DC Comics reviews 9/5/23 – Batman #137, Birds of Prey #1, Shazam #3

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #10

This title is a great example of a strong six-issue story being stretched out for 12.  It feels like little of consequence is happening now and writer Matthew Rosenberg has to come up with creative ways to keep the story moving. Occasionally, like the bit where Joker reads the series’ usual Elseworlds comic style secondary story mid-issue, it works but this mystery has long run out of gas.

Joker allegedly is still looking for his imposter while Rosenberg still keeps the true Joker’s identity a mystery that’s not worth solving any longer. Rosenberg can make Joker an interesting nutjob Joker though and the appearance of The Ventriloquist tangling with Red Hood was also engaging.

The artwork from Carmine Di Giandomenico feels so unpredictable and animated, an ideal fit for this frenetic take on Joker. Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s bold colors pop against the darker greys and blacks of the background.

While the momentum has stalled, the book is still entertaining enough to stay with it for these final two issues.

Rating: 7 out of 10