David Hine And Mark Stafford Make A Joker Of A Graphic Novel

[Rich Johnston]

Batman and Azrael writer David Hine who seemed to, well, stop writing for DC with the relaunch, is continuing to write a Batman character in a new graphic novel. If you're willing to really stretch the definition.

He's writing for Mark Stafford, an artist who I've labelled the greatest British working comic artist you haven't hard of (twinned with Terry Wiley) and who has painted the covers to my Avengeful books for Boom! in the current Diamond Previews. The Man Who Laughs, to be published by Self Made Hero, is an adaptation the Victor Hugo which inspired the 1928 film starring Conrad Veidt with a "grim carnival freak-like grin" which inspired the appearance of The Joker.

The graphic novel wll be published next year. Here is one of the visuals being used to promote it.

[Joe Kalicki]

That's way beyond a stretch, Rich. That's something completely unrelated in every conceivable way.

[Blackfist]

yay

[ShinAkuma666]

2013, is a long time away but I will keep my eyes out for this, too much talented people involved to not get this.

[notthathard]

His work on Arkham Asylum was really good---too bad they didn't think to make an Arkham ongoing by Hine with the relaunch.

[BearZombies]

If this ends up being half as good as much of his other stuff then it will be great. I am intrigued by the stretch of using the joker in this old work by Victor Hugo. Cant wait, especially since the Joker is my all time FAVORITE villain.

[Matt Spatola]

If this ends up being half as good as much of his other stuff then it will be great. I am intrigued by the stretch of using the joker in this old work by Victor Hugo. Cant wait, especially since the Joker is my all time FAVORITE villain.

I think that Rich's confusing and semi-incomprehensible style of writing has indeed confused you.

[BearZombies]

Haha it appears so. This was the first I heard of it even though I guess its been spoken of for some time. I didnt know that the character in the Conrad Veidt film inspired the dastardly grin of the joker...Im a little sad now.

[notthathard]

^^ Do a google image search. But maybe wait til the morning.

[BearZombies]

So its essentially a graphic novel version of the book? I never made the connection between Joker and Gwynplaine....sadness prevails