Batman #17
DC Comics
31 pages, color, $3.99
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion
This is going to be hard to review without giving anything away. And I don't want to give anything away, because Snyder has done a good job of packing some really good surprises and revelations in here.
What has come before: The Joker went after Batman's extended Bat-family because of his philosophy that Batman is the king of Gotham and that his "royal court" was bad for him -- the Bat-family made him weak with sentimentality and compassion. As the king's jester, Joker felt it was his duty to tell this truth to the king, in a typical Joker fashion, with lots of mayhem.
Joker went after Robin, Red Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing and Red Hood in their respective books, and the January issues of Batman & Robin, Teen Titans, Batgirl, Nightwing and Red Hood and the Outlaws all ended on a cliff-hanger, leading directly to Batman #17.
So here we are, and Snyder ties all of those plot threads into one climactic story where elements of The Joker-Batman "relationship" that had gone unspoken or never existed before are revealed, and the Clown Prince of Crime does some terrible things that will have consequences for the Bat-family going forward.
I won't say what any of those things are, so you'll just have to take my word for it. Snyder wanted to do a Joker story that would rival the likes of Arkham Asylum or The Killing Joke. I'm not sure he succeeded, as only time will tell. But if not he came close, and it's still a powerful story, with this climactic issue pumped to the rafters with primo payoff.
Replies
Okay, I just created an account to ask you this very important question.... PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION!!!! I haven't been able to sleep since #16, I am begging you, please give me something. If you have to send it in an email that is fine, I JUST NEED SOMETHING!!!!
Thank you!
Please :(
ANYTHING!!! AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!!!
Thank you for the reply btw!
I'll tell you this much: There isn't one serving tray, there are five -- and all five Bat-associates are wearing bloody bandages on their faces. That's how the issue opens ...
GAHH!
I'm so excited for this. I just reread 13-16 on my train commute, and I'm champing at the bit for 17. I won't be able to get to my LCS tomorrow, where it's on my pull list, so it looks like I'll have to pick up a second copy at the comic shop down the street from work.
'Cause I can't wait.