Writers: J. M. DeMatteis, Eddie Campbell, Daren White
Artists: Joe Staton, Bart Sears
Collects: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 65-68, 200
Welcome to another edition of deciphering DC. Today, we bring you another heaping helping of Batman. This time, we'll take a look at an anecdote from Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, where the Joker takes centre stage.
"Going Sane", written by J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Joe Staton, finally attempts to answer the question, "What would the Joker do without Batman?", which has risen on occasion, the most recent in my memory being the movie, Batman: The Dark Knight.
After an explosion on main street by the Joker, Batman becomes determined, maybe downright obsessive to end the Joker once and for all. The Joker has managed to take Councilwoman Elizabeth Kenner hostage and Batman must save her. But, in the process, somehow, the Joker manages to kill Batman, and dumps him into a nearby river.
With Batman dead, the Joker realises his existence is pointless - after getting plastic surgery done, he lives the life of an ordinary person named Joseph Kerr, who finds a perfect match in Rebecca. But after Joseph builds a wonderful, normal life with Rebecca, the Batman suddenly comes back. How will the Joker cope is the linchpin of the series.
We all know how this one is going to end, that is no surprise but for a few issues, this one psychoanalyses both Batman and the Joker pretty nicely. Bruce finds himself washed up in a small, idyllic town, tended to by Doctor Lynn Bridges. He discovers life on the other end of the spectrum, loves it, and finds himself torn by his duty to Gotham City.
The back up story is called "Gotham Emergency" and written by Eddie Campbell with Daren White, and art is by Bart Sears. The Joker has planted three bombs in the city. The first one has already exploded, and the Joker is serious. To reveal the location of the other two bombs the Joker has to be treated first. The story is told through the eyes of a junior medic.
J. M. DeMatteis spins a beautiful tale, defining the Joker much more than Batman. While people, and even J. M. will say that this storyline bears a striking resemblance to Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt, that one is a completely different beast. There is no comparision to be made. The basic premise may seem the same, but this story fits the Batman to a T. The backup by Eddie Campbell and Daren white is a good story in itself, included here just because it has the Joker in it.
Joe Staton's artwork is serviceable. Folks think his stuff is too cartoony, but I find his pencils too pointy. It's OK here, but maybe someone like Paul Gulacy, the Kuberts or Klaus Janson would have been better. Bart Sears' art suits the story, and maintains the frenetic pace.
My rating: 8 on 10. Loses a little for the art.
Artists: Joe Staton, Bart Sears
Collects: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 65-68, 200
Welcome to another edition of deciphering DC. Today, we bring you another heaping helping of Batman. This time, we'll take a look at an anecdote from Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, where the Joker takes centre stage.
"Going Sane", written by J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Joe Staton, finally attempts to answer the question, "What would the Joker do without Batman?", which has risen on occasion, the most recent in my memory being the movie, Batman: The Dark Knight.
After an explosion on main street by the Joker, Batman becomes determined, maybe downright obsessive to end the Joker once and for all. The Joker has managed to take Councilwoman Elizabeth Kenner hostage and Batman must save her. But, in the process, somehow, the Joker manages to kill Batman, and dumps him into a nearby river.
With Batman dead, the Joker realises his existence is pointless - after getting plastic surgery done, he lives the life of an ordinary person named Joseph Kerr, who finds a perfect match in Rebecca. But after Joseph builds a wonderful, normal life with Rebecca, the Batman suddenly comes back. How will the Joker cope is the linchpin of the series.
We all know how this one is going to end, that is no surprise but for a few issues, this one psychoanalyses both Batman and the Joker pretty nicely. Bruce finds himself washed up in a small, idyllic town, tended to by Doctor Lynn Bridges. He discovers life on the other end of the spectrum, loves it, and finds himself torn by his duty to Gotham City.
The back up story is called "Gotham Emergency" and written by Eddie Campbell with Daren White, and art is by Bart Sears. The Joker has planted three bombs in the city. The first one has already exploded, and the Joker is serious. To reveal the location of the other two bombs the Joker has to be treated first. The story is told through the eyes of a junior medic.
J. M. DeMatteis spins a beautiful tale, defining the Joker much more than Batman. While people, and even J. M. will say that this storyline bears a striking resemblance to Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt, that one is a completely different beast. There is no comparision to be made. The basic premise may seem the same, but this story fits the Batman to a T. The backup by Eddie Campbell and Daren white is a good story in itself, included here just because it has the Joker in it.
Joe Staton's artwork is serviceable. Folks think his stuff is too cartoony, but I find his pencils too pointy. It's OK here, but maybe someone like Paul Gulacy, the Kuberts or Klaus Janson would have been better. Bart Sears' art suits the story, and maintains the frenetic pace.
My rating: 8 on 10. Loses a little for the art.
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