Movies

The ‘Joker’ Reading List

We select the 11 Joker comics to read after watching the film.
Love That Joker
Warner Bros.
By  · Published on October 11th, 2019

Gotham Central: Soft Targets

Gotham Central Joker

From the same pen that scribbled The Man Who Laughs as well as episodes of Westworld and Too Old To Die Young, Gotham Central is a thoughtful and often painful exploration of the men and women of the GCPD. What does a city so corrupt and polluted with villainy do to the souls tasked to protect it? Nothing good. Writer Ed Brubaker sifts through the rage and depression of a police force assigned to track the Joker as he randomly assassinates Gotham citizens using a high-powered rifle. Batman is on the hunt, but he can’t be everywhere at once, and his inability to prevent the killings only breeds contempt in the department. Gotham Central does not concern itself with the psychology of its heroes and villains, but rather the poor wretches who suffer beneath their conflict. Heroism is found in those that refuse to give up the fight despite a growing societal and political apathy, and an endless stream of violence.


Superman: Emperor Joker

Emperor Joker

You want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts. Mister Mxyzptlk is a bizarre little creature from the fifth dimension. He can reshape reality to his liking and often cures his boredom by messing around in our realm. One day he ponders how an earthling would behave using his gifts, and he bestows Arkham’s nuttiest guest with just one percent of his powers. The Joker, being the clever fruitcake that he is, tricks Mxyzptlk into unloading 99.99 percent instead. A new, diabolical god is born. Superman awakens on the Justice League Watchtower to discover Earth altered to match the Joker’s bent sense of humor. As much as he appreciates the Clown’s decision to murder Lex Luthor, resurrect Lex Luthor, and murder Lex Luthor over and over and over again, the Kryptonian must put an end to his foolishness. The Joker transforms him into a dog. What ultimately defeats the villain is intrinsically tied to his relationship with Batman. I won’t spoil it, but the psyche displayed is delightfully perverted.


The Sound of One Hand Clapping

Jock Joker

The Joker plays tourist in Metropolis. Peppering the city with timed explosives, Gotham’s resident showman looks to bring a little excitement to the sunny burg across the way. Superman meets the Joker on his rooftop perch, happily laughs at all of his jokes, and doesn’t seem bothered one bit by the threat to his city. Frustrated, the Joker attempts to mock Superman’s skills, but the laughter continues. Right before he hits the detonator, Superman tosses a bundle of bombs towards the Joker. He had already gathered them before their encounter and tells the Joker to return to his side of the tracks. A dejected Joker turns himself in to the Metropolis police claiming the town is simply not for him. Back at Gotham, Superman and Batman consider the madman. Clearly, the two have opposing viewpoints on the matter.


The Best Man

The Best Man Joker

Word of Batman and Catwoman’s wedding reaches the Joker, and he’s determined to serve as Best Man to the groom. There’s only one problem: where will the ceremony take place? If he can’t find them, then he might as well bring them to him instead. The Joker crashes a random couple’s nuptials, killing everyone in the church, and kicking back until the Bat and Cat appear. The three quarrel in the usual fashion of fisticuffs, and in a moment of respite, the Joker asks to join them at the altar. He wants to be present when they’re united as husband and wife. He knows that when Batman finds true happiness, their war will be over. A happy Batman is an oxymoron. Dun dun duunnn…cold feet begin to shiver beneath Catwoman’s latex. He may not be aware of what he’s done, but the Joker has just struck a mighty blow against his greatest frenemy.

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Brad Gullickson is a Weekly Columnist for Film School Rejects and Senior Curator for One Perfect Shot. When not rambling about movies here, he's rambling about comics as the co-host of Comic Book Couples Counseling. Hunt him down on Twitter: @MouthDork. (He/Him)