7. Jokers Five Way Revenge
This was, arguably the first story to show Joker in the light to which fans have become accustomed; truly dangerous, crazed and violent. Drawn by the legendary team of Denny ONeil and Neil Adams, two creators who had brought a grim reality back to the Batman, the Jokers Five Way Revenge is a classic Batman tale and an iconic Joker moment that cant be overlooked. Having escaped from the State Mental Hospital, Joker goes about the grim (though not to him, obviously) task off bumping off all the members of his old gang. Utilizing many techniques that would become stock in trade for Joker in the years to come, it is the moment when Joker blindsides Batman and has him at his mercy, which really defines the iconic moment. With Batman unconscious and his heel upon his throat, the Joker relents. No! He states Without the game that the Batman and I have played for so many years, winning is nothing. He shall live until I can destroy him properly. And so the dance continues.