DC Comics reviews 10/9/19 – Detective Comics #1013, Event Leviathan #5

Joker Year of the Villain #1

Joker’s Year of the Villain tie-in is very different from the other standalone tie-ins. For starters it’s told from the perspective of one of Joker’s henchmen and has no tangible connection to the big event going through most DC books right now.

It’s also got the distinction of being co-written by acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter John Carpenter, who teams with Anthony Burch for this story.
Joker takes his henchman on a crazy night of mayhem and murder. Initially the henchman thinks he’s on the same insane mental level as Joker, but a terrifying reality sets in that has him fearing for his life.

Burch and Carpenter tell a haunting story that drives home Joker’s charisma and dangerous unpredictable streak.

Philip Tan’s art style is appropriately bleak but come off a little too rough to take this story to another level. Tan delivers on the tone however the loose sketch-like style doesn’t fit with his presentation.

The story is one that would make for a very interesting subplot for a Joker encounter in a Batman movie told in comic book form. Despite the art if you’re a Joker fan you won’t want to miss this one.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10