Tangent Comics: The Joker

Laugh 'till it hurts!

Released: 1997

Writer: Karl Kesel

Pencils: Matt Haley

Inks: Tom Simmons

Colours: Moose Bauman

This is an entry from the Tangent Universe - while not all of their issue hit the mark this Joker is one that I've always been a fan of.

It takes place in New Atlantis - 35 years after a nuclear exchange destroyed the original Atlanta and we're introduced to a police officer named Keel who is fairly new to town but recognises the colourful Joker when she appears.

The first part is mostly his monologue but the scene stealing is all courtesy of the Joker - who is very reminiscent of Harley Quinn but with a more political focus.

Joker is funny enough, but Keel's deadpan internal voice is hilarious too, noting that they didn't cover this sort of thing in the academy, and when Doll Man (AKA Scarface) is apprehended after being captured by Joker, he thinks that getting a statement won't be an issue but getting a word in edgewise could be.

This Joker is more vigilante than outright villain and there are constant references to the Cuban Missile Crisis and protest rallies.