4. Old Crimes are Recreated
Readers of Batman comic books have been treated to amazing stories and most of them involved the Clown Prince of Crime. He has such a rich history and I was glad to see that it was not forgotten in the newest installment of his legacy. From killing Jason Todd to paralyzing Barbara Gordon, the Joker has proved his right to be Batman's most worthy opponent. The picture above (from Batman #16) shows a brief homage to the Joker's past. However, the "flashback" moments don't end there. In Batman #13-14 it is revealed that the Joker is proclaiming his return by recreating his old crimes. So, naturally the first place to go would be ACE Chemicals, the building where it all started. Of course The Dark Knight gets a bit of a surprise when he arrives. He is "greeted" by Harley dressed as the Joker, dressed as the Red Hood. Yeah, a little confusing. In Suicide Squad #14, it is revealed that the Joker kidnapped Harley in order to trick the Bat. In Batman #13 he dressed her up like himself wearing the original Red Hood outfit that he was wearing the night he became the Joker. The scene played out well, and of course, Batman prevailed, but not without being haunted by his past. Soon after the ACE Chemicals incident, the Joker recreates another of his most famous crimes. The first thing that the Joker did under his new persona was blow up the Gotham reservoir. And, like in the instance of ACE, he repeats this memory too. However, unlike last time, it is too late for The Dark Knight to stop him. He revealed that he has already killed several people and the timers for the reservoir's explosion are already ticking down. There was nothing Batman can do to stop him. This time, the Joker got away with it. In Batgirl #13 Joker goons bust through the door of the Gordon residence carrying guns and wearing vacation attire, this is a reference to "The Killing Joke". In the graphic novel, the Joker nocks over the door to Barbara's apartment and, while looking like a tourist in Hawaii, shoots her and leaves her paralyzed. In Teen Titans #15-16 and Red Hood and The Outlaws #15-16 the Joker repeated yet another of his most insane acts. He kidnaped both Jason Todd (The Red Hood) and Tim Drake (Red Robin) and introduced the both of them to a world of pain, both physical and mental. The Joker had both Jason's father (who was thought to be dead) and Tim's father tied up and bagged, taunting them both with their family and revealing that he might know their secret identities. Although the men are not actually related to either Tim or Jason, this is a reference to the time the Joker actually did bring Jason's mother back from the dead. Also, the constant use of the crowbar in these issues is a brilliant way to pay homage to "A Death In The Family".