10 Greatest Batman Comics Of The 21st Century
6. The Clown At Midnight
This is a one-shot story that takes place in Batman #663, and one unlike anything else on this list. The story is written by Grant Morrison with art by John Van Fleet. Contrary to a normal comic book, this issue is presented more as an illustrated novel.
A 10 chapter story, it tells a disturbing tale between Batman and the Joker. Batman finds the bodies of dead clowns, who were attending a funeral, and investigates the Joker.
The Joker has recently been shot in the face and and is unable to talk as he is recovering from reconstructive surgery, so those at Arkham Asylum do not believe he is guilty. However, the Joker does manage to communicate with Batman through Morse code to continue to mock him. This issue also explores the Joker's past though a psychological breakdown and his relationship with Harley.
Despite only being one issue long, the story that is told is fairly lengthy and goes in depth. Every so often a creative team decides to push comics in a different direction and test the limits of the medium. This is what happens here and the end result is unique among all Batman comics.