Batman: Three Jokers #1 Review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Jason Fabok

Rating: 8 of 8

Batman: Three Jokers #1

 

The worst of scars run deep. They don't always heal. Sometimes, they linger long after the wound has healed, a daily reminder of their trauma.

It's something that connects the Bat-family. It drives them and pushes them to prevent that same trauma being inflicted on other people and it's something that links three of them most of all - especially to the Joker. This is why it was a brilliant move on Johns' part using not only Batman, but Jason Todd (Red Hood) and Barbara Gordon (Batgirl).

Years ago, Jason went on a personal quest, one which ended with him being captured and viciously beaten by the Joker. It's something that's stayed with him and changed him at his core. Much later, Barbara suffered her own trauma when Joker shot her in her home, an attack which left her paralyzed for many years. 

We see these moments revisited as Barbara remembers the night she was attacked. Despite how long it's been and despite her recovery, she still remembers it as vividly as ever. Fabok does a great job recreating the scene, coming eerily close to Brian Bolland's style from the tale in question. Though he doesn't replicate Jim Aparo's, (from Death in the Family) he does in one panel do well in recreating an iconic moment from that scene.

Throughout the issue, the trio investigate 3 different crimes committed by the Joker - all done at the same time, in completely different places. All three tie into different parts of the Joker's past, with the 3 Jokers representing different versions of him over the years: the Criminal, the Comedian and the Clown. 

Throughout, Johns and Fabok often use a 9 panel grid, a technique most famously employed by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons in Watchmen, last used by Johns - and Gary Frank (Superman: Brainiac) - in Doomsday Clock. Though that made sense in maintaining Watchmen's visual style, I'm not sure why it's used here, though it does work. Though I was surprised seeing 2 longtime Bat characters used here, considering where things are with them in the regular Batman titles, it can be easily explained.

Overall, an absolutely stunning 1st issue, which kicks off the series in spectacular fashion. Whether you're a Batman, Joker, Batgirl, or Red Hood fan, I highly recommend it. As the issue ends, the 3 Joker enigma remains just that - and yet I'm hooked, already ready to tear into the next two issues.