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."

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.

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.

Snyder, Tomasi, and Hurwitz. The Batman books haven't been this good in years. Great time to be a Bat-fan.

Cannot wait to read Snyder's Joker.

THIS is how you do a teaser poster. I approve of this. Also for some reason I'm hearing Mark Hamil's Joker Laugh.

I was hoping the next arc would be about one of the other villains like Two-Face or Scarecrow, or a new one, but I am definitely excited, nonetheless!

Damn! No way are things going to be the same after this story arc; the Joker ALWAYS promises that!

Slim Shady?

@jsphsmth: Grant Morrison?

@Suprman: its the same as any other marvel teaser. how i love that what marvel does is shit, but dc does it its golden. pfff.

Best thing I've seen in a while.

@Holuntron said:

I was hoping the next arc would be about one of the other villains like Two-Face or Scarecrow, or a new one, but I am definitely excited, nonetheless!

If you want Scarecrow, then check out Hurwitz's work on Batman the Dark Knight. He started a Scarecrow arc with issue 10.

I love the Joker, but I wish people would write about another villain for once. But after seeing that picture, I am way to excited!

Love it love it love it.

Can't wait.

@Tellumo said:

@jsphsmth: Grant Morrison?

You are kidding, correct?

Joker is the real Slim Shady!

Seriously tho, i'm impressed that DC managed to wait so long to bring him back, it makes it all the more special.

That promo. So. Much.

Awesome teaser poster!!!

The comic is going to be great i cant wait! cant belived the hold him back this long.

Didn't Snyder say this arc was his big magnum opus? Even more so that Night of Owls?

Scott Snyder writing the joker!!! YES!!! and that teaser.....WOW!

Great promo, for some reason it reminded me of Heath Ledger in a Dark Knight poster.

...I just, I can't, it's just, so great..

Woooooooooooow. Was just giving out about Tony Daniels not resolving the whole Joker face thing aswell but it's well worth the wait if Snyder is going to be the one writing it.

hey marvel. that's how you do a teaser.

I got chills again!

YYYEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!! :D :D

@jsphsmth: Not in the slightest...

I'm actually looking forward to this.

@BatBen9135 said:

...I just, I can't, it's just, so great..

I commend you so much for this gif. Thank you -- i cried laughing, but don't tell anyone.

hmm, was hoping he was talking about The Riddler when he said the next batman arc would be about his fave Batman villain, he seems like he could write a good Riddler story. Oh well.

Thank you Scott Snyder! This is going to be epic.

@cincyducksfan35: hey dude marvel perfected the teaser method.

hmm, was hoping he was talking about The Riddler when he said the next batman arc would be about his fave Batman villain, he seems like he could write a good Riddler story. Oh well.

IM SO FREAKING EXCITED BY THIS!!!!!

Joker and Magneto are probably the two best villians in comic book history. Excited for this arc.

This is just great. I think that in the minds of every real Bat fan, at the end of Detective Comics #1, popped the tought of Joker written by Snyder. And Capullo art is... gosh, I totally CAN'T wait for october!

I'm hyperventilating just thinking about the Joker coming back!! Killing Joke has got to be one of the best Batman stories ever and I can't wait to see Scott's take on Joker. I have to say that his Batman is the best take on the character I've read in years and no doubt the Court of Owls and this new version of Owlman are an awesome addition to the Batman mythos. Joker may not be my favorite but I agree that he is definitely one of the best and Scott can only make Joker all the more menacing in my opinion.

Does this mean that the Joker is going to rip his own face off? My god, that might be to scary to even read!

About time can't wait for this!XD

I can't freaking wait! In Scott Snyder we trust! He is the Chris Nolan of comics!

I am glad and surprised that none of the Batman writers brought Bane back for a story arc since the movie is coming out. I know he showed up in Batman The Dark Knight but no one likes to talk about that last writer hehe

From his Twitter:

Here

Make no mistake - this isn't just us using the Joker. This is a story we've been building for a year. This is the Joker unleashed.

Here

This is the Joker on a mission. He had a reason for severing his face, for going away. & now he's back to wreak havoc like you've never seen

Here

...This is our exploration of the Joker, and the biggest, baddest, darkest, most twisted story we could do w/him. The game-changer.

Here

I'm afraid so. RT NateHood257: Ssnyder1835 ...a lot of people are going to die, aren't they?

Yes!!!!! ugh I can't wait till October I want it now!

This is some SERIOUSLY great poster material! I would hang this up on my wall in a heartbeat!

An actual down to Earth Joker event that doesnt involve half the planet? Interesting...

But perhaps now is the time to put my avatar back where I found it.

...I'm sorry, did the Joker actually go anywhere? I love how people are gushing over the return of a character who hasn't been seen in less than ten issues. Some characters would kill to show up every ten issues. For the Joker, that's insufferable.

@Adnan said:

hmm, was hoping he was talking about The Riddler when he said the next batman arc would be about his fave Batman villain, he seems like he could write a good Riddler story. Oh well.

Hmm, maybe you could send Snyder a message about doing one someday. After all, Snyder only intends to stay on the book as long as he has stories worth telling.

@KainScion:Well I agree with him, the Marvel posters look bland, like "Oh broken weapon, or the Character might be dead." It looks better then the Thor or Iron Man poster. :)

@Suprman

...Alfreds actually the Joker x3

@AtPhantom said:

...I'm sorry, did the Joker actually go anywhere? I love how people are gushing over the return of a character who hasn't been seen in less than ten issues. Some characters would kill to show up every ten issues. For the Joker, that's insufferable.

Agreed Now Jean Grey is actually news. Joke is been gone for a few months and is Batman's top rogue of course he would be back.

In

Fucking in!!

It's too soon.