Batman Vol 1 614

From DC Database

"Hush (Part VII of XII) - The Joke"

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Batman Vol 1 #614
June, 2003

Executive Editor

Dan DiDio

Cover Artists

Jim Lee, Scott Williams

Writers

Jeph Loeb

Pencilers

Jim Lee

Inkers

Scott Williams

Colourists

Alex Sinclair

Letterers

Richard Starkings

Editors

Morgan Dontanville, Bob Schreck

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Batman #613

Batman #615

Appearing in "Hush (Part VII of XII) - The Joke"

Featured Characters:

• Batman

Supporting Characters:

• Catwoman
• James Gordon

Villains:

• Clayface (Johnny Williams) (Behind the scenes)
• Harley Quinn
• Hush
• Joker

Other Characters:

• Barbara Gordon (In flashback only)
• Jason Todd (In flashback only)
• Sarah Essen-Gordon (In flashback only)

Locations:

• Gotham City

Items:

• Catwoman's whip

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "Hush (Part VII of XII) - The Joke"

Batman flies into a rage and begins pummeling the Joker. The Joker keeps muttering the word, "Stop", but Batman isn't listening to him. Harley Quinn tries sneaking up behind him with a giant hammer, but Batman sidesteps the blow, and Harley accidentally smashes the Joker's arm with the hammer. Batman gives Harley a kick to the gut to get her out of the way, then continues to beat on the Joker. Images of Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd and Sarah Essen flash through his mind – all victims of the Joker.

Catwoman, slowed by the bullet lodged in her shoulder, attempts to restrain Batman with her whip. She recognizes the look in the Dark Knight's eyes, and realizes that he plans on killing the Joker. Batman swings about punching Catwoman in her wounded shoulder. The shock from the pain causes her to slump over.

As Batman continues to wail on the Joker, former police commissioner James Gordon shows up behind him. He draws his weapon and fires two warning shots. He coaxes Batman away from the Joker, reminding him that he is about to cross a line that can never be forgiven. Batman calms down, and the Joker is taken away.

From a rooftop high above, Hush witnesses the event while flipping a scarred silver dollar in his hand. Talking to himself, he admits that the Joker was actually innocent in the death of Tommy Elliot.

Notes

• This issue is reprinted in the Batman: Hush, Volume 2 trade paperback.

• Clayface appears as Thomas Elliot's corpse in this issue. This fact is not revealed until Batman #619.

• Hush makes a brief appearance at the end of this issue. He is seen flipping a scarred silver dollar - the trademark of the villain known as Two-Face. Issue #615 reveals that this is in fact Harvey Dent and not Hush.

• Flashbacks: The Joker cripped Barbara Gordon in Batman: The Killing Joke. He killed Jason Todd in Batman #428. Sarah Essen-Gordon was killed during the No Man's Land saga.

Trivia

• The tagline for this issue is "Punch Line". Contextually the phrase has a double meaning, as a "punchline" is the end of a joke, and also because Batman punches the Joker during the course of this issue.
  
  

Related Articles

• Batman image gallery
• Batman appearances list
• Batman quotes page
• Batman supporting cast
• Batman's rogues gallery

See Also

• Discuss Batman Vol 1 614 on the forums
• Cover gallery for the Batman series

Recommended Reading

Links and References

• Batman series index at Comicbookdb.com
• Batman series index at the Grand Comics Database
• Batman series index at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe