DC Comics reviews 6/9-20 – Batman #92, Justice League #46, The Flash #755

The Joker 80th Anniversary

Hot on the heels of the Catwoman anniversary special it’s time for The Joker to get his 80th milestone celebration. From a story to story basis, Catwoman’s special was probably more consistent, but the good to great stories here are well worth the purchase price.

Writer Scott Snyder and artist Jock kick things off hard with a stirring tale about a therapist trying to help a Joker victim that thinks he was targeted by The Clown Prince. Like many of these anthology stories, the payoff is the kicker and this sets the bar very high — maybe too high? — as few match this set up and conclusion. This may have been Snyder’s last Joker story and if so it was a terrific way to go out. Jock always tends to be right on the same page with Snyder and sets the mood perfectly with an eerie edge and long form look at some of Joker’s hideously deformed victims. His artwork is top notch horror.

Next up is Snyder’s Batman successor, James Tynion IV pairing with artist Mikel Janin focusing on the origin of a new breakout character. No spoilers here, but it helps fill in some necessary blanks while treating readers to Janin’s always gorgeous artwork.

Gary Whitta and Greg Miller show how Joker reacts to the death of Batman. This one was maybe the best built story with the most creative and funny payoff. Denny O’Neil teams with José Luis Garcia-López for a tale about Joker turning over a new leaf followed by a cerebral look at the Joker/Batman conflict over the years from Peter J. Tomasi and artist Simone Bianchi.

Paul Dini and Riley Rossmo collaborate on a Joker/Harley Quinn story; Tom Taylor and Eduardo Risso team up for the unpredictable Birthday Bugs. Eduardo Medeirds and Rafael Albuquerque find Joker confronting a hostage in the strong No Heroes story; Tony S. Daniel  writes and draws the clever Penance and Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo reunite for Two Fell Into the Hornet’s Nest.

This is another grab bag of stories with something for everyone that makes it an easy recommendation.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: DC Comics