The Joker War is no Laughing Matter for the Bat Family in these event breakdowns
Joker War looks to be the next big buzzed about Batman event and if the solicitations are to be believed, it’s going to have some long range impact after it’s concluded. Maybe DC was too quick in killing off Alfred as this seems like the kind of event that almost has to end up with a loss in the Bat Family. Here’s the breakdown of the issues:
BATMAN #96 – On sale June 3, 2020
Reeling from the effects of the worst Joker toxin attack ever, Batman is on the run through Gotham City, pursued by the dark shadows and voices that haunt his past and present! As The Joker’s plan materializes, the only person who can save Batman from the brink of true madness is… Harley Quinn?!
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
Card stock variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
BATMAN #97 – On sale June 17, 2020
The Joker’s army is growing hour by hour, armed with weapons beyond anything the Clown Prince of Crime has ever used before. Batman must hold his mind together so he can strike the final blow and take back his city—but how can he heal the rifts he’s created in his life to get the help he needs? And while all this is happening, the villains of Gotham City are waiting out the carnage Joker has unleashed—and Catwoman assembles an army of her own!
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
Card stock variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
NIGHTWING #73 – On sale June 17, 2020
The Joker knows Dick Grayson is Nightwing—and the plans he’s set in motion in will haunt Batman forever. Under the control of The Joker’s mysterious ally Punchline, Nightwing must battle the people he once loved most: Batgirl, the Robins, and…himself.
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by RONAN CLIQUET
Cover by TRAVIS MOORE
Variant cover by ALAN QUAH
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BATGIRL #48 – On sale June 24, 2020
Cecil Castellucci and Robbi Rodriguez begin a new story arc, “The Last Joke!” Spinning out of the catastrophic history of the Gordon family, Barbara Gordon is forced to relive the most traumatic events of her life. James Gordon Jr. is back, and he’s on a mission to run the Gordons out of Gotham City—and as we all know, anything involving James Jr. is bad news for Babs and Commissioner Gordon. But is her brother capable of tormenting his family on his own, or has he teamed up with a certain Clown Prince of Crime?
Written by CECIL CASTELLUCCI
Art by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ
Cover by GIUSEPPI CAMUNCOLI
Variant cover by IAN MacDONALD
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
DETECTIVE COMICS #1024 – On sale June 24, 2020
As the story of Two-Face reaches it end, find out how The Joker has been the puppet master behind the torment of Harvey Dent! After years of schism, Harvey will find peace, but will that be in a chance for a new life, or in death? This final battle between Batman, Two-Face and Lincoln March will end with a shocking conclusion sure to split you in two!
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSY
Card stock variant cover by LEE BERMEJO
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
DC also announced that Batman #89 is going back for a third printing on April 1 with a trade dress version of Tony S. Daniel’s cover. This issue is the debut of Joker’s new sidekick, Punchline. Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 is also back for a third printing and Nightwing #70, the kickoff to Joker War has already sold out before its March 18 release. It will be going to a second printing as well.