Timala Elliott
Timala Elliott
The Joker #6
DC Comics
Written by James Tynion IV and Sam Johns
Art by Guillem March and Sweeney Boo
Colors by Arif Prianto
Letters by Tom Napolitano and Ariana Maher
The Rundown: James Gordon’s Parisian search for the Joker yields surprising results.
The story opens 50 years ago. Two family members attempt commit a terrible crime in Texas. After their efforts are thwarted, they discover something unexpected. In the present, a wealthy Texas family is looking for information on the Joker. Meanwhile, Gordon’s searches Paris for information on his nemesis. After a mishap, a conversation with Oracle confirms his suspicions. He then looks to an old friend for aid. Finally, Gordon encounters a mysterious individual that leads him into a compromising situation.
Bluebird goes undercover in a women’s correctional facility. Her plans immediately fall apart when she encounters Punchline. The two have a back and forth of wits that end in a violent confrontation. Bluebird finds herself in imminent danger, while Punchline enacts an elaborate scheme.
The Story: In this issue, Tynion takes this series in a dramatic new direction. The stakes have increased dramatically as new villains enter into the pursuit of the clown prince of crime. Their backstory is heinous. And the intro to this tale felt very much like a horror film. I’m curious as to their relationship with the Joker. As well as their reach. Gordon’s conversation with Oracle was very telling, and I’m hopeful this group will play a large part in the narrative to come.
Punchline
I really liked the way Punchline is able to manipulate Harper to her advantage. And as we see her in total control of her situation, it appears her ultimate plans are finally being revealed. The back in forth between Punchline and Harper was very entertaining. However, I’m a bit confused and disappointed by Harper’s lack of preparation for this piece of her investigation. I’m accustomed to better planning and performance from members of the Bat Family.
It will be interesting to see how this story plays out in the upcoming chapters.
The Art: In the A story, detailed drawings and a dark color palette visually enwrap the reader in the twisted, violent world surrounding James Gordon. Here, the focus on facial expression and character form is emotionally engaging and transportive.
In the B story, the bright colors and youthful style displayed perfectly capture the tone of the story. The emphasis on character expression conveys the sentiment of the characters, and highlights the severity of the situation they find themselves in.
The Joker #6
Pros
- Interesting new direction with dramatic stakes
Cons
- Inconsistent characterization in the B story
