A really, really in-depth, thinking-too-much critique of "Joker's Asylum: Two-Face"

[about_faces]

I’ve been putting off reviewing Joker's Asylum: Two-Face--by David Hine and Andy Clarke--for almost three years now. The story is just that maddeningly frustrating to me, as is the fact that many people love the ending.

I was cautiously optimistic a few months before the issue’s release, when I read an interview with Hine (the same one wherein he

Comments

[abqreviews]

Can't disagree with anything you've said. Total gimmick story, and not a very good one. Hell, the impact of the gimmick is nullified by having both outcomes on one page. It would have worked better if it had been on two pages, and we wouldn't be able to see what the bad outcome was at first, leaving us to assume the bad outcome could have been him accepting Harvey's philosophy. To be fair though, that would probably have expanded the page count.

When I first read this, I also thought Hine was attempting some symbolism with the scarring(s) but when it didn't come to be I just chalked it up to artistic license. Now it makes me feel doubly disappointed(HAH!). And is it just me, or does Holman's scarred side look kinda...cute in a "Herp Derp" way?

That aside, I really like most of these JOKER'S ASYLUM stories. I loved the Clayface issue because it's the ONLY story I know of since DETECTIVE COMICS#496 to reference Karlo's background as an actor, which in my opinion is his most interesting facet and is often neglected just to make him a big blob monster or the go-to impersonator of the DCU.

[about_faces]

I barely remember the Clayface story. I recall being disappointed in where they went with it, because while I too was gratified to see someone remember the Basil Karlo that was, the story with his followers didn't really work for me. That said, while I'm not a Kelley Jones fan, I so dearly want him to draw Clayface again. That one panel where his "human" face is splitting in two, like something out of The Blob, was truly horrific.