About Heroes

This Review was submitted by Knightwingbk:

Writer: Paul Dini
Artists: Don Kramer & Wayne Faucher

You will laugh at this issue. You will laugh out loud. Paul Dini writes a fantastic Joker in this issue, just like he did in Batman: The Animated Series. If you're a fan of that portrayal, this issue is for you. The plot is simple, Robin is running around fighting crime, and runs into the Joker, who takes him on a holiday ride through Gotham. The Joker makes Robin watch as he barrels over people and harasses drive-thru workers. It’s like Grand Theft Auto in a comic. Not only does Dini write the Joker well, but his characterization of Robin is equally strong. Tim Drake narrates the issue, and repeats various Bat-mantras to himself to keep his mind focuses as the Joker tortures him. At one point he says to himself, "Don't make Jokes. Just go Batman on his ass." It's great comic, and just like the rest of his Detective run, you can just pick up this book and read it, no worries about continuity. If you're not picking up this title monthly do yourself a favor, and just get this issue, it's that good.

The art, by Don Kramer is as strong as the rest of his issues previously. I know that this title was announced as J.H. Williams II and Rags Morales, but if Don Kramer continues to deliver a solid issue, I will not complain. Kramer's Joker is just psychotic. He looks crazy; he is crazy, as seen through Kramer's art. If I had to ride with Kramer's Joker, I would definitely need a new pair of pants. Its fantastic.

I just can't rave about this title enough. And ignore the fact that it says it takes place before Batman 655, where Joker got shot in the face. It's a Holiday issue, and there is no way to explain how the Joker is back and doesn't have a hole in his face. Frankly, I don't care, and neither should you. Just read it and have fun. If we had gotten the Joker issue last week from Batman rather than the disappointing "Grotesk" then we wouldn't have had to have this editor's note. Back to the comic, go get it. A+.