Article by Steve J. Ray
Yes folks, you read that right. 2021 will be a new year, with new thrills, new surprises, and all new comics. Just when you thought you’d seen the Clown Prince of Crime do everything, he’s blown our expectations once again, as in March readers will be treated to an all new monthly series, starring none other than The Joker!
Here’s the hot off the press news from DC:
THE JOKER FACES A WORLDWIDE MANHUNT, A DETERMINED EX-COP AND MYSTERIOUS NEW ENEMIES IN
THE JOKER, AN ALL-NEW ONGOING MONTHLY SERIES FROM DC!Batman Writer James Tynion IV and Guillem March Put The Joker On the Run This March
Sam Johns Teams Up with Tynion IV and Mirka Andolfo to Continue the Story of Punchline Behind the Walls of Gotham’s Most Infamous Prison
Comic book fans everywhere know that The Joker is the most dangerous villain ever to menace Gotham City, but in March, Batman writer James Tynion IV and artist Guillem March go global with The Joker’s brand of terror and mayhem in The Joker, a new monthly ongoing series from DC.
After an unthinkable attack on Gotham City, the Clown Prince of Crime has become the most wanted man in the world! The Joker’s doing his best to stay several steps ahead of law enforcement overseas, but Jim Gordon, facing retirement, realizes this is the last manhunt of his life and vows to track down Gotham’s worst nemesis, completing his storied career. There are some mysterious and deadly forces that are also on the hunt for The Joker however, and they’re not going to let Gordon slow them down, or get in the way.
“When I was approached by DC about the concept of an ongoing series spotlighting The Joker, I thought, ‘What would that book even look like?,’” said Tynion. “I’m excited to share this story in a way that honors everything that a series about The Joker can be, while coming at if from an exciting, unexpected angle. I’m also thrilled to continue working with Sam and Mirka to expand the Punchline story we began in November as a back-up feature in this new ongoing Joker series. “The Joker War” was only the beginning of the terror and mayhem we’re creating!”
In the backup story by Tynion IV, co-writer Sam Johns, and artist Mirka Andolfo, Alexis Kaye, a.k.a. Punchline becomes the newest resident of Blackgate Penitentiary, while on the outside Harper Row resumes her role as Bluebird to prevent her brother from falling under the influence of Punchline, and her beguiling brand of anarchy and chaos.
The Joker is a 40-page $4.99 monthly series debuting at comic book stores and participating digital retailers on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The debut issue features cover art by Guillem March, with variant covers by Frank Quitely, Francesco Mattina, Riccardo Federici and Mark Brooks. For more information on The Joker and the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, visit the website at www.dccomics.com and follow on social media at @DCComics and @thedcnation.
Of course, this isn’t the first time that the ultimate Batman villain has had his own series, as back in the 1970s another was launched by legendary writer Denny O’Neil. The title only ran for nine issues, mostly due to a rotating creative team, but I have high hopes that the pairing of James Tynion IV and Guillem March will have a lot more staying power.
What does everyone out there think? Please let us know.
Images and Press Release Courtesy of DC Entertainment
