Originally published on Patreon
I've been singing the praises of this series since it began, having become quite interested in the mystery it's been building, and enjoying some of the character interactions. Sadly, this is the weakest issue yet, and it feels like a bit of a dip in quality; even though it's still a very good issue.
The entirety of this issue takes place in the hospital where the last one left off, with the Joker having had the bullet removed from his brain and having been stitched back up. Unfortunately for him, the hospital is surrounded by cops, and Red Hood is on the scene looking to get some revenge.
This issue sees the Joker running round the hospital, hiding out in various rooms, and trying to escape. And it's fine. And fine is about all I can say really. This issue doesn't feel like it really adds a whole lot.
The scenes where the Joker is trapped in a room with dying children feels a bit off, though it does give an apparent explanation for the back up features in the series (they're in universe comics that are made about the Joker and other heroes and villains). This issue also explains why when given the opportunity to kill Jason Todd over the years why he doesn't (he doesn't like telling the same joke twice). Again, it doesn't feel like a huge amount happens here, and I guess time will tell if his exploits in the hospital will have any baring on events, or if this was an issue that could have been skipped.
The backup feature, which we now know exists in universe as fiction, seems to follow the same pattern as the previous ones; weird stories that might be giving hints and clues and possible explanations for things. This one sees Joker trying it on with Zatana, offering to start a baby with her. She uses her magic to tell him that no one else will ever have his baby. The next day Joker wakes up heavily pregnant. He eventually vomits up living clay, which transforms into a tiny version of him. This, along with the cover that depicts Clayface, could be hinting that the shape changing villain might be involved in the two Jokers. Or it's another red herring and it doesn't actually mean anything.
This issue might not be the best of the series, but it's still an entertaining read with some interesting moments. The artwork is pretty solid, and there are some decent visual moments scattered throughout. People seem to be getting angry online about the pregnant Joker bit, most of them not having read the actual book; but people need to get over it, see it as the throwaway joke it was, and go along with it.
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