Synopsis

The series opens with Deadshot breaking into Arkham Asylum with the intent to kill the Joker. He is stopped by Onomatopoeia, however, who shoots Deadshot in the head. Onomatopoeia then releases the Joker, leaving him a briefcase of money to help him create mayhem in Gotham City and draw out Batman — Onomatopoeia's actual target. The Joker uses this money to attack Maxie Zeus, who turned Joker's trademark toxic venom into a designer drug. After foiling Mr. Zsasz, Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon at Arkham to investigate the Joker's latest escape. Deadshot is revealed to be alive, having used a bloodpack and a bulletproof helmet to fake his death. Batman encounters Joker and Onomatopoeia, and, after doing some research, realizes that Onomatopoeia is attacking non-superpowered vigilantes, and that he is Onomatopoeia's next target. Although Onomatopoeia attempts to lure Batman into a trap with the aid of the Joker, Batman surprises him using Deadshot's own trick of a bulletproof helmet and a fake bloodpack, only for Onomatopoeia to escape when he stabs the Joker. After a moment of indecision, Batman stays behind and saves his archenemy, allowing the other villain to escape. Gordon urges Batman to let the Joker die- arguing that he is not asking Batman to kill the Joker, but merely asking him not to save his enemy-, but Batman insists that he must do everything he can to save another human being — even one as evil as the Joker.

A few months later, Batman, in his "Matches Malone" disguise and claiming to be a lawyer, goes to the

Gotham Community Hospital to visit the Joker. The Joker has recently regained consciousness, and is medicated with "an ass-load of mood stablizers and antipsychotics", resulting in a relatively sane state of mind. Batman realizes he finally has a chance to have a somewhat rational conversation with the Joker, and asks if his foe truly wants him dead. When the Joker asks if Batman desires his death, Batman reveals that he saved Joker because he never again wants to see anyone die; although he does not say as much, it is implied that he is referring to witnessing the murder of his parents. The Joker expresses sympathy for Batman's loss, but informs the Dark Knight that he does want to kill him "I don't hate you 'cause I'm crazy... I'm crazy 'cause I hate you." He then says he will only "retire" from his habitual sadism and murder when Batman is dead.