Ledger used in the film, on every page of this remarkable book. Azzello’s writing conjures a pill-popping maniac, and I can almost hear the drawl and cackle Mr. Indeed, Bermejo’s artistic interpretation of the Joker even mimics Heath Ledger’s portrayal in The Dark Knight–flaking, caked on makeup, rumpled suit, mossy, grimy hair.

In the vein of Christopher Nolan’s rebirth of Batman in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Azzarello’s Joker is grainy, gritty, and completely socio-pathologically insane–without the more comic incantations. I was already predisposed to love this book from the writing and artistic team alone, but I was unprepared for this darker, more intense take on the Joker. Not since THE KILLING JOKE have you seen such a powerful tale of The Joker – you won’t want to miss this one! Look for appearances by a slew of Gotham’s most wanted, including gritty takes on Two-Face, Riddler, Killer Croc, Penguin, Harley Quinn and even Batman! Not content to settle for a piece of the pie, The Joker vows to take back the whole damn enchilada by any means necessary.

In the all-new, hardcover original graphic novel JOKER, writer Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS) and artist Lee Bermejo (HELLBLAZER covers) – the creative team behind the acclaimed miniseries LEX LUTHOR: MAN OF STEEL – show an even darker and more disturbing side to the most dangerous man in Gotham: The Joker.Īfter yet another stint in Arkham Asylum, The Joker finds “his city” divided among mobsters and costumed villains.

Joker by Brian Azzarello