I was hoping you'd mention the part of the comic where Joker gives the middle finger "seemingly" to Arkham Asylum but when you look at the previous panel you notice that Batman was low-key lurking on the Asylum's roof, I loved that part
I like the idea that, each day, for not more than an hour, the Joker sets it up so he is alone (or with Harley) to cry and be like "What the fuck am I doing with my life... I hate all of this. I hate myself..." before he goes back outside and resumes his madness.
My interpretation for that line (about how there's no cure for Joker, just Batman) is just like It's the equivalent of saying 'kids are always going to fall down and hurt themselves and scrape their knees. And so the best, and really only thing you can do, is just put a Band-Aid on it.'
The only thing that first thre me off with this book was The Joker getting released in the beginning because they beleive he is cured. The Joker would NEVER be released 🤣 I feel only The Riddler, Freeze and Harvey Dent could get released for being "sane" by trickery or actually being cured (primarily Freeze)
Joker: Johnny Johnny? Johnny: Yes, Joker? Joker: Working for Two-Face? Johnny: No, Joker. Joker: Telling lies? Johnny: No, Joker. Joker: Open your mouth. Johnny: Wha- (Joker laughs maniacally as he carves a smile into Johnny's face.)
I remember that there have been a number of cases where very intelligent mental patients memorize the questions on psych tests and slowly modify their answers so it looks like they progressively get better before getting released.
That serial killer in Ecuador was released after being moved from prison to a mental facility after being transferred from Columbia for murder to his home Ecuador for more murders, so that in the early 2000s a serial killer/rapist with - supposedly multiple hundreds of - at least 80 child murders (bodies found in Columbia, that I can recall) was out. Monster of the Andes, Pedro Lopez. Still alive, last I looked. That would be a faked release, because he convinced his handlers. (There's another one too in the same region, Luis Garavato, The Beast, rumored at around 300 murders, who escaped at one point, I think, but he didn't use the mental health system I don't think.)
Considering how Joker is like in this graphic novel, I'm kinda afraid to know how Zsasz would've be portrayed if he was part of the graphic novel too... 0_o
The thing is that there have been multiple times Joker is at the mercy of the state, and yet somehow gets away with the insanity plea. It's an incredibly easy thing to do, it's just that Joker has plot armour made out of adamantium.
It's weird how out of all the messed up Joker stories, THIS, is the one that flat out pushes the character into rapist territory. Let it be known that Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo are the guys that "went there".
@Chandler Burse I don't think it was intended to be that he raped her (although stripping her nude and taking pictures of her covered in blood is degenerate and rapey in it's own way but I don't think Moore was implying he actually fucked her)
The guy shot a woman and took photos, crippling her, and shot Gordon's second wife Sarah Essen in front of babies, there's no line Joker will not cross.
@@wattswant6232 There was a stand-alone sequel in the same continuity, called “Batman: Damned”. There, it’s revealed that Joker fell off the bridge and Johnny died on the bridge.
I have watched most back issues and always find them fun to watch but this episode is one of the most engaging discussions you guys have had. It may say something about the comic. Either way, good stuff guys.
To me Azzarello shines when he's writing crime fiction (look no further than 100 Bullets). One of the reasons why I was surprised that he did Superman and not Batman or The Question. Hope you guys get to 100 Bullets at some point! Oh and a Dark Knight commentary would be pretty cool too.
I could see characters like Reverse Flash, Captain Cold, Riddler, Penguin, Two-Face being able to carry a series in this style and grit. Reverse Flash and his obsession with Barry, Captain Cold on his own life growing through his shit up bringing and eventually forming his rogues, Bat villains like Riddler, Penguin and Two-Fave will always sell
Fantastic job as always Sal. I was expecting a Killing Joke related video as I've seen all over TH-cam recently but instead I got something related to the character of the Joker but entirety new. I love it. As a request for the next Joker story you do I'd say to do either Endgame or Under the Red Hood
I think y'all should do The Crow sometime. It's a wonderful graphic novel and it's one of the few indie books that a lot of people know something about (thanks to the movie).
The reason they play off that Joker isn't insane is because he's not. The Joker is a psychopathy, he hurts and kills people without remorse what he does. Psychopathy means just that. To be insane means you have don't have control over your actions, you aren't aware of what you're doing; that kind of thing. There's a lot of theories that proclaim that Joker is not only not insane, he's "super sane" which is why he was able to enter Ra's Al Ghul's Lazarus Pit without going insane; he becomes normal. He comes down from being "super sane" to just sane. Also he, like Deadpool, breaks the fourth wall. He is aware that he is not a comic book character Aside from the crazy theory. Joker belongs in Blackgate Prison...Not Arkham Asylum. He's not insane, he's just evil.
A lot of people think that batman v superman gets a lot of influence from the dark knight returns and it is true i'm not saying that is not true but i would also say that it gets a lot of influence from luthor (which is like the twin of this) i would be really happy if give luthor the "comicpop " treatment :)
This book takes hyper real to its zenith for better and worse like you guys touched on that's the point. This Joker does exist in our world and the art style really pushes that.
i love this channel, but it seems to me like Sal never enjoys serious tories. He is always like, it ok, meh. And he seems to love silly, fun stories. There's nothing wrong with this, but it's just something I noticed.
I really enjoyed this book. It's dark as shit, which The Dark Knight only could have dreamed of, and Lee's art is spectacular. I want more, but then I even liked Noel, so there you go.
+Jesse Viveros Oh I'm not arguing that it's not. It's completely different media so not really an argument at all. I found both interesting and fun on their own. Both Joker's were nihilistic
One of the problems with making Gotham "real and dark," is that then it makes no sense how Joker is alive. Someone would just fucking shoot him. Penguin or whoever would just pay someone to walk up to him in the street and shoot him in the back of the head.
Considering everytime ive heard sal talk about brian azzerelo in every other back issues and off the rack, then with the follow up with his review of the killing joke i knew he was gonna tell this story very soon i felt it.
Also, for you talking about Joker being an elder god. That was my first thought when Batman tried figuring out who Joker was and just said that it was impossible. Joker was just sort of a spectral entity that would possess people and force them to act like that and dress in similar attire that would just dump the body when it was done with them.
PsychoGamer8229 I know, it was actually something I had thought before the whole incident but before the Mobius Chair said there were three I thought it was some sort of chaos spirit
This comic reminds me a Mexican movie call: "El infierno", it's almost the same plot, were you follow a nobody that wants to be a big shot and has to do horrible things and at the end he has to sacrifice himself.
Nice one! You missed to mention the parts showing Joker's inconsistency in behaviour. For example that kick in the nuts to Johnny came after a similar situation with croc where joker responded to "is that a problem?" differently!
after batman sexed up batgirl I'm gonna agree with sal when he says "I could give a fuck what Brian azarello thinks." oh and huge I mean huge thanks for mentioning that grant Morrison episode of Fatman on batman gotta be one of the best podcasts I've ever heard! cheers comic pop
It was more Bruce Timm, he is the one who started that idea in Batman beyond, where Batman impregnates Batgirl. That was the dumbest thing WB animation has let Timm release. WB can kiss my ass.
I've always thought the Joker being an elder god made sense kinda batmite or mitzzleplixnix like. and he just likes testing batman. explains his multiple deaths and crazy stories.
This comic kinda feels like blues brothers, a criminal gets released from prison, and slowly does more and more illegal things, getting his crew back together, until he's stopped at the end
From ca.ign.com/articles/2008/10/23/the-jokers-wild-ride?page=2: IGN Comics: I need to ask you this next question because it stuck with me and my editor, and we didn't know if we were missing the reference or what. Why does the Joker call Penguin "Abner"? Azzarello: Oh, why not? [laughs] IGN Comics: That wasn't a joke or a reference I missed? Azzarello: No. Just a form of disrespect. [laughs]
I didn't remember this book until I heard Sal's description of Jhonny then I recalled all of it I think I read it when it came out like ten years ago great show guys
I actually agree with you, the two stories it contains are very stereotypical for the setting. It's like they were like "Well we are doing Batman in the 1800's... any ideas?" and the only two ideas they had were a mistaken Jack The Ripper story and something involving steam punk. Still I would be interested in what they have to say!
Writing a story that portrays the hero as truly an uncaring authoritarian a**hole--particularly an established hero--should only occur once a decade or so. Interpretations of heroes as done by Garth Ennis (Ghost Rider/Punisher), Brian Azzarello (Batman/Joker), Mark Millar (The Ultimates), and Jeph Loeb (all of Ultimatum) should last about a decade per piece. Maybe I'm just not the target audience.
Pick it up here: amzn.to/2acliEA
I was hoping you'd mention the part of the comic where Joker gives the middle finger "seemingly" to Arkham Asylum but when you look at the previous panel you notice that Batman was low-key lurking on the Asylum's roof, I loved that part
I like the idea that, each day, for not more than an hour, the Joker sets it up so he is alone (or with Harley) to cry and be like "What the fuck am I doing with my life... I hate all of this. I hate myself..." before he goes back outside and resumes his madness.
my attention is usually on Sal, Ben and Ethan. But I have to admit, I stared at jokers teeth, gums, and lips the whole time
They're colour is just so mesmerizing
I know right?
its a great painting
Literally same.
Faaaaacts
My interpretation for that line (about how there's no cure for Joker, just Batman) is just like
It's the equivalent of saying 'kids are always going to fall down and hurt themselves and scrape their knees. And so the best, and really only thing you can do, is just put a Band-Aid on it.'
Johnny Frost? Joe chill?? COINCIDENCE?????
You my friend just made a huge plot twist
Oh shit! Mind= Blown!
The only thing that first thre me off with this book was The Joker getting released in the beginning because they beleive he is cured. The Joker would NEVER be released 🤣 I feel only The Riddler, Freeze and Harvey Dent could get released for being "sane" by trickery or actually being cured (primarily Freeze)
I'm waiting for a real life interpretation of the Polka-dot Man.
*Gritty Condimentman noir* ala mean streets
It happened! In Suicide squad!
Oh! Dude! Duuude!!
Itll be post suicide squad film, he will blow up. Calling it
WOOOOOOOOO!!!! IT HAPPENED!!!!
The continuity of Ben's beard is so confusing.It needs a crisis.Then it becomes a go-te.
Then we’ll get a horrible event called beard-vergance
Joker: Johnny Johnny?
Johnny: Yes, Joker?
Joker: Working for Two-Face?
Johnny: No, Joker.
Joker: Telling lies?
Johnny: No, Joker.
Joker: Open your mouth.
Johnny: Wha-
(Joker laughs maniacally as he carves a smile into Johnny's face.)
I remember that there have been a number of cases where very intelligent mental patients memorize the questions on psych tests and slowly modify their answers so it looks like they progressively get better before getting released.
Interesting
That serial killer in Ecuador was released after being moved from prison to a mental facility after being transferred from Columbia for murder to his home Ecuador for more murders, so that in the early 2000s a serial killer/rapist with - supposedly multiple hundreds of - at least 80 child murders (bodies found in Columbia, that I can recall) was out. Monster of the Andes, Pedro Lopez. Still alive, last I looked. That would be a faked release, because he convinced his handlers. (There's another one too in the same region, Luis Garavato, The Beast, rumored at around 300 murders, who escaped at one point, I think, but he didn't use the mental health system I don't think.)
*gets up*
*locks door*
*goes into corner*
it's actually colombia but oh well.
+dmeadville Jesus fuck
Damn, Joker's skinning game is really on point. Guy must be huge a fan of Ramsey Bolton.
RIP best (or at least my favourite) GoT villain
"Poisoned by his enemies..."
Brian and Lee need to make more stuff together.
We need a graphic novels like this for other villains.
100%
@@DJ-Dale EXACTLY!
they had a rorschach comic but apparently it was not well received
Graphic novels that are semi-plausible renditions of fantastic villains? Absolutely.
Considering how Joker is like in this graphic novel, I'm kinda afraid to know how Zsasz would've be portrayed if he was part of the graphic novel too... 0_o
"Why doesn't someone just kill The Joker?"
You ask that as if it's an easy thing to do, Ethan.
The thing is that there have been multiple times Joker is at the mercy of the state, and yet somehow gets away with the insanity plea.
It's an incredibly easy thing to do, it's just that Joker has plot armour made out of adamantium.
It's weird how out of all the messed up Joker stories, THIS, is the one that flat out pushes the character into rapist territory. Let it be known that Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo are the guys that "went there".
@Chandler Burse I don't think it was intended to be that he raped her (although stripping her nude and taking pictures of her covered in blood is degenerate and rapey in it's own way but I don't think Moore was implying he actually fucked her)
@@1337snake888 I feel in its own right its sexual assault
@@radicalthinking5651 Definitely, but (and while they're both horrible) there's a difference between that level of sexual assault and rape
The guy shot a woman and took photos, crippling her, and shot Gordon's second wife Sarah Essen in front of babies, there's no line Joker will not cross.
lol I died when they said this joker was just an asshole clown.
And three years later we now know that it was actually joker who fell off the bridge...
Wat wat
@@wattswant6232
There was a stand-alone sequel in the same continuity, called “Batman: Damned”. There, it’s revealed that Joker fell off the bridge and Johnny died on the bridge.
I have watched most back issues and always find them fun to watch but this episode is one of the most engaging discussions you guys have had. It may say something about the comic. Either way, good stuff guys.
Bens Beard.. One Day its There the other day it isn't . Thats Bens true super power xD
Man Who Laughs is still my favorite Joker story.
I hate that book TBH.
“At least he’s getting his Omega 3”
I burst out laughing.
I own this book and Luthor, but listening to Sal Describe the plot is absolutely terrifying. Gonna put this book in the darkest corner of my closest.
To me Azzarello shines when he's writing crime fiction (look no further than 100 Bullets). One of the reasons why I was surprised that he did Superman and not Batman or The Question. Hope you guys get to 100 Bullets at some point! Oh and a Dark Knight commentary would be pretty cool too.
I keep hearing about 100 Bullets. I know there's a shit ton of volumes at this point. Is it worth the money to start reading?
Jake Stanley YES! Just get all of them at once because once you start you can't stop. Well that's what it was like for me.
Omar I'll have to check it out then!
+Jake Stanley
it's collected in 5 volumes called 'books', around 400 pages long each which they just finished collecting.
batman broken city is also a good one.
Anytime a new back issues is uploaded. I have a routine I follow. Flip everyone off and go and watch back issues.
Not my favorite Azzarello book, but it's still enjoyable. His best works by far are 100 Bullets and New 52 Wonder Woman.
Love Azzarello, his Wonder Woman and 100 bullets is outstanding.
Thank you guys for keeping back issues going on a consistent basis.
Apparently, that money pile Joker burned in The Dark Knight was a little under $6.5 billion.
"Ooooo!!!" Was my reaction to seeing this pop up XD
Same, if it's an Azzarello book you know that it's going to be a fun Back Issues.
I have to admit that after reading Lex Luther: Man of Steel, I was a little disappointed by Joker. But still, a great book.
You get what you fucking deserve!
I could see characters like Reverse Flash, Captain Cold, Riddler, Penguin, Two-Face being able to carry a series in this style and grit. Reverse Flash and his obsession with Barry, Captain Cold on his own life growing through his shit up bringing and eventually forming his rogues, Bat villains like Riddler, Penguin and Two-Fave will always sell
I've waited for this FOREVER. Thank you so much guys, keep up the good work,I'll always love Back Issues
Fantastic job as always Sal. I was expecting a Killing Joke related video as I've seen all over TH-cam recently but instead I got something related to the character of the Joker but entirety new. I love it. As a request for the next Joker story you do I'd say to do either Endgame or Under the Red Hood
@1:34 I would totally read a Captain Cold book! This needs to happen!
I think y'all should do The Crow sometime. It's a wonderful graphic novel and it's one of the few indie books that a lot of people know something about (thanks to the movie).
I love how joker knows his freedom won't last so he lives it up in Gotham while he can
The reason they play off that Joker isn't insane is because he's not. The Joker is a psychopathy, he hurts and kills people without remorse what he does. Psychopathy means just that. To be insane means you have don't have control over your actions, you aren't aware of what you're doing; that kind of thing. There's a lot of theories that proclaim that Joker is not only not insane, he's "super sane" which is why he was able to enter Ra's Al Ghul's Lazarus Pit without going insane; he becomes normal. He comes down from being "super sane" to just sane. Also he, like Deadpool, breaks the fourth wall. He is aware that he is not a comic book character
Aside from the crazy theory. Joker belongs in Blackgate Prison...Not Arkham Asylum. He's not insane, he's just evil.
Seth Dunn Can you speak proper english tho
Maybe the pile of money was all ones. We know how much they like strip clubs.
I love this book but I realllllly dig Lovers & Madmen.
Great video guys now I want to read this graphic novel again.
This is one of my favorite comic book
This is the best Comic Book TH-cam channel, you guys are amazing
(P.S. Please do saga vol 3)
Please do Batman black mirror.
A lot of people think that batman v superman gets a lot of influence from the dark knight returns and it is true i'm not saying that is not true but i would also say that it gets a lot of influence from luthor (which is like the twin of this) i would be really happy if give luthor the "comicpop " treatment :)
I would like that
regardless of reasons we would like the same thing :)
I'm told That's not the penguin. That's Abner, a joker henchman from Frank miller's The Dark Knight returns.
This is déjà vu for me man, could have sworn you did this one already
You know, I also feel that way.
This book takes hyper real to its zenith for better and worse like you guys touched on that's the point. This Joker does exist in our world and the art style really pushes that.
i love this channel, but it seems to me like Sal never enjoys serious tories. He is always like, it ok, meh. And he seems to love silly, fun stories. There's nothing wrong with this, but it's just something I noticed.
We all have our opinions
I really enjoyed this book. It's dark as shit, which The Dark Knight only could have dreamed of, and Lee's art is spectacular. I want more, but then I even liked Noel, so there you go.
And I think the Abner reference to Oswald is from the old newspaper comic strips L'il Abner, at least that's what I thought while reading Joker...
The dark knight compared to this book Is better In every way
+Jesse Viveros Oh I'm not arguing that it's not. It's completely different media so not really an argument at all. I found both interesting and fun on their own. Both Joker's were nihilistic
Anti-Social Nerd True. He needs the Joker Toxin or to not have "Turf," but just kinda be the... Joker
One of the problems with making Gotham "real and dark," is that then it makes no sense how Joker is alive. Someone would just fucking shoot him. Penguin or whoever would just pay someone to walk up to him in the street and shoot him in the back of the head.
true :D
Sal you know what would be amazing? A colab with comicstorian and capedjoel doing a back issues on an entire run of a comic
This would work well with some of Wonder Woman's villans like Cheetah, Veronica Cale or Giganta; provided someone like Greg Rucka wrote it.
Pack your bags, folks. We're going on a trip! Don't forget to bring your pills.
Considering everytime ive heard sal talk about brian azzerelo in every other back issues and off the rack, then with the follow up with his review of the killing joke i knew he was gonna tell this story very soon i felt it.
Also, for you talking about Joker being an elder god. That was my first thought when Batman tried figuring out who Joker was and just said that it was impossible. Joker was just sort of a spectral entity that would possess people and force them to act like that and dress in similar attire that would just dump the body when it was done with them.
PsychoGamer8229 I know, it was actually something I had thought before the whole incident but before the Mobius Chair said there were three I thought it was some sort of chaos spirit
I think it’s stupid
This type of comic that makes me question why I have the Joker as my favourite comic book character...
I like him because how interesting he is and how insane he is
This comic reminds me a Mexican movie call: "El infierno", it's almost the same plot, were you follow a nobody that wants to be a big shot and has to do horrible things and at the end he has to sacrifice himself.
*Hits blunt
It all factors into the Hyper-real theme
Holy shit, Ben kind of looks like James Rolfe when he has a cap on.
".....an asshole in a bat costume." 😂😂😂😂
I think I will add Brian Azzarello to "not read" list with Garth Ennis and Frank Miller.
Ultimate Spider-Man please! Or... Ultimates 2
Nice one! You missed to mention the parts showing Joker's inconsistency in behaviour. For example that kick in the nuts to Johnny came after a similar situation with croc where joker responded to "is that a problem?" differently!
The scene where joker is eating shrimp? The one time in dark knight he eats, it's a shrimp lol. Totally not heath though
It's pretty funny that I got this book on Christmas Eve a few years back....
Glad they got around to more Azarello work 👍
Batman: Dark Victory
after batman sexed up batgirl I'm gonna agree with sal when he says "I could give a fuck what Brian azarello thinks." oh and huge I mean huge thanks for mentioning that grant Morrison episode of Fatman on batman gotta be one of the best podcasts I've ever heard! cheers comic pop
It was more Bruce Timm, he is the one who started that idea in Batman beyond, where Batman impregnates Batgirl. That was the dumbest thing WB animation has let Timm release. WB can kiss my ass.
I've always thought the Joker being an elder god made sense kinda batmite or mitzzleplixnix like. and he just likes testing batman. explains his multiple deaths and crazy stories.
wasn't the Penguins name something like Abner Oswald Copperpot?
This comic kinda feels like blues brothers, a criminal gets released from prison, and slowly does more and more illegal things, getting his crew back together, until he's stopped at the end
I hope you guys will do Batman: Under the RedHood !
From ca.ign.com/articles/2008/10/23/the-jokers-wild-ride?page=2:
IGN Comics: I need to ask you this next question because it stuck with me and my editor, and we didn't know if we were missing the reference or what. Why does the Joker call Penguin "Abner"?
Azzarello: Oh, why not? [laughs]
IGN Comics: That wasn't a joke or a reference I missed?
Azzarello: No. Just a form of disrespect. [laughs]
I could've sworn they already did this episode
I didn't remember this book until I heard Sal's description of Jhonny then I recalled all of it I think I read it when it came out like ten years ago
great show guys
Thank you guys for giving us this episode!!
I think Johnny is trying to jump into Marvel's Universe
Back Issues seems to pop-up right when I have nothing to watch with inordinate frequency.
hearing about this book is enough for me. 😬
You guys should do another back issues collab with Benny and Sal again
Yeah I meant Rob
He was sentenced to death in "The Joker : Devil's Advocate"
30:18 Ben was that a batman earth one vol 2 reference? Good on you.
i just thought about the fact that lex luthor has gotten a death sentence before but not joker
Hey now that you guys are doing more Batman how about Gotham By Gaslight?!
that story is incredibly overrated, i gotta get this out there
I actually agree with you, the two stories it contains are very stereotypical for the setting. It's like they were like "Well we are doing Batman in the 1800's... any ideas?" and the only two ideas they had were a mistaken Jack The Ripper story and something involving steam punk. Still I would be interested in what they have to say!
+adcof yep the whole hook of the series is the setting, the rest is just weak and uninspired.
In my middle school I found Maus and v for vendetta and in elementary school I had one more day back in black and brand new day
we had both Maus' in my ms
+Alien Alive I had the complete Maus which had both in my middle school and my teachers gave it to me when I was going to transfer to a new school
Maus would make for an interesting back issues
I had to read Maus in 9th grade. But for some reason we only had to read the first book. I read the second because I wanted to.
I just thought he jumped off the bridge to get away from Joker and Batman, but from *that* height.......yeah nevermind.
yeah i love this story. i like it better then the killing joke. except the killing jokes end where its almost upto interpretation.
Hopefully you guys can do something for Suicide Squad next week
I bet they will
+Condiment King I hope it from the John ostrander run! Not new 52...
Oscar Rivas Me too
I hope they do the monsters arch
i hope so too also awesome screen name lol
Great work guys i really enjoy watching u guys every week!!
Yea you may have listened to me! A while ago you were streaming Sal and I recommended this. Yes!
oh man that Abner thing drove me crazy when I first read this book... it doesn't makes any scents
great ep guys thx!
Great show. Really cool ideas about the Joker at the end as well.
Writing a story that portrays the hero as truly an uncaring authoritarian a**hole--particularly an established hero--should only occur once a decade or so. Interpretations of heroes as done by Garth Ennis (Ghost Rider/Punisher), Brian Azzarello (Batman/Joker), Mark Millar (The Ultimates), and Jeph Loeb (all of Ultimatum) should last about a decade per piece. Maybe I'm just not the target audience.
OMG U MENTIONED GOODFELLAS, MY MOST FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALLLL TIIIIIIIIME!!
Ben!!!! your beard its....gone!!!!
Hey guys! Another great episode, really hit on the creepiness factor of the book!
Great episode!
Why does Ben look so different without his beard?
How did you know Frost would be in Suicide Squad?