“Knight Terrors: The Joker” – Chapter Two
Writer: Matthew Rosenberg
Artist: Stefano Raffaele
Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Review by Kendra Smart
Knight Terrors: The Joker #2 is out and with it comes the conclusion to this part of the Knight Terrors tale. Joker has shown us his deepest fear but there are greater depths to go down as we rejoin the Clown Prince. The skeleton in his closet will not be denied.
We get an avalanche of amazing covers by Ryan Brown, Riley Rossmo, Christian Ward, and Stefano Raffaele. The latter comes in not only a full-color version but also an inked, monochrome one as the 1:50 variant. The image is a snapshot of Johann (Joker) having a normal wind down after work, but the dead Batman in his closet wants to watch too.
Ryan Brown gives us an amazing cover image of Joker choking on an onslaught of teddy bears, Riley Rossmo gives us an acid trip compliments of Joker’s clown car, and Christian Ward gives us a nightmare of Joker’s face lit up by a flashlight. All these images are impactful.
Gotham Is A Rabid Animal
An evening of chaos in Gotham leads to us meeting the “Batman” that everyone has been whispering about. A more violent and joke-filled Dark Knight than the one we know, to be sure. The Joker’s taken on the mantle of The Bat, so the world shifts and we meet Johann’s wife Lena, who comforts him from his “nightmare” as their son, Albert, comes in to greet the morning with his parents. Joker seems to have fluidly adapted to his new life and his job at Wayne Industries.
Sadly, the past keeps catching up with him as Johann gets constant reminders that his old life’s not just going to go away. The villains see him as a genius lying low in the wake of this new, more violent Batman. Insomnia has been working hard to keep Joker in this world where his focus and purpose are ever-shifting and shattered. What will be his fate?
Go Back To Sleep
This finale gives us what can only be described as high-class talent. In just two issues Matthew Rosenberg, Stefano Raffaele, Romulo Farjardo Jr., and Tom Napolitano have taken us on a wonderful journey, complex and visceral, enchanting in its layered horror. There’s a scene where Bruce Wayne and Johann are having supper that’s completely wild. The artwork and transitions are luscious and flow in a way that isn’t jarring but feels like we’re all in the nightmare with the Joker.
Conclusion
I recommend taking a walk on the humorous side of life. Knight Terrors: The Joker #2 gives us a nightmare that could only spring from a mind made of obsession and chaos. My recommendation? Take this trip.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
