Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #144

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE DEMON LAUGHS PART 3 - THE MARCH HARE Joker and Ra's Al Ghul observe as a test subject chokes on a fungal agent that Joker stole from Qurac. The Joker cackles because he modified the contagion to his liking. The contagion is self-replicating, difficult to diagnose and to treat bu by the end of it, the inflicted eventually die laughing. Joker used some of Ra's loyal followers as test subjects in order to make modifications. Ra's isn't too pleased that Joker wasted time and effort to modify the fungal agent to suit his perverse nature. Ra's suspects the Batman will eventually find out that the Joker is in Ra's employ. Joker assures Ra's that his plans of wiping out 5 billion lives will be realized when Ra's scientists finish constructing Joker's latest batch of spores.  Henri Ducard leads the Batman and Alfred to the Tuvan Ruins where his network of contacts confirmed the League of Assassins' newest base of operations. Batman, Ducard and Alfred surprise a few armed guards around the camp. After taking the guards out, the group heads down a tunnel where one of Ra's Lazarus Pits resides. The group finds an empty chamber with no Lazarus Pit. Ducard is slightly upset that his network's intel has failed him but he intends to torture Ra's guards in order to get information. Batman tells Ducard that torture won't work because Ra's guards will die for the Demon. Batman uses his own form of intimidation to extract information. Ducard is impressed by Bruce's new skill set.   Joker demonstrates his plan to disperse the contagion by utilizing the upcoming storm systems in the Atlantic. The start off points would be at the Canary Islands, Siroccos in North Africa, the North Eastern Islands off the Grand Banks and hurricanes in South Atlantic. Joker estimates the contagion will spread to four continents. Joker cackles because once the spores hit, they will multiply and be carried off by planes, trains or automobiles. Ra's is impressed by Joker's plan and Joker chuckles that his fee for his services is to have Australia to himself. Joker, Ra's and Talia walk to the laboratory to observe the completed batch. Ra's and Talia are shocked to find the scientists have died from exposure to the contagion.   Joker cackles and attempts to spray the contagion on the al Ghuls. Joker mocks Ra's about the last time he might have smiled like the Spanish Inquisition or the Children's Crusade. Joker knew that Ra's would never keep his end of the bargain so he decided to turn the tables on the Demon. Unfortunately, Joker didn't suspect that the Lazarus Pit had given Ra's and Talia an immunity towards any contagion. Ra's laughs at Joker's poor attempt to eliminate him then orders Talia to gun down the Joker. Meanwhile, Batman and Alfred leave Ducard at the Tuvan Ruins then head to the Antarctic ice pack. Batman arrives at Ra's frozen base of operations and finds the Joker bleeding out.