Product Description: Sam Kieth, renowned illustrator of THE SANDMAN, has earned a reputation for creating comic-book epics that combine powerful action and thought-provoking themes. Now, he brings that vision to Batman in a story that pits the Dark Knight against the Joker -- all under the unforgiving eye of the media.
Their confrontation is caught on film, and Gotham City's protector appears to pummel his archenemy without mercy. The Joker uses this to frame Batman in the court of public opinion while the media hover like vultures, ready to convict before all the facts are in.
I've got a secret Do the secrets that we keep mold and shape us into who and what we are? The Joker thinks so. He has a secret, one that he is willing to kill for in order to keep. He knows another man's secret, one that he is willing to exert blackmail for in order to exploit. And he thinks that Batman has a secret, and if he doesn't, then why is he so repressed? Sam Kieth's probing and thought provoking tale on secrets and obsessions is punctuated by many insightful and humorous verbal exchanges between these two inescapably intertwined adversaries, intelligently illustrating just how dramatically they are mirror images of themselves, a fact that the Joker will never let Batman forget. This odd couple cannot coexist with each other, but would not exist, especially in the Joker's case, without each other. The Joker's use of blackmail for the purpose of manipulating the media against Batman takes the story into another intriguing direction and explores the power that the media has in influencing how and what people think or believe to be real. And to follow up on that concept even further, what is reality? Is it what literally happens or how it is perceived? Along with that is the implicit understanding that perceptions, and thus reality, can be shaped and molded by others, an idea that has not been lost on the Joker. Kieth's surrealistic artwork with its' dreamlike qualities certainly enhances that reality vs. imaginary mood. Plus throw in some blind, obsessive, and deviant love from the Joker's current amore and this trio could have the entire psychology staff at Arkham pulling double shifts. Batman and the Joker are two sides of the same damaged coin, a thought that makes Batman cringe and a situation that he would love to see end. But according to the Joker, the lunacy must go on. It is what the machine demands, what the public wants, and in regards to more entertaining stories like this, most importantly what the many fans of these two iconic characters want.
Not Joker's Finest Hour It's a Joker story. By now you've probably read/watched hundreds so it's got a lot to live up to. This story would not make the top 10. It's not that The Joker wasn't sick and twisted, it just didn't live up to so many great ones that came before it. I'll give him credit for trying, but basically all he does here is trying to make Batman look bad by framing him.
Joker has a hench girl in this. She's an assitant DA and she acts exactly like Harley. It was a little annnoying, why not just make it Harley. However if they were to bring her back I'd love to see her and Harley have a fight for Joker.
Batman has a small backstory happen here as a child that's new, but it doesn't really teach us any important information. The ending is a bit anti-climatic too.
The artwork was ok, very stylized with large paint strokes but not my preferred style. I guess it worked for this kind of story though. IF you're looking for a good Joker story try The Man Who Laughs, Killing Joke, and there's a few in The Greatest Joker Stories ever told.
More for the art... I've said it before, I'm 70% story 30% art. The story in this one is strictly B-C grade, but the art is actually so good elevates the whole thing to B+ or even A-. That's rare for me. It's really vivid and crisp artwork and one of the few Batman graphic novels I just skim through from time to time, looking at the great images.
The interstitials between Batman and Joker are pretty good too, though. Lots of references here to "The Killing Joke", so if you haven't read that I would do so (it's awesome so don't think of it as homework).
HOLY PAPPARAZI BATMAN! Being a big fan of both Batman and Sam Keith's work you're probably wondering why I didn't givet this 5 stars. Well the thing is, the ending wasn't all I was hoping it to be. The big bang never came but then again I can't complain too much. The art as usual was breath taking and I liked the chemistry between the Joker and Batman but the end seemed a bit of well...I can't really explain except that maybe it seems like Sam is looking at making a second installment to this story.
Anyways, like I said before, I'm a fan of Batman and Sam Keith and I'm glad he's back working on comics. The Maxx was a very good run for him (Sam) and I hope it'll be the same for Batman.
Sam Keith-Back In Action! Batman: Secrets tells the tale of Batman and the Joker set in a new outlet for their seemingly endless conflict-the eye of the media. When a picture of the duo fighting surfaces showing Batman as the "bad guy", the Joker takes it upon himself to further his newly adopted role of a tragic misunderstood criminal. At the core of the story, though, is of course all of the characters' various secrets they keep to themselves, and everyone in it has one. The art is pure Sam Keith and if you like his trademark style, as I do, than you're guaranteed to love this book. Keith's story is also more toned down than his trippy Maxx comic and his older work for Marvel, which is fitting for Batman's stark universe. The inclusion of a new girlfriend for the Joker is also a nice touch and she never comes off as contrived or superfluous either. All in all, a fine read.
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