Adapting what may be the most popular of graphic novels, by the edgy Hard Case Crime author, adding layers and exploring the nature of morality.
A tragic, unnamed engineer-turned-criminal is immersed in chemicals that disfigure him bizarrely, driving him mad and thus giving birth to the Joker. While the insane criminal is imprisoned, Batman and Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) patrol Gotham City together, taking down perps such as the crime boss Maxie Zeus. Simultaneously Detective Harvey Bullock works with Commissioner James Gordon to take down a drug factory. Back in Arkham Asylum, Joker learns of a new technology he wants to acquire and escapes, setting out on a mission designed to break the Commissioner, forcing him to abandon his ideals as a police officer. In a violent home invasion he shoots and cripples Barbara, then takes Gordon hostage. Batman races to rescue Gordon, ultimately confronting his arch-foe in an amusement park fun house. This edgy adaptation by Hard Case Crime novelist Christa Faust expands upon the cast and adds intricate layers to the events of the graphic novel, further examining the nature of morality.
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About the Author
Christa Faust is an author of hardboiled crime novels, including Choke Hold, Money Shot and Hoodtown. She has also written comics and a wide variety of media tie ins such as the award-winning novelization of Snakes on a Plane.
Gary Phillips has published crime fiction novels such as Warlord of Willow Ridge and Violent Spring, set in post '92 civil unrest L.A. He has edited several anthologies including the well-received The Obama Inheritance; and published more than 60 short stories in collections ranging from Jewish Noir to Black Pulp II.
Together, Faust and Phillips co-wrote the graphic novel Peepland which thefandompost.com called, "A damn near perfect comic, hardboiled in all the right ways."