.::BATMAN-IN-COMICS -- Review of "BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL" #9 by Bill Ramey::.

FROM DC COMICS: "Part 3 of a 6-part Joker tale written by Michael Green (TV's Heroes)! Before he was the Joker, he and Batman crossed paths… just how responsible is Batman for what he becomes? The joke may be on all of Gotham City when Batman crosses a line very early in his career as The Dark Knight."

WARNING: This review of BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #9 contains info that some may consider a spoiler.
- “Jett”

I’ll cut to the chase when it comes to my review of this particular issue: It’s good. In fact, I’ve enjoyed the entire storyline so far. Michael Green’s writing has been well above average and I quite like Denys Cowen’s artwork.

If you are not reading BC (at least this story arc), it is my suggestion that you start - Or at least pick up the inevitable trade paper back that should be arriving in your comic shop just prior to Summer 2008 (*cough* a THE DARK KNIGHT tie-in *cough*).

If you are joining us late, the second story arc of the newest Batman monthly is all about the origin of The Joker. Yeah, yeah, I know, we’ve had several origins of the character over the decades. However, the one constant is that The Joker was a dude who fell into a vat of chemicals and came out with green hair and white skin.

On the other hand, The Joker just "WAS" (or "IS") during the character's first 10 years. But I digress.

It doesn’t look like our scribe -- the good Mr. Green -- is going to veer from the “iconic” history of the creation of The Joker. What I'm gathering is that DC and its editors want to play up the “It’s Personal” angle when it comes to The Joker and The Batman’s “relationship.”

And maybe making Batman's cinematic and comic book world jive a little bit more.

Already, we’ve witnessed The pre-Joker motivated by The Batman’s “theatricality,” if you will. It was obvious that the writer wants us to believe that the absurdity of Bruce Wayne’s crime-fighting gear, somehow helps inspire what will become “The Joker.”

With that said, there has to be something more than Mr. Pre-Joker Joker being moved to wear outrageous threads simply because of The Dark Knight. As I’ve hypothesized while reading -- and writing this review -- this time, it’s personal.

In this issue, we F’n find out exactly why my theory is true. AND…

…I think it may be tied into next summer’s THE DARK KNIGHT.

How you ask? (This is where the spoilers come in y’all, FYI)

I think it’s The Joker’s “cut smile” and the fact the Clown Price of Crime whacks -- or at least really hurts -- someone close to Bruce Wayne.

Allegedly, of course. ;)

Anyway, BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #9 does give us an explanation for The Joker’s big-ass, abnormal grin as well as why they are both pissed at each other.

Oh, yeah, a very BATMAN BEGINS-ish Dr. Jonathan Crane makes an appearance as well.

Just read it, and you’ll get the whole “*cough* a THE DARK KNIGHT tie-in *cough*” thing.