Batman #139

Taking place after the events of The Gotham War, Bruce Wayne is isolated from the rest of the Bat-Family working on his own while struggling to keep the influence of Batman of Zur-En-Arrh from affecting his actions. The new trouble for Batman comes with the Joker teasing his old foe with Riddler-like clues while hoping to release the more murderous personality from Bruce Wayne's subconscious.

I can't tell if this was a Riddler story made to fit the Joker or a Joker story that simply relies on behavior better fitting another of Batman's most famous foes. In either case, Joker's breadcrumbs lead to an elaborate doll house where the most painful moments of Bruce Wayne's life are put on display leading to the Joker perhaps getting his fondest wish just as the comic comes to a close. I'm more interested in the art here than the story, having long ago grown tied of broke Batman (who's now schizophrenic... yah!?).

[DC, $4.99]

• Title: Batman #139
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chip Zdarsky
• Artist: Jorge Jiménez