Joker killer smile #3 review

by Wes Greer on February 19, 2020

Writer – Jeff Lemire
Art – Andrea Sorrentino
Colors – Jordie Bellaire
Letters – Steve Wands

Joker Killer Smile has been one of the best Joker stories I have ever reviewed, and it has just been so much fun reading this series and writing these reviews for it. I remember when I first learned Jeff Lemire was going to be writing a Joker story it was like DC was Santa Claude and he was finally delivering something that I have wanted since I was a little kid! Lemire is easily one of the best to ever write comics and has just done amazing work at other publishers and I am so grateful he not only ended up doing a DC title, but a Joker title as well. This series will go down as not only one of the best mini-series to be published by DC, but as one of the best Joker stories ever.

Joker Killer Smile #3 takes us right back into the madness of Dr. Arnell who has just pieces together that he has been taken under the influence of the Joker and the life he thought he’s been living has all been in his head. This final issue of the story takes us down a Dark and twisty spiral into chaos and is just purely insane, but in a fantastic way. One of the greatest things about this story has been that the main character hasn’t been the Joker at all, but instead focuses on his ability to influence others and here the story focuses on Dr. Arnell who swore he would become the first doctor to cure the Joker. This is a story that only Jeff Lemire could pull off and he has been able to keep us turning page after page because right when we think we know what’s going to happen, we learn we were completely wrong and it’s just so much fun to be entertained by a starry like that, especially when it involves the Joker. The Dark overtone of this story is just so addicting and frightening and it keeps your heart pounding page by page and it is just so rare to get that feeling from a comic book now a days and Lemire has done an amazing job keeping that feeling going through all three issues. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page and is the most entertaining issue out of the entire series.

When you have a story as dark and deep as this one you need an artist who can bring that emotion to life visually and I couldn’t even imagine anyone but Andrea Sorrentino being the one to do it. From the eerie character designs, to the amazing and unique panels, the art of this issue just tops anything I’ve seen done in a horror style comic. The art flows perfectly with the story and helps sell the Dark and twisted emotions visually giving our minds that wow factor. The art of this issue is just as stunning as the story and this issue I feel was also the best of the series. Not only is the art terrifying and deep but the colors are also beautiful and are the it factor of blending all the emotions we experience visually. Bellaire uses some stunning colors that feel like they were taken right out of our nightmares and is just the cherry on top of the cake. The letters of the issue are all very clear and easily read and putting all three together has created one of the best visuals I’ve ever seen in a story like this. Not one flaw or issue could be found in the entire book and the art team has created one of the most amazing visuals I’ve ever seen! 
It’s such a shame that this series is over now, but even with it only being three issues long, it still had the power and impact of a long running series which is something only Jeff Lemire could have pulled off. It was such a twisted and emotional ride and one of the greatest Joker stories I think that’s been told in a few years and the art work was right up to par with the story making for one amazing series that we will not soon forget! Don’t be too sad though as DC has announced a new one shot where we will see the return of this Joker called Batman the Smile Killer which is set to be released this May. I can not wait to see what’s in store and I absolutely love Sorrentino’s Batman design in this issue so I can not wait to see a full book with his art of the character! Joker Killer Smile #3 is available today so head to your local comic shop and die into madness!

-Wes Greer


 

Our Score:

10/10

A Look Inside