Joker by Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

An original hardcover graphic novel that tells the story of one very dark night in Gotham City--from the creative team behind the graphic novel LEX LUTHOR: MAN OF STEEL.

The Joker has been mysteriously released from Arkham Asylum, and he's none to happy about what's happened to his Gotham City rackets while he's been "away." What follows is a harrowing night of revenge, murder and manic crime as only The Joker can deliver it, as he brutally takes back his stolen assets from The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face, Killer Croc and others.

Brian Azzarello brings to THE JOKER all the visceral intensity and criminal insight that has made his Vertigo graphic novel series 100 BULLETS one of the most critically-acclaimed and award-winning series in all of comics.

Publishers Weekly

Building on Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight(although long before the movie's debut), Azzarello creates a memorably cringe-worthy story. Rather than a natty Clown Prince of Crime, this Joker looks like a glam rocker gone to toxic seed. Newly released from Arkham Asylum, he begins disorganizing the criminal establishment of Gotham City. Although he claims to want power and money when he confronts Two Face and his peers, he really seems just to enjoy playing with people-shooting them, setting them on fire or skinning them alive. Accompanying him is Jonny Frost, a young thug who takes a long time to recognize the drawbacks of seeing a vicious sociopath as a role model. Like Jonny, however, readers may find that, horrifying as the Joker is, they can't take their eyes off him. Even Batman, when he inevitably enters the action, functions largely as the Joker's partner in a dance of death. Azzarello has learned how to create a menacing, morally ambivalent atmosphere in his years of scripting 100 Bullets, and Bermejo's jagged, shadow-saturated art sustains the mood. The result is fascinating but extremely dark. (Nov.)

Product Details

• Interviews & Essays

Interviews & Essays

It s dark, it’s disturbing… inky, oily, unapologetic noir. It’s the story of a crime boss-- in this case Joker-- reclaiming the city he lost when he got locked up.

How did you approach writing Joker?

I dove right in the deep end with him. I found he was a character that couldn’t be half-assed. His story grabbed me by the throat while I was writing it, and dragged me to some very bad places-- much like what happens to Jonny Frost, the low-level thug who acts as the story’s narrator.

What aspects of his character did you choose to focus on, and why?

Strange at it seems, his struggle to control-- Gotham City for sure, and it’s criminal underworld, but also himself. Like… he’s insane, but he could be even “insaner”, and he knows it. I played with that notion.

The characters, situations and action are all rooted in a gritty reality, with very little superhero/comic book-y aspects. What made you gravitate toward a more street-level portrayal of Gotham and its residents?

It just feels right to me. I think Gotham City works best this way; a twisted reflection of our own urban realities. It really is a town without pity.

What is it about Lee Bermejo that makes him the ideal collaborator on this, after you guys teamed up on LUTHOR?

Lee definitely shares the same sensibilities that I have. There’s a lot of mutual respect too; we want each other to succeed.

What did he bring to the project that elevated it for you?

Lee’s artwork is stunning. He absolutely nails the mood of this story-- and Joker himself. I don’t think readers will see the character in the same way again after reading this book. His work redefines.

Why do the Joker and Batman fit in with these kind of stories so well?

Like Gotham City, they too are reflections of our own reality, I think. There’s nothing super or paranormal about them. They’re human, only “turned up to eleven”.

What do you hope readers get out of reading JOKER?

An experience-- I hesitate to say enjoyment. Lets say thrilled. I hope they are thrilled. I hope they find that while the criminals of Gotham are scared of Batman, they’re absolutely terrified of Joker.