‘Joker #1’ Review: Live To Laugh Another Day

Writers: Tynion IV, James / Artists: March; Andolfo / DC Comics A new era in DC Comics is here, and it’s called Infinite Frontier. It’s a fresh beginning without retconning the past. In short, everything that’s happened before matters, even with a new direction on the horizon. This new ‘number one’ for the Clown Prince of Crime was dubbed a ‘horror noir’ story by writer, James Tynion IV. In it, we follow former Police Commissioner James Gordon as he conveys, in grim detail, how the Joker haunts his every waking moment and presides over all of his nightmares.

The real nightmare is Jim Gordon sleeping in a twin bed. (Image credit: DC Comics)

This story, at least so far, is very similar to Batman: Year One. Not necessarily in subject matter, but in its delivery. It’s heavy in narration, offered by James Gordon himself. Detailing a rich view of Gotham as a grimy and corrupt city and full of frazzled people in need of something to look up to. That something is the Joker, who has an intoxicating hold on the people of Gotham. Batman is the protector of this city. But for those who might be lost or just need an excuse to be a horrible person, the Joker is the symbol they look to. Joker is the very personification of chaos.  The story kicks into gear when Gordon is offered a large sum of money to kill the Joker. He has a long publication history as the cop with a strong moral compass, but the Joker has ruined his life one too many times. He’d be a fool to not take the opportuni…