Comic Book Review - Suicide Squad: Get Joker #1

Rob reviews Suicide Squad: Get Joker #1...

I'm not going to lie, I'm not a huge fan of DC. Sure I've got the odd Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern graphic novel. But aside from these, I've never been interested.

DC though are currently in full "let's milk The Suicide Squad" mode and as such have brought out Suicide Squad: Get Joker. The same week as the movie..coincidence? I think not. 

Suicide Squad: Get Joker is the latest release from DC's Black Label. This time around writer Brian Azzarello and artist Alex Maleev bring the Squad into a direct conflict with Joker. Why? Well, Jason Todd aka The Red Hood is leading the team, and plastering Joker in anything is guaranteed to sell. 

Of course, add Brian Azzarello to the mix and DC may have just another Killing Joke on their hands. 

Now before I get into the story. Before the books launch it garnered a bit of controversy with the revelation that one of the characters claims to have been part of the January 6th riot in Washington. This lead to all kinds of chats about comics taking direct inspiration from real events, and publicising the former Presidents incitement of the aforementioned "trouble". Regardless of personal feelings, DC have kept the comment in place. I'm not a fan. It's not a necessity to the story, and it gives the comic a date...now why haven't these characters aged?

The book opens with a locked-up Jason Todd. Todd recounts past events from his beginnings as Robin, to his death, and re-birth as The Red Hood. It's quite a harrowing tale that shows just how his time with Joker affected him. As Todd works his way up the prison food chain he soon finds himself in Belle Reve Penitentiary - and face-to-face with Amanda Waller. 

Due to his past with Joker, Todd is a prime candidate for Task Force X. Unable to say no and fueled by his need for revenge, Todd agrees to Waller's proposition...to kill Joker! 

The opening of Suicide Squad: Get Joker is pretty well written. We get to see a darker side to Jason Todd, who the majority of the time is written as an angst-ridden anti-hero rather than an outright villain. In fact, throughout the book, he's portrayed as The Red Hood rather than Robin. It's great to see DC finally give the character something that moves him out of Batman's shadow - even if his outfit is very Robin-like. 

Amanda Waller is also used to great effect throughout the story too. The character is a great scene-stealer, who oozes the characteristics expertly portrayed by Viola Davis within the two films. At heart, she's a cold calculated killer, who's willing to sacrifice everything to get her target. The fact that she's up against someone like the Joker who's also willing to do the very same is both frightening and brilliant. Both Waller and Joker are on opposite sides, yet both share a lot of qualities. 

The rest of the "Squad" is made up of the usual expendable characters - Firefly, Plastique, Silver Banshee, Wild Dog, Pebbles, Yonder Man, Meow Meow, and...Harley Quinn. It's only natural that you'll get Harley Quinn in at some point. She's the emotional attachment to the Joker, aside from Batman (and Jason Todd) she's the one that knows him best. And the character is also in James Gunn's Suicide Squad film...

Aside from both Amanda Waller and Jason Todd, the other characters feel tacked on - even Harley. Azzarello brings a somewhat edge-y portrayal to the team with plenty of cursing and "banter" throughout. Yet when the action (I'm avoiding spoilers) kicks in, these characters become the expendable assets we knew they would be. 

Alex Maleev brings a gritty style to the artwork, and it fits the incredibly dark undertones of the story. Maleev also utilises his shadows to a great effect. Colourist Matt Hollingsworth backs up Maleev to a great extent. His use of colours bring the dark setting to life and gives each character their signature style - albeit just ever so slightly brooding. 

Come to the books end there's a lot to like about this opening chapter. While it's not perfect, the pacing is pretty good and Azzarello takes us on a journey of revenge. Yet come the end of the book, it's more a journey of survival...

If you're here after watching James Gunn's  movie then you'll be in for a bit of a shock. But if you like your comics with a raw, gritty, not frightened to say f*** you attitude then you'll love Suicide Squad: Get Joker.

Rating 8/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev