Retro Review: Joker/Mask #1

Published in 2000

Story: Henry Gilroy and Ronnie del Carmen

Pencils: Ramon F. Bachs

Inker: Howard M. Shum

Colours: Dave McCaig

Letters: Steve Dutro

Cover: Ramon F. Bachs

This is one of my favourite DC cross overs. I love Harley Quinn, I really enjoyed The Mask movie.. I came to learn that the comic wasn't very close in nature to the movie adaption at all but I still enjoy it.

Now this particular comic is a nice mix of Jim Carey style Mask and the more relationshippy Joker and Harley - kind of like how they were written in their visit to Metropolis to poke fun at another bald guy in a suit. 

Gotham's first mistake was holding an event. No, it doesn't matter that it's at the Gotham City Museum of Art, or that it's a kid's night or even an exhibition about masks... any exhibition or event in Gotham is basically a gilded invitation to any criminal scum in the area.

You think I'm kidding? Man, Penguin turned up to the opening of a new pet store, someone opened a new pack of cards, there was the Riddler and Catwoman was seen at an envelope opening.....

They're out of control man.

Anyway, here's the titular Mask making an appearance, along with.....

Harley, Joker and Snucky! Wait, Snucky? Who's that? Apparently an aspiring pro-football player in Joker's gang and the only one to make it to the museum instead of the mausoleum.
As it turns out, Joker is here not to steal masks or because he knows what power The Mask holds -  no, he wants to destroy the collection of frowny clown masks.




In his eyes, they are sacrilegious, they are blasphemy itself! So he's going to blow them up, along with the kiddies downstairs. While Joker's detailing his plan to the underlings, two things become apparent.

One - Harley doesn't understand bombs and Snucky thinks this is a robbery.

By lifting The Mask out of it's case, Snucky triggers the alarm. Joker is dismayed at all the innocent bystanders escaping to safety and that the doesn't even rate the SWAT team anymore.

Snucky again brings up the topic of thievery and then skedaddlin' but this doesn't help Joker's temper.









Hapless Snucky becomes The Mask and quickly wreaks havoc on the museum. After he takes out the cop squad in a parody of football, Joker begins to see the appeal of this new power on his side.

Orrr.... at least having the power to himself, after cruelly dispatching his former henchman. Batman times his arrival well and saves Snuck from a horrible fall, but seeing as how he's already been shot he can't save Snuck's life.

Gleeful over the discovery of The Mask's powers and what it means for them, Joker decides to wear it, allaying Harley's fears that he'll change too much with a kiss. Batman - Bat shaped, guano covered,  third wheel from hell busts in at this moment to be sassy with his quips.

Joker wears The Mask - and although he's all cheerful about his dapper new look, Batman realises something isn't right and tells the remaining cops to evacuate the area.
He tries to fight Joker/Mask but is whalloped by a fantastic visual pun.

Joker/Mask gets Harley (previously turned into a cheerleader of sorts when Snucky had the powers) to cheer him on while he fights Batman. It's not looking good for Batman, who beats a hasty retreat.
He manages to get to the Batmobile but Joker/Mask follows in a spaceship driven by Harley.

Is this the end of the Caped Crusader?!

The Short End of the Jester Schtick

A good introduction to both characters, with Harley acting as a voice-over of sorts and Snucky being the hapless comic relief/victim. Both are pretty similar - big teeth, big grins, sense of humour varying from good ol' knee slappin' jokes to the sadistic side. It says a lot that Batman would flee a fight with Joker,

I had an issue when I first read this comic and that was Harley's outfit. White gloves and shoes? Then again back then she did dabble in those colours so I suppose it's fair enough. Still looks weird to me though.

It's nice reading a comic where Harley and Joker aren't locked in an abusive spiral all the time. As I mentioned in the 'Clown comes to Metropolis' review, I think people forget that Harley CHOSE to join Joker, not just because of love but because she wanted to live the crazy clown lifestyle and that she wanted to have fun.
When we get comics like this it reminds us why they're an interesting couple because there is definitely something between them even if we know it's not right.

Wotta Comedian!

Joker: Third floor. Ladie's lingerie, overrated arts and crafts and stuff I wanna blow up.

Joker: It doesn't get any better... except for my suit. You didn't press it, did ya, Harl?
Harley: It was either press the suit or do the bombs, Mistah J. I did the bombs.
Joker: Oh.

Joker: Wait! Where's the SWAT team? I don't see the SWAT team! I don't even rate the SWAT team anymore. 

Snucky: I'm... shot
Joker: Ooh. that's a shame, Snucky ol' boy. I'm afraid our partnership isn't going to last, what with your medical problems and all.

Joker/Mask: Harley, you're gonna have'ta drive... 'cause I got SHOTGUN!!