What's for dinner? *Spoiler Alert*

What's for dinner? *Spoiler Alert*

Who's on the menu at the Joker's Bat Reunion?

Editorial Opinion
By Rhino4508 - Jan 17, 2013 11:01 AM EST
Filed Under: DC Comics

So for those of you following the Death of the Family story arc, the ending panel for each comic has seen the Joker holding a covered dish with something so disgusting it makes some of Batman's toughest villains cringe at the site. So what is it?



Well I honestly think it's none other than Jim Gordon. Joker has been going after each of the BatFamily members for the last several issues. He messed with Jim at the beginning of the story arc and to my knowledge Jim hasn't made an appearance in any other issues since. It could just be that he's not being featured in the series, but seeing as everything the Joker is doing has a meaning, I'm thinking it's because he got him. He's got each of the members attending his little farce and Alfred is serving. Jim is one of Batman's first allies in the comics so you know Joker has to have a place for him in all this. And seeing as he has no need for another butler. I think Jim may be the main course.

Just my thoughts on that.

Also, we have heard that something big is coming in Batman #17 where it all comes to an end. I think it's the Death of the Joker and hoping I am right. Now many Batfans may consider this blasphemy but here me out.

Joker is and always has been a great villain, but after decades of jokes and gags, he seems to be out of laughs. He's overused and completely lost it (as odd as that is to say). Joker used to do some pretty sick things, but this is just way over the top. Killing Robin was one thing, but this. An all out assault on the BatFam, and his sick new expression of love towards Batman, it's just too far.



Also, Joker's presence hinders Batman's series from ever progressing in my opinion. Joker needs Bruce's Batman, and Bruce's Batman is the only one who can really handle the Joker. Joker's death gives a possible segue into a mantle passing at a later point and a little bit more of a push towards new villain ideas given that the most used villain is now deceased.

I also think it Bruce should be the one to finally end it. He's danced with the idea so many times and has felt responsible for the Joker since his first appearance. I think it's a coming full circle kind of ending for the Joker. Batman needs to end it. The final punchline.

Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this as well guys. If you haven't been following this, you should pick it up from the beginning. It is a great story arc. One of the best I have read in many years. A must read for all Batman Fans.
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Minato
Minato - 1/17/2013, 12:08 PM
Batman Kills Joker
Batman passes mantle to Dick
Batman is new Oracle
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 1/17/2013, 12:31 PM
Agreed. Anyone who's read this should agree it's time for Joker to die. It's just time for it.
AC1
AC1 - 1/17/2013, 1:26 PM
I think the only thing that could drive Bruce to kill The Joker, or anyone, would be the death of his son. Meaning if The Joker murders Damien, Bruce might kill him out of pure rage.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 3:14 PM
@KnightofSteel
I like how you think! Now addressing your should I read the tie-ins to understand it all, You should definitely look into Batman (of course), Batgirl, Batman and Robin, and Detective Comics. Suicide Squad wouldn't be a bad pick up either. Teen Titans and Red Hood can be neglected although, I will say that there are some neat aspects of the story within them and i'd hate for you to miss out on that. As far as the chronological order, you can find the order at this link http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2012/09/28/the-jokers-back
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 3:16 PM
@Splenda

Basically why people say that Joker is the reason Batman can't stop is his sense of personal responsibility towards the Joker. Joker is the one he feels that only he can understand and only he can stop. Everyone else can handle Scarecrow, Penguin, Two-Face, etc, but the Joker is his. That's what I mean by Batman could finally pass it on.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 3:23 PM
@ACira

I must disagree, there are at least two others that Joker could kill that would push Bruce over the edge.

There's Alfred who is Bruce's father figure and always been there for him both as Batman and Bruce Wayne, and Jim Gordon who Batman is always impressed by his sheer will to keep from going into the deep end. He has stopped Batman several times from killing the Joker. He even told Batman he wanted Joker brought in by the book after being tortured and seeing his daughter paralyzed and humiliated by the madman.

AND.. If I happen to be right about Jim Gordon being under the cover, Batman will snap, and Jim will not be there to push back the darkness and rage. He'll do it as his last act, a necessary act that means relinquishing his cowl. Or at least that is how I see it.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 3:24 PM
@Hush2010

I kind of addressed that same idea in my article From Sidekick to Hero to Legend on this site. You should take a look at it.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 3:26 PM
Also if you like it please Thumbs up it. :D
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 1/17/2013, 3:50 PM
@ knightofsteel

I remember when Marvel labeled that fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth as "their final confrontation", during Loeb's run.

Wolvie killed Sabretooth in a pretty definitive manner, and yet, here we are 7 years later watching wolvie and sabretooth duking it out again.

Point is, no hero or villain will ever stay dead. Especially not the one that is considered by many to be the greatest villain ever created.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 4:12 PM
@CorndogBurglar

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that man. I think Joker's death should stay permanent. Longevity doesn't make Joker a great villain, his complete obsession with Bats and is psychosis is what makes Joker interesting. Him dying, really dying, at the hands of Batman would make him the Greatest Villain. Wanna know why? Because it would mean that he finally accomplished what it is he's always wanted to push Batman over the edge, to make him kill him. How can you be the greatest if you, like every other villain in comic history, never really beat your hero?
Bandido
Bandido - 1/17/2013, 6:17 PM
I honestly think Alfred is going to die or be taken out of the picture in some other way, and I know that's probably going to piss A LOT of people off but the Batman team has given us consistent quality in both writing and art so if that happens...I'll be fine with it (and no i don't hate Alfred lol )

I also think joker is gonna get killed
jjk2814
jjk2814 - 1/17/2013, 7:12 PM
You know, after so long and so many stories causing us to wonder; "Is Alfred's time up?? Could Gordon die?? Will Joker have his final laugh???"

I just don't think D.C. has the balls to do any of those things. I like the ideas you guys have discussed but I just don't see it happening. Especially Joker dying.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/17/2013, 7:36 PM
@jjk2814
I don't know man. I think they could do it. They changed a hero's sexuality which caused a twinge of an uproar on the web, and that takes more balls than killing a character cause you can always pull a "oh just kidding" storyline with a death. But they have a chance to make comic history with the Death of the Joker. Hell people even wanted Todd to die back in the day. They even voted for it.
jjk2814
jjk2814 - 1/18/2013, 8:15 AM
Oh don't get me wrong, I hope they do something big. I just don't see it happening. The thing is, if its something like Gordon or Alfreds head on the platter, there's no coming back from that, obviously. They aren't superheroes, they're just men. And to bring them back you'd need another full-on continuity reboot. To kill Gordon or Alfred is HUGE. Bigger than any one story, and for better or worse, I think DC has always had the wisdom to hold on to those characters because they always hold future potential.

I kinda like the idea I've heard that its Jason's face. In Red Hood and the Outlaws, an upcoming preview asks; "What horrors lie under the Red Hood?" or something along those lines. And that theres more to the Jokers plan beyond that.

I had another idea last night too...

What if the character we've been reading about in this run ISN'T the Joker at all?? What if its actually Joker's head, face intact on the platter? And this Fake Joker is The Dollmaker, or something completely new/an old enemy of Bruce we've completely forgotten about. Now something like THAT, would have elicited the response we saw from Two-Face and Penguin...
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 1/18/2013, 9:27 AM
@jjk2814 yeah I saw that idea on a forum last night. THAT would be shocking. Probably isn't alfred, seeing as the Penguin and Two-Face wouldn't have had that same reaction to him, meaning it shouldn't be Jason's face either. It's gotta be either Gordon or the actual Joker underneath that thing. Either one of those would be HUGE. I'm all for either, but I defintiely think it's the end for the Joker in one way or another. I'm sure his legacy will be passed down or an heir will come in to play later on.
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 1/18/2013, 9:30 AM
Yeah, looking back at the panel of Two-Face's reaction, "You HAVE to be joking", I'm thinking it's Joker's head. He's thinking, you're Joker, and you have Joker's head there.....you have to be joking.

Yep, it's Joker's head.
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 1/18/2013, 9:44 AM
Then again, in issue 18, Batman is in an uncontrolable rage. Maybe it's not Joker's head. Maybe it is Jim. I can't see why Batman would be so pissed Joker was dead.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/18/2013, 10:51 AM
@KnightofSteel and jjk

I think it's Gordon and if its a possible hand off lead in Gordon isn't needed for Grayson's Batman.
MisterBabadook
MisterBabadook - 1/18/2013, 12:14 PM
Whoever, whatever it is, it's going to be the single most talked about comic this year...
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/18/2013, 12:23 PM
@Scabsallover

Agreed!
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/18/2013, 12:39 PM
@JDuke25

Reason why Bats would be pissed if Joker was dead....
"Damn it Dollmaker! Now who's gonna be my bread and butter villain for the next 50 years?"
jjk2814
jjk2814 - 1/18/2013, 2:38 PM
@KnightofSteel...uhhh, that latter of those...I think. hehe.

I'm placing my money on Joker's head. Honestly, Alfred OR Gordon are just too predictable. That, I think, is the ultimate reason it shouldn't be either of them.

I'm also open to the idea that it will be something NONE of us have yet considered. I'd love a surprise.

Does anyone know when the last time we saw Hush was? He could be involved somehow. Doubtful, but possible.

As for the panels we've seen of the next issue. We don't know when thats happening. Batman may not know whats on the platter yet at that point. There's no reason really to assume that. Batman is just that damned sick and tired of this. So he's gonna beat the crap outta "Joker."
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/18/2013, 4:00 PM
@KnightofSteel

Go read the books lol.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/18/2013, 4:01 PM
@jjk.

We shall see. If I'm right I'm blasting it all over the site.
jjk2814
jjk2814 - 1/19/2013, 12:47 AM
@Rhino
Dude, I totally respect that!
TheGrayGhost
TheGrayGhost - 1/21/2013, 5:27 PM
I know that I'm way late to this party/article, but I think that the Joker's head will be on the platter and they will find out that this "Joker" is actually Hush. I know that's a little out there, and I hope I'm wrong, but it would make sense. Would explain how he knows who they are, how he's manipulated everyone, and how the other rogues who have seen his plan (Riddler) and the platter (Two-Face and Penquin) were surprised.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/21/2013, 6:23 PM
@TheGrayGhost

Hush is a cool villain, but I hope to God that is not the direction DC goes. Joker's "closeness" to and "fondness" for Batman could easily grant him the identity of Batman. Plus Hush, while a cool villain, didn't even manipulate the masses in "Batman: Hush" by Jeph Loeb. He was a pawn of the Riddler. Joker however, has always been able to manipulate the whackos in Arkham because even they fear a mind like Joker's.

TheGrayGhost
TheGrayGhost - 1/21/2013, 7:04 PM
I hear you, and like I posted, I hope that I'm wrong. I liked your logic as far as why it could be Gordon, makes the most sense.

Would definitely bring on new dynamics later (Batman possibly killing and most likely they would make the new commish all anti-bat fam). Also that way your new villian could be Barbara. If being paralyzed then later being served your mom's finger and your dad's head due to association with Batman and then said Batman kills the Joker taking away your chance for murderous revenge doesn't make you a Wayne-hating psycho bitch, then I don't know what will (No chance that happens but played out funny enough in my head to type out).

Or maybe they all get their own platter (Batman - Alfred, Damian - the dog, Barabara - commish Gordon, Dick - the Zucco chick, Tim - his parents (still alive in New 52 right?), Jason - a note saying "Who care's, I mean you were the one voted to die anyway! HAHA" lol
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/21/2013, 9:33 PM
@TheGrayGhost

That would be hilarious. A little over the top but hilarious haha. I just wish Batman #17 would hurry up and get here lol. I also wish this article had made the front page hahah
TheGrayGhost
TheGrayGhost - 1/22/2013, 7:45 AM
Yea last week after reading 16 I looked up when 17 was dropping and said "Effin A". haha I also don't understand how it didn't make front, seeing how popular the arc has been so far.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/22/2013, 11:24 AM
@TheGrayGhost

People just don't thumbs up anymore -_-. You receive all kinds of "This is a great write up." "great job" etc, but never a thumbs up lol. And yeah, I think this arc is one of the few where every single issue is good and worthy to be read. Be sure to read BatGirl 17 as well. It's an aftermath issue for her. And really the only one included in the arc that has it specifically stated to be an aftermath in its description.
brucipher
brucipher - 1/22/2013, 8:31 PM
Gordon might not have shown up. But.. the only thing we have heard of Alfred was a recording. Plus in the previews for Batman and Nightwing upcoming issues they talk of Dick being pushed over the edge and Bruce dealing with tragedy. While they say nothing like that of Batgirl. All Im saying is that without Alfred the Batfamily would have torn itself apart a long time ago. With him gone it could very well be the "Death of the Family"
TheGrayGhost
TheGrayGhost - 1/22/2013, 9:07 PM
But Dick could be pushed over the edge by all that had happened to Barbara if it's Gordon. However the only reason I'd think that it's not Gordon is the overkill ramifications it would have on Batgirl, since she has her own title.

If the main course turns out to be Gordon brains, I would think that any kind of reaction from Batgirl besides a total mental/psychotic breakdown would be almost absurd. I mean there wouldn't be much else that the Joker could do to her beyond that.

I haven't been reading the Batgirl title besides the most recent one due to this crossover (is it any good?), but if it's Gordon heading out then I may start b/c that character will be going into a direction that could be quite dark.
Rhino4508
Rhino4508 - 1/23/2013, 6:30 AM
@TheGrayGhost

The Batgirl tie in is actually really good.
TheGrayGhost
TheGrayGhost - 2/10/2013, 8:38 AM
Last page of the Teen Titans tie-in showed Joker with two platters (one for Tim, one for Jason), maybe I'm not too far off with everyone getting their own.
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