that feels unnecessary.
Then, we go back and forth between the two stories for the rest of the issue.
The Batman/Deathstroke storyline is the more interesting of the two. But only slightly. They eventually fight and then have to team up to fight a common foe. It all follows it’s normal pacing. The action never really takes off in the latter half of the issue, and sputters towards the end.
It looks like the pair is going up against the Riddler by the end of the issue. It doesn’t end strong and I felt left with a feeling of detachment.
Maybe the upcoming Joker War storyline will be amazing.
For now? It is less than standard.
RATING: C+
