Writer: James Tynion IV
Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, Lorenzo Ruggiero, Adriano Di Benedetto, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Tom Napolitano, and Arif Prianto
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $5.99
Release Date: February 8th, 2022
There are dirty, nasty mysteries in the world, and then there are the mysteries brandished by the notorious Sampson family on their Texas Ranch! But what do these secrets have to do with Gotham, THE JOKER, and A-Day? Let’s dive into THE JOKER #12 by James Tynion IV as Jim Gordon begins to weave his way through a hell he never imagined simply to save… THE JOKER!
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THE DISPATCH
JOKER #12 catches up the fans with Jim Gordon as most of the puzzle pieces come together for the reader in this week’s issue. Fans will discover who’s been pulling a ton of the strings, which becomes pretty obvious when you take a step back and think about it, as well as a very profound speech from Jim Gordon that really hits the mark.
Otherwise, JOKER #12 provides little detail on the Sampson Family or what’s been happening with the JOKER. Yet, the absolute best aspects of the issue were solely from Gordon who has been such a strong lead throughout this entire series. His speech about the state of the world will hit anyone from all walks of life in such a sincere way. Moreover, Tynion also plays to Jim’s strengths in this issue which are his clever wit and desire for Justice. Both of these qualities literally ooze off the page showcasing the exact virtue of Jim Gordon.
ART
Giuseppe Camuncoli leads the way as usual with his frame display and pencil work that’s clear, precise, and flows in an easy-to-understand methodology. This is something that’s been a mainstay for Camuncoli and this team. They don’t sugarcoat anything nor do they leave things off-panel to your imagination. They shoot you straight and give you all the tea leaves upfront adding to the cleverness of the lead character Jim Gordon.
In terms of dynamic panels that stick out, there is a scene with Vengeance falling from the sky as the lettering cascades down the splash page introducing the creative team in a spectacular fashion. But otherwise, it’s just a well-drawn comic. Nothing overly pops, which comes across as a bad thing… but it’s not. This issue was more about reveals and setup than action and graphic insanity. Overall, this creative team is such a great balance for Tynion’s story beats.
FINAL THOUGHTS
THE JOKER #12 lets everyone know how bad$&& Jim Gordon truly is without ever lifting a finger. Fans will witness a true detective at work while reminding BATMAN fans just how important Gordon is to Gotham and this lore. Moreover, readers will finally discover who’s responsible for A-Day while also getting glimpses as to why JOKER is intertwined in all of this. Sure, the title of this book may be a bit misleading with its focus being primarily on Jim Gordon. However, the name JOKER sells. And if I’m being honest, I’d probably never have looked into this title if it was called “Jim Gordon”. Yet, as much as the title is misleading, THE JOKER is the crux behind everything involved in this story. And ultimately, without his involvement, the allure and speculation would just fade away.
Look, THE JOKER is an exciting thrill ride that gets to the real heart, as well as the nasty grime, of humanity. Jim’s in way too deep… but that won’t stop him, nor should it stop you from jumping into this series. I highly recommend picking up the back issues and trades, as well as snagging THE JOKER #12. It really is one of the best titles coming from DC COMICS right now. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!