Joker’s somehow become superpowered and is on yet another killing spree and Gordon’s been kidnapped. But wait - it’s not the Joker but a small army of superpowered Joker zombie things. Who made them and why? Batman teams up with Joker for some reason to find out.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo is a pants Batman comic. Marc Silvestri is one of those Image founders - like Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld - who set the standard for how superhero comics look today but also can’t write for shit.
I don’t understand the campy title or concept behind the miniseries. Batman and Joker have teamed up numerous times over the years so it’s not like this is something new?
The story is a grab-bag of set pieces that don’t quite gel into a coherent plot. Without giving away who’s behind it all (nobody interesting or someone you’re likely to see again outside of any further Silvestri Bat-books), I don’t see what the Riddler-esque traps of Batman having to choose which random parent to save or stopping a runaway train has to do with the villain’s plan of making a better Gotham. Similarly, the Joker’s motivation for doing what he does in this book is underwhelming too. The whole storyline reads like the overwritten, convoluted and unmemorable mess that it is.
But Marc Silvestri can draw right? Eh. Sure. If you like that ‘90s style. He’s not really changed over the years - Batman looks like any of his ‘roided-out male protagonists and the women all have absurdly stacked hourglass figures. His designs for Batman’s toys are simply awful though. The Batmobile’s chassis in particular is so low to the ground it’s impractical and so easily damaged. And every Bat-vehicle has these ridiculous jagged features that looks childish and silly.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo wasn’t for me. It’s deadly dull, overwrought, pointless, forced, poorly conceived and executed, and instantly forgettable. Definitely don’t expect much if you’re going to pick up this nonsensical and ultimately very boring book.
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