Bat-Troll Beyond: Return Of The Joker

The Story Of The Joker's Death

Terry called Viva to help Branch recover.

Terry: How is he?

Viva: The anti-toxin's done all it can. It's up to him now.

Violet: Thanks for coming, Auntie. We didn't know who else to call.

Viva: Who else is there?

Terry: That reminds me. We'd better check on our other patients.

Poppy, Brozone, and Shelliot were sitting on the couch while watching television and feeling better.

Terry: How are you all doing?

John Dory: Meh.

Terry: Yeah, rough night for me too.

He changes the channel to the News.

Reporter: Sad news from the engineering world this morning: The return of King Branch to his company has been delayed due to an accident. Branchcorp's Jordan Pryce had this to say:

Jordan Pryce: We received a call from King Branch's houseboy this morning saying his majesty had taken a bad fall. Everyone at the Branchcorp's family sends their prayers and good wishes to our senior member for his speedy recovery.

Terry: I'll bet.

Violet: Not every creep in TrollsTopia wears a purple suit.

Viva: It's make my job easier if they did.

Terry: The Joker knew about Branch, about me, probably about you too.

Viva: Someone knows, I'll give you that. But it's not The Joker. Not the real one.

Violet: Dad said he was dead.

Viva: And?

Violet: That's it.

Terry: I know there's more. Viva, I'm part of this. I need answers Branch can't give me. I deserve them.

Viva: I thought talking about it would get easier over time but some hurts never go away. Tiny Diamond, Nightwing, had left to establish himself in another city. There were three of us then: Branch, myself, and Robin, Tim Drake. Robin was out alone that night when he came upon a woman in trouble.

Woman: Help! Help! Somebody, please, help!

Robin: Hero time.

Robin beats up the two thugs.

Robin: That evens things up a little.

Harley Quinn: Not really, Bird-boy!

Harley knocks Robin unconscious.

Joker: (laughs) A Bird in the hand.

Viva: We soon realized Tim was missing. Night after night we scoured the city running down every lead, pressing every underworld connection. But no one had seen any sign of Robin. For three agonizing weeks there was nothing. Then one night, we were sent an invitation.

A giant Jack in the box opens up and explodes. All that remained was a straight jacket.

Bat-Troll: Arkham.

Viva: The Asylum had been moved to a newer, high-security building. The old building had been partially demolished and hung open, like a rotting wound.

They enter Arkham.

Harley Quinn: Hush, little baby, don't say a word. Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing. Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring turns brass. Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass. And if that that looking glass gets broke. Pudding, company!