If you’re like me then, even though you do love and adore the Bruce-man, whenever the Joker was involved you have always felt that you never got enough. Again, if you’re like me, you’ve proably been watching the series, reading various comics (all of which ended far too soon) and you’ve thought, “Hey wouldn’t it be great to just follow the Joker around for a day?” Well Happy Fans, I am so please to announce that your wish has come true…

“Joker” is gritty, yes, distinctly “Ledgeresque”, for sure, but the thing that stands out is the depth of the storytelling. Writers and Readers will be impressed with arch of the story and the “main” character (better descibed as the narrator, put the Joker in any story and there really is only one main character) manages to hold his own as a device and a character. The narrator, Jonny Frost, is the audience, watching, following, and on some level, understanding the Clown Prince. After all, if you’ve been following the Joker in any capacty, you have established SOME theory as to the “how” and “why” and “what will he do next”?

Art fans will be delighted as well. If you think you “know” comic illustrations and are prett sure what to expect, you’ll be impressed with how…intellectually illustrated the book is. Panel after panel is brillantly motivated into the next. Also, certain physical similarities between Jonny Frost and The Joker are to strictly be ignored…or not, depends on how you’re reading the story (from the panels I had seen, I was sure “Joker” was a retelling of the Joker’s backstory, happy suprise!) Also, the storyline is not “one night” as the description…describes, a brillant tension is created by the fact that the story is better paced than that. Also, definitely get the hardcover – behind the jacket is one of the best panels in the comic impressed on the front in lieu of a cover title, very cool.

Harley fans may be somewhat disappointed at her role in this particular comic. Azarello’s promise about her character is pretty much fulfilled throughout the book. Don’t go in expecting her usual witty comments and fawning demeanor. This Harley is basically silent and more of a muscle than ever before. There are times where she seems more of force of nature herself rather than anything understandable. She even appears and disappears within the story in a kind of ethereal manner, at one point you’re not sure if she’s dead or alive until she pops out of something. However, The Joker is given such a rigorous character analysis in the book, perhaps the writers meant Harley to be the bastion of mystery for a change. There are, however, a few key panels that give an insight into this Harley’s and this Joker’s relationship. No spoilers here…but let’s just say a famous Arleen Sorkin quote was taken to heart.

For the die-hard Batfans who like nothing more than watching their boy descend from the skies and drive a bad guy six inches into the pavement…well, let’s just say this is a Joker fanz novel. (Yes, novel, whch is how strongly it reads.) However, instead of obligatory panel after panel of Batsy brooding in his lair trying to figure out where the Joker is…ever wonder what the Joker was doing while inbetween those moments that he KNOWS Batman is watching? Again, the psychological tension created by the ABSENCE of certain characters is one of the book’s strengths. While The Joker is typically pictured as the ultimate one in control, half the time pulling Batman’s strings and ultimately being brought down at the last moment, Azzarello gives us the Joker’s downward spiral in a unique turn. And when the big climax is revealed, we are left knowing absolutely, one-hundred percent, who is the ultimate BAMF of Gotham City. The results may – fittingly – suprise you.

If you’re a fan of the Joker from BTAS, then you should probably pick up a copy of this sweet little novel.

As you may guess, “Joker Mask” is the crossover between “The Mask” and “Batman”. One night while Joker and Harley and raiding a Museum, they happen upon the the green mask formerly owned by a man named Ipkiss. The Joker puts it on, and chaos upon chaos ensues.

It utilizes some Joker classics: there’s Harley following him around, there’s a television audience, etc. However not much new ground is tread over the psychology of the Clown Prince. There are great one-liners applied liberally between the Joker and Harley, which adds to the book’s charm.

Granted, although it’s animation isn’t the grittiest, there is enough Joker insanity to remind us he is a “bad guy”. Joker has no problem dropping a ceiling on a bunch of school children, and the book does occasionally hit some darker moments. (Ever wonder what REALLY happened to Stanley Ipkiss?)

All in all, a solid four stars. It’s an interesting read that’s fun, while still respecting the characters. Also, if you’re trying to get your (or some)kids interested in comic books, this is a great jumping off point. It’s a contained story with characters they can recognize from BTAS. Obviously the situations become more cartoonish (after all, it is “The Mask”) but, all in all, worth the look.