Batman #429

Issue Details

Synopsis

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY PART 4 Ralph Bundy explains the situation to Batman. As the Joker has become the new ambassador for Iran to the U.N., he now has diplomatic immunity and no one is allowed to touch him, and to make sure that Batman doesn't create an international event, the U.S. Government has called in Superman to make sure that Batman is under control. Batman doesn't like the situation and leaves the place, hoping that his actions don't put him against Superman.  At his hotel, Bruce thinks about the situation and contemplates the few options he has left. Batman thinks about letting the Joker be free for once, but then he remembers that he killed Jason, and decides to investigate what is Joker's real plan.   At the Iranian Embassy, the Joker prepares himself for his speech the next day and he mentions something about large dead crowds. Batman surprises the Joker from behind and tells him to give up his plan and return to Arkham Asylum. The Joker tells him that he won't and starts teasing Batman, confessing that he killed Robin and he enjoyed it; which confirms all of Batman's suspicions. Before leaving, Batman thanks the Joker for confirming the information on Robin's death and for making his decision much easier. As Batman leaves, the Joker pulls a gun and tries to shoot Batman, but he has already gone and the Joker is left alone, excited about his plan for the next day.   As it is planned, people start to arrive at the United Nations Building and among the crowd is Bruce Wayne, who has been admitted to the General Assembly as an unofficial observer (his reputation as a playboy dilettante having prevented him from obtaining a position as a delegate). The Joker, dressed in Arab robes, makes his way into the room and for a moment, he stops and stares at Bruce, long enough for Wayne to wonder if the clown has recognized him beyond the mask. However, seconds later, the Joker continues to the dais, laughing all his way up. The Joker starts speaking in the name of Iran and after a vehement speech, he reveals his true motives and sprays the room with his laughing gas and Bruce quickly changes into Batman, before one of the guards destroys the Joker's gun and stops the gas from spreading. However, the Joker tells the guard that the gas is already in the air and it's too late to stop it. The guard then starts inhaling all the gas from the room and it is revealed that the guard is in fact Superman in disguise.   The Man of Steel tells Batman to finish the Joker while he finds somewhere safe to release all that toxic gas. The Joker detonates a bomb to open a hole in a wall and tries to escape, while Batman follows him outside, where a helicopter is ready to take the Joker away. Batman manages to jump and reaches the chopper before it lifts completely. Climbing inside the cabin of the helicopter, Batman tries to grab the Joker, but his henchmen start shooting at them before realizing that one of the bullets killed the pilot. The Joker and Batman are wounded as well and, before the helicopter crashes into the river and explodes, Batman jumps and dives into the water. Moments later, Superman arrives to pull Batman out of the water. Batman tells Superman to find the Joker's body. However, nobody is able to do so and Batman realizes that things between him and Joker always end up one way: unresolved.