Read our review of Batman #144 from DC Comics, written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Andrea Sorrentino and Giuseppe Camuncoli.
We reviewed the book on the Stack podcast. But in the interest of highlighting more about the title, here’s a summary of the conversation with our thoughts. And if you prefer the longer audio version, that’s below as well!
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Batman #144 Review:
The Joker Year One storyline ends in this issue, as in the past The Joker finally becomes the villain we know and love; and in the future, Batman manages to save Gotham, once again, from The Joker. So, lots of Joker stuff going on.
“Neither storyline goes the way I thought it was going to go,” said host Alex Zalben. “I don’t think that’s a criticism necessarily so much as this was a surprisingly calm last issue.”
Continuing, he added that, “Chip Zdarsky is regrounding The Joker… Reminding us why he is a good villain. Why he’s always been there. Why he’s tied to Batman, while presenting a different way. Which is the Joker has always known who Batman is, and has always been working from that perspective. I don’t know if I love that.”
Justin Tyler agreed, though he liked the “early Joker” which reminded him of Batman: The Animated Series, a version of the character “we don’t get much in the comics anymore… Because of all of the depth, and pathos, and darkness.” He also lauded where Zdarsky is taking the title, and building his own mythology out.
Batman #144 Official Synopsis:
THE CHILLING CONCLUSION TO THE JOKER YEAR ONE! The climactic, chilling conclusion to “The Joker Year One” that will have massive repercussions for the future! The Red Hood Gang is on a rampage and the only man who can stop them… is The Joker! And can Batman stop a devastating new virus in a future where The Joker looms over him?
