Its not every Batman comic that opens with an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote. This particular passage about boats being borne back ceaselessly into the past sets up a tragic reimagining of Jokers first attacks on Gotham. His ruthlessness is highlighted as he manipulates his chemistry savant (?) cousin into creating and supplying him with Joker venom. Jerk that he is, he tests the venom on his cousins cat. And the cats name was Muffin, for pitys sake. This is an ugly story that shows Joker at his most unlikable (if he can ever be likable) as he betrays his vulnerable cousin, a story that ends on a note of cruel irony that I wont risk spoiling.
