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DC Comics Announces the Return of The Joker

It's the return of Batman's greatest nemesis!!

Who is the greatest comic book villain of all time? There's no doubting the ruthlessness and uncalculating way the Joker operates. When it comes to Batman villains, he clearly holds the top spot among them. He is the only character that has hit so close to Batman's home. He's already shot and crippled Batgirl and brutally killed Robin. Both may have gotten 'better' but the fact he managed and did so remains. Since the beginning of the "New 52," there really hasn't been much of the Joker seen, aside from his face. The big question on all of our minds is where will he turn up next?

Today DC has announced that the Joker will return in October's "Death in the Family" story arc and it will be in a "horrifying, unnerving and huge way."

No Caption Provided

Who will be responsible for bringing the Joker back? How about Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion in the pages of BATMAN? It seems it will be more than just Batman dealing with Joker. Batman will also have to fight to protect his secret identity along with those who fight alongside him.

== TEASER ==

We've heard Scott Snyder talk about his affection and fascination with Batman. How does he feel about Joker? Snyder shared a few words on DC's blog.

Joker is my favorite villain of all time. Not just in comics. In everything - film, books, TV. He's the greatest, hands down. So this story is something extremely important and personal to me - something I've been building in my head ever since I started working in Gotham. Basically, this is my big exploration of the Joker, my ARKHAM ASYLUM or THE KILLING JOKE, only bigger in scope. Bottom line: it's the biggest, baddest, most shocking Joker story I could tell. This is Joker completely unleashed. He has been away for a full year planning this revenge, watching, plotting, setting things up. And now he's back. He has his traps set, his knives sharpened... And wait 'til you see him. Greg's sketches literally gave me chills. Point blank: This is Joker like you've never seen him before. He has a mission. He has a secret. And he has a serious axe to grind with Batman. It isn't going to be pretty, but it's going to be a wild ride. Thanks for taking it with us.

Scott's not the only one excited. Here's what Greg Capullo had to say:

When Scott told me that he'd written a Joker story for our next arc, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Talk about a dream come true! For me, the Joker is the ultimate rogue and the villain I most wanted to draw. I gotta tell you, after hearing what the story is about, this isn't a dream come true. It's a nightmare! A macabre and bloody, flesh crawling nightmare. We hope you'll have the nerve to face what's coming. Warning: It ain't for the faint of heart!

If those words aren't enough to get you excited, I'm not sure why you're reading this news. As exciting as this is, there clearly is a reason to be a little scared. This isn't going to be a fun romp in the park for Batman. Snyder and Capullo already put Batman through the ringer with the Court of Owls. This sounds like it's going to be an encounter unlike any the two have had before.

The Joker makes his return on October 10 in Batman #13. Mark your calendar.

236 Comments

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Zeeguy91

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Edited By Zeeguy91

@Master_Thief: I think Batman has a LOT of archenemies, including Ras al Ghul. Joker is just the most well known of them and is arguably the best. Although Ras is my favorite Batman villain.

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mtrakos

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Edited By mtrakos

awesome teaser. Hey marvel take some pointers!

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blueninjapanther

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Edited By blueninjapanther

In the cover, did Joker skinned his face or something?

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Scodiac

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Edited By Scodiac

@blueninjapanther: Yeah, it happened in Detective Comics #1 of the new 52.

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ProfessorMario

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Edited By ProfessorMario

YES! I can't tell you guys how much I've been waiting for another big Joker story. The title also has me intrigued as it is the same one as one of the most memorable stories of his career of crime. Not to mention that I have to admit that I'm surprised DC managed to be able to wait so long for him to return with a bang, with one of the best Batman writers to boot! All of the pieces are setting up perfectly so much that I don't think I know how depressed I could be if this doesn't live up to expectations, although I doubt that.

Now, if only Gobby could return as a street-level Spidey villain again and not some Avengers nemesis as he is my favorite Marvel villain, while Joker is my favorite DC villain. Now that's the wait that is really ticking me off.

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Anniki

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Edited By Anniki

That is a truly creepy image.

I like it. I can't wait to read the story.

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Lvenger

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Edited By Lvenger

Brilliant news. I can't wait to read this!

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The_jackolantern

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Edited By The_jackolantern

Yeah surprised he stayed out of the comics for so long apart from we're he lost his face to the doll maker he was only in the dark knight but only clay face as joker and in flashbacks of Harley quinns new origins!

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thephantomstranger

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Man I was hoping this was about the movie...now I'm reminded of how utterly silly the Joker cutting his face off sounds...and looking at that teaser looks as well. Not really the fault of the artist mind you...

Also Morrison 2012!

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SpidermanWins

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Edited By SpidermanWins

That image is really unnerving. I'm ridiculously excited for this.

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

That's a truly creepy cover, I love it!

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sethysquare

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Edited By sethysquare

I think its cool, I really cant wait for the next crossover. But not sure how Batman Inc would come in. Cos I'm really enjoying Batman Inc atm.

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comic_shaun

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Edited By comic_shaun

I've been waiting for this for so long!!! At last Snyder has the option to make Gotham darker by using the Joker.Can't wait to see the new look for him as well, it'll be a hell of a sight ,hopefully capullo will have his best hand at drawing it.I was hoping Mr freeze would be the next villain... On another note anybody think getting the "new 52" Harley and Joker together at a point would be a good idea or should they stay separated?

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HaydrianPayne

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Edited By HaydrianPayne

@Remi said:

Slim Shady?

Obviously not. Its not "again".

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Spidey_Guy1

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Edited By Spidey_Guy1

I'm really looking forward to this bout of the ages. This explains why Joker has been so quiet lately. And Bats can't be at a hundred percent after the whipping he took from the Court of Owls all this time.

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SexualLobster

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Edited By SexualLobster

Hopeully he kills Damian that little fuck.

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soccersss

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Edited By soccersss

Snyder + Joker + Batman= Epic. It looks like Snyder aint giving us time to rest after the Night of Owls arc not that I am complaining. This is really a great time to read Batman

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daredevil21134

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Edited By daredevil21134

@jsphsmth said:

@Tellumo said:

@jsphsmth: Grant Morrison?

You are kidding, correct?

lol

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Cavemold

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Edited By Cavemold

I posted here first JS

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Funrush

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Edited By Funrush

Yes! Snyder said previously that this arc was going to be far creepier than Court of Owls, so the fact that the Joker is involved also has me extremely excited. That coupled with the fact that Joker is my favorite villain of all time is great, too.

@blueninjapanther said:

In the cover, did Joker skinned his face or something?

Detective #1.

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Jamerica

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Edited By Jamerica

Heath Leder?

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tgd124

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Edited By tgd124

This. Will. Be. Awesome. i may be the only one, but i would like to see Professor Pyg and the circus of Strange incorporated in this arc, or soon anyway. cant wait to see the return of the joker !

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DrHon

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Edited By DrHon

the new way people picture the joker is getting quite disturbing, the dark knight, then the batman games, and now they are promising a new level of disturbing....im so excited I'm getting scared!

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Sekele

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Edited By Sekele

@KainScion: you don't jump ship for nothing

plus, I find it hard returning now

too much has happened for me to catch-up (DC became WAY too convenient)

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deactivated-6030f931768b5

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Stoked!

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SupBatz

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Edited By SupBatz

@SexualLobster said:

Hopeully he kills Damian that little fuck.

God, I hope not. Though does anyone else think this is a possibility?

They really seem to be emphasizing that this is going to be a DARK story. Dark and Death seem to go hand in hand and Damian's the only character at the moment I can really imagine them killing off (once again, hopefully not - I love the little guy).

I'm excited for the return of the Joker. I just hope they don't overdo the whole "dark" thing (which seems to be exactly what they're gonna do). Don't get me wrong, I like my Joker to be dark. I just like him to be a balance between sadisticly dark and comically crazy.

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rogueangel22

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Edited By rogueangel22

I am going to preorder Batman #13 as soon as possible. This new series is making me love Batman. I wonder how much more he can take before he really loses it. I'm glad though that the new series didn't start out with Joker as the main villain. I can't wait to see if this lives up to the hype.

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drumguyrob

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Edited By drumguyrob

The Joker hasn't been featured prominently in quite a while.

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Funrush

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Edited By Funrush

@SupBatz said:

@SexualLobster said:

Hopeully he kills Damian that little fuck.

God, I hope not. Though does anyone else think this is a possibility?

They really seem to be emphasizing that this is going to be a DARK story. Dark and Death seem to go hand in hand and Damian's the only character at the moment I can really imagine them killing off (once again, hopefully not - I love the little guy).

I'm excited for the return of the Joker. I just hope they don't overdo the whole "dark" thing (which seems to be exactly what they're gonna do). Don't get me wrong, I like my Joker to be dark. I just like him to be a balance between sadisticly dark and comically crazy.

Well, would they... well... I guess they could. But.. would Batman and Robin be cancelled if this were the case? As much as I love Damian... it's difficult to really see a future for him outside of being Robin or dying.

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Redberry

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Edited By Redberry

I used to love the Joker, but now that he's so overhype. He lost a lot of his appeal. I guess Heath Ledger did give a lot of exposure to the Joker.

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SupBatz

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Edited By SupBatz

@Funrush: I'd really hate if they cancelled Batman and Robin. It's my favorite current title.

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Gracetrack

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Edited By Gracetrack

@Joshy206 said:

Well, colour me excited.

Though, I'm still waiting for Riddler. :P

Indeed, indeed. :)

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SpiderWoman4everCaptainAmerica

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I just got chills from that teaser poster! I can't wait!! :D

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Pauldro952

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Edited By Pauldro952

This promo reminds me of the actual death in the family cover used on the trades. I can't wait to see what Scott will do with the Joker. I hope it doesn't rely on the history of Gotham too much after a while it does get a little tiring. I love it, but I don't want to feel like I'm reading History Channel of comics. I just want this arc to not rely heavily on history as the court was. I like balance.

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Hivemind

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Edited By Hivemind

I wasn't going to post. Then I saw someone (obviously new to comics) said that Grant Morrison was a good wirter? Um...Final Crisis. The only thing good about Final Crisis was that when the last issue came out my friends and I got them all together in a pile and burned the issues we had. He is a terrible writer. I try to stay clear of anything he writes nowadays. This new Joker story arc looks good though I can't wait to read it. As for Morrison, please go over to Marvel so I don't have to bother accidentally reading something you wrote.

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DrF8

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@hivemind: hey! I kinda like Morrison's work. C'mon.