Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Joker: Azzarello & Bermejo

No spoilers:

Today the long-awaited new hardcover Joker graphic novel by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo arrived and it is worth the wait. This book is a mere $19.99 for 122 pages and comes shrink wrapped (actually most hardcover graphic novels come this way). Actually, while this isn't an all ages book, it's not as mature readers as Azzarello's Vertigo title 100 Bullets.

The first thing a person looking through this Joker hardcover notices is the artwork as Bermejo just takes his usually great art to a whole new level (pardon my hyperbole!) - I rarely do this, but this is one of those books that I think is worth it just based on the art even if the story wasn't good. Except the story is very good and it's been too long since we've gotten a Joker stoy that is worthy of the character. This is as dark, edgy, and maniacal as it needs to be and makes for a worthy companion to Heath Ledger's excellent portrayal of the Joker in this year's Batman Dark Knight movie. There's also a great line of dialogue by the Joker about where to hide that I won't spoil that makes for a nice payoff.

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