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| Publisher |
DC |
| Published | May 2014 |
THE JOKER'S BIG SHOW As a new experiment in rehabilitation (and a reward for the Joker's (initial) cooperation during the Red Hood spree), Dr. Quinn allows Arkham's inmates to hold a talent show. In attendance are Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Barbara Gordon, as well as the GCPD's top brass, who are alternatively amused and annoyed by the performances - until the Joker's stand-up routine reduces them all to helpless laughter. Unfortunately, this laughter stems not from comedic talents, but criminal ones; in collusion with Catwoman, the Joker had secretly stolen Professor Overbeck's brain regulator, and modified it to cast his brainwaves over whole crowds. The resulting hysteria is only temporary, but lasts more than long enough for Joker and Catwoman to escape and begin a new crime spree, Joker infecting citizens with his mania while Catwoman plunders them. While struggling to keep up with the chaos, Batman, Robin, and Batgirl deduce that Joker and Catwoman mean to build a extra-large version of the brain regulator, and bring the whole city to its knees. However, they remain unaware that much of this plan was facilitated by a third partner: Dr. Quinn. Well-meaning but naïve, she had participated in both the breakout and the building, all in (ever-diminishing) hopes of reaching the Joker. Once the new brain regulator is finished, Joker and Catwoman mount it on the Jokermobile and use it to hijack a Shakespeare in the Park production, from which they issue a public challenge. The Dynamic Duo and Batgirl fearlessly meet this challenge, only to be swarmed and overwhelmed by dozens of maddened citizens. Victory seems inevitable for the gloating arch-criminals - until a conscience-stricken Dr. Quinn repents all her deeds, commandeers the brain regulator, and sacrifices her own brainwaves to cancel out the Joker's. With order restored to Gotham, Batman ruefully apprehends Joker and Catwoman, along with the newly-insane Dr. Quinn. All three are consigned to Arkham's deep-security ward, now overseen by a recent transfer from Gotham General.
