Warning: SPOILERS for Batman #88
There’s a new creative team in Gotham, launching Batman into a new web of criminal killers and masterminds. But after the first issues set the stage for Batman’s new mission in Gotham, the biggest threat has just been killed in DC’s official preview for Batman #88. At least, that’s what Catwoman and Batman are being led to believe.
As much as James Tynion IV’s debut issue helped set the tone for his coming run – featuring new Bat-gadgets, and a life without Alfred Pennyworth – it also dialed the mystery and ominous foreboding to its limits. Forget the assassins hired to descend on Gotham, or even what appeared to be the Riddler’s new game. The prize for most anticipated foreshadowing went to the teaser finding Joker’s new killing themselves off one by one, moving the final pieces into place for the coming “Joker War” story, promised to give Batman’s most iconic nemesis his return to the spotlight. But that was before DC released the first pages of the coming issue. Leaving the fate of the Joker… well, dead and buried.
The twist revealed in the official preview pages will be hard for fans to fathom, and make the wait for the full issue that much tougher. But surely things can’t be as they seem… right? Take a look for yourselves at the preview pages below:
It’s clear that the un-shared secrets between Catwoman and Batman are about to become a lot more important, leaving fans with nothing but questions until Selina comes clean. Just what did she and Riddler think they buried before she made her latest turn back towards the light, and a life with Bruce? And if the Joker’s body sits decayed inside of a buried coffin, who has been pulling the strings in his name? Sure, the Joker dying and returning to life isn’t beyond the realm of possibility… but was it truly a Joker put into the coffin, or yet another twist soon to be revealed? Hopefully the full issue will help connect the dots, but until then readers can find the full plot synopsis and credits below:
- BATMAN #88 Release Date: February 5th, 2020 Written by: James Tynion IV Art by: Guillem March Cover Art by: Tony S. Daniel The conspiracy that will rock Batman’s world continues to unfold as the Dark Knight travels to Arkham Asylum to get answers from the Penguin! What dark secret does he share with The Joker, the Riddler, and…Catwoman? Plus, the plague of assassins descending upon Gotham City in its weakest moments continues! Will this be the moment when Deathstroke finally takes down Batman?!
Batman #88 will be available from your local comic book shop on February 5th, 2020.
MORE: Deadpool Just Became The BATMAN Who Laughs (Seriously)
