MrsJ

We encounter Owlman and the Jokester in a strange universe where the Joker is the good guy and Batman is the one wreaking havoc upon their city. I found this idea kind of fun and the Jokester character I particularly enjoyed. I love the tie in with this comic and the ‘Countdown’ series. When the Jokester meets Batman and Jason Todd you feel sort of sorry for the guy because he doesn’t know why they’re getting so worked up when he’s around. The connection between the character’s was humorous and I Anyways, I’ll stop straying off to the countdown and concentrate on the genius of ‘The Search for Ray Palmer issue #1’. The origin of the Jokester was simple, yet there was something about it that I really liked, maybe it was the fact that he got to make fun of Owlman, maybe it was the fact that it was different or maybe it was the fact that the Jokester was made to seem like a loveable loser; whatever it was I thought it was clever. Something about the clown working for the good guys seems like a corny idea, but just because you’re reminded of the Joker it’s forgivable. Hopefully this character is kept for a larger part in the ‘Countdown’; if the real Joker isn’t then I’ll take the next best thing. Giving you more depth into the life of the Jokester and entertainment that all ‘Countdown’ and Joker fans will enjoy this comic’s writer McKeever deserves applause.

Calling this the best book out there would be an enormous lie. Reading this issue has dropped my liking of Frank Miller more then before. I find him over rated and teaming him up with a talented man like Jim Lee surprisingly didn’t help. The beginning scene with the Joker made the book seem like it was going somewhere, but unfortunately the book kept going down from there. The way Frank establishes Grayson’s and Wayne’s partnership wasn’t at all a nice read and the scene with Green Lantern was so random and out of place, the comic would have worked better without it. Luckily enough, you my trusting readers will have the chance to save your change for another more worthy book.

The plot of the resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul was a bit out there, but this was a fantastic way to end the story. While reading the scene with Batman and Ra’s fighting by the window I was frightened to think Batman was going to kill Ra’s. As Ra’s falls thoughts of a second resurrection came to mind and I feared writers back at DC were going to make fools of them selves and the wonderfully villainous character Ra’s Al Ghul. Once I managed to shrug those thoughts away I kept on reading and to my surprise the ending of this issue was so great I might even consider it the best comic out in the last few months.

--Slight Spoilers Ahead--

Obviously, this is one of the most morbidly fantastic comics ever to be published! The portrayal of the Joker is very sick and sinister; the way a Harlequin of Hate should act. Reflecting into the Joker’s “past lives” was done trough a very poetic way, it was as if the Joker was speaking in tongues. It was insanely well done! The whole plot was well planned out and very chilling. Setting it up in such a creepy scenario gives the Joker’s “reincarnation” a very exciting feel; a feeling that hasn’t been felt since “the Joker’s Five Way Revenge” or “The Laughing Fish”. It was brilliant! Even the way Joker uses Harley Quinn as a puppet for her own death was sear genius. This is definitely a book worth reading.

Surprisingly a series about a villain "sidekick" like Harley turned out as good as it did. This series was great and it had a lot of talented artists and writers to thank for that, but in my opinion it was definitely the way the depicted the characters that sent this comic from mediocre to great. In this issue the Joker struggles to comprehend why in the world a girl like Harley would want a sloppy detective as a boyfriend. He thinks there is some kind of scheme behind it and tries to get in on it. It's quite humorous to see the Joker acting the way he does in this issue. The ending was great too, but I'll leave you to find out what happens.

--Contains some Spoilers--

Since this is the first part to an arch it pretty much tells you what's going on so far. But, even though that's the main point to this issue the writers have still managed to pull off some interesting scenes and background information on characters that Catwoman comes in contact with. Addressing the great scenes again, I'll tell you my personal favourite. The Joker, even on "the Hell Planet" is finding comedy in what he does. So as Catwoman is spying on what she called the "I hate Flash club" Croc grabs her from behind and the Joker starts in s sense hitting on her. Then comes up with a 'brilliant' punch line.--He's done better. But, in all this was an entertaining issue.

This was a fantastic piece of work! Writing a comic about the rarely seen, yet very important Joe Chill was brilliant. The art was captivating, but what do you expect from Tony Daniel? Seriously, this is a great issue with a fantastic ending one that makes you wish you had a time-machine so that you could skip into the future and read the next issue. Even just a glimpse of the final villain and the mention of the Joker is making a fan like me go crazy wanting more. This is a marvelously done issue written by a terrific man.

A fantastic issue to commence a series that is sure to be just as good. The cover art is breathtaking! The inner art is just as good and the script leaves you satisfied. When reading this comic you feel as if you are a part of their world, right off the bat. It feels as if you've known it's people for as long as you've lived. The Flying Yank is no exception, he is the key character to this story and you feel as though you would have made his same, awful choices. It's wonderful, feeling such sympathy for a character that has unknowingly done wrong.

There is a panel in the book where you see the whole gang of heroes from the flame, to the death-defying devil, to the spooky Mr. Face. I love this scene because it's so nicely drawn and even though there isn't much room to fit the characters, you still see how a gang of once forgotten heroes fits so nicely into a modern comic. I love this issue and I am definitely going to buy the next.

Surprisingly, this is the first comment on this magnificent graphic novel. This is without a doubt the greatest comic I've ever read. The portal of the Joker in his "past" (he remembers it in multiple ways) makes you feel sympathy for the comedian. This book contains themes that make you feel more sorry for the Joker then any other character even though he kills a guy, paralysis someone and tries to make Gordon go mad for the sake of proving a point. At the end of this novel you see an interesting take on the relationship between Batman and the Joker. The are two men linked to each other by their pasts. "All it takes is one bad day," right? That's all it took for the Bat and Clown Prince, but is that the only reason why they are like this towards each other? Or is there something deeper, almost a brotherly love...who know. I'm starting to ramble, but my point is this book written by the fantastic Alan Moore has many interesting ideas placed in it and paced fantastically. Don't even get me started on the genius of Brian Bolland his fine lining was perfect for the Joker. The way he created his smile and demonstrated exaggerated emotion in the Joker's face was mind blowing! This is a definite must real for everyone, even if your not a Bat-fanatic.

Fantastically Grant Morrison has written this piece of illustrated literature. The darkness within this comic wasn’t overly done and the sense of Batman’s confusion was played out exceptionally well. The final dialoged between Batman and Sleeper, the third of the Batmen, was mind blowing! During the last few pages when Batman was speaking of a villain that could finally defeat him and there was a panel with him looking as if he’s already been defeated, I felt as though the mighty Dark Knight had for the first time looked human. He looked as if there was no chance he was going to be able to keep on wearing the cape and cowl. Could this really mean that RIP Batman is actually going to happen the way we think it will; with the death of Bruce or the retirement of Batman?