WHO'S WHO - INDEXES - HISTORY OF THE DCU - MESSAGE BOARD - SEARCH ENGINE

JOKER: LAST LAUGH

JOKER: LAST LAUGH #1 December 2001 [$2.95] Cover Credits: Brian Bolland (pencils, inks; signed)

Story: "Part One: Stir Crazy" (30 Pages)

Credits: Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty (plot, script); Pete Woods (pencils); Andrew Pepoy (inks); Willie Schubert (letters); Tom McCraw (colours); Digital Chameleon (colour separations); Matt Idelson (edits)

Feature Character: Joker (last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1)

Guest Stars: Nightwing; Oracle (both last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1); Black Canary II (last in Birds of Prey #35)

Supporting Characters: Shilo Norman, Warden Zimmer, Dr Keaton, Dina Bell (all last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1)

Villains: Apeface, Hector Hammond, Captain Nazi, Rancor, Multi-Man, Mister Mind, Joe Gardner, Psimon (above eight last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1 and next in Birds of Prey #36); Chiller, Black Mass, Floro, Mammoth (above four last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1); Frag (last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1; next in Nightwing Vol. 2 #62); Sivana, Hellgrammite (both next in Birds of Prey #36); Polaris, Effigy, Airstryke (next in Outsider Vol. 3 #6)

Guest Appearances: Blue Beetle II (last in Birds of Prey #35); Batman (last in Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files #1/2)

Synopsis

As Nightwing and Oracle enjoy a romantic meal outside Gotham, a riot in the Slabside Penitentiary is making headline news - it has been instigated by the Joker in response to learning the news that he has a fatal brain tumour. Oracle ponders how many lives would have been saved if someone had just killed the Joker long ago. Joker meanwhile, is killing Multi-Man time after time, hoping that he will ressurect with a useful power. Eventually, he gains an explosive ability, clearing the way for the Slab inmates to access other floors of the penitentiary. Shilo Norman realises with horror that they are on their way to bust the powerful Doctor Polaris out.

The warden of Slabside orders the use of all available inhibitors on the inmates - the regurgitants didn't work, so the metagene inhibitor gas is put into operation. The inmates are horrified, apart from the Joker. When Black Canary, who discovered the riot and sneaked into the prison, comes upon the villains, she discovers why - they've all been transformed into carbon copies of the Joker: chalk-white skin, green hair, hideous smile and incessant cackling. At that moment, Oracle returns to her appartment and is horrified to find out what's been happening.