The Jokers Asylum II

[ronny]

So, they're doing another series of one-shot comics based on Batman's rouge gallery and narrated by The Joker.
Is anyone else picking these up? I have just read the first issue, about The Riddler and was very impressed. The last series had one classic story and a few very good ones. And the second series is getting off to a great start, The Riddler's story revolves him trying to figure out how to win over this girl.
It's a great display of his pathetic nature and his unnatural, insane obsessiveness. I'd highly recommend it.

Other villains they'll tackle include Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Clayface and Harley Quinn.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Got my Riddler copy today

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Ok, umm, why did the chicken cross the road, where does an 800 lb. gorilla sleep/sit, tooth hurty, and times flies. What's the crow one?

 

[theMan-Bat]

I look forward to the Mad Hatter one by Landry Walker and Bill Sienkiewicz and the Clayface one by Kevin Shinick and Kelley Jones.

Here is an interview with the writer of the Clayface issue:
Clayface is a legendary horror character in Batman’s stable of villains. What was it like putting your own spin on this character?

Kevin Shinick: Coincidentally, I had just written a story involving The Blob for Comedy Central's horror-based series, Ugly Americans, which was a lot of fun. So it was nice to swing the pendulum back and take a darker stab at a similar malleable menace. Plus, anytime you get to contribute something to such an iconic character as Clayface you can't help but feel your shaping comic book lore. (That wasn't meant as a clay pun, but there you have it.)

What fascinates you the most with the Clayface character?

Kevin Shinick: As it turns out, Clayface (Basil Karlo) and I both started out as actors. Clearly he's been in the limelight more than I have, but then again I've spent less time in prison. So when I approached this particular story I wanted to hook into that actor aspect of it all. The ego, the theatrics, the desire to leave one's mark in the world. And really I'm still just talking about me here.

Can you tell us a bit about the storyline?

Kevin Shinick: I don't want to say too much, and it'll sound like I'm pandering if I say that fans of Clayface are going to really enjoy this story, but the truth is fan obsession does play a big part in this issue.

Was it challenging writing through the point of view of the Joker, who is the narrator of this story?

Kevin Shinick: Before I started writing comic books professionally, a number of my samples involved the Joker, because of how much I enjoy writing his voice. Then when DC asked me to write my first comic book (last year's Batman 80 Page Giant), they said I could choose any villain I wanted... except for the Joker! Because he was tied up in another story elsewhere. So it's very fulfilling for me to be able to write a story that involves the Joker in some way.

How was it working with Kelley Jones on this book?

Kevin Shinick: This was my first time working with Kelley, and I couldn't have been happier. Obviously he's got a great and unique style, but you also know that he's going to add a whole other layer to whatever it is that you come up with. I had the advantage of knowing ahead of time that Kelley was going to be my artist so I tried to tailor my story to his strengths. Hopefully that results in a very symbiotic relationship.

What impressed you the most with his artwork?

Kevin Shinick: I think my favorite thing about Kelley's work is that you will almost always miss something the first time around. He hides so many interesting things within his panels that it's like finding Easter eggs on a DVD. Gruesome, rotting Easter eggs.
http://www.comicmonsters.com/featur...M__CLAYFACE_interview_with_Kevin_Shinick.html

 

[K.B.]

As a big fan of the first set of books I'm very happy to see DC doing another run.

The Riddler one was a bit of a clunker tho to be honest. I'm betting that the Hatter will be the gem of this batch as Penguins was in the first run.

 

[Sonic1002]

Ok, umm, why did the chicken cross the road, where does an 800 lb. gorilla sleep/sit, tooth hurty, and times flies. What's the crow one?

Why is a crow like a writing desk?
-Lewis Carroll

 

[Polaris23]

I LOVED the first set, I should be getting the collected edition soon (I bought all the issues as they came out). I'm super excited about this second run, especially with the villains they're doing. I'm also stoked that Kelley Jones is doing Clayface, I love the man's work.

 

[ronny]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=5478&disp=table

Here are some scans from the Mad Hatter issue. The art is sketchy, but I quite liked the same style in Lovers and Madmen, so I'm not complaining.
I have a feeling that this could be quite a twisted little tale, so I'll definently be picking it up.

 

[Figs]

I look forward to the Mad Hatter one by Landry Walker and Bill Sienkiewicz and the Clayface one by Kevin Shinick and Kelley Jones.

Same here. I really wish those two villians(especially Mad Hatter would get more time to shine in the comics).

 

[Hobgoblin]

Hatter and Penguin were the best issues from both series, imo. Joker's was right up there, I gotta say.

 

[Polaris23]

love the artwork from the Hatter issue, can't wait to pick it up. I absolutely loved the first Joker's Asylum, very well written stories.

 

[Cobblepot]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=5478&disp=table

Here are some scans from the Mad Hatter issue. The art is sketchy, but I quite liked the same style in Lovers and Madmen, so I'm not complaining.
I have a feeling that this could be quite a twisted little tale, so I'll definently be picking it up.

"Same Style" are you on something? It's a gazillion times better then the junk Cowan spewed on paper for Lovers and Madmen.

 

[jondoe]

Riddler was pretty good, harley quinn is hilarious as expected but so far, mad hatter's story is a classic!

here are some NEW preview pages from my copy i scanned:

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

and there's more to the story after that! t: That i don't want to spoil any further, its very creepy, disturbing and badass!

Looking forward for more! t:

 

[ronny]

Just read the Hatter issue and it is absolutely brilliant. Short, sparse of any major story but a brilliant insight into the character of The Mad Hatter.
In the story he's portrayed like a gibbering lunatic and serial killer. Take note, this is how you make him creepy without implying that he's a child molestor.

And the fact that his whole motive is because a girl looks like Alice, but isn't called Alice, is at once terrifying and kind of pathetic.

I won't spoil it, but this looks like it's probably going to be the best story of the lot. I can't imagine Killer Croc or Calyface following this.

I won't say that it elevates Hatter into the top echelon of the Rogues Gallery, but it directly makes clear the threat he poses: He's not some harmless trickster, capering about to make up the numbers, he's a dangerous lunatic with a fixation on control and power. Very much like a rapist in terms of why he does what he does.

The art's not great, but if you can ignore that and look beneath the surface you will find possibly the best Hatter story out there

 

[K.B.]

Hatter's and Harley's were really really good and Croc's was pretty awesome as well. Man this second round has produced some very stellar books and in the end it's going to be much harder to pick a clear favorite.

 

[ronny]

What's the Croc story about, then?

 

[Sonic1002]

Okay, my ducklings, here is my question for u:

Spoiler

Who do you think it was that set up Riddler in his comic???

My vote is Two-Face, given Joker's clues.

 

[IndyJokerJones]

Okay, my ducklings, here is my question for u:

Spoiler

Who do you think it was that set up Riddler in his comic???

My vote is Two-Face, given Joker's clues.

I think it was

Spoiler

Riddler himself just because he was so adamant on solving the riddle on how to get the girl.

 

[Doctor Who]

I think it was

Spoiler

Riddler himself just because he was so adamant on solving the riddle on how to get the girl.

Agreed.

Spoiler

It was good to see he found something so simply complicated to meet his match.

 

[MattMetalHead]

I think it was

Spoiler

the Riddler

too.

But the constant clues and easter eggs hidden through out the story were all references to playing cards. I can't make the connection.

 

[Harls]

Gah, I still need to pick these up! I have them saved at my local comic shop but I haven't been able to get up there.

 

[K.B.]

What's the Croc story about, then?

Croc escapes Arkham (in a REALLY cool way) and is taken in by a husband and wife team who nurse him back to health and becomes a tale of whos really the man and whos the monster. Its an exceptional story that adds layers of depth and humanity to Croc that haven't really been seen before.

 

[theMan-Bat]

Joker's Asylum: Clayface preview:

 

[K.B.]

The Clayface book was my second least favorite (I dont want to use the word "worst" on the two I didnt enjoy as much because while I didn't enjoy them to the same extent as the others, they aren't bad books at all) of this run.

The story was alright, kind of middle of the road type of stuff, not terrible but not thrilling either. Though I thought DC had been using the Matt Hagen version of Clayface since "Hush".

As for the art, I enjoyed it as Kelly Jones is from the same school as Bernie Wrightson and thats a very good thing. A lot of you on the hype hack on Jones which is a shame as he does have a lot of talent.

All in all this round of books was just as awesome as the first and I REALLY hope we get a 3rd series t:

 

[ronny]

I think it was

Spoiler

the Riddler

too.

But the constant clues and easter eggs hidden through out the story were all references to playing cards. I can't make the connection.

Here's what I made of it:

Spoiler

The playing card clues all point to The Joker, and I believe that Joker was the guy who threatened the girl into giving Riddler what he wanted. But here's the thing, Joker didn't kill her father. Look at the panel where the guy is dead and you will see that the shooter is wearing a green jacket and a purple undershirt.
So, Joker was the one who threatened her, but Riddler killed her father. Probably because he realised that the woman had made him look like a fool. He had ruined his reputation by obsessing over a riddle that wasn't worth solving.
In a way it was all like a sick joke, which only makes it more obvious that Joker set it in motion. Playing Riddler's emotions so that he didn't have to get his hands dirty himself

But what do you think the chances are of us seeing a third collection? There's still some villains they can explore, don't you think? Catwoman, Black Mask, Hush, Wrath. Hell, even people like Zsasz or the Terrible Trio. I thoroughly enjoy this series and hope it continues. It's now given us the best Penguin and Mad Hatter stories ever written, which is no small feat given how awfully those characters have been treated in the past.