The series has featured a ton of supernatural characters including John Constantine, The Enchantress, the Demon, and Deadman. We get Swamp Thing, Zatanna, and The Spectre this issue too (wonder if it is a clue.) Batman has been trying to figure out if he killed The Joker, which has taken him all over Gotham.
John Constantine offers up an idea.
I really think the momentum of this book was killed by the delays. I heard that Azarello was not pleased about it. I read the first two and I am in no rush to pick this up. I will get it when I can. My question is why would he wish that the Joker lived? Is it because he did not want to carry or die with the burden of taking his life? Batman’s body count typically depends on the writer and whether its a tale from the multiverse. I think it will read better in a trade. They should have just made it a trade from the start. If you spent more than cover for that first issue, I would imagine you are quite pissed right now.
If I was Azarello I doubt I would agree to do a Black Label book ever again. When the publisher says “here’s where you can write mature superhero stories” and then guts your final product because “oh wait, we didn’t actually mean it”, why would you ever believe them in the future?
Totally agree. I cannot believe how badly DC dropped the ball on this. They basically had lightening in a bottle….and then broke it in their own bathtub.