Joker Is Recruited by a Major Bat-Family Hero to Do the Unthinkable to Batman

Warning! Contains spoilers for Detective Comics #1084!

Summary Catwoman sets up a meeting with the Joker as a last resort in Batman's fight against the Orgham family.

The Orgham family controls Gotham with hypnotic powers, erasing Batman's legacy.

Batman prepares for a rematch while Catwoman recruits Joker as a backup plan against tyranny.

As Batman heads for a rematch against the Orgham family, one Bat-Family ally has decided to reach out to the Joker for help: Catwoman. Batman has been struggling to free Gotham from the Orgham family for months, with the Orgham family even managing to chase him out of the city at one point. Now, the tides are about to change.

Batman finally returns to Gotham Detective Comics #1084 by Ram V. and Javier Fernández — long after the Orghams took control of the city. With nearly everyone under the sway of the mysterious family's hypnotic powers, Batman needs to do everything he can to break their control and free the citizens. But after having been beaten once before, Catwoman doesn't fully trust in Batman's abilities, leading Selina Kyle to make the shocking choice to approach the Joker.

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As Batman gets the Orgham family's attention by announcing his return to Gotham, Catwoman sets up a meeting with the Joker, seemingly seeking to ally with him as a last resort against the Orghams if necessary. The only question is if Batman will accept his help.

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Catwoman Is Recruiting the Joker for the Bat-Family's Next Fight

Can Batman Accept His Biggest Enemy's Help?

Not many villains have managed to make Batman abandon Gotham City, but due to their surprising versatility in powers and their sudden appearance, the Orgham family defeated Batman and ran him out of town. In addition, by using their hypnotic powers, they've begun to erase the legacy of Batman as well. Citizens slowly began to forget who Batman wwas, and now that he's returned, he's going to have to work hard to remind Gotham of who their true protector is. But with Batman having already lost once, Catwoman seems to be setting up a contingency plan of her own, and the Joker is an essential piece of her plan.

The Orghams want to impose order on Gotham at all costs, and to do so they've used their Azmer demons to control Gotham's criminal element, as they did to Harvey Dent when they brought him under their command. They've also begun using their hypnotic powers to turn Gotham into a strange utopia that they rule over. And if there's any character that absolutely cannot stand for order, it's the Joker. That unshakeable truth is likely why Catwoman has sought him out. Batman was already defeated by the Orgham family once, and if he's defeated again, it might just be the Clown Prince of Crime who can stand up against their tyranny.

The Joker Will Always Try to Destroy Order

And Catwoman Knows It

Batman has proven that he's far more prepared for the Orgham family this time around. He quickly takes down an Azmer-possessed criminal with a sonic device that knocks the Azmer out, which is more prepared than he was when he first encountered an Azmer. So, while it's unlikely that Batman will lose this rematch, it's not impossible. With this in mind, it makes sense why Catwoman would reach out to the only character who's capable of resisting the hypnosis that the Orgham family has been using and destroying the order they've created. If Batman fails, it might just be the Joker who saves Gotham and the entire Bat-Family.

Detective Comics #1084 is on sale now from DC Comics!

DETECTIVE COMICS #1084 (2024) Writer: Ram V., Alex Paknadel

Artist: Javier Fernández, Robbi Rodriguez

Colorist: Dave McCaig, Patricio Delpeche

Letterer: Ariana Maher, Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Evan Cagle