Retro-Review: Batman #450 The Joker Misses The Funny
by Benjamin Hall
Summary
Batman often faces the Joker’s villainy. However, after appearing to die from bullets and a crash the Joker is still on the mend. So why do Batman and Commissioner Jim Gordon suspect Joker of a recent crime spree? For that matter why isn’t the Joker able to find the funny in both crime and life anymore?
Overall
7/10After looking at a surprise Joker story earlier today, the Comicon team continues April Fool’s Day and takes a look at an absolute classic.
Writer Marv Wolfman creates a mostly strong script. The characterization is arguably the strongest point of his writing. Though a certain flashback does make the characterization and overall scripting to feel odd. This is simply because the character having the flashback is remembering a moment he is not present for, and could not see all of. Also Wolfman is a bit too obvious when it comes to the actual Joker’s whereabouts, and this exposes that there is an impostor. Nevertheless, Wolfman shows the Joker to not be an eldritch being since Joker complains about needing to heal from his very human near-death. It is worth mentioning that that the narrative relies somewhat heavily on both Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) and Batman: A Death in the Family (1988).
The interior visuals are by penciler Jim Aparo and inker Mike DeCarlo. Both creatives combine their art talents in a way that is almost indecipherable from each other. Though one can detect certain areas of line work that do not fully conform to each other. As far as the page layouts go Aparo is a bit experimental with the amount of angular panels and dutch angle compositions he uses. While DeCarlo goes a bit heavy with the inking of at least one eye-line. Yet, both keep to a realism that is debatably missing from 21st century Batman comics.
Colorist Adrienne Roy uses hues and ranges available at the time of printing in a way that arguably should impress 21 century readers. Unfortunately, the paper quality that sees usage in the original printing does not fully convey Roy’s skill.
Letterer John Costanza handles the abundance of dialogue very well by correctly placing the text. This effort greatly helps the other creative elements.
Artist Norm Breyfogle and colorist Anthony Tollin create a cover design that, despite the obscuring darkness, features a frenetic looking Joker. Once a reader looks back on the cover after reading the interior pages they can more clearly detect the Joker’s rage and physical injury.
Batman #450 available in multiple formats and collections now from DC Comics.
