Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    DC

    Review: Batman Confidential #22

    Stephen SchleicherBy Stephen SchleicherOctober 14, 20082 Comments4 Mins Read

    The Joker goes to jail, and nothing will ever be the same…AGAIN!

    BMCON-Cv22PICON.jpg

    In what appears to be tale inspired by or related to the Dark Knight movie, the latest issue of Batman Confidential shows what happened the first time Batman captured the Clown Prince of Crime and tossed him in the slammer.

    BMCON-Cv22.jpgBatman Confidential is a pretty hit and miss title for me.  I like the concept of telling early tales of Batman and the rest of the Bat family, but that was already done in the pages of Legends of the Dark Knight (and done much better I might add).  So I’ve been less than thrilled with the adventures of naked Batgirl and Catwoman, or the horrendous origin story of the Batplane that kicked off the series.  It’s taken Batman Confidential 22 issues to deliver a story that makes the reader go “whoa!”, and it just so happens to feature The Joker.

    Yes, I know there was that other Batman Confidential story arc that supposedly told the origin of the Joker, but it was so bad, I find myself curled up in the corner crying every time it is mentioned, so let’s just pretend it never happened, m’kay?

    Interestingly, the first chapter of Do You Understand These Rights?  is not really a story about Batman.  Yes, it does show Batman at the beginning and end of the issue, but the rest of the space features the Detectives of the Gotham City Police Department and how they deal with the sudden appearance of a homicidal maniac.

    The detectives in question are easily identified, but it’s nearly impossible to pin a name on either of the two leads until late in the issue when one of their names is called out.  At first I thought the heavy-set detective might have been Harvey Bullock during a better, brighter time in his life – just off a honeymoon, things are going great, has a partner he gets along with, and so on.  Had they used the Bullock name it might explain so much more about the the character that has become a staple in the Batman titles, made his story more tragic, and made a better tie to the Batman universe.  But what’s in a name, as the end result is the same; the Joker messes with your mind for his own amusement.

    There are some humorous moments in the beginning as the Joker is booked, including a goofy little bit of the Joker mugging during his mug shots.  After that, things turn to the dark side, as the Joker is thrown in among the rest of the prison population, and all hell breaks loose.  During a scuffle between The Joker and Geoff (that’s the Harvey Bullock-like character’s name), the pasty-faced criminal lifts Geoff address book.  When given the chance to use his one phone call, the Joker decides to call Geoff’s new bride and say some not so nice things.  The end result is so shocking, you’ll half expect Brad Pitt to come out screaming, “What’s in the box!?”  And the Joker did it all over the phone!

    This is a solid story, and kudos to Andrew Kreisberg for delivering a story that appears light in the first half, but quickly turns to reveal the Joker is someone you don’t want to mess with.  The art is also nicely done by Scott McDaniel, with inks by Andy Owens.

    I came very close to dropping this title after the last issue, but this Joker story has me wondering if DC has figured out exactly what needs to be done story wise, that I’m willing to follow this story arc to conclusion and see what happens next before I make my final decision.  I’m giving Batman Confidential #22 a solid 4 out of 5 Stars.

    4stars_1.jpg

    007

    bat family Batgirl batm Batman Batman Titles batplane Catwoman City Police Department clown prince detectives heavy set homicidal maniac legends of the dark knight m kay origin of the joker origin story slammer Staple story arc Sudden Appearance
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleHackoween Sneak Peek
    Next Article MSP#44: Politics in Comics
    Stephen Schleicher
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Stephen Schleicher began his career writing for the Digital Media Online community of sites, including Digital Producer and Creative Mac covering all aspects of the digital content creation industry. He then moved on to consumer technology, and began the Coolness Roundup podcast. A writing fool, Stephen has freelanced for Sci-Fi Channel's Technology Blog, and Gizmodo. Still longing for the good ol' days, Stephen launched Major Spoilers in July 2006, because he is a glutton for punishment. You can follow him on Twitter @MajorSpoilers and tell him your darkest secrets...

    Related Posts

    Legion Clubhouse #190: The Validus Plague

    Read More

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    Read More

    DC Comics announces C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table

    Read More

    2 Comments

    1. Derek Darrow on November 18, 2008 5:04 pm

      I know this review was about issue 22, but if you are posting a review about issue 23, there is no way it can get more than 2 stars. Even that would be a stretch. Too many glaring mistakes in the story. Such as, how did Joker get from the back of the van, behind the security screen, to driving the van and having the driver bound and gagged? Also, when in court, Joker is hand cuffed with his hands behind his back, then the next panel his is flipping a peanut with his hands in front of his face.

      Stuff like that is terrible on all staff persons parts, but especially the editor whom, I would assume, should catch that. This book was so bad I might have to stop reading it.

      Thanks for letting me vent,
      Derek

      Reply
    2. Allaiyah on December 6, 2008 10:51 pm

      I disagree entirely. Batman Confidential 7-12 is the best, least cheesiest, & most sensical Joker origin story ever. It it the art the reviled you, or did the Joker just seem to gay?

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    June 20, 2025

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    4.0
    June 20, 2025

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    8.3
    June 17, 2025

    Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 Review

    7.7
    June 17, 2025

    Supergirl #2 Review

    6.0
    June 16, 2025

    Runaways #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT