Batman #142 (2016) cover a

A Joker post origin story by Chip Zdarsky, melding all versions into one, dancing easily between 'The Killing Joke' and N52 'Year Zero. We'd been told this would be definitive, important, and mandatory reading for the direction of the Bat-Titles for this year.


We weren't lied to.


The kicker of it is, its not just a flashback. There's a future segment featuring artwork by Andrea Sorrentino doing stunning work that would fit as easily into 'Arkham Asylum' as it does in the monthly Batbook.

The past though? Absolutely no slouching done by the Giuseppe Camuncoli. Young, idealistic Jim Gordon singled out by dirty cops, an unwelcome vigilante, and new crimes by the dead leader of the Red Hood Gang.


Maybe I'm being optimistic, but this feels like a chance to right the Joker ship after the confusing and yet to be followed up 'Three Jokers'. The Joker himself kills at least two Jokers in this issue alone. Does that mean we're down to one???


Super solid issue, recommended for anyone with a loose, moderate, or faded interest in Batman, Bone Orchard readers, and people who get that the joke is that nothing is funny, and we laugh so we don't cry.


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