The Batman Who Laughs #2 Review

Writer: Scott Snyder / Artist: Jock / DC Comics A reoccurring line in this book is that The Batman Who Laughs wins. He always wins. And if this is a story about him prevailing, then someone’s gotta lose. That someone is our Batman. This dude has had a pretty bad few hours, and the light at the end of the tunnel is dimming.  Issue #2 ramps up the intensity by throwing Bruce into an impossible situation. At the end of issue #1, Joker shot himself which released a puff of Joker Venom into the air. In issue #2, Bruce has got every strain of the antidote pumping into his veins as he tries to stave off the transformation, but it can only prolong it for so long. In the meantime, Bruce is visibly on edge. He’s doped up, and it’s taking its toll on him physically, mentally and emotionally. Jock does a fantastic job of using shadow techniques familiar with the character but in new and unique ways that convey his current predicament in a refreshing manner. Shots where Batman is shrouded in shadows replace the signature white eyes with drugged up bloodshot ones. This issue was also effective in the sense that it confirmed a lot of assumptions about Laughs. He’s been built up to be this creepy psychopath, but other than his eerie look and unsettling dialogue, we haven’t actually seen him do much. But let me tell you: Everything you thought about this dude is true. He’s wit tha shits. This dude sliced up some Wayne Enterprises guards like butter. No! Not even butter! He so smooth with the …