Joker: Killer Smile #1
| Writer | Jeff Lemire |
| Artist | Andrea Sorrentino |
| Cover Price | $5.99 |
Everyone knows The Joker doesn't have the most promising history with psychotherapists. In fact, no one's even been able to diagnose him. But that doesn't matter to the confident, world-beating Dr. Ben Arnell; he's going to be the one to unravel this unknowable mind. There's no way The Joker could ever get through the therapeutic walls Ben has built around himself. Right? There's no way The Joker's been entering his house at night...right? There's no way The Joker has stood over his son's bed, and put that book in his hands, the one with the, the, the...
The Eisner-nominated creative team of Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino (
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CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
AIPT - Vishal Gullapalli
Oct 30, 2019Killer Smile is a triumphant return to DC Comics for both Lemire and Sorrentino, and has the potential to be Black Label's strongest showing. Read Full Review
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10
But Why Tho? - Lizzy Garcia
Oct 30, 2019Overall, Joker: Killer Smile #1is a haunting and disturbing look into the ways the Joker can corrupt a single mind. The issue is a solid start to the ongoing series and I look forward to the remainder of this psychological and disturbing thriller. Read Full Review
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9.7
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Oct 30, 2019Andrea Sorrentino's art style is perfect for both the tone and style of this story. There is a gritty realism to the visuals and I hope they give Sorrentino some interesting things to visualize going forward. Read Full Review
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9.6
Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz
Nov 04, 2019Lemire and Sorrentino work wonderfully together as usual. The story is sharp and the art is fantastic. They really know each other's strengths and this book is both exhilarating and smart. Read Full Review
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9.5
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Oct 30, 2019Whether you enjoy this story probably depends on how much tolerance you have for Joker-mania " he's far from my favorite villain, but a great Joker story can easily win me over. The first issue makes me think this is going to be a great Joker story, and another strong entry for one of the best creative teams in comics. Read Full Review
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9.5
The Pop Break - Rachel Freeman
Oct 31, 2019This comic reads like a psychological thriller as opposed to a superhero book. Read Full Review
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9.3
Sequential Planet - Josh Fielding
Nov 05, 2019DC's latest Black Label book earns its mature rating with a disturbing and engrossing first issue. Joker: Killer Smile#1is a fresh take on an iconic character. Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino are at the top of their game, with a brilliantly horrifying tale and beautiful art. Read Full Review
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9.2
Monkeys Fighting Robots - Cody Walker
Oct 30, 2019The Joker cannot be stopped, you just have to hope he gets bored with you. Read Full Review
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9.0
Batman-News - Casper Rudolph
Oct 30, 2019I've had a blast reading this from start to finish"I just wish Sorrentino had kept the gargoyles and the zeppelins, because as amazing as this story is, it just doesn't exactly feel like Gotham to me. Still, I highly recommend this book. Read Full Review
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9.0
411Mania - John Pumpernickel
Oct 31, 2019With all the success Joker has found at the box office, this is a perfect companion book at those wanting to get more into the head of the Clown Prince of Crime. Just be careful you don't stay too long. Read Full Review
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9.0
GWW - Dusty Good
Oct 31, 2019Overall, not a bad start to a new series by a very talented team of creators. Read Full Review
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9.0
Dark Knight News - Kendra Hale
Nov 02, 2019Joker: Killer Smile #1 truly exceeded all of my expectations. I loved seeing the story unfold and the artwork was so different for this type of tale. I enjoyed it and truly look forward to the rest of this series. I wonder if Benjy will be able to maintain his sanity and keep not only himself, but his family safe. Guess we'll learn more next issue. See you next month! Read Full Review
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9.0
Pastrami Nation - Nolan Smith
Nov 03, 2019When I think of the Joker, I don't just see the insanity. I see a methodical criminal mastermind, who's plan might be gibberish to any sane person. But to him, it's clear as day. That is what we are seeing in Killer Smile. Lemire, Sorrentino, and Bellaire have created the beginning of what could be an amazingly tragic series. I loved the build and pacing, the facial expressions, and children's book ode, and I cannot wait to see what Dr. Arnell does next in defense to DC's premier villain. Pick this up; it's a hoot. Read Full Review
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8.6
Comic Watch - Lenora Pentecost
Oct 31, 2019Joker: Killer Smile #1 (Lemire, Sorrentino, Bellaire, Wands) is a strong start to a curious miniseries, full of genre awareness and palpable tension. Read Full Review
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8.5
IGN - Jesse Schedeen
Oct 30, 2019Joker: Killer Smile is worth a read for anyone wanting a good horror story centered around this iconic villain. Read Full Review
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8.5
Multiversity Comics - Kenneth Laster
Oct 31, 2019"Joker: Killer Smile" #1 utilizes incredibly suspenseful storytelling techniques to create a captivating and grounded horror book centered around Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime Read Full Review
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8.0
Comics: The Gathering - Wes Greer
Oct 30, 2019Overall, I would have to say this is one of the best stories to come out in awhile based on the Joker alone. The story is something fresh and keeps us hooked and the art stays true to the over all theme of the book. If you are a fan of the Clown Prince of Crime and want to get a real up close look into the psyche of him, this is the one to pick up. Joker Killer Smile #1 is available today and will be released with a variant cover as well. Pick it up and see for yourself just how deep the madness runs! Read Full Review
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8.0
ComicBook.com - Connor Casey
Oct 30, 2019It's a story we've heard plenty of times, especially when it involves The Joker, but at the very least Joker: Killer Smile #1 seems to know that its series is treading familiar ground. Read Full Review
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8.0
Word Of The Nerd - Jordan Claes
Oct 30, 2019Joker: Killer Smile #1 is a brilliant example of the power of comic book storytelling and an excellent affirmation of Nietzchean philosophy. Read Full Review
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8.0
Impulse Gamer - Tim Chuma
Oct 31, 2019I would recommend this if you wanted to see a different take on the Joker other than more famous stories such as the Killing Joke or more of a character study. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
The fact it was written by Jeff Lemire I had to read it. Art by Andrea Sorrrenttino was great .
+ Like • Comment -
10
THE GOOD: -Holy fuck, this was good. -I mean, Andrea Sorrentino may be my favorite artist of all time. His work just appeals to me so much. I can't really put my finger on it, but it just scratches that itch unlike anything else. -Jeff Lemire's dialogue is fantastic here. I'm currently reading some of his older stories, and it's clear that he has really grown as a writer and not resorted to name hype alone and gotten lazy. He's truly finding what works and doesn't work for him and it's truly showing. -That opening was so good and twisted. This comic did just such a great job executing its flashbacks. -Ben is an interesting, compelling character. -Mr. Smiles is just.... so good. This comic feels really memorable, unlike more
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10
I think I liked this Joker better than the Movie one.
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10
Joker: Killer Smile 1 is insane. It's like nothing I've ever read before. Lemire and Sorrentino are proving to be one of the best creative teams in the industry.
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9.5
All the stories about the Joker leads to one place and one place alone: disaster. The reason of the success of the character, is his ability to be whatever you [the writer] want or, whatever you [the reader] wish to be... yes, hidden in the mind of all of us there is a desire to be free and lift your voice, but we don't do it because we are afraid of the people, of the "what will they say about me". We are afraid to confront our own fears and we try to escape from them. That, for the Joker, it's not an obstacle. He speaks and does whatever he pleases. Like when he posissons the city with green and purple balloons. But there are times when we are strong, strong enough to confront our monsters and try to rise with all the glory and honor more
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9.5
stop making good interesting black label books, its killing my budget
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9.5
Prelude: Well, I've just finished reviewing Harleen #2 and here's another Black Label Joker story. I trust Lemire and Sorrentino though, so this should be interesting. The Good: Joker is so creepy in this. Despite a similar setting to other books, Killer Smile sets itself apart. Sorrentino's art is amazing. I did not expect it to be this good. Not knowing what is happening fully is worrying and it works so well. Mr. Smiles. The Bad: It's not too much of an original premise. Conclusion: While it is similar to other on-going series such as Harleen and other past books, Killer Smile manages to set itself apart. A great read that leaves me wanting more.
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9.0
Of course one of my favorite creative teams, Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino, deliver yet another gorgeously terrifying looking book. I love the more abstract nature of this book and the changes of style that Sorrentino pulls off between flashbacks, modern day and the Mr. Smiles storybook is nothing short of amazing. I love the format of this book and I'm looking forward to where this will go.
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9.0
" All i ever wanted is to created things that are beautiful. I want to created things that no one has ever seen before i want thé sublime. - JOKER
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9.0
Nothing that new, but executed well and love this team.
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9.0
This was a really great read. I love Lemire and Sorrentino does a great job on the visuals. Definitely excited to see how this all continues
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8.5
This was good, mostly.
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8.5
Good but the art sucked
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8.0
Nothing is as it seems with the Joker, as it should be.
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8.0
I liked most of this. Some small issues, but yeah, mostly solid.
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6.5
Not that bad, but Joker turning a psychiatrist, who is trying to analyze him mad isnt a new story. Nothing really outstanding here. And I can't see, why this is Black Label.
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