“It’s Not Funny Anymore”- Part Ten and “Dying is Easy, Comedy is Hard”
Artists: Carmine Di Giandomenico and Francesco Francavilla
Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Review by Kendra Smart
Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #10 comes to us in all its glory this month, with some really amazing covers for readers to gaze upon… and I love the variety! We get work not only from artists in the book but also from two massive talents lending their master craft.
We last left our opposing Jokers as they were preparing their respective sides for war. I have to tell you that the anticipation has been killing me to see just what was going to be the outcome of this tumultuous encounter and if we would finally get the reveal of just who the real Joker is.. as well as the identity of the imposter. Let’s get down to it!
He’s Already Here
We get four different covers to choose from this month. Francesco Mattina, Riccardo Federici, Carmine Di Giandomenico, and Francesco Francavilla each their skills to the cover selection that’s simply stunning. Carmine Di Giandomenico gives us exquisite art, just like in the book. The two devils dancing in the moon light, shooting off peace and love. Francesco Mattina gives us a hauntingly beautiful, grotesque visage of Joker placing the others’ face over his own. The vibrant colors just add to the eerie feelings that the art invokes.
Riccardo Federici gives a lovely lower POV of the other side of the fight. A Joker complete with rage and flaming Joker card. The detailing is superb as you look over the suits and the presence of the Joker gas that’s permeating the air around them. Then comes my personal favorite, the cover by Francesco Francavilla. The “Clockwork Orange” and “Suspiria” vibes the art gives off are so dang delish.
Honey, I’m Home
Both Jokers are in Gotham as we open the story. Roman Sionis deals with one of them as he and his men are treated to flying high on Joker’s gas. Meanwhile Red Hood has an intriguing meeting with Scarface and Arnold “The Ventriloquist” Wesker who are on their own hunt for information about the imposter.
As the opposing sides meet on the battlefield that Gotham offers with welcome arms, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Ravager meet up with Manhunter and a new alliance is potentially formed. One of the “real” Joker’s men, Shockey, discovers the truth, with devastating effect, but a Wonder Woman comic, of all things, leads us to information that infiltrates into the main story in a hospital room, and may also lead The Joker to his endgame.
Dying Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard
Our short story “Dying Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard” gives more than just a side story this month. Matthew Rosenberg, Francesco Francavilla, and Tom Napolitano gives us a tale of a minion who was exposed and transformed by the Joker Gas but without the ill effects that are normally obtained. Joker, intrigued, lets Professor. Pyg experiment and change the henchman, but a line is crossed and a VERY familiar scene plays out in the aftermath.
Conclusion
I won’t lie, I’m absolutely chomping at the bit. Maybe some have figured this maze out but I’m sitting back in a state of complete impatience. Three issues have been specifically building to the meeting I really thought we were getting in Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #10. While I enjoy the pins and needles… give a girl a break! Given the switch up of the side story and all the Eureka moments, I look forward to seeing issue #11 and what conclusions or future threads it holds.
Images Courtesy Of DC Entertainment