Batman #31

THE WAR OF JOKES AND RIDDLES pt V

Written by Tom King
Penciled by Mikel Janin
Cover by Mikel Janin
Published Sep 20, 2017

   The Joker stands in a high rise apartment threatening a guy while Batman and the Riddler stand on the ground below. Riddler cracks another riddle while Batman reveals he has Catwoman scaling the building. 73rd floor, she reports she see’s the Joker stabbing a guy. He sees her, fires a shot and she falls.

Oh, hey you!

   In the present, Bruce tells her he should have never put her in that position. She tells him to never apologize. We see her flip back into the building. Reporting there’s no triggers on the glass, Batman and Riddler devise a plan to get his army up there. Kite man.

Hell yeah.

   He stands on a rooftop and with a jump, Batman, Riddler, and his army are airborne. Meanwhile up top, Joker is busy butchering the man amomg jokes as Riddler approaches. The army smashes through the window over a knock knock joke. They eyeball each other face to face when suddenly Joker turns to run. Riddler catches him and puts his arm behind his back. Punching him, the Joker lies on the floor taking hit after hit and kick after kick. Finally Batman stops him.

Oh, NOW you draw the line?

   With the now seemingly down, the Riddlers army aims their pistols at the Bat. Over a riddle, he look to be caught when Kite Man triggers their backpacks. They all shoot out the window while Alfred hovers nearby in the bat blimp to retrieve them. “Plans within plans” Batman tells Riddler. Kiteman tells Riddler that though he took his boy, Kite Man took his war. Riddler punches him out and with that, we’re at an impasse. Batman, Riddler, and the Joker all stand at te top of the building. What happens next will have to wait though as this issue is left to be continued.

Let's dance!

   I’m always up for a good story arc but at this point, this is dragging on a bit long. Obviously we have a lot of air to clear before they can let Batman marry Catwoman but their engagement was quite some time ago now. How much longer can the War of Jokes go on here? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out. For this one, I give it an 8/10.

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