This comic is in the DC Alan Moore compilation
|
If you want to read this story, it is currently available in DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore.
Great story of the creation of the Joker with stunning artwork.
|
|
Overrated!
|
|
Everyone seems to like this story, but it's hard to see why. The Joker's trite philosophies smack of the, 'Comedian' from Watchmen and no matter what Moore does he never manages to penetrate the core of the Joker or detail his psychosis with any degree of authenticity. Since he himself disowned this work there's not much more that needs to be said. All in all, a pedestrian tale containing smatterings of nudity and violence. Lets focus on the real reason to buy this,....the artwork. Obviously a labour of love for Bolland who spent 3 years working on it. It represents the high water mark of his pen and ink work before Photoshop softened his linework. Tight and concise, his figurework, perspective and lighting are the real star of the show. It's a tragedy that the colour work swamps most of the details. This led to Bolland vowing to avoid any future collaboration with Higgins. I myself would like to see this reprinted in black and white in a Digest sized edition.
|
|
|
The Dark Knights Nemesis Returns
|
Prior to this, with the exception of Frank Miller's depiction in the classic Dark Knight Returns, The Joker had become a fun recurring villain, all high-camp and party tricks.
Then, in less than 50 pages, Alan Moore reinstates him as a truly grotesque figure, not seen since Bob Kanes original run.
It's a decent tale, though the final scene where Batman and Joker share a joke seems oddly out of place, not to mention in poor taste. After what he did to Barbara?
Batman also seems rather sympathetic to his nemesis, which, all things considered, is a bit misplaced. Although, saying that, the flashback that strings through the story detailing the origin of The Joker (or IS it? He does claim at one point to use 'multiple choice' where memories are concerned!) gives us insight into why he took the path he did.
Ultimately, when this was first released it was a revelation, just as Miller's Batman was in DKR. A classic character given a worthy revamped character study.
Now, years later, the impact is dulled somewhat because we all know how murderously Joker has behaved since.
Still, Moore's writing is, as ever, faultless, and Bolland's art is beautiful; both demanding you go back to pore over the book time and time again.
|
|
Watch(bat)man Redux
|
|
The team of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon, who combined to hit a grand slam with the now seminal graphic novel, Watchman, regrouped shortly after that and produced this examination of Batman. It's shorter, but that's the only real negative here. Moore's take on the Joker emphasizes the cruel nature of the character, and he includes a plot development here, which some of the other reviewers give away but I can't let myself do, that is shocking in how it affects characters. When I glance at a page of Gibbon art, I'm never that interested in it. It lacks the flash and smoothness of fan-favorites like McFarlane. But it is art that works in conjunction with the text to truly propel the story, and that's what a graphic work is supposed to do.
|
|
|
An AMAZING BOOK you MUST HAVE
|
|
What can I say Alan has done it again with such an amazing book. The book is really cool from beginning to end and would recommend this book to any one who likes marvel comics or graphic novels.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada