Comic Reviews: Joker and Rage of the Red Lanterns
Article By: Tyler Durden
I’ve been behind in my comic reading but here are some of the highlights from last week.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS!
Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Shane Davis
If you haven’t been checking out Green Lantern, especially after the awesomely epic Sinestro Corps. Wars, you’re really missing out. Right on the first page, we are introduced to a brand new Lantern: the Red kind. In some sort of twisted, rebirth, the first Red Lantern is “born”. And I say born, as in puking up your own blood, having your heart stop, and becoming way evil. The first Red Lantern sets out to hunt down all life.
Meanwhile, Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, is flying around the skies, discussing how Sinestro is being transferred across space to his final trial, where afterwards, he will be executed for his crimes during and before the Sinestro Corps Wars.
Well, that all sounds pretty cut and dried, but just as all the Green Lanterns show up to escort Sinestro, the Yellow Lanterns attack. Catching EVERYONE off guard and killing a great deal of Green Lanterns, but just before they free Sinestro, the Red Lanterns show up! OH SNAP! The 1st Red Lantern and his newly founded Red Lantern Corps instantly attack everyone, adding to the already heavy bodycount, and just as Hal is overcome by a Red Lantern blast, his power level increases! How? The Blue Lantern of course!
So in this issue, we see the rise of 2 new Lanterns! Blue and Red. If you at all familiar with Johns writing, you know what you are getting with this issue. A well written story that will no doubt have a huge impact on the DCU, let alone the Green Lantern books. Art wise, Shane Davis does a great job. The Red Lanterns have a bloody, evil look to them, except one, which looks like a cute, fluffy cat…until it cuts your head clean off.
Final grade: Highly recommended. Another beginning to another huge GL epic tale.
Joker – Hardcover TPB
Written by: Brian Azzarello
Art by: Lee Bermejo
In this brand new, stand alone Joker tale, the story takes place not from the perspective of the Joker, but from one of his new henchmen. After being released from Arkham, don’t ask how, but the Joker claims it is because he isn’t crazy anymore, the Joker is retrieved by his new henchman named Johnny “Johnny Johnny” Frost. Being that no one else wanted to go pick him up, Johnny was more than happy to go to the Joker’s aid. After running some errands, like robbing a bank and meeting up with some old crime partners, Joker and Johnny learn that the Joker’s territories have been split up amongst Gotham’s villains and have been squandered. A happy Joker this does not make. Along the way, we meet up with very stylish and yet, new and tweaked versions of classic villains. Even the Joker is newly styled, bearing a striking resemblance to the late Heath Ledger’s The Dark Knight version’s Joker.
This story’s Joker is not to unlike the movie’s main antagonist. He is very much still psychotic and erratic. Switching moods and even to some sense, personalities, at a mere instant, the Azzarello’s take on the Joker steals the show, much like Ledger’s take. You never know what he is going to do or say. Dragging Johnny all over town and getting into more trouble than probably necessary, the two criminals try to regain what was once the Joker’s, even if the new owners don’t quite want to give up their new prizes just yet. Featuring apperances by Killer Croc, Penguin, a very different Harley Quinn, Two Face and of course, The Batman, who has one of the best lines in the book, “Joker” doesn’t disappoint.
Currently being hailed as great as The Killing Joke, “Joker” is one of the few Joker stories that really show a more human side to a seemingly inhuman character. Not just proving that the Joker is still psychotic and aloof, this story proves that he is actually quite aware of what’s going on around him, he just doesn’t operate on normal human brain patterns. While not the longest story ever, it is actually similar in length to the The Killing Joke, “Joker” can be read in one sitting. But that’s not saying that one is enough. Mulitple readings are almost assured.
Azzarello really brought the Joker to life with brilliantly crafted dialogue. While reading it, I could actually picture Ledger’s delivery from TDK. It has nuance and personality. Each character has his or her own “voice”. Truly well crafted. As such, Azzarello has always said that writting for Batman’s villains is more fun than writing for Batman, and he shows it. He obviously loves the Joker. He truly gives a glimpse of the psyche of someone who is so warped and whose mind is so impenetrable. Most men would crumble under the pressure of trying to give understanding to a character who cannot be understood but Azzarello truly pulls it off.
Lee Bermejo has also brought the Joker to life with his beautiful art. Like I said earlier, the Joker in the story bears an almost exact resemblance to Heath Ledger. Even though Bermejo was interviewed and said that he came up with this version of Joker before he saw the pictures of Ledger’s Joker, I don’t buy it. It looks too similar to not have been inspired. Hell, the Joker even has the mouth scars. How can he actually say that he didn’t see the picture and come up with this Joker? LIES! But nonetheless, the art is excellent. The classic villains in the story are all new takes. Croc is more human, the Riddler looks like a strange hippie with tatoos, Batman looks like Christian Bale. Everything really comes together. Hell, even Gotham City, as dirty and disgusting it is, looks great.
Overall, this book may seem like a quick cash riding off the success of The Dark Knight, but don’t be fooled. Miss this book, and you just might miss one of the best Joker stories ever. And at only $20, this hardcover book DOES look great sitting next to your copy of The Killing Joke.
Final Grade: Highest of recommendations. Seriously, go buy this! I mean it! It is just THAT good!
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Tags: dc comics, green lantern, joker
November 7th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I was on the fence about the Joker but I think I’ll be picking it up on at the end of the month.
As for Green Lantern, anything Geoff Johns writes get’s at least an initial single issue purchase for me. I enjoy how he crosses the gap between nostalgia and invention. He has made me a fan of The Flash, Booster Gold, and reinforced my love for the Green Guardians.
He’s also the only comic book writer I’ve emailed, gushing about his work (on Flash #201) and he was nice enough to write back thanking me and sending me a few signed copies of the series.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Awesome, Lefty. That kicks ass.
I’ve never been a big DC guy, but I’m really tempted to check out Green Lantern now. I’ve heard nothing but good things over the last year or so.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Lefty: Yep, the Joker is worth the wait. Plus, at $20, it isn’t a huge investment, AND it is a nice hardbound book. The only gripe I have with it in general is the paper it is printed on. It isn’t the normal, thicker, glossy paper. While it is glossy, its way too thin. I was actually worried I might tear it when turning pages. It’s almost the next step up from tissue paper…if you think of it on a scale of paper-thickness.
Hilden:
I think the whole shebang of Sinestro Corps War is available in Trade Paperback now (in two parts). You should absolutely get them. I’m not the most knowledgeable Green Lantern reader, but the first issue explains EVERYTHING you will need to know about the whole event. It is actually quite remarkable that Johns explained everything so well!
You should pretty much read the Sinestro Corps War issues BEFORE you dive into Red Lanterns, just in case something happens that might confuse you. But nonetheless, if you like huge epic events that AREN’T TOTALLY LAME LIKE SECRET INVASION, you’ll dig Sinestro Corps War.
God, Secret Invasion…..What happened?!?!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I just picked up five of the most recent Green Lantern issues. Damn. Really, really good.
I’m going to pick up the Sinestro Corp Wars trade for sure.