Joker (2008)

Brian Azzarello

Nov 2008 · Joker (2008) Issue #1 · DC

About this eBook

"You will be blown away."-AIN'T IT COOL NEWS Brian Azzarello brings to THE JOKER all the visceral intensity and criminal insight that has made his Vertigo graphic novel series 100 BULLETS one of the most critically acclaimed and award-winning series of all time. This original graphic novel tells the story of one very dark night in Gotham City. The Joker has been mysteriously released from Arkham Asylum, and he's none too happy about what's happened to his Gotham City rackets while he's been "away." What follows is a harrowing night of revenge, murder and manic crime as only The Joker can deliver it, as he brutally takes back his stolen assets from The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face, Killer Croc and, of course, The Batman, and heaven help them all. Told through the eyes of his loyal (but naive) henchman Jonny Frost, JOKER is a true noir crime novel: a harrowing journey into a city of rain-soaked streets, dirty sheets and nothing but bad choices.

Ratings and reviews

NOT VOL.2! Google Books FUBARs the info on YET ANOTHER EBOOK! This is a stand-alone & at most should be called Vol.1. But they misnamed the upcoming Joker (2021) collection as Joker (2018) so they THINK this must be that PRE-ORDER's vol.2 - even though this came out 3 YEARS EARLIER! Google dimwits post book info without actually reading or often posting the publisher's blurbs about them which is always the most accurate info & includes such facts as if it's a collection or if it's a volume in a run.

Refreshing spin on a Joker story, told from a different perspective. All wrapped in a beautiful, dark, realistic package by the talented hands of Lee Bermejo. While the story is strong, Bermejo's artwork is what really sticks to you. He has a way with his art that draws you in completely; mesmorizes you while it leads you into Gotham's underbelly. He has a way of showing Gotham's true darkness in style.

An interesting and memorable take on the Joker. Very revealing about his character without having to totally rewrite everything about him. I particularly enjoyed this, as it is more realistic and less cartoonish- it was a nice change of pace.

About the author

BRIAN AZZARELLO has been writing comics professionally since the mid-1990s. He is the writer and cocreator with Eduardo Risso of the acclaimed Vertigo series 100 BULLETS. Azzarello's other writing credits for DC Comics include BATMAN and JONNY DOUBLE (both with Risso), SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW (with artist Jim Lee), WONDER WOMAN and an Eisner-nominated run on HELLBLAZER. He has also written Cage and Banner for Marvel Comics. With artist Lee Bermejo, he wrote the acclaimed graphic novels JOKER and LUTHOR. He helped inaugurate the Vertigo Crime line with the graphic novel FILTHY RICH. LEE BERMEJO began drawing comics in 1997 for WildStorm Studios in San Diego at age 19. He collaborated with acclaimed writer Brian Azzarello on the graphic novels JOKER and LUTHOR, and worked with writer John Arcudi on the Superman feature in WEDNESDAY COMICS. He has also worked on HELLBLAZER with writer Mike Carey and GLOBAL FREQUENCY with writer Warren Ellis. Bermejo has illustrated the covers to the line of Vertigo Crime graphic novels, beginning with FILTHY RICH, written by Brian Azzarello, and DARK ENTRIES, written by Ian Rankin. Bermejo has lived in Italy since 2003.