This is my first Jason Aaron read. Joker's Asylum: The Penguin is a character piece in which the Joker plays the role of storyteller. I'm already intrigued! Aaron explores Oswald Cobblepot's inner workings while sparing us his origin story. The issue runs the emotional gamut that is par for the course when the lead character's ego is as fractured as Oswald's. It's a love story: Cobblepot "rescues" a girl and they fall for each other. It's a tragedy: same girl rejects Oswald upon discovering his dark secrets. It's a comedy: Penguin simply sighs in response to Batman vehemently tossing henchman around the room. "Yes, yes, see you next week" he says. It's all those things wrapped in a very concise and elegant package.

Evidently the communication channels between writer and artist were squeaky clean. The inclusion of such subtle details as Oswald's art deco sensibilities serve not only as decoration but also as characterization. The team did a good job on the book's mark fitting the art deco motif. The colors? Music for the eyes!

I am, however, puzzled. We are shown events in the Penguin's life that demonstrate his off-kilter psyche. For instance, he sicks a flock of ravenous pigeons on some girls who have ridiculed him. This maladjusted mentality is carried over to Oswald's adult life and amplified when, without ever laying a finger on him, he proceeds to utterly destroy a chef's life as punishment for laughing in his direction. However, the root of these severely unbalanced actions are never explored and thus left to the reader's interpretation. I have to ask myself: Why does a tale about a man's undoing happen to a man who is already undone? Perhaps that is the point?

Metaphysical musings aside, I liked this book a great deal. It is an excellent one-shot!

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