DC Comics
Reviewed by Albert Avilla
Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Knock Knock (Spoilers)
Death of the Family begins with a very spine-chilling return of the Joker. This is more horror film than superhero story. Keep away from small children. I know two grown men that got chills from reading this.
The story begins with omens heralding the return of the Joker. The Gotham River reverses course, and a two-headed lion cub is born. This is a story where the story is intertwined with the art in telling the narrative; so, pay attention to the details. It will make for a more enjoyable read.
The scene in which the Joker takes out the power in the GCPD and kills officers while threatening Gordon is terrifying, made even more so when you see the look on Gordon's face. Now, Joker is not the same as he was before; he's meaner. Tell me when murder is not mean. Oh, he is killing me and my whole family, but at least he's nice about it.
The Joker is up to his old tricks, outsmarting Batman at every turn. The murders that he commits are reminiscent of his first murders in Gotham. He threatens to kill the mayor. Batman makes sure that the mayor is protected, and the Joker does not kill the mayor; he kills every man who is protecting him. Instead of dying with grins on their faces, they die with frowns. Joker leads Batman to Ace Chemical where he became the Joker. Harley is dressed as the Red Hood, distracting Batman from the Joker's true destination, Wayne Manor. Batman is trapped in a chemical tank that is filling, and Joker is running wild. We also get a six-page Joker and Harley Quinn story just to make sure that we don't sleep well.
The stage is set. Joker is causing chaos and mayhem as only he can. Batman and the crew are determined to stop him. Commissioner Gordon is pissing in his pants. This story definitely stirs fear in the reader; do not read this if you have a heart condition. When a comic book story can do this, we need to sit back and enjoy the chills as they run up our spines. Snyder's talent is on display in a major way.
The art is an important instrument in the storyteller's work. It does just as much as the text to strike fear in our hearts. This is a most fearful collaboration of talent.
I rate Batman 13 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on Al-O-Meter Ranking
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