The Joker: Devil's Advocate
Encyclopedia
The Joker : Devil's Advocate is a one-shot superhero
comic book
written by Chuck Dixon
and drawn by Graham Nolan
, published by DC Comics
in 1996.. Several recurring characters of the Batman family appear in the story such as : Robin
, James Gordon
, Barbara Gordon
and Alfred Pennyworth
.
s in American History. The Joker, greatly disgruntled by the fact that no stamp was printed in his name, vandalises the post office. Subsequently, a succession of death occurs in Gotham City
as a result of licking the back of the stamps, and The Joker's gruesome grin is drawn on the victims faces. The Joker is caught by Batman and Robin while attempting to rob the post office's vault. The District Attorney
seeks to hold The Joker responsible of all the crimes, and succeeds to do so in court, as The Clown Prince of Crime is sentenced to death for the first time, after many inane attempts to get away with an insanity plea. The Joker is offended of being accused of such ludicrous crime, considering that a mastermind like him, will operate on a much smarter level, and therefore considers himself innocent. However, Batman is convinced as well that he is guiltless, and aims to prove it. A scrap of paper is found, with a partial address on it. After finding out that it's a storage container, the police breaks in and finds a hoard of Joker venom
. Further investigation leads to the discovery of a man linked to the storage company, which happened to be the husband of a former victim. As he is questioned by the police, he confesses everything holding himself responsible for the crime, and The Joker receives an apology from the governor seconds before being electrocuted. As the story ends, The Joker is seen in Arkham Asylum
expressing his joy of being alive, but to be shattered when Batman informs him that it's due to his investigation. The issue ends with a series of stamps, with The Joker's face on one of them.
The plot revolves around Batman's devotion to justice, as he helps The Joker out, despite his numerous murders in the past.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
written by Chuck Dixon
Chuck Dixon
Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, best known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.-Biography:Dixon grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, reading comics of all genres...
and drawn by Graham Nolan
Graham Nolan
Graham Nolan is a comic book artist, best known for work for DC Comics on Batman-related titles in the 1990s and his work on The Phantom Sunday strip. He is currently the artist on the syndicated comic Rex Morgan, M.D....
, published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
in 1996.. Several recurring characters of the Batman family appear in the story such as : Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, James Gordon
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
, Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
and Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional character that appears throughout the DC Comics franchise. The character first appears in Batman #16 , and was created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson. Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and surrogate father figure...
.
Plot Summary
The United States post office issues a commemorative series of stamps featuring some of the great comedianComedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
s in American History. The Joker, greatly disgruntled by the fact that no stamp was printed in his name, vandalises the post office. Subsequently, a succession of death occurs in Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
as a result of licking the back of the stamps, and The Joker's gruesome grin is drawn on the victims faces. The Joker is caught by Batman and Robin while attempting to rob the post office's vault. The District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
seeks to hold The Joker responsible of all the crimes, and succeeds to do so in court, as The Clown Prince of Crime is sentenced to death for the first time, after many inane attempts to get away with an insanity plea. The Joker is offended of being accused of such ludicrous crime, considering that a mastermind like him, will operate on a much smarter level, and therefore considers himself innocent. However, Batman is convinced as well that he is guiltless, and aims to prove it. A scrap of paper is found, with a partial address on it. After finding out that it's a storage container, the police breaks in and finds a hoard of Joker venom
Joker venom
Joker venom, also called Joker toxin or Smilex, is a fictional toxin, a favorite murder weapon used by The Joker in the Batman franchise of movies, comics, and cartoons...
. Further investigation leads to the discovery of a man linked to the storage company, which happened to be the husband of a former victim. As he is questioned by the police, he confesses everything holding himself responsible for the crime, and The Joker receives an apology from the governor seconds before being electrocuted. As the story ends, The Joker is seen in Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
expressing his joy of being alive, but to be shattered when Batman informs him that it's due to his investigation. The issue ends with a series of stamps, with The Joker's face on one of them.
The plot revolves around Batman's devotion to justice, as he helps The Joker out, despite his numerous murders in the past.
Characters
- Batman
- Robin
- The Joker
- James Gordon
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Barbara Gordon
- Harvey BullockHarvey Bullock (comics)Harvey Bullock is a fictional character from DC Comics' Batman titles.-Fictional character biography:Prior to the 1984-85 DC maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths, Bullock is a crooked police detective under instructions from Gotham City's Mayor Hamilton Hill to sabotage Commissioner Gordon's career...
- Renée MontoyaRenee MontoyaRenee Montoya is a fictional comic book character published by DC Comics. The character was initially created for Batman: The Animated Series, and was preemptively introduced into mainstream comics before the airing of her animated debut in 1992....
- Billy Pettit
- Sarah Essen-Gordon
- Stan Kitch