Come for the Story, Stay for the Art
Why I Bought It
Let's see where this Joker and Snyder thing goes, shall we?
What I Liked
The art is just amazing. I seriously enjoy the little ticks here and there and little shout outs that really stand out on a second reading with the art. Did anyone notice the Joker colors used for a face like look to Batman's tape player? Or how there are 27 bodies in the river, a certain reference to Batman's first appearance?
There was a lot to like with the art. Joker's face alone is enough to creep things out a bit. But for as much as Capullo carries is off well in the main book, the back up with Jock delivers the goods just as much and just as creepy. Compare both of these works with what is done in Batgirl #14 and you can see where the art is needed to really sell the idea of what Joker has done with his face.
The big twist of the series takes place here, or at least what people perceive to be the big twist. Joker declares that he knows the identity for all the Bat-characters and the he will go after them in order to make Batman better. The other thing, that is a little overlooked, is that Joker blinds Alfred with ammonia to the eyes. I think that both of these scenarios are fake-outs on the hand of Snyder until I see them on panel. First of all, we will have to see Alfred with no eyes on panel and not through speech bubbles in order for me to believe that he is alive. The idea that Joker knows some secret identities will also have to be proven in order for me to believe it.
I do think that Joker knows who Jason Todd is, or at least we get that impression from Red Hood #0. But the idea that Bruce = Batman? I'm going to have to see some more proof on that. Bruce has publicly supported Batman, and I think that Joker is only going after Bruce and Alfred because that will bring out Batman, not the idea that Joker knows the secret ID. I think Joker is saying that he knows who everyone is in order to make them unstable and not think clearly so he can do whatever it is he wants to do here. Is it to make Batman better? Who knows. But we will know hopefully by story's end.
The idea that Batman will be the one to cause everyone's death? Notice that Gordon didn't do too bad until Batman showed up in his home. I think Batman was doused with something while in that tank at the beginning of the issue and as soon as he comes into contact with other characters then something will happen to make them react in a way that Gordon did. So why didn't Nightwing react when he was near Batman? They were in a more open air. Notice that Bruce had to be in the same room with Gordon for awhile before things started to react. Just a theory, but one that will be debunked or made true in the next issue.
What I Didn't Like
As I've mentioned before, the idea of the villain trying to make the hero better at his job was one that Johns did for Wally West Flash with Zoom. I'm OK with the logic behind how Joker will do it to Batman, but things do go a little over the top at times with the writing and Joker's exposition that just doesn't come across as references the Joker would make. Then again, we are dealing with a new Joker in the new 52, so maybe this Joker is a little more intelligent and loves to make literary references nonstop.
I haven't felt yet that this is Snyder's Joker. Outside of thinking that he will make Batman a better Batman, he hasn't done anything in this book that surprises me or makes me think that this version of Joker is owned by Snyder. Capullo has given him a good look, but there isn't anything in the writing yet that really makes me know ho Snyder's Joker ticks. Unless the goal is to make him look crazy as can be at all times, which in that case the art is definitely selling that.
Panel to Remember
I really liked the panel where Joker is leaning over the railing on the last page of the main story. Just to see the close-up look of the new face for Joker was pretty nice.
Quotable
"I burned your eyes with with ammonia." - Joker. That's not a mistake on my part, the word "with" was used twice. Is there a reason for this, or was this a mistake?
Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 9/10
Buy Next Issue: I'm down. Although it is weird to think that I may be buying more to see the art from Capullo than the writing from Snyder.
