There hasn’t been a shortage of Joker-related content this year. But there’s been a shortage of good films and comics about him. With Jeff Lemire behind the keyboard, “Joker: Killer Smile” is actually worthy of conversation.
I’ve been a fan of Lemire ever since I read A.D. After Death. (Not many people would agree with me on that one.) But to me, Jeff Lemire represents what comics is all about: the marriage of art and literature on the page, distributed to the masses for cheap.
Joker: Killer Smile Is a Beautiful Comic About Beauty
“Joker: Killer Smile” does just that. It’s a beautiful comic about beauty. Literary and artistic, “Killer Smile” hones in on how the Joker sees himself as a performance artist.
When you really think about it, though, the performance artists on display here are Jordie Bellaire (my favorite colorist) and Andrea Sorrentino (the line artist).
Andrea’s line work is substantial. It evokes noir with heavy shadows, extreme closeups, and uneasy camera angles that convey the paranoia of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. There’s no shortage of innovation in their collaboration. Cheekbones and shadows are evoked with color instead of crosshatching. The palette is washed out without being weak.
With plenty of room to breathe, the art carries the weight in this book. It helps that every word in the comic is meant to be there. It’s a relief to see a writer (especially a more experimental one) with the confidence and trust to let the art do the talking.
There are also some nods to Watchmen in “Joker: Killer Smile.” The therapist who brings his work home with him, to the disappointment of his wife. There’s an abundance of Rorschach imagery in the panels. There’s a story within the story, serving the same thematic purpose as “Tales of the Black Freighter” did back in 1986.
There’s Just One Downside to “Joker: Killer Smile”
Like nearly all Joker stories, the plot engine is extremely tired. The I’m A Therapist Who Will Fix Joker trope has been played out — just have your friend tell you about Harleen so you don’t have to spend money on it yourself. Still, this is a really successful interpretation of that premise that feels…different.
“Joker: Killer Smile” is a 9/10. This is a surreal comic that is actually digestible. (No unintelligible Azzarello escapades here.) Better yet, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Buy this book.
Secret Society Comics 