Batman seriously can’t catch a break. As if things weren’t already a struggle, The Joker is coming to unleash his secret plan for a fight to end all fights. Right off the heels of the intense City of Bane event, the Clown Prince of Crime is about to deliver the final punchline in his very own ‘Joker War.’

Fans might wonder if such a ‘war’ is actually necessary, considering the previous year of Batman comics. Thomas Wayne (the Flashpoint Batman) made it his mission to assist in Bane’s mission to break Batman in mind, body, and spirit. Batman was able to overcome and take back his city, determining to be happy and still be Batman. But even with the new Batman off to a strong start, the entire conflict was not without its losses. Nightwing was shot in the head, Alfred was killed, and Batman’s relationship with Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD has never been so strained. If you’re the Joker, the timing couldn’t be better.

These events have all been leading to the solicitation for Batman #93 (via CBR), promising the time has come for Joker to make his move after the conclusion of Batman’s conflict with the new Gotham villain ‘The Designer.’ The cover for the issue shows Joker seated in a theater, in a black coat, and wearing half of Batman’s mask. Since Bruce Wayne’s parents were killed in the alley outside the Monarch Theater, this could indicate that Joker will be capitalizing on his knowledge of Batman’s secret identity… and will seek to torment him with it.

Throughout the past few years of Batman, Joker has been very minimally involved. He’s been featured in flashbacks (see the ‘War of Jokes and Riddles’) and confronted Selina prior to marrying Batman. Also, while Joker was initially thought to be working alongside Riddler under Bane’s rule, it turns out it was actually Clayface undercover at Batman’s request. But in the wake of the ‘City of Bane,’ Joker’s current whereabouts have yet to be revealed… until very recently.

Batman #85 offered an epilogue featuring two of Joker’s thugs building bombs for an unknown scheme. When one receives a notification that Superman has revealed his identity to the world as Clark Kent, the thug asks Joker if he’s ever thought of revealing Batman’s identity (which he’s known for years). Joker claims he’s never considered it, since “punchlines only work once.” But after stating that it would be a ’last laugh’ and their final battle, he reconsiders, thinking it sounds like fun now that he’s said it out loud. Whatever Joker’s planning, it’s going to be big. Hopefully as the issues draw closer, more will be revealed before the inevitable ‘Joker War.’ Find the full solicitation for Batman #93 below:

  • BATMAN #93 Release Date: April 15th, 2020 Written by JAMES TYNION IV Art by GUILLEM MARCH Cover by TONY S. DANIEL Card stock variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA Batman faces off with the Designer as “Their Dark Designs” reaches its epic climax! In the last year, Batman has lost more than he could have imagined, and now he faces a cost so dear it will change the course of his life. And there is worse on the horizon. In the midst of all the horror, he can feel the drumbeat of battle. “Joker War” is coming, and Gotham City will never be the same.

Batman #93 will release on April 15th, 2020.

More: DC’s New Batman Means The Biggest Change to Gotham in Years