Top 5 Moments From Batman: Death Of The Family

3. Dinner Is Served

Throughout the entire story I often asked myself one question, "What is on that plate?". Later on I realized there was more than one plate and rephrased my question to: "What in the world could possibly be on those plates? Tell me now!". It wasn't really a question, but more of a demand. Which is exactly why these "tray moments" made this list. Every time the Joker would have a member of the Bat-family tied up and beyond saving, he would bring out a tray and all readers would flip the page to see that the ending they were waiting for would not be here. This is what kept readers wanting more and helped to keep this great story selling. "What could possibly be on those trays?". I am certain that, by the time that Teen Titan #16 was released, everyone else had the same question on their minds. There were many theories circulating around the contents of this tray, and all seemed plausible, but no one could have guessed what was really under them. With release of Batman #17 last wednesday, the answer finally came. Batman and readers alike watched in despair as the Joker prepared the dinner table for his guests. With The Dark Knight at the head of the table and the Bat-family all around him, the covers were lifted and the contents of the trays was revealed. The faces of each Bat-family member looked up towards it's owner. As soon as I saw this picture spread across the page I almost threw the book across the room. I was incredibly upset. How in the world could Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood and Red Robin fight crime without faces! The Joker had done the same thing to them as the Dollmaker did to him. It was great for the story, but the long term effects did not seem worth it. I set the book down and stared at the cover for a while. Luckily, I read on. Of course, they had not really lost their faces and were just fine under those bandages they were wrapped in, but I was very worried for a couple of minutes, which is exactly what the writer intended. He wanted readers to fear the Joker, this unpredictable character who seemed to be winning. We were supposed to believe that the Joker was crazy enough to actually cut off the faces, and we did. This part of the story was great for one reason above all else: The Joker could easily have mutilated the Bat-family while they were all drugged, but he didn't need too. The entire story was for the Joker to prove a point, that Batman needs him more than he needs a family. And, he did prove this, but at the same time Batman showed him otherwise. When everyone was at the table, the first person Bruce checked on was his own son, Damian which was literally putting his family first. Another great part of the "Dinner scene" is when a Jokerized Alfred was smiling while he served the family. It was great to see Pennyworth alive, but erie to see him in that way. It was terrible in a great way. I will never be able to see Alfred again without remembering this moment, which is exactly what makes a story great.