What an absolutely stunning story.

The quality of writing was stunning.
The amount of detail, the timetable, the characterizations. Stunning.
The vile actions committed by the characters - stunningly horrible and in-character.
I can’t even begin to describe my experience reading this. It was like getting punched in the face over and over, in the best possible way.

That ending - truly stunning.

I feel like this story is an absolutely perfect depiction of what the Joker is capable of. The sadism, the ruthlessness, the sheer inhumanity and soullessness. In many ways (as you pointed out in your story) I feel like this Joker is even more despicable than the one in TDK. All of the characters, in fact, were brought low in this story. Broken. Of course, that was the plan all along.

It was an absolutely brilliant read. My jaw dropped on multiple occasions. It was shocking, terrifying, disgusting and oddly enticing. I kept on wanting to know where the story would go. The expansion in tragedy from the kidnapping of Lois to the utter destruction of Gotham was astounding. What an amazing story. Your wit and skill with writing is stellar. I completely love it. Even though events within it made me want to gag, I love it. Your dedication to this story is also very impressive.

Thank you for sharing it with us. Thank you for sticking with it for years on end, crafting a true masterpiece. You should feel so proud. This story really feels like it could be an official story made by DC. I’d go so far as to say it is of a higher caliber than many ‘canon’ DC stories. This is a truly great story. I can’t thank you enough.

MY WIG! IS! GONE! Seriously some of the best writing and plot-building I've ever seen on this site PERIOD. Your fic came after I thought I'd fully combed ffn for good The Dark Knight stories, and blew away any expectations I had regarding length, quality, and characterization. Thank you for this GIFT and I hope everything's going great in your life. :))))

I just wanted to say that I am going through this story for the second time! I think that it is one of my favourite Ledger Joker fanfictions. You did such a wonderful job not only in finding creative ways to convey exactly what it was that you wanted your readers to understand at that point in the story by providing ample context (for example right off the bat when you wanted to underscore the absolute unhinged and lunatic character of the Joker by showing the readers how much his own henchmen feared his unpredictability and ruthlessness and brutality), the character development was amazing! Personally, as a reader, I truly look for character development in stories or books. If a book or a story has very shallow or nonexistent character development, I don't even finish what I am reading and I find something else.

It is really funny, because on the night that I found your fanfiction story, I thought I had already combed through all the good ones and was actually thinking it highly unlikely that I would find another good one. I had already a vague idea of what I wanted it to be about as I went to searching. I actually wanted to read a story that somehow incorporated the Joker among his henchmen, and lo and behold, the first chapter to your brilliant story contained exactly that.

Another thing I look for in stories is the presence of realistic detail. I am very much someone who loves things that are real and substantial. I really feel like you did your best throughout the story to make things seem as realistic as possible, and the ways in which you went to show the extent of the Joker's character through chronicling his widespread destruction and chaos of Gotham just blew me away.

I think that one of the details that stands out to me was towards the end, when the Joker blew up the cars of his henchmen, because he was too smart to let them off the hook like that. It really struck me on a level of brutal reality because his one henchmen was in the middle of making a break for it out of Gotham, and as you wrote, he didn't even know what hit him.
On a character level, it just goes to show how the Joker really doesn't feel feelings of compassion or basic love toward anyone. It also goes to show how smart he is.
(I will admit that I felt satisfied at reading that Coleman Reese got blown up because I never liked his character anyway. Whenever I watch the movie, seeing his character makes me think of a rat.)

I also loved that you chose to shed some light on the Joker's origins, but you didn't misstep and go so far as to try to arrange the details like the pieces to a puzzle. I feel like again, it was another thing you did to choose realistic details over non-realistic details. A huge part of what strikes fear and horror into so many people about the Joker is that his origins are a mystery. And the sheer level of mental unhinged insanity that he has become goes to prove that maybe he doesn't even remember his true origins, which just makes everything creepier. Good job on that one, because it always pisses me off when people try to spell out the details of his origins. Like No, No, No, Stop That! It definitely retracts from his character. I feel like in this story, you did a really fantastic job in nailing in words what his character was portrayed to be in the movie- a fear and terror-inspiring lunatic who simply through his speech can make a man shit himself in fright. A type of terror and fear that almost inspires awe (as you showed through Barker's character, which at first I thought was creepy and weird, but then I realized that it was another way to add depth to the Joker's character. By showing how others reacted to him, it allowed the reader to piece together more of who he was.) because it is so beyond any person's comprehension or understanding.

You also did a wonderful job of portraying the depth of intelligence that this man has, mentally unhinged or otherwise. I think that the way he is so good at reading other people and making deductions (not unlike Sherlock Holmes) serves him well in getting where he wants to go. You definitely proved this character point time and time again in your story. But what really makes it all the more crazy was that Lois Lane was never his intended target. This all unfolded simply because the broadcast was aired when it was, and his intended target was actually Barbara Gordon. How it wasn't his original plan from the get-go, and he still managed to pull everything off. It blows my mind almost like how the Joker blew up Gotham!

You basically were able to articulate everything so much better than I have ever seen in any other fanfiction. I think that part of that boils down to a very obvious writing talent that you have, to express yourself so well through words. Another part I think is a very wonderful imagination. Thank you so much for sharing it with everyone on this site.

Cheers, 4ofCups for your wonderful work on this story! I am still going through it for a second time and enjoying it very much.

Kindly,
mindfulcoffeedrinker

Wow...I have done little but read this story over the past two days. This story is incredible. The plot threads you wove together have crafted an exquisite tapestry. The sheer depth and scope of your portrayal of Joker's malevolence is astounding. Your writing skills are incredible and I absolutely loved this story. Lois' descent into a broken dependant shell of her former self is magnificent. Wow just wow.

I love this fic so much. I can keep coming back and it never loses its appeal. I love how well executed the villains were and all the twists that came about. I think the only moment that made me pause was the scene where Batman took an 'innocent' life to stop something theoretically worse, because there were others later on whom he tried to save that were... worse people (i.e. Smitty). I was very entertained by this Joker, but I wish Lois put up a better fight. The best moments came about in the development of the side characters, such as the Joker's henchmen, who made things worse due to bad judgement and decision-making. Well done.

I like your fiction !

damn girl. I wish I was half as good as you at writing!

I read this story last year and have decided to read it again. The plot is impeccable. Each paragraph leaves me speechless with your unique and dark style. The way you portray The Joker is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Your writing is, in my opinion, at such a high standard I’m surprised you’re not a published author. The fact that it took you so long to perfect and complete this story shows that you are a dedicated author and I want you to know that I appreciate the amount of time and effort you have clearly put into this piece of work.

– Maisie

WOAH okay. First, I didn't even realize this story had been completed. I starting reading it about two years ago I think- funny enough I had just started rereading it a few days ago- it's one of my go-to favorites as it were. Anyways, I haven't read up to the end so far, but today I logged into fanfic after...a while and I saw a PM that you had sent me like two years ago in response to a review? So, I would just like to write that on this website, you're one of my inspirations for writing. I hope that one day, I could write a story even half as good and involved as this one. Your attention to detail and masterful use of suspense and dialogue is truly something- and most of all CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you're satisfied- I know you're satisfied. Almost ten years of storytelling is no casual feat. I appreciate your dedication to finishing what you had started and held your writing to an enviable quality standard. If anything, you're a pique example of why fanfiction exists: it's not for personal legend or gain; people on this website just write for fun and passion- and I dare say you have a lot of passion. If this weren't a fanfiction, you would undeniably be a household name with your writing skills. So yeah, Congrats! Great work! I look forward to reading any other project you start.
Write on~

I'm not much of a writer myself, but finishing this story and not leaving a review seems almost sacrilegious. The amount of time, effort, creativity, and love poured into this is amazing. I've never read anything on here quite like it! I know I speak for many of your readers when I say that I am so grateful for your loving attention to detail, dedication, and perseverance as an author; I was at times thrilled, heart-broken, frightened, tickled, and anguished, but always, always engaged. Somehow even the smallest character felt developed and three-dimensional, and your Joker was just astonishing. Your understanding of his personality and psychopathology truly does justice to the character Heath Ledger portrayed-no dilutions, no concessions. Thank you for writing this, and thank you for sharing this. I loved it.

Awesome book.

Where's the rest

I hate myself for reading this all the way through over three days, only to be slapped in the face with this "ending". I give up on fan fiction for awhile, I can't take anymore disappointments.

This story is really great, i binge read it all over a short period of time. I think it's one of the the best joker stories i have read. :) I hope he kills this Dom guy, he's a sick freak that one, even by joker's standards. Hope to see another update and interested to know where this story is going.

It kinda boggles my mind how detailed and complex you've managed to make this story. Your Joker is truly on menacing bastard. It's scary how well you manage to get into his mindset. It took me an entire week to reread this story after you'd updated (500k words?!). Kudos to you.
Also I'm curious if you'd care to try your hands on writing more traditional Joker stories. (The animated series ones) I definitely reckon you should.
I'm sorry I haven't reviewed much but I love this story. So dark but still very flamboyant and bigger than life. Kinda like the Joker.