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JOKER: LAST LAUGH

JOKER: LAST LAUGH SECRET FILES #1 December 2001 [$5.95] Cover Credits: Walter Simonson (pencils, inks; signed); Tatjana Wood (colours); Heroic Age (colour separations)

First Story: "A Clown at Midnight" (30 Pages)

Credits: Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty (plot, script); Pete Woods (pencils); Cameron Stewart (inks); Kurt Hathaway (letters); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations); Matt Idelson (edits)

Feature Character: Joker (last in Birds of Prey #35; next in Joker: Last Laugh #1

Guest Stars: Nightwing; Oracle (both last in Birds of Prey #35; next in Joker: Last Laugh #1)

Supporting Characters: Shilo Norman (last in Mister Miracle Vol. 2 #?), Warden Zimmer, Dr Keaton, Dina Bell (last in Birds of Prey #14; all next in Joker: Last Laugh #1)

Villains: Mammoth, Mister Mind (last in fourth story in this issue), Chiller, Frag (first appearance), Apeface (first appearance), Hector Hammond, Captain Nazi (last in Sins of Youth Secret Files #1), Rancor (first appearance), Floro, Psimon, Multi-Man, Joe Gardner (last in Birds of Prey #14), Black Mass (above 13 next in Joker: Last Laugh #1); Psycho Pirate (next in Joker: Last Laugh #3); Bolt (next in Joker: Last Laugh #4); Sudden Death, Charaxes, Punch; King (of the Royal Flush Gang; next in JLA #59); Fleeter (next in Nightwing Vol. 2 #63)

Other Characters: Sgt. Misura (Slab employee; first appearance); Francis (Mister Mind's host body; last in fourth story in this issue)

Synopsis

During a medical examination, the doctors at the Slab penitentiary wonder if there is any way to calm the Joker down. Later, Doctor Keaton proposes to Warden Zimmer and security expert Shilo Norman that the Joker be allowed limited contact with other prisoners, as a newly discovered tumour in his brain should make him much less of a threat. Norman disagrees, but is overruled. Joker then wastes little time in getting to know the more intelligent prisoners and beginning to formulate an escape plan.

Nightwing takes Oracle out on a date, not allowing her to take even her mobile phone with her - strictly no work allowed; he's worried about her obsession with the Joker. Meanwhile, Dina Bell of the U.S. Marshals brings Charaxes to the Slab and meets up with Shilo Norman for a coffee. This is soon interrupted: once Joker knows about his tumour, he starts a full-scale riot.

Second Story: "Touched" (8 Pages)

Credits: Dan Curtis Johnson (plot, script); J.H. Williams III (plot, pencils); Mick Gray (inks); Comicraft (letters); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations); Ivan Cohen and Mike McAvennie (edits)

Feature Characters: Cameron Chase, Cliff Hansen (both last in Flash Secret Files #3/2)

Villains: Joker (in numerous flashbacks only); Grodd (in flashback; last, behind the scenes, in Flash Secret Files #3/2; next in Flash Vol. 2 #178)

Guest Appearances: Barbara Gordon (between pages of Birds of Prey #35); Harley Quinn (last in Harley Quinn #?, next in Joker: Last Laugh #3); Batman (next in Joker: Last Laugh #1)

Other Characters: Samantha Rollins, James Wheeler, Alan Reynolds, Neil Evans (first appearance of all)

Synopsis

Following the D.E.O.'s tragic encounter with Gorilla Grodd, Agent Hansen (who survived) makes his way around the country interviewing various people whose lives have been scarred in some way through their encounters with the Joker. He is joined by Agent Chase, who is worried about him, realising that he's suffering some sort of survivor's guilt. When in Gotham, they are found by Batman, who sympathises with Hansen. Chase then gets a call telling her of the riot at the Slab, and both they and Batman make their way to where they can be of most help.

Third Story: [Joker's Hard Sell] (1 Page)

Credits: Scott Beatty (plot, script); Leonard Kirk (pencils); Al Williamson (inks); Kurt Hathaway (letters); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations); Ivan Cohen and Mike McAvennie (edits)

Feature Characters: Joker

Other Characters: Multi-Man, Unnamed fanboy

Comment: Unsurprisingly, this is not an in-continuity tale.

Synopsis

The Joker tries to get the casual reader to but the comic by threatening to kill a 'dog'. But, as a fanboy frequenter of the DC message boards points out to him, you can't kill this particular dog - it's Multi-Man, and he can't really die. So, the Joker shoves a big gun in the fanboys mouth and hopes that this new incentive will persuade us...

Fourth Story: "Worm Food" (4 Page)

Credits: Jerry Ordway (plot, script); Peter Krause (pencils); Dick Giordano (inks); Kurt Hathaway (letters); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations); Ivan Cohen and Mike McAvennie (edits)

Feature Characters: Mister Mind (last in Power of Shazam #41; next in first story in this issue)

Guest Star: Mary Marvel

Other Characters: Francis (next in first story in this issue); Professor Bibbowski

Synopsis

The students of Fawcett Area Technical College have helped the Captains Marvel to defeat Mister Mind, and all that remains is one drone worm, which Professor Bibbowski tells student Francis to put in the deep freeze for safekeeping. However, Francis chooses to take it as a souvenir and keep it in his fridge. The drone reawakens, with the consciousness of Mister Mind, and crawls into Francis' ear. However, it gets stuck and can't control the boy, almost getting blown up when Francis makes a bid for attention. Captured by Mary Marvel, the two are then incarcerated in the Slab.

Fifth Story: "Science Fun Fact of the Day!" (2 Page)

Credits: Jai Nitz (plot, script); Amanda Conner (pencils); Jimmy Palmiotti (inks); Kurt Hathaway (letters); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations); Ivan Cohen and Mike McAvennie (edits)

Feature Characters: Joker

Villains: Harley Quinn, Satan, Darkseid, Scarecrow, Bane, Poison Ivy, Sivana, Frankenstein's Monster, Lashina

Other Character: Dan, Dan, the Science Man (first appearance; dies)

Comment: This story is not in continuity.

Synopsis

Dan Dan, the science man and his assistant Vincent demonstrate the extremely easy method of making lethal Joker gas. Sadly, Dan manages to gas himself - as he does so, Vincent reveals himself to be the Joker in disguise.

Who's Who Pages

Credits: Scott Beatty (text: Shilo Norman and Dina Bell; Black Mass; Multi-Man); Chuck Dixon (text: Leather; Meathead; Carnivora; Rancor); Ron Randall (pencils: Shilo Norman and Dina Bell); Al Williamson (inks: Shilo Norman and Dina Bell); Javier Saltares (pencils: Black Mass); Keith Champagne (inks: Black Mass); Peter Doherty (pencils, inks: Multi-Man); Damion Scott (pencils: Leather); Robert Campanella (inks: Leather); Staz Johnson (pencils: Meathead); Dan Davis (inks: Meathead); Marcos Martin (pencils, inks: Carnivora); Todd Nauck (pencils: Rancor); Robin Riggs (inks: Rancor); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations);

Comment: Brief profile pages on some of the key players and new characters of the Last Laugh story.

Featurette

Credit: Scott Beatty (text)

Comment: A detailed list of the Joker's personal effects when he entered the Slab, with instructions for their storage.