BATMAN/JOKER: SWITCH
Originally Presented at Comixtreme.com.
Quick Rating: Average
Title:Switch
The Joker finds himself in the middle of London without his world-famous smile. He decides to imitate his greatest foe to get it back.
Writer: Devin Grayson
Painted Art: John Bolton
Letters: Todd Klein
Editor: Michael Wright
Cover Art: John Bolton
Publisher: DC Comics
REVIEW: This book is based on a really interesting premise: the Joker attempting, in his own twisted way, to imitate Batman’s methods to solve a mystery. Unfortunately, the mystery itself isn’t really that compelling. He wakes up in a strange city to find that the smile has been wiped off his face and implanted on the back of his neck. It’s a gross image, probably what Bolton had in mind when he conceived the story (he gets a “based on an idea by” credit), but it doesn’t drive the story as well as one might hope.
Grayson gives us a really good look into the Joker’s head, making him maniacal as ever, but painting him in almost a sympathetic light. She treads that line carefully, never exactly making us feel sorry for him (which would have collapsed the story under the weight of its incredulity) but making us curious enough to keep reading along.
I can’t say I’m entirely pleased with Bolton’s artwork. He does a very good job on the grotesqueries that make up a large part of the story, but he doesn’t do as well with the heroes. Batman wears a look clearly inspired by Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns style, but he looks too blocky most of the time. And for some reason, he and Robin both look like they’re wearing lipstick and Alfred looks more like Jim Gordon.
This book would be more worthwhile in a regular format, but I’m hesitant to shell out the hefty price tag of a “prestige format” title for a book that’s just okay.
Rating: 3/5
Quick Rating: Average
Title:Switch
The Joker finds himself in the middle of London without his world-famous smile. He decides to imitate his greatest foe to get it back.
Writer: Devin Grayson
Painted Art: John Bolton
Letters: Todd Klein
Editor: Michael Wright
Cover Art: John Bolton
Publisher: DC Comics
REVIEW: This book is based on a really interesting premise: the Joker attempting, in his own twisted way, to imitate Batman’s methods to solve a mystery. Unfortunately, the mystery itself isn’t really that compelling. He wakes up in a strange city to find that the smile has been wiped off his face and implanted on the back of his neck. It’s a gross image, probably what Bolton had in mind when he conceived the story (he gets a “based on an idea by” credit), but it doesn’t drive the story as well as one might hope.
Grayson gives us a really good look into the Joker’s head, making him maniacal as ever, but painting him in almost a sympathetic light. She treads that line carefully, never exactly making us feel sorry for him (which would have collapsed the story under the weight of its incredulity) but making us curious enough to keep reading along.
I can’t say I’m entirely pleased with Bolton’s artwork. He does a very good job on the grotesqueries that make up a large part of the story, but he doesn’t do as well with the heroes. Batman wears a look clearly inspired by Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns style, but he looks too blocky most of the time. And for some reason, he and Robin both look like they’re wearing lipstick and Alfred looks more like Jim Gordon.
This book would be more worthwhile in a regular format, but I’m hesitant to shell out the hefty price tag of a “prestige format” title for a book that’s just okay.
Rating: 3/5