20 review for Joker: The Deluxe Edition (Joker (2008))

1. 

   4 out of 5

   OmniBen – Apr 04, 2021

   (Zero spoiler review) 4.5/5 I loved this not so much for what it was, but what it stood for. Darkness in established and highly homogenised intellectual properties. Now, I am no Batman expert, nor superhero expert in general. I have a few of the most well known Batman omni's sitting n the shelf waiting to go, but somehow, I feel that none of them will touch the raw, visceral nerve that this one does. I can't even begin to imagine DC putting something like this out nowadays (for a number of rather (Zero spoiler review) 4.5/5 I loved this not so much for what it was, but what it stood for. Darkness in established and highly homogenised intellectual properties. Now, I am no Batman expert, nor superhero expert in general. I have a few of the most well known Batman omni's sitting n the shelf waiting to go, but somehow, I feel that none of them will touch the raw, visceral nerve that this one does. I can't even begin to imagine DC putting something like this out nowadays (for a number of rather sad reasons). To allow someone to go to a pretty dark place with a much beloved childhood character as Batman (even if most children know nothing about him, beyond the pyjamas and colouring in books), though let's face it, they aren't about to be reading this, are they? although that is precisely my point. Why can't a market exist for more mature stories of well known properties, such as this. There can still be the somewhat more family friendly superhero stories, but this grittier, more realistic, non canonical take on the characters, available for those who wish to purchase it. I know about talking 'about' the book, rather than about the book, although it's a subject that irks me. The infantalisation of everything. Again, I have very little Batman knowledge, although this strikes me as exactly how The Joker would act. Bloody, ruthless and batshit crazy. The premise and writing its self were good, without being exceptional, although it hit every note it needed to, and ticked every box I could have asked for it. The art on the other hand, was phenomenal. It perfectly encapsulated the dark motif and elevated the story from pretty strong to near outstanding. I reviewed Moore's The Killing Joke only a week ago, and despite it not being exactly what I wanted, nor expected, between the two of them, they are exactly what I would want from a superhero comic. There is a perfect fusion to be found out there. I'm sure there are plenty of talented writers and artists who could easily bring it to life. It's just a shame that modern comic book market doesn't seem fit to push the boundaries, or at least, not in the direction most of us would want them to. 4.5/5 OmniBen.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Keenan – Apr 01, 2021

   I did enjoy reading this one, but juxtaposed against the other work I just read by the exact same creative duo of Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, “Luthor”, I’m not sure it quite measured up. Where that story was definitively a Lex Luthor standalone tale, this one felt more like a Jonny Frost story and this portrayal of the Joker didn’t absorb me in the same way. This Joker’s characterisation seemed to be an amalgamation of Heath Ledger and, strangely enough, Jared Leto a la “Suicide Squad”, and I did enjoy reading this one, but juxtaposed against the other work I just read by the exact same creative duo of Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, “Luthor”, I’m not sure it quite measured up. Where that story was definitively a Lex Luthor standalone tale, this one felt more like a Jonny Frost story and this portrayal of the Joker didn’t absorb me in the same way. This Joker’s characterisation seemed to be an amalgamation of Heath Ledger and, strangely enough, Jared Leto a la “Suicide Squad”, and I think that latter piece didn’t work for me. I’ve never been a huge fan of Joker as a menacing crime lord. I did like the feeling of urban grime and grittiness of the story and the violence, while a little over the top, helped cement the very real threat inherent in the Joker’s unpredictability and seemingly random impulsiveness. Bermejo once again brought his A game with stunning visuals and Azzarello’s narration of Jonny Frost’s inner self-affirmations and rationalisations throughout his tenure with the Joker were effective in building towards a feeling of dread. Overall a very good standalone Joker story.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Michelle – Oct 22, 2020

   To be honest while I enjoy the whole Batman and subsequently Joker mythos I didn't really enjoy this particular look at him in this story. In this edition we follow along and see him through the eyes of one Johnny Frost. This kind of POV wouldn't normally bother me but in this case, especially with how the panels were displayed it seemed jumbled and lacking. The only positive besides the additional bit included after the end of the main story was the illustrations. They were awesome. To be honest while I enjoy the whole Batman and subsequently Joker mythos I didn't really enjoy this particular look at him in this story. In this edition we follow along and see him through the eyes of one Johnny Frost. This kind of POV wouldn't normally bother me but in this case, especially with how the panels were displayed it seemed jumbled and lacking. The only positive besides the additional bit included after the end of the main story was the illustrations. They were awesome.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Angie Cruz –

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Tzimtzum –

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Sanny Marvelite –

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Kyle Ramsden –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Fastus –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Lloydwray –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Paul Landriau –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Victor J. Figueroa –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Zach Retort –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Dan –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Scott –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Cakespeare –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Rebecca Boone –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Adriana –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Diego –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Neisha –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Mahtab Mahdavi –