“DEATH HAS THE LAST LAUGH!” When an entire family is murdered with the Joker's modus operandi, Batman vows that his old foe has gone too far and that he'll make him pay for the crime that he's committed. However, during his search for the Joker, Batman realizes something shocking about the dead bodies!
At a crime scene in a usually quiet Gotham suburban home ,Commissioner Gordon and the Batman are overwhelmed as they find the whole Norton Family murdered with the Jokers calling card as their only clue. The fact the victims don't have the usual deadly grimace leaves some doubt. A note on the dinner table reads the Norton family was obliterated because their father fingered Eddie Doyle and sent him away for life. Commissioner Gordon vouches for the Joker saying that he doesn't even know Doyle. The Batman vows to hunt the Joker down like the mad dog he is. Later after a police radio call,Gordon and Batman arrive at the morgue. The victims now wear the deadly grimace of the Joker. A call from crime syndicate boss Rizzo arrives at Gordon's office tips Batman and him to the Jokers whereabouts, the Gotham Gravel companies Marine division. There the Batman finds a clue on the newspaper circled Gotham Turkish Baths .An hour later at Gotham's Turkish Baths the Batman finds the Joker pointing a gun at Burt Slade and disarms him but a shots rings out. wounding the Batman shot by the Jokers intended victim.Waking up in Gotham General Hospital with only a flesh wound Batman finds the commissioner and warns him to stay out of his way. Gordon warns him no personal vendettas.
The Batman visits Gotham City's Harbormaster and confirms the Joker had an alibi for the night of the murder. The Batman informs Commissioner Gordon of his suspicions of Burt Slade murdering the Nortons' and the Joker's alibi. The Batman leaves messages throughout the city about making a deal.The Joker calls the Commissioner's office. The Batman offers a truce and to work together bringing in Slade. The Joker accepts but demands no police, no tricks.Later at an auto auction Slade purchases a car. The Batman following Slade sneaks into the backseat of the car. Slade realizes that the Batman is in his car slides up a bullet proof glass between them and speeds the car to 90 mph. The Batman jumps out of the car into a nearby river as the sedan slows for a screeching turn. Soon the Joker leaves a message for Batman to go to an old canal old lock 39. The Batman arrives there at the old dry lock and finds he has been outwitted by the Joker and at gunpoint by Slade. The Joker confesses to murdering the Nortons' and giving false clues and alibis leading to Slade. The Joker tries to drown the Batman by opening a dock still filled with water into the one Batman is standing in. Holding onto a mooring ring the Batman swings out of the dock taking out Slade. The Joker tries to carjack the Batmobile to no avail as the Batman rips the Joker out of the vehicle and taken into custody .
Contents
- Death has the Last Laugh
- A Batman's Rage! (Part 1)
- The Unholy Allies (Part 2)
- The Gates of Fear! (Part 3)
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