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Batman #36 - Endgame, Part Two; Saved

5

Endgame continues. Batman has to survive fighting a Joker-ized Superman in order to find out the truth behind Joker's return.

The Good

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are reminding us what comic books are all about. Last issue we saw the Justice League attack Batman. The revelation at the end that Joker was somehow involved set it off in a different direction. This issue slams down the action with Batman vs. Superman. We don't often get to actually see stories and scenes like this. Superman may not be 100% in his right mind but we got a pretty glorious battle.

Greg Capullo continues to amaze us month after month. You could almost feel the punches being thrown (thankfully we couldn't actually) and I loved the panels where the perspective is pulled back so we get an even better sense of the size and scope of the fight. You also have to stop and stare at the panel showing an image of Joker from Death of the Family. Talk about creepy.

Speaking of Joker, Snyder reveals how Joker came back (sort of) as well as what he's been doing since. The fact that Joker's actually been around for some time and none of us, Batman included, knew is just a testament to how freaky of a character he is. Joker has cranked up his game and each issue makes you hunger for more.

The Bad

Joker is becoming more and more of a threat. I know I shouldn't worry about it but I can't help but wonder how can his inevitable next appearance after this top this? Joker has become a new force to be reckoned with.

The Verdict

I would say, even if you just 'like' Batman or Joker, you won't want to miss this issue. You can see and feel the enthusiasm and fun Snyder and Capullo are having on this story. Joker is back in Batman's life and Snyder is out to make sure the action and storytelling are cranked up higher than ever before. We often feel sorry for Batman when Snyder puts him through the wringer. Snyder and Capullo have been consistently delivering great and solid Batman stories. I can't help but be eager for the next issue. This story is pretty nuts and I'm having a blast reading it.

(You can read an interview with Snyder on the issue HERE).

53 Comments

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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Joker is becoming more and more of a threat. I know I shouldn't worry about it but I can't help but wonder how can his inevitable next appearance after this top this? Joker has become a new force to be reckoned with.

That's something I've been thinking a lot about lately, it's starting to feel less and less like Joker is an actual character. Don't get me wrong, Snyder has done some great stuff with him, but I'd like to see a more Batman TAS Joker. A Joker who is still a character, and who can still be fun and entertaining, while still being a twisted and serious threat. I know some poeple would disagree, but that's just my take on things.

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TimeLordScience

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Edited By TimeLordScience

@captainmarvel4ever: agreed. In interview with Bruce Timm from a while ago, he was asked why they went the direction they did with Joker (or something to that effect). He answered that he wanted to do an interpretation that balanced the light-hearted fun with the danger and murderousness. He didn't want it to be too silver age or too dark and modern. Snyder's interpretation seems to have lost to much of the fun IMO.

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slade_wilson

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This issue was phenomenal

That's about all I can say

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judasnixon

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I like the Joker's new hairdo...... It's very dapper.

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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@timelordscience said:

@captainmarvel4ever: agreed. In interview with Bruce Timm from a while ago, he was asked why they went the direction they did with Joker (or something to that effect). He answered that he wanted to do an interpretation that balanced the light-hearted fun with the danger and murderousness. He didn't want it to be too silver age or too dark and modern. Snyder's interpretation seems to have lost to much of the fun IMO.

Exactly, if Joker really is meant to contrast Batman, then you have to have some fun with him, otherwise he's just as dark as Batman. Plus as Mr. Guerrero said, he's slowly being written into a corner (although I kind of like it when writers challenge themselves like that).

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_Darkwing_

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That twist though! That was planned very well Snyder props on that.

He also handled Batman vs Superman very well, it just shows that he has an equal respect for both characters...and people were complaining.

It's also worth mentioning that the way that Snyder portray's Batman's and Alfred's relationship is beautiful.

Great Review Tony!

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dernman

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Edited By dernman

Only stubbornness is keeping me reading Batman at this point. His writing has been getting worse and worse. His handle of Batman vs Superman was atrocious not to mention the whole league.

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DrellAssassin

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Edited By DrellAssassin

I know some are lamenting the loss of "fun and murderous" Joker, but we got that in DOTF. Because of how that arc ended and how the Batman/Joker relationship stands, it's totally fitting that we get this new, more serious Joker. And he is absolutely terrifying. Stellar issue, Synder, Capullo, Miki and Plascencia will go down as legends.

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J_L

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I know some are lamenting the loss of "fun and murderous" Joker, but we got that in DOTF. Because of how that arc ended and how the Batman/Joker relationship stands, it's totally fitting that we get this new, more serious Joker. And he is absolutely terrifying. Stellar issue, Synder, Capullo, Miki and Plascencia will go down as legends.

Im glad somebody else caught that

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Mucklefluga

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The Joker splash page. Man oh man that was so beautiful and frightening, I'd loooove to own it.

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MadeinBangladesh

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Edited By MadeinBangladesh

great issue. 8/10.

Like the new Joker.

I had some issues with the writing.

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deactivated-5edd330f57b65

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Thi issue was tons of fun. Joker screwing with batman is still awesome

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the_stegman

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the_stegman  Moderator

@jayc1324: I think he meant it like "If I were you."

Anyway, This issue was awesome.

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jackcryan

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This issue was great, and I loved it. I'm excited to see Batman face the Joker apocalypse and how Joker got his new face.

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TimeLordScience

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I know some are lamenting the loss of "fun and murderous" Joker, but we got that in DOTF. Because of how that arc ended and how the Batman/Joker relationship stands, it's totally fitting that we get this new, more serious Joker. And he is absolutely terrifying. Stellar issue, Synder, Capullo, Miki and Plascencia will go down as legends.

If you think he was fun in Death of the Family then you don't really know what we're talking about. Death of the Family was about making him scary too. Whether or not Snyder succeeded in that is up to you. Read an interview with him about what he was trying to do about DotF. He claims that was his intention. It seems like that is always his intention. Kind of one note if you ask me.

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DrellAssassin

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@timelordscience: Yes he was scary, I meant more having fun with Batman, setting up tests, etc. And yes he was still funny. Not TAS funny, but honestly TAS Joker doesn't fit the tone of the stories they're telling. If that's the Joker you want, there is mountains of material to provide that for you. This is something new.

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regiebravo

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Really glad I picked this issue up. Hopefully Joker dies for real this time.

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MAZAHS117

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I don't get the "Bad" paragraph of this review. It reads as tho Joker becoming more of a threat as a positive (which is exactly how I feel), yet it's categorized as the "Bad" part of this issue....I don't get it

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DrellAssassin

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I don't get the "Bad" paragraph of this review. It reads as tho Joker becoming more of a threat as a positive (which is exactly how I feel), yet it's categorized as the "Bad" part of this issue....I don't get it

It's more of a concern for the future and how this may be writing the character in a corner that may be difficult for future writers to get him out of. Obviously it didn't affect the score of the issue, nor is it necessarily "bad", just a concern.

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FuzzyLittleRodent

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I liked the issue. However, I dislike how writers continue to "overpower" Batman.

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longbowhunter

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Call me naive, but I did not see that coming. You're 2 for 2 this week Snyder.

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deactivated-64332b810a025

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Beyond amazing issue. My only question is to what scale will Jokers future stories be? We have only seen the first two issues of Endgame and the arc has already provided Joker with the feats to be a world level threat.

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TheComedian_

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One of my biggest complaints (and it isn't that big) is the Joker's hair.

I absolutely hate how a few characters in the New 52 are getting hipster haircuts. It looks ridiculous to me, lol.

Not a big deal, but it does bug me, haha.

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MixMastaMicah5

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Can someone tell me the significance of the 801? I feel like an idiot that I didn't understand the reference.

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superior_prime_maybe

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Can someone tell me the significance of the 801? I feel like an idiot that I didn't understand the reference.

lol. Im with you.

And, i didnt undertand how Joker is back... :|

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Cave_Duck

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@the_tree said:
@superior_prime_maybe said:

@mixmastamicah5 said:

Can someone tell me the significance of the 801? I feel like an idiot that I didn't understand the reference.

lol. Im with you.

And, i didnt undertand how Joker is back... :|

Eighth letter in the alphabet, followed by the first letter of the alphabet. H and A-- Ha.

Just to add to that, you break 0801 into 08-01, which is then H & A= HA! I was thinking 08 then 0 then 1? What are you talking about bats? But it was like he said, just some silly little joke from the staff.

I'm loving this whole storyline, it'll be great to see what havoc the Joker wreaks with his army of infected and the Arkham inmates he's (presumably) been messing with for a while.

The only downside was Batman's awesome Justice Buster suit is gone. :(

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CrazyScarecrow

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@captainmarvel4ever: I agree. I miss Joker tales in that style so badly. I want a Joker I can call a hero and a whole room full of dirty looks.

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asjmooney

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Love Joker's new look and loving this story even more. I wish someone could just give me a trade of the entire arc right now.

I must look back to remind myself of what happened surrounding the history of Mr j's return as I currently can't place it.

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pinecone1510

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My big takeaway is the fly. It was the final image in death of the family with the HA element reveal and know it played a huge part in the batman/joker scene. I don't get it other than it could just be because of the expression Fly on the wall and it's meaning pertaining to joker always knowing/watching batman.

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NightFang3

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@regiebravo said:

Really glad I picked this issue up. Hopefully Joker dies for real this time.

Never gonna happen.

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KDub_inc_

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Edited By KDub_inc_

@timelordscience: that may be the point. Joker is kind of losing it and realizing this isn't as fun as it used to be, that the back and forth is getting old. and that's why he is trying to just end it at all cost. Just the way I like to think of it if you get what I'm saying.

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TimeLordScience

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@timelordscience: that may be the point. Joker is kind of losing it and realizing this isn't as fun as it used to be, that the back and forth is getting old. and that's why he is trying to just end it at all cost. Just the way I like to think of it if you get what I'm saying.

The problem is that if Joker plays serious, the entire Bat-family should come out dead from this based upon his feats from Death of the Family.

They won't though.

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KDub_inc_

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@timelordscience: true but that would end this great run and we don't need that lol

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TimeLordScience

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Edited By TimeLordScience

@kdub_inc_: Oh yeah obviously lol. But that's the issue when you characterize the Joker as both dangerous enough to outsmart the League and also no-nonsense.

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KDub_inc_

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Yeah that's the problem if you think of it logically then bats would be dead next month. I try to ignore some things until after I've read and enjoy the comic cuz if I analyze it while reading I always enjoy it less. I really hope this is done well after 36 cuz it could end up undermining the whole concept.but I trust Snyder. I'm enjoying it so far but I really think this is the last time he should write joker for a few years at least.

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Equonox

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So damn good.

With respect to the fly - perhaps that is how Joker is spreading his new Joker toxin?

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TDK_1997

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The story is cool and all but I have some slight problems with it. First of all, this Joker, Snyder;s Joker is not really the Joker but some horror movie character that gives you the chills. Joker should be that but in the same time he should fun and engaging while with all of these horror elements he's off putting. And now second and last, this Joker seems to be a combination of the old Joker and some horror character that I can't think of and the Riddler in one.

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MixMastaMicah5

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@the_tree said:
@superior_prime_maybe said:

@mixmastamicah5 said:

Can someone tell me the significance of the 801? I feel like an idiot that I didn't understand the reference.

lol. Im with you.

And, i didnt undertand how Joker is back... :|

Eighth letter in the alphabet, followed by the first letter of the alphabet. H and A-- Ha.

Just to add to that, you break 0801 into 08-01, which is then H & A= HA! I was thinking 08 then 0 then 1? What are you talking about bats? But it was like he said, just some silly little joke from the staff.

I'm loving this whole storyline, it'll be great to see what havoc the Joker wreaks with his army of infected and the Arkham inmates he's (presumably) been messing with for a while.

The only downside was Batman's awesome Justice Buster suit is gone. :(

Now that it's been thoroughly explained to me by both of you I understand. My brain was broken after an exhausting day of classes because it was pretty straight forward lol

SO THANK YOU! It was a nagging thought because I knew it was simple lol I am liking the storyline too and I think a big part of it is the surprises and shocks are actually surprising and shocking. Now wonder if every book was able to hide the information and cover like the good old days...I think people would be a little less critical to be honest.

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tec79

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0801 has popped up over the years mostly due to the fact it was Jokers cell number in Dark Knight Returns.

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Cave_Duck

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@mixmastamicah5:

I know! Imagine if they left ALL the major plot-twists and surprises as actual surprises! Instead of mass-marketing them months in advance...

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Teerack

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He mentioned how he infected Cyborg yet he wasn't even there. :|

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KouNurasaka

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Considering the fact that Joker has a multiple choice past, I'm surprised people are bothered by his sudden personality shift.

What intrigues me more is Batman's line about Joker not being "crazy, just evil."

You guys think we could see Batman breaking his one rule? If he really views Joker as simply evil incarnate, then perhaps he'd be willing to go one step further.

Fantastic issue though.

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HumanRocket

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See...this is why Batman should have killed Joker way back during Death of a Family. To prevent things like this from happening.

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Jonez_

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Agreed with HumanRocket. Batman should've killed the Joker a long time ago, and any TRUE Batman fan knows it.

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Transformers1024

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Edited By Transformers1024

@humanrocket: I agree. You can only take so much of the same story with different scenarios before it gets old and repetitive. Joker put Batman's entire family at risk during Death of the Family and Batman did absolutely nothing about it. Then a year later Joker is back and brainwashed the entire Justice League, the team that the entire world looks up to and is their line of defense and Batman STILL won't kill him!

Don't get me wrong, I love the Joker but c'mon, it's total bull to think that he can somehow control all of them to do his bidding against Batman. That's one of the biggest examples of plot and writer induced stupidity of all time.

Snyder needs to tone down his inner fanboy because it's really starting to affect his work.

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