DC Comics reviews 10/3/23 – Batman #138, Shazam #4

The Joker the Man Who Stopped Laughing #11

With the story now at its penultimate chapter, writer Matthew Rosenberg has no choice but to finally reveal his cards. Yes, this is the issue that the imposter Joker is revealed. The payoff somewhat makes sense, but Rosenberg has next issue to fully explain it leaving the jury somewhat undecided.

This issue features the usual carnage that’s been the signature of the series from the start. Rosenberg pairs Ravager and Manhunter, a duo that could be kind of fun in their own limited series, as Manhunter tries to track Joker. Meanwhile Joker is trying to take out…Joker once and for all. After a series of booby traps and fake outs that helps diminish both armies, Rosenberg starts revealing how two Jokers are running around Gotham.

Carmine Di Giandomenico’s artwork is so compelling. His style wouldn’t work for every character but it is a tremendous fit for Joker’s special brand of chaos. And Di Giandomenico has a nice handle on Ravager, Manhunter and Killer Moth as well. Romulo Fajardo’s deep colors help to give the madness a special energy.

This series has gone on too long but the creative team have done a good job of mostly keeping this maxi-series engaging. Of course it’s all going to depend on how it successfully concludes, but this was a solid second to last issue.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10