The Joker's second appearence

[Malone]

Christopher Nolan said that ideas for "The Dark Knight" would be taken from the Joker's first two appearences. Now, I've read his first appearence, it was awesome, and I know a little bit about the second. Could you give me the exact details. Thanks.

 

[Agentsands77]

I would be interested in details as well. I'm only familiar with the first appearance of the Joker, not the second.

 

[The Shredder]

Well the story is titled, "The Joker Returns", and it basically opens up with The Joker escaping from prison via a powerful explosive. Later, he begins announcing death to those unfortunate souls just as he did in the first story. Eventually, there is a fight between The Joker and Batman, with The Joker pulling out a knife, but during the struggle, The Joker accidently stabs himself, and much to The Joker's dismay, he begins laughing hysterically as we the reader believe he is dying. Batman & Robin predictably make their escape from the authorities, and in one of the last panels, we find out that The Joker is not dead. That he is going to make it (a last minute decision from what I understand). And the rest is history. Also, that panel also shows the reader that The Joker's entire body is chalk white as well. And not just makeup.

 

[Agentsands77]

Thank you for the information - it sounds *very* creepy, and I can see why Nolan would be drawing inspiration from it. Is "The Joker Returns" available in a collected form?

 

[Mister J]

Well the story is titled, "The Joker Returns", and it basically opens up with The Joker escaping from prison via a powerful explosive. Later, he begins announcing death to those unfortunate souls just as he did in the first story. Eventually, there is a fight between The Joker and Batman, with The Joker pulling out a knife, but during the struggle, The Joker accidently stabs himself, and much to The Joker's dismay, he begins laughing hysterically as we the reader believe he is dying. Batman & Robin predictably make their escape from the authorities, and in one of the last panels, we find out that The Joker is not dead. That he is going to make it (a last minute decision from what I understand). And the rest is history. Also, that panel also shows the reader that The Joker's entire body is chalk white as well. And not just makeup.

Great recap.

Joker's 'revival' was a last minute decision. He was slated to be killed off, but Whitney Ellsworth (Editor) thought he was too good of a character to lose. I've read that last panel was so last minute, that they didn't make it into all the copies.

Is "The Joker Returns" available in a collected form?

Not that I know of. I've heard rumblings of a 'Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told #2', but nothing official.

 

[Agentsands77]

Not that I know of. I've heard rumblings of a 'Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told #2', but nothing official.

Well, your comment spurred me to search for myself. After looking around, I found a reprinting:

 

[Mister J]

Excellent. I actually picked that up a while ago and haven't gotten around to finishing it.

 

[The Joker]

Joker's 'revival' was a last minute decision. He was slated to be killed off, but Whitney Ellsworth (Editor) thought he was too good of a character to lose.

God bless Whitney Ellsworth for recognizing a very promising character

 

[The Shredder]

God bless Whitney Ellsworth for recognizing a very promising character

Amen to that.

The Joker Returns is also featured in the Dark Knight Archives Vol. 1 which reprints Batman #1-4 for anyone interested.

 

[Agentsands77]

Amen to that.

The Joker Returns is also featured in the Dark Knight Archives Vol. 1 which reprints Batman #1-4 for anyone interested.

From what I understand, THE BATMAN CHRONICLES does that (in fact, the chronicles series has the exact same content as the archives does, it's just cheaper).

 

[Canadian Rider]

I just whipped through my Batman Archives and it doesn't have the second meeting, only the first. Thanks for the tip.

 

[The Shredder]

From what I understand, THE BATMAN CHRONICLES does that (in fact, the chronicles series has the exact same content as the archives does, it's just cheaper).

I don't believe some of the issues featured currently in the Dark Knight Archives Volume 1 has been featured as of yet in the CHRONICLES (Specifically Batman #3-4. Not sure about #2. Although I'm aware Batman #1 has been reprinted in CHRONICLES), which is why I mentioned it for anyone interested.

 

[CConn]

Batman Chronicles Vol. 2 reprints Batman #2-3.

 

[Agentsands77]

I don't believe some of the issues featured currently in the Dark Knight Archives Volume 1 has been featured as of yet in the CHRONICLES (Specifically Batman #3-4. Not sure about #2. Although I'm aware Batman #1 has been reprinted in CHRONICLES), which is why I mentioned it for anyone interested.

CHRONICLES: VOLUME 2 features Batman #2 and 3.

EDIT: I see CConn has beaten me to the punch.

 

[The Shredder]

Might as well wait for Vol. 3 instead of picking up The Dark Knight Archives obviously.

 

[CConn]

It sorta sucks they're only releasing one volume of Chronicles a year, though.

 

[The Shredder]

Yes.

Yes it most certainly does.

 

[CConn]

Especially since it'll be a good 60 years before the Chronicles even reach Year One.