Batman and the Joker: The Deadly Duo #5 (of 7)
(W) Marc Silvestri (A) Marc Silvestri
In Shops: Mar 07, 2023
SRP: $4.99
When the Deadly Duo’s investigation brings them into the catacombs under Gotham, Batman and The Joker’s adventure becomes a trip into hell. If you thought this series had already shown you its horrors, get ready for a descent into the heart of darkness as Batman and The Joker’s true enemy is revealed.
There is nothing worst than sowing a seed knowing that you may have done wrong. We all have regrets and sometimes we replay those decisions in our minds a thousand times. This is why we rarely can rest on our laurels. This is exactly why we should try to do good everyday.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our past sins come back to haunt us. If we don’t redeem ourselves, we are failed to repeat our mistakes. Because if we never learned the lesson, sometimes we will have to do something we never thought we had to do again. In the debut issue of Cosmic Ghost Rider, Frank Castle suits up as the Cosmic Ghost Rider once again, when past sins come to visit.
In “Dual Identities Part One”, we find someone looking like the Spirit of Vengeance terrorizing innocent civilians, something that he would not do. Meanwhile, we find an older Frank, in a rundown town, until a stranger comes looking for him, creating trouble along the way. Before end, we find out it was all a dream. In the final story ”Cosmic Ghost Stories”, Frank dreams about all the people he has lost throughout his life and the regrets that come with the choices he has made.
Overall, Cosmic Ghost Rider‘s debut feels like a space western, something we have never seen Frank Castle in, and it is off to a good start. The stories by Phillips are action packed and astounding. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story which shows a Frank that we are not used to, and a welcome change.
Story: Stephanie Phillips Art: Juann Cabal, Jonas Scharf
Color: Espen Grundetjern, Arif Prianto Letterer: Travis Lanham
Stroy: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Batman and the Joker: The Deadly Duo #5 (of 7)
(W) Marc Silvestri (A) Marc Silvestri
In Shops: Mar 07, 2023
SRP: $4.99
When the Deadly Duo’s investigation brings them into the catacombs under Gotham, Batman and The Joker’s adventure becomes a trip into hell. If you thought this series had already shown you its horrors, get ready for a descent into the heart of darkness as Batman and The Joker’s true enemy is revealed.
Cosmic Ghost Rider has been an interesting character to me. A future Frank Castle who at some point becomes a Ghost Rider as well as a herald of Galactus, the character felt a bit like Wolverine in that he was everywhere and a little oversaturated. Then there was a break, a rather long break. Now, the character is back with Cosmic Ghost Rider #1 and while the foundation of the comic is interesting, the execution is a little frustrating.
In a far-flung corner of deep space, Frank Castle has eked out a quiet existence, his days as Cosmic Ghost Rider finally behind him. But, that peace is threatened as another being calling himself Cosmic Ghost Rider is leaving a pile of bodies in his wake.
Writer Stephanie Phillips delivers an opening chapter that is a western in space. A man is haunted by his past and wants to find peace but is dragged back into action. It’s a story we’ve seen many times, over and over and they usually follow a familiar beat and pattern.
Phillips nails those beats in the opening chapter up until the very end of the story which, with a twist, makes what you’ve read all questionable. It’s a twist that will better play out in the second issue but as presented it makes the debut a bit confusing and honestly, might make readers wonder what they just read and why. It’s hard to go into that detail without spoiling things but it’s very Newhart and not in a good way.
The art by Juan Cabal is interesting. With coloe by Espen Grundetjern and lettering by Travis Lanham, the style fits the “futuristic western” setting nicely. There’s a little Bravestarr to it but overall it captures an old man trying to find peace without becoming too dark and depressing. Frank might be a little too clean, overall everything is, but small details gives a good sense about this world and the life Frank is living.
Phillips does double duty in writing though with a second story dubbed “Cosmic Ghost Stories”. With art by Jonas Scharf, color by Arif Prianto, and lettering by Lanham, the second story continues some of the themes from the first, the haunting of Frank Castle. We’re taken through his life as he confronts the horrors of the past. It’s a solid way to catch up readers on the major things they need to know, an easy and entertaining way to info dump. It’d be nice to get some more of this with key moments in the character’s existence, even throwing in tidbits that might not have been revealed before.
Cosmic Ghost Rider #1 isn’t a bad start but the issue feels a little short and could have used some more pages. Where the main story cuts off and where it leaves readers is a little frustrating and jarring. Hopefully, it smooths out with the second issue but as a whole, while there’s potential here, the comic overall doesn’t quite have the hook it could have.
Story: Stephanie Phillips Art: Juann Cabal, Jonas Scharf
Color: Espen Grundetjern, Arif Prianto Letterer: Travis Lanham
Stroy: 7.5 Art: 8.15 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #4 (of 7)
(W) Marc Silvestri (A/CA) Marc Silvestri
In Shops: Feb 07, 2023
SRP: $4.99
TRAINing day! Batman and The Joker’s ability to function as a team is put to the biggest test yet as they are dropped out of the sky and into a moving train! Will their alliance hold together, even if the speeding locomotive does not? Meanwhile, the Dark Knight has enlisted the help of Nightwing and Catwoman to help with his investigation, but with more pieces of Gordon being shipped to GCPD headquarters, by the time they find any clues, will there even be enough of the commissioner left to save?
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #4 (of 7)
(W) Marc Silvestri (A/CA) Marc Silvestri
In Shops: Feb 07, 2023
SRP: $4.99
TRAINing day! Batman and The Joker’s ability to function as a team is put to the biggest test yet as they are dropped out of the sky and into a moving train! Will their alliance hold together, even if the speeding locomotive does not? Meanwhile, the Dark Knight has enlisted the help of Nightwing and Catwoman to help with his investigation, but with more pieces of Gordon being shipped to GCPD headquarters, by the time they find any clues, will there even be enough of the commissioner left to save?
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #3 finally gets to that whole “duo” aspect. While Batman and the Joker met in the first issue, the two have mostly been split up with the Joker held as a prisoner in the Batcave. It’s mostly been Batman on his own trying to figure out what’s going on with some backup to help him out. The key dynamic we’re here for, Batman dealing with the Joker, has mostly been missing, brushed to the side. Well, hopefully that’s now changing if this issue is any indication.
Yes, the two are mostly apart for the issue but three issues in, we’re finally getting a better idea as to who the villain is and Batman has realized he’ll need the Joker’s help to solve whatever is going on. Marc Silvestri does double duty as the writer and artist for the series and continues to deliver amazing visuals with writing that’s slowly improving.
The strong point of the issue is Batman being an actual detective. As he ended the previous issue, he had to decide the fate of two individuals and here we get to see his deduction as to which is the one he should save. It’s not a shock as to the answer but it’s nice to see the world’s greatest detective actually be a detective.
That extends to his attempting to figure out the mysterious creatures. There’s some logic there as to what to do next, showing Silvestri’s Batman is a bit more than just the action we’ve seen so far.
But, it’s such good looking action. Each issue just looks great showing off Silvestri’s talent with colors by Arif Prianto. We knew going into this that the visuals wouldn’t be an issue and that’s been the case with every release. Silvestri does what he does best in his distinctive style and doing so with a flair that’s so much fun to look at.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #3 is beginning to deliver on the promise of its title. By the end, we finally get the duo together to figure out what’s going on and track down whoever is behind the strange monsters and have taken Gordon and Harley. Here’s hoping after such a wait it all delivers the back and forth we’ve been waiting for.
Story: Marc Silvestri Art: Marc Silvestri Color: Arif Prianto
Story: 8.05 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #3 (of 7)
(W) Marc Silvestri (A) Marc Silvestri
In Shops: Jan 10, 2023
SRP: $4.99
The Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime’s alliance started off shaky, but now it seems to have shattered entirely. Batman has imprisoned The Joker in the Batcave, desperate to find answers about both the disappearance of Jim Gordon and the strange, genetically modified humanoid monsters gathering severed heads across Gotham. But when one of these monsters’ tissue samples comes to life, Batman comes face-to-face with a creature even the World’s Greatest Detective doesn’t fully understand, and he may have no choice but to resume his partnership with his greatest enemy.
I said in my review of the first issue, the draw of Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo is Marc Silvestri‘s art. Fans of the creator will flock to it and let’s face it, his style is one that stands out from the crowd. While I wasn’t as much as a fan of Silvestri’s writing on the issue, I still found the concept and moments entertaining. Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #2 is far better in that department delivering a well rounded issue that has far more than just its art going for it.
With a story and art from Silvestri, with color by Arif Prianto, Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #2‘s hook is how Batman and the Joker will get along as they team up. And, it’s entertaining. Silvestri does a solid job of balancing the Joker’s insanity and rambling jokes with Batman’s seriousness. It’s a dynamic we’ve seen so many times before (ahem, Deadpool) that can swing too much on way and just not click. But, Silvestri nails it with just enough comedic moments and they’re often presented in a twisted way that reminds us who the Joker is. It’s not laughs just because.
The issue lays out a bit more of what we can expect for the series. It’s an interesting direction, and as a DC Black Label comic, can go a bit mature. It feels like we’re getting Batman’s version of Saw with a little Silence of the Lambs mixed in and if the series continues this way, it should be a twisted read to come.
The art by the team is as fantastic as you’d expect. Much like the first issue, Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #2 shows off Silvestri’s strength and style which fits so well for this story. There’s a certain darkness to it that is perfect for the horror undertones of the issue. All of the characters have that strength and coolness that Silvestri’s style is known for. It’s dynamic and as solid as you’d expect.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #2 is an entertaining read. It doesn’t fall into “90s issues” we see from others who “return” to comics and instead plays off Marc Silvestri’s strengths that made his creator owned work stand out from the crowd. There’s a lot here to enjoy and fans of Silvestri, want to see Batman and Joker team up, or like a little horror, will want to check this one out.
Story: Marc Silvestri Art: Marc Silvestri Color: Arif Prianto
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Batman & The Joker: Deadly Duo #1 (of 7)
(W) Marc Silvestri (A) Marc Silvestri
In Shops: Nov 01, 2022
SRP: $4.99
The Joker will go to any lengths to get Harley Quinn back after she is abducted by a strange culprit. But who? Mysterious, Joker-like monsters are stalking the streets of Gotham, collecting severed heads. But why? Jim Gordon is missing, and after receiving a package containing a bloody piece of Gotham’s commissioner, Batman knows he must be willing to do anything to save him. But how? When The Joker proposes an uneasy alliance with Batman, the answers to those questions begin to become clear–and they will shake Gotham City and the Bat-Family to their core. This meticulously crafted tale of the Dark Knight’s deadliest team-up will introduce you to a grim and gritty Gotham that only Marc Silvestri could bring you.
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