Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Art: Guiseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Sorrentino, Stefano Nesi, Alejandro Sanchez, Dave Stewart, and Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 13th, 2024
The terrifying tale of “The Joker Year One” continues as a mysterious figure from Batman’s past has come into Joker’s orbit, changing the Clown Prince of Crime forever! And what secrets does the re-formed Red Hood Gang have for Batman’s future? Let’s dive into Batman #143 by Chip Zdarsky and find out!
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Batman #142 Review.
THE DISPATCH
The past, present, and future narrative continues to be a bit choppy as Batman #143 continues this Joker Year One story. Who is talking and when is definitely hard to follow on the first read. However, it does get ironed out much more efficiently than last week as the story unfolds. We see that Daniel Captio happens to be the individual writing the letters while the internal nuggets from Bruce in the future continue to be a bit more confusing. Yet, I wonder if it’s confusing because we don’t exactly know what’s happening and why in this future scenario.
Nevertheless, the huge aspects I like about Batman #143 are the plot threads involving Daniel Captio. We see that Captio has his own twisted persona he lets out like Zur and is more than likely the one who taught Bruce how to create him. Moreover, we see how Captio helped Joker create these different personas that we’ve grown to see throughout the years that come across as distinct Jokers but very well may be the same person after all. And it’s this take by Zdarsky that’s actually quite refreshing. Instead of three individuals, we get one person with three different personalities that just make sense.
Additionally, we see how the Joker was trained, just like Bruce, to not fear or cultivate any pain and that the Joker actually took to the idea faster and easier than Bruce, which is a pretty killer idea. Again, making this plot thread quite creative and exciting at the same time.
ART
Sadly, it’s the art in the past plot thread that’s holding Batman #143 hostage and ultimately is adding an extra layer of confusion to the story. Nevertheless, the future plot thread illustrations are just so dastardly good. They are incredibly realistic, dark, and almost like a gothic painting. If only the entire comic could be drawn this way, I would most certainly raise this score. The picture of Joker rising from the water is just downright frightening. Please consider this artist for future, full-time work at DC!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman #143 is still a bit confusing but does a very creative job of showcasing a possible reasoning for the Three Jokers that connects well with Captio, Batman, and Zur. Moreover, the future plot thread illustrations and the possibility involving that story have crafted a narrative that appears to be ripe with potential. And with this storyline coming out weekly, we won’t have to wait long to see what’s next. Nevertheless, we really don’t get a ton this week and the illustrations from the most interesting aspect of this storyline are a bit too dull and cartoony. Overall, Batman #143 shows readers that the story is getting a bit better but it still needs something more to truly hook fans and comb through some of the choppy, confusing parts. Luckily, it is weekly and we will certainly be getting more soon. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!