A mysterious maniac is murdering prominent citizens of Gotham City, each time leaving a ghastly grin on the victims' faces. Batman soon tracks down the killer: the Joker!

This volume gives readers new insight into the early encounters between Batman and The Joker that led the Clown Prince of Crime down the path to insanity. Guest-starring the original Green Lantern Alan Scott, this trade paperback volume featuring two tales written by Ed Brubaker (GOTHAM CENTRAL, Captain America), winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Writer.

Witness Batman's first encounter with the Joker in this volume collecting the graphic novel BATMAN: THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, by Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke. This collection also includes DETECTIVE COMICS #784-786, a murder mystery guest-starring Green Lantern Alan Scott.