‘Joker: Year of the Villain #1’ (review)

Written by John Carpenter
and Anthony Burch
Art by Phillip Tan
Published by DC Comics

A solo comic about the Joker? And it is co-written by John Carpenter? I was sold right from that information alone. This book has a lot going for it right from the get go.

Even better, it is a Year of the Villain tie in and that has been a pretty cool crossover thus far. I was excited to read this.

This issue features the Joker breaking out of Arkham Asylum with the henchman named the Six of Hearts. The first few pages are pretty exhilarating as these two make their escape. It is crazy and it perfectly captures the Joker and his particular mindset.

The Joker and his henchman talk.

The Joker says that he has to up the ante with what he has been doing. That they have to get weirder. That they even have to get kinkier. That is when a costumed figure named the Condiment King comes into the convenience store that they are at and robs the place.

The Joker goes against type in this instance and stops the villain. He actually beats the Condiment King to a bloody pulp. He then asks the shop owner how much it is for a Batman and Robin costume. That is when things get really nuts.

The Joker and his henchman then dress up as Batman and Robin and go off to fight some crime. This turn of events  is particularly nuts. They pretty much stay dressed up as the dynamic duo for the rest of the issue. But it honestly goes to such a dark place that it is completely unforgettable.

The creative team take the idea of Batman and Robin and they twist it in a dark and imaginative way. The ending chilled me right to the bone and I could not look away. This is a comic book that leaves a lasting impression for sure.

This is an amazing issue. I am glad having Carpenter on this issue isn’t just a cheap stunt. The creative team more than anything bring their A-game and this is one of the best single issues of the year. It is seriously that good.

RATING: A