Sep 082011
Ok, after so much waiting, I finally got my first stash of the new 52’s number 1 issues this week. I’m sorry for the DC editors,but I’m selective so I got a hold of only the ones I wanted. First obiously was the BATGIRL #1, GREEN ARROW #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL#1, BATWING #1, ACTION COMICS #1 and lastly DETECTIVE COMICS #1. I immediately digged into DETECTIVE since it had Joker in the cover and started reading. WOW! This is really a new reinterpretation. Not completely sure if its one I’d like, but I can tell you that the storyline is more modern, and much more bloody than I remember. Forget the Batman from the 1940’s, forget the Batman from RIP ‘Cause this is someting new and refreshing. And the ending….OMG! That is what I call a cliffhanger. (Though I was expected a little more realism and I don’t think anyone could survive to a mutilation like that, but heck, there is DC C0mics for you and that means suspended disbelief). Literally I would like to see that next issue like…I don’t know…right now? But I guess I’ll have to wait 30 days…
*breathes in *
I’m ready to wait (and hope the wait is worth it), but in the meantime I would like to share a small sneak peak from those first pages and want you guys to tell me what to think.
Things that I want to say about the story:
- First of all…150 murders in six years? This must be very early in the Joker’s career since he has claimed he has killed a few thousands since he started. I like the refreshing origin. We literally had lost count as to how many people Joker had killed or maimed. It is also good to see that this Joker does not go back to his mildly violent origins (most of it thanks to the Comics Code relgulations), but we see a reinterpretation of a classic, modellled on the ruthlessness of Neil Adams’ “Joker’s five-way Revenge” He his ruthless, his is wild, he is perverse, he plays dirty, and above all, he sets the rules of the game to be played. I think that this ‘rejuvenated’ Joker might need what indeed the character needed. Add a fiery youthful passion with the demented mind of a psychopath and we are invited to a very special dinner…
- James Gordon with red hair? Definitely this is early in Batman’s history as we see a very young Commissioner Gordon. Also a much needed face-lift for the character. Gordon had grown too old for Gotham’s violence, retired and brought back how many times? It was time to either set the stage for a new character or bring back the youth that Gordon needs to withstand the tension and the stresses of being a good cop in Gotham
- “What an outrage this is! Excuse me (to a remote controlled batarang).This is a violation of my civil rights. A man should be able to slaughter in peace…HERE! (throwing an explosive at Batman) sit on this while I contact my attorney” PRICELESS! (*applauds*) Along with the new younger and more energetic psycho we keep the iconic dark humor that has set him aside from other criminals. Some people have said that he really is not a funny characterm but I’d say that he is funny…in a very perverse way. It is humor that is only funny to him: the victimizer, but for us…the probable victims is just…chocking. And have to confess…it is lines like that that make me love my psycho clown even more. Maybe I’m as crazy as he is…but I find him funny. I really get his jokes.
- Some elements of TDK are subtly introduced here like the dislike of the Mayor for Batman’s methods, or the fact that Batman is blame for the madness that have engulfed the city. Also the atmosphere is much reminiscent of the one in Batman Begins and TDK. This is not longer a city in the middle of nowhere. This is a spot in the middle of our cities. This Gotham is realistic, and in one sense…alive from within. This city has a soul of its own.
- Batman admitting that he HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO THE JOKER’S MIND? I think that would be a first open admittance for Batman. He seemed so knowlegeable, but truth be told. Once Batman has Joker all figured out, the Clown always managed to reinterpred himself anew, and Batman will be left back in square one. It is this little aspect what adds to the to the realism of the Bat’s characterization. Batman is not perfect detective, he has limitations as a human being too, and he has found his match in a clown-faced psychopath that is not that easy to elucidate. He has to work harder, and probably longer to finally be able to confront his nemesis. This Batman is definitely human…
- Good that I see the whole gamma of Joker weapons in one issue: knives, guns, laughing gas, electrifying joybuzzer, and even his own teeth. Who ever said that Joker fought fairly? He will use everything he has within reach to get some serious damage, even if it has to be himself. All in one issue. Thanks DC. Where does he get those wonderful toys…?
- Good to see that Joker still knows more than Batman about what’s going on…and still tries to have him see what lays in front of his eyes and cannot see. That has always been the think with Joker. He seems to be a step ahead of everybody, one curve ahead, one thought ahead. That is why he is so hard to catch and dangerous to contend with. That with his added innate unpredictability, makes him the most dangerous criminal in Gotham by far.
- Surprised to see Dr. Arkham back in his doctor’s coat. Guess since we are back to the beginning the doctor has not gone mad yet (Arkham Reborn anyone?) or DC just decided to leave that for later. Have to admit that the story line they started with Arkham Reborn was kind of lame. I can understand Arkham eventually going mad, and his family has a history of mental disease (hence the creation of the Asylum in the first place, and if you don’t believe me, search the history of Arkham Asylum in Wikipedia. The Arkham Asylum has very dark and personal history to tell.) Anyways, this doctor seems more realistic than his early incarnations. Let’s see if he plays a much involved role in Gotham as his predecessor did. Want to see how far they will take him….
- Now that last picture in the gallery….well, that is really the last picture of the story. CREEPY to say the least and masterful in his own right. That is Joker’s face tacked on the wall, folks. What stronger symbol of rebirth than leaving a part of you on the wall as a reminder of who you once were? It is a powerful image. Its like leaving the old clothes in the closet for the set of new to wear. What would these new clothes look like for Joker. I mean, he has lost (at least temporarily) part of what makes him the Clown Prince of Crime. What would his new face look like? I can only imagine how painful it would be to have the skin peeled off your face another image of painful changes. (one thing bugs me, and is the truth about someone being able to survive such a mutilation. I’m a doctor and can’t shake off the severity of Joker’s mutilation). I hope he makes it through ok, and that the new Clown that is being promised in his own words. I don’t know where DC is going with all this, but I hope they know what they are doing. The talk of rebirth sounds indeed enticing. (and in Joker’s case, timely. His older self was getting kind of predictable)…let’s see what Joker is really after…or what’s waiting for him out there. Whatever it is, he is no longer just an expectator, but an active ingredient on this recepie for chaos. This Joker is taking a proactive role to move his pieces on the board (apparently randomly, but part of a greater plan) to play this new game with the city. Let’s see what he’s up to…
