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127,498
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in: Joe Orlando/Executive Editor, José Luis García-López/Cover Artist, Anthony Tollin/Cover Artist,
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Batman Vol 1 353

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"Last Laugh": The Joker has escaped and he returns to one of his hideouts to meet with his henchmen and prepare his next plan to murder Batman

Quote1 Cleverness is a highly overrated virtue, detective! Cleverness can make you dead! Quote2
— Joker

Batman #353 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 1982. It was published on August 12, 1982.

Synopsis for "Last Laugh"

The Joker has escaped and he returns to one of his hideouts to meet with his henchmen and prepare his next plan to murder Batman

Meanwhile, Arthur Reeves is interrogated by Batman in order to learn who gave him the fake photo evidence and Reeves confesses that it was Rupert Thorne. With this information, Batman prepares to interrogate the crooked criminal, but first he has a date with Vicki Vale.

Bruce and Vicki go together to see the demolishment of an old building, where the authorities will use a computerized system of explosives to bring down the building. When the explosives fail, the experts search the computer for errors and find that the equipment has been stolen and the most relevant clue points to the Joker as being responsible.

Batman returns to the Batcave and after Alfred has done some research using the Batcomputer, Batman learns the possible location of the Joker in New Jersey. Batman goes to the place, where he is attacked by the Joker and knocked unconscious.

When he recovers, Batman finds himself tied to the side of a rocky cliff, where Joker has also placed the stolen explosives in such manner that when detonated, the explosion would shape the rock in the shape of a giant Joker-bust that the Clown Prince of Crime so dearly wants. As usual, Batman finds a way out of his predicament and confronts the Joker and his thugs, altering the fine balance of the explosives. Although the Joker manages to detonate the explosives and the rock is turned into a giant Joker head, the whole monument crumbles down because the explosives have not been synchronized. Joker's satisfaction is short-lived and he is captured by Batman.

Appearing in "Last Laugh"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

  • Joker
    • Craps (Single appearance; dies)
    • Leo (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:


Synopsis for "Fate Is the Killer"

The Sailor of the Solar Winds known as Zodac arrives at the royal palace on the planet, Eternia. He warns the ruling council that the land's most powerful hero must leave Eternia forever or else he risks losing his life. Prince Adam knows that Zodac speaks of his alter ego, He-Man. He leaves the palace and summons the Sorceress in the hopes of gaining clarity as to Zodac's cryptic warning. The Sorceress tells He-Man that his arch-nemesis, Skeletor, is very close to finding the second half of the fabled power-sword. If both halves of the sword are joined, he will have the power to rule all of Eternia.

Meanwhile, Skeletor instructs his henchmen, Mer-Man and Beast-Man to scour the Eternian Sea in search of clues as to the lost sword. He eventually discovers that the sword rests in the oceans of another world in a separate dimension – a world known as Earth.

Skeletor uses the magic at his command to transport the three of them to Earth. They plunge into Earth's oceans and eventually recover one half of the power sword. Meanwhile, the super-hero known as Superman flies out over Metropolis Bay. He fights with a large sea-monster and eventually finds himself trapped in a whirling vortex. The vortex is the dimensional portal used by Skeletor, Beast-Man and Mer-Man for their return trip to Eternia.

Everyone arrives in front of Castle Grayskull. Superman assists in retrieving one of the other missing swords and gives it to He-Man. He-Man and Skeletor fight one another and impale each other upon their respective swords. Skeletor teleports back to his lair to nurse his wounds, leaving He-Man on the ground bleeding. Zodac arrives and uses his power to heal He-Man. He then creates another dimensional tunnel and returns Superman back to Earth.

Appearing in "Fate Is the Killer"

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Synopsis for "The Sting -- Batman Style"

Robin is conned by two bunk artists into endorsing a phony fund drive for the Gotham Boy's League. When the crooks rob the money from the Boy's League headquarters, Robin decides to bring them in on his own, and Batman lends a hand by going undercover as Matches Malone and together the the dynamic duo get the money back.

Appearing in "The Sting -- Batman Style"

Featured Characters:

Villains

  • Mr. Sinclair (Single appearance)
  • Bronco Burns (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Notes

Trivia

  • In this issue, Joker uses the alias "Harlan Quinn". A similar name would be used years later for his very popular sidekick and girlfriend, Harley Quinn.


See Also

Recommended Reading

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