Batman: Three Jokers Review: Trauma Comes In Threes

DC Black Label, known for publishing mature titles, has provided some refreshing new takes on the Batman mythos, with stories such as Batman: White Knight and Batman: Damned. Characters like The Joker have been reimagined in new ways and that trend has continued with Batman: Three Jokers, which presents three different versions of The Clown Prince of Crime for the Batman family to overcome.

Produced by the superstar trio of Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson, Three Jokers brings together the three members of the Batman family who’ve been most effected by Joker’s actions: Batman, Red Hood and Batgirl. 

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House Of X/Powers Of X Review: A New Dawn For The X-Men That Will Never Be Forgotten

The X-Men have spent their entire lives being persecuted and scrutinised by human society. But they continued to rise above adversity and save people’s lives in order to live up to the ideals of Professor X’s dreams. But what happens when Professor X no longer believes his way is enough? What happens when he embraces the ideology of Magneto and creates a mutant society where humans aren’t welcome? You get Jonathan Hickman’s House Of X/Powers Of X.  

Hickman transforms the mythos of the X-Men like never before, creating a story that spans across hundreds of years through intertwining stories like Powers of X. The graphic novel is truly a masterclass in storytelling and world building.

Guest Post: Torso: A Forgotten Noir Masterpiece

Picture this, the year is 1935 and the city of Cleveland, Ohio has just begun to recover from the blow dealt to its economy by the Great Depression. Citizens rejoice, incredibly happy to have finally pushed past the period of uncertainty and fear that nearly cost many of them their lives, and for others did just that.

This period of joy would not last long however, as between the years of 1935 and 1938, a fear would strike the heart of Cleveland, a fear like no other. A fear that resulted in mass hysteria and paranoia, a fear that would leave a stain on the city of Cleveland for the rest of time. The fear of the Torso Killer.

The Batman Who Laughs Review: Nightmarish. Visceral. Unputdownable.

Facing up to nightmares is one of the hardest things that anyone can do. They force us to confront our deepest fears and see the worst parts of ourselves. Over the years, Batman has had to battle with many nightmares. But none have been more terrifying than the Batman Who Laughs, a twisted version of Bruce Wayne who became the new Joker.

In Scott Snyder’s The Batman Who Laughs, the character returns in a huge way to terrify Gotham. The graphic novel features Batman having to find the darkest parts of himself to fight against his doppelganger. But how far is he willing to go and is it true that a Batman who laughs is a Batman who always wins?

Batman: White Knight Review: A Compelling New Take On The Joker

With there being so many classic Batman arcs, it can be tricky to tell original stories about the Dark Knight that don’t retread old ground. Sean Murphy had to overcome that challenge when he set out to write Batman: White Knight, and he succeeded in creating something that felt completely fresh.

Set in an alternative timeline, White Knight brings a new dimension to the relationship between The Joker and Batman. What would happen if the Clown Prince of Crime was cured of his madness and set out to atone for everything he’d done? The idea of a repentant Joker is an interesting take and is explored within a graphic novel that contains themes of police brutality, political infighting and corruption.

Black Knight: The Fall of Dane Whitman Review: A Hero’s Guide To Coping With Addiction

Addiction takes many forms. Some people chase the rush of drugs, while others numb themselves with alcohol. Traditionally, addiction is seen as an internal battle, but what happens when the source of someone’s fixation becomes a burden that they need to take on for the greater good? That is the case with Dane Whitman. In Frank Tieri’s Black Knight: The Fall of Dane Whitman, the titular character needs to confront his addiction in the shape of a mystical sword called The Ebony Blade.

The Sentry: Man Of Two Worlds Review: A Vivid Take On Mental Health And Addiction

What does it mean to be a superhero? Some might say it’s about personal sacrifice and protecting the innocent. Others might think it’s about the fight between good and evil. There’s also the idea that being a superhero is addictive, that it’s about the thrill of having powers. When used responsibility, superpowers are a benefit to the world. Yet there’s always the danger of being consumed by power and becoming addicted to the feeling. When that happens, the line between good and evil gets blurred and you’re left with a character like The Sentry.

The Sentry: Man Of Two Worlds, written by Jeff Lemire, explore the idea of what it means to have superpowers. Themes of addiction, mental health and duality are all featured in this explosive graphic novel.

Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown Review: Putting Your Faith In The Right People

Daredevil is one of the most down to earth superheroes in the Marvel Universe. His powers and personality make him the kind of person you can root for. Recently, I’ve been delving into the Man Without Fear’s history and I came across the graphic novel Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown. Written by Charles Soule, the story revolves around Matt Murdock returning to New York with a new purpose. In the depths of Chinatown, Daredevil learns what it means to take on an apprentice for the first time.

All-New X-Factor: Change Of Decay Review: A Heartfelt Graphic Novel About Owning Your Place

Compared to big teams like The Avengers and X-Men, X-Factor has always been considered small time. In the past, the group has acted as a mutant detective agency, being led by characters like Multiple Man and Havok. In Peter David’s All-New X-Factor: Change Of Decay, the team has taken on a corporate identity. Polaris leads the roster of Quicksilver, Gambit, Cypher, Warlock and Danger on a mission to rescue a girl from her mutant-hating father. The situation gets a lot more complicated in a graphic novel that’s filled with awesome character interactions.

Dark Knights: Rising Review: A Disturbing Collection Of Cautionary Batman Tales

Batman has defined himself by his war on crime, with his code stopping him from going too far. But what if he crossed the line? What if there was no coming back from the other side? Dark Knights: Rising presents a look at seven versions of Bruce Wayne who gave into their fears and became the darkest versions of themselves. As part of the Dark Nights: Metal event, this graphic novel tells the stories of the evil Batmen that came from the Dark Multiverse. Each of them have their reasons for going down the wrong path, providing a fascinating look into the mind of Bruce Wayne.