Batman #23.1

Part of DC's New 52 "Villain's Month" event, this Batman #23.1 spotlight puts the Joker front and center in a cover by Jason Fabok that crackles with menace — the grinning, scarred Clown Prince of Crime strides forward clutching a revolver in one gloved hand and a chattering wind-up teeth toy in the other, his purple coat and wild green hair filling the frame while cascading "HA HA HA" lettering echoes his manic laughter. In the background, a battered Batman slumps amid what appear to be explosives, suggesting the Dark Knight has already had a very bad night. With interior work from writer Andy Kubert and artist Andy Clarke, this 2013 issue offers a villain-focused chapter that makes the Joker's chaotic energy impossible to resist.