The last time the Joker thought Batsy was dead....
This is a really, really great Joker story and sadly, underrated.
Going Sane was collected in Legends of the Dark Knight 65-68 (written in 1994 by J.M De Matteis) and can now be collected as a full trade paperback. The art is less than stellar, but the story more than makes up for it. (11 scans of a 100-page book)
I always thought this did an excellent job of showcasing the Batman & Joker relationship, perhaps IMO better than the Killing Joke. (There! I said it. Granted, if you can prove me otherwise, I'll gladly accept it.)
I can't imagine his breath would be nice.
So we start this little tale off with the Joker believing he's killed Batsy in a big explosion.
So, what's a clown left to do? Pack up his bag of tricks and head for some skin treatment centre.
Oh and become an average, mild-mannered Joe.
He begins a romance with his next-door neighbour, Rebecca.
But average Joe is having some problems. See, he keeps having nightmares. And won't play cards if there's a Joker in the deck. And keeps dreaming about bats and evil clown monsters coming to eat him....
And he's also potentially becoming more temperamental and abusive....
Creepy face is creepy.
Meanwhile, B-man's been recovering with a lady who's dubbed him Lazarus. (Anyone else getting images of romance novel covers right now? Fabio playing Batsy's role....)
He's considering quitting the vigilante life.
So Batsy comes back and average Joe/Joker reads this while walking along the river with Rebecca. (This is being told alongside the present story line in which the Joker has taken councilwoman Kenner hostage again)
Problem is, Batsy knows Joker is still out there.
The juxtaposition between the ultra-violence and the ultra-sweetness is interesting.
There's quite a tragic tinge to this because during the present fight with Batsy he's calling councilwoman Kenner "Rebecca" and for the briefest of moments sees Rebecca instead of her and spares Kenner's life.
So what do you think? Does it do the job it sets out to do?