DC Comics recently announced a new Joker series for their Black Label imprint. The new miniseries titled “Joker: Killer Smile” is set to be written by Jeff Lemire with art by Andrea Sorrentino. A synopsis was released for the miniseries that read as follows, “For years, the Joker has terrorized Gotham, facing off with Batman time and time again. But now he’s found a new adversary, one that can deliver him from the purgatory of Arkham Asylum and set his madness free once more—the very doctor tasked with treating him. As he gets his hooks deeper and deeper into the mind of his prey, Joker sets off a chain reaction of mayhem that will threaten to tear down not only Gotham City but the soul of this idealistic man, and his young family, too.” Based on this synopsis it would seem that Lemire tends to make this story a psychological thrill exploring both the psyche of the Joke and the doctor’s descent into madness. This isn’t Lemire and Sorrentino’s first time working together, they’ve collaborated multiple times including an ongoing horror comic titled “Gideon Falls”. 

In a press release about the new title Lemire stated, “Getting to work with my long-time collaborator Andrea Sorrentino on a Joker story is very exciting. The Joker is an iconic character and we wanted to create something that challenges readers to look at him in a new and horrifying way.” Sorrentino seemed to be very excited about this latest work. “This story has pushed me as a creator to aspire to new heights in storytelling. That little spark of madness in the Joker gives me an opportunity to play with the pacing, the layouts, and the storytelling in a way that few other characters would allow.” DC Black Label’s “Joker: Killer Smile” will be three part story with the first issue available on October 30.

Are you interested in this upcoming series?