DC Comics Rebirth Spoilers and Review for Batman #25, the first chapter in the War of Jokes and Riddles, follows.
Batman #25 is narrated by Batman; a look at the past from the modern day DC Comics Rebirth era.
The book opens with string scenes for the Riddler and the Joker establishing their states of mind prior to the War of Jokes and Riddles, why they are different from one another and why they are terrifyingly frightening in their own ways.
The Riddler is in jail and his subdued his interrogator with a knife.
He then is faced with a whole room full of guards. Does he fight his way through? No. He uses words to get out.
He recites the names of each guard’s loved ones, they are afraid, and simply let him pass and let him go.
The Joker in contrast…
…is on a killing spree.
Unsatisfied with the results of it.
Readers wonder what he is after.
We then have two gorgeous pages with not much art in them, although the art is amazing, and not many words on the pages, but the pages say so much.
Riddler…
…meets Joker…
…with a classic “Knock Knock” joke opening as a stage setter.
The Riddler knows why the Joker is in a funk. The Batman has cramped his style and the Joker can’t laugh anymore. No amount of killing can make him laugh.
The Riddler proposes to The Joker that they team, up to take on Batman.
The Joker’s response is to shoot The Riddler in the gut; he still can’t laugh over that. He anticipates Batman will come and simply leaves seemingly depressed.
Batman does come and the Riddler tells him that the Jokers stole his bomb; a riddle or reality?
Then we get a gorgeous page of art seemingly teasing the issues ahead for the War of Jokes and Riddles. Villains will take sides in this war.
Then back to modern day with the Cat and the Bat in bed; Batman telling Catwoman that he needs to tell her what he did during the War of Jokes and Riddles.
Why are Batman and Catwoman in bed again? Well, Batman did propose at the end of Batman #24 (see below).
Is Catwoman Mrs. Batman now? We may need to wait until the War of Jokes and Riddles to know that since its conveniently set in the past.
So…
An amazing read with story by Tom King and gorgeous, breathtaking art by Mikel Janin. Not much Batman in the issue, but so what. The Joker and The Riddler have the gravitas to carry the book. I give this book at 9.5 out of 10. Why only 9.5? I don’t give out 10’s. It would have to be the Holy Grail to get a 10, but this is the closest I’ve come in years. Highly recommended.
