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.
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.
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
It’s new comic book day! What are you all getting? What are you excited for? Let us know in the comments! While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
The Beat – What ever happened to the sales charts? – Good question.
ICv2 – Tapas Media Founder and CEO Chang Kim Moves On – Not too surprising.
The Beat – A Year of Free Comics: BULLDOZER INJUSTICE details Afreen Fatima’s true story – Free comics!
Engadget – ‘TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge’ hits iOS and Android as a Netflix mobile exclusive – Cool.
CBR – AMC Cancels Fear The Walking Dead After Eight Seasons – Not too surprising.
Reviews
CBR – Batman & The Joker: Deadly Duo #3
CBR – Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 3 #1
The Beat – Dandadan Vol. 2
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.
Marc Silvestri is one of those creators whose name stands out from my teenage years (if that). His art was definitely a draw (no pun intend) for me. Silvestri had a style that stood out from those he eventually teamed up with like Lee, Liefeld, Larson, and McFarlane, a bit rougher and mechanical in some ways. It looked, and still looks, great. So when it comes to Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1, Silvestri is the reason you’re going to get it. The name alone the hook to the comic.
A DC Black Label comic, Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1 opens with a kidnapped Harley Quinn in a sequence that’s very much a riff on Silence of the Lambs. All that’s missing is a bucket and lotion. Who’s her tormentor? That’s a mystery left for a reveal in another issue but it’s the driver to the main story, the Joker needing Batman’s help.
Batman himself has an issue with horrific attacks by individuals that sound like the Joker but can’t be and eventually someone close to him also seeming to be in danger.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1 is the crumbs leading you to the main event, the eventual team up. There’s weird monsters to fight and just a glimpse of what the “Deadly Duo” will be like but let’s face it, it’s Silvestri’s art that’s the main event.
Silvestri’s art is what you’d expect. His style is unique and stands out and is perfect for this type of story. Batman with a cloud hovering over it like Se7en and mix in a little Hannibal Lecter, that’s a combination that’s perfect for Silvestri. What’s interesting is the art, while very dynamic at times, stays away from too many two-page spreads. Instead there’s a solid balance of panels focused and up close, and at a distance giving us a grander view. Arif Prianto‘s coloring adds to the mood of it all, delivering a pop of color but not making the overall mood too bright. It’s a combo that’s so solid.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1 is exactly what one would expect going into it. Silvestri’s art pops and the story itself is interesting enough. It’s the tease before the main event and this team-up really gets going.
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
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