Harley Quinn and Jim Gordon are missing, and mysterious monsters are roaming the streets of Gotham collecting severed heads…will Bats and Joker get to the bottom of this gritty, dark saga? Only one way to find out!
Running from Sept. 11 to Sept. 30, we’ll be reading Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo#1-#3, from the iconic Marc Silvestri. Remember, these three issues will be free to read for the rest of the month, so head over to DCUI and get reading! Discussion questions will be posted every Monday.
Week 1 Discussion Questions
Batman mentions that good cops tend to fear him because he doesn’t uphold the same beliefs/rules they follow. What do you think that means for his relationship with Harvey Bullock?
Why do you think Harley was taken, if her captor doesn’t truly believe the Joker will come for her?
The Joker had a bit of a point when he surmised that Batman wouldn’t drop him because of their long history of cat-and-mouse. At this point in their relationship, what do you think is holding Batman back from getting on with it, especially if he doesn’t typically follow the “good cop” rules?
Do you think it was wise for Batman to make a deal with the Joker?
Week 2 Discussion Questions
In the early pages of Issue #2, we see the Joker and Batman take on a group of attackers on a rooftop. Do you think Batman and the Joker make a good team when it comes to combat? If so, why? If not, why not?
What is your best guess as to who (or what) attacked Batman and the Joker on the rooftop?
Do you feel like Batman is successfully keeping up with this case? Or do you think he is on the back foot–what do you think of his approach so far?
In the final pages of this issue, we see Thomas Grey’s parents strung up above an industrial metal shredder. What do you think goes through Batman’s mind in situations like this? How do you think he keeps himself from panicking?
Week 3 Discussion Questions
Given their documented history, do you agree with Batman’s “choice” regarding Thomas’s parents? And, despite this choice, how do you think he feels in the aftermath of it?
What do you think is going on in the scene of all the heads being placed on tops of bodies with suits? What’s the purpose of it?
How do you think Bruce feels being referred to as the “cancer” of Gotham, alongside the Joker? Do you think Batman has ever wondered if he and the Joker truly are two sides of the same coin?
Batman has always worked by his own rules, but even so, it seems like he’s going a bit “rogue” by the end of this issue. Do you think he’s making a wise decision, or is he playing into the chaos of enemy’s hands?
As always, this month’s book club comes with some awesome digital perks!
I think that Bats and Harvey are going experience a bit of friction once Batman does something that violates Bullock’s oath as a police officer. Y’know… something like working side by side with a homicidal maniac, for example.
Interesting question especially since it looks like Joker is coming for her, but… then again… is he??? I went back and re-read Joker’s sales pitch to Batman and this is what he says: “…somebody’s taken what belongs and I want it back. Nobody takes what’s mine, Bats.” On my first reading, I passively assumed that he was just talking about (and objectifying) Harley. However, it also looks like whoever is behind this has access to Joker’s DNA and is using it to make monsters as per Batman’s DNA analysis. So, what if Joker isn’t talking about Harley being taken? What if he’s talking about his DNA? In that scenario, I would posit that Harley was taken to be shown that Joker cares more about the unauthorized use of his genetic sequence than he does about her. That could create problems for ole pasty-face.
Bruce leads a pretty extreme life. Dressing up like a giant bat, developing military grade suppression weapons, and beating up criminals are not behaviors of a well-adjusted, balanced individual. I think that Batman’s rule against killing is his last, desperate grasp on sanity. If he can maintain that then he can hold onto what’s left of himself and justify what he’s dedicated his life to. So, even though Joker is the one person on Earth who is unequivocally beyond redemption, Bruce can’t bring himself to end him. Killing the Joker would be like killing the last shred of sanity in himself.
No. Not at all. But, I guess that’s the whole schtick of this series.
I’m best familiar with Harvey Bullock through the animated series where he hates and distrusts Batman. They seem to be working together fine here, but I’ll bet that Harvey is ready to bring the full force of the law down on Bats as soon as he crosses the line.
They could actually expect Joker to come for her and they’re just taunting her. Maybe they just like her. I don’t know.
Batman knows that if he makes one exception to the no kill rule he’ll start making more exceptions and pretty soon he’ll just be the Punisher. Not killing the Joker is the ultimate test of his self control.
No. No no no. Absolutely not. No. Does that answer your question?
I had that same train of thought. Right now, to me, it feels like Harley’s kidnapping may serve a purpose completely unrelated to the Joker that we can’t guess at yet
The art is pretty amazing and dark. Bats and Joker working together sounds pretty problematic. Is Joker really trying to save Harley? The Joker beasts are terrifying. This reminds me of SAW.
Yes!! I love when a comic shares the inks before the color comes in, so detailed! I find it weird that Bat agreed to this alliance even to save Gordon. At the end of the day, he won’t be able to control Joker.
I think you are on to something. It is probably more about taking his DNA then taking Harley, and if it is semi about Harley, it’s more about belonging to him and not her as a person.
Batman mentions that good cops tend to fear him because he doesn’t uphold the same beliefs/rules they follow. What do you think that means for his relationship with Harvey Bullock?
Harvey is never the cleanest cop but he’s good. And he doesn’t like him a lot in some aspects but he’s not an idiot. So he knows the good bats dies and how useful he is.
Why do you think Harley was taken, if her captor doesn’t truly believe the Joker will come for her?
So joker has something to trick bats with. Maybe it’s staged for him to think Harley is missing ti get them to work together or whoever took her didn’t want joker getting in the way of their plan for joker and bats.
The Joker had a bit of a point when he surmised that Batman wouldn’t drop him because of their long history of cat-and-mouse. At this point in their relationship, what do you think is holding Batman back from getting on with it, especially if he doesn’t typically follow the “good cop” rules?
He doesn’t kill. His belief that he has to better than the killers he’s stops. It starts with him then we’re the limit. What to stop him from eventually think a jaywalker deserves death because the lives that endangers.
Do you think it was wise for Batman to make a deal with the Joker?
No and yes. Yes ti help Jim. But No because you can’t trust him. But those are the funnest team ups .
Batman mentions that good cops tend to fear him because he doesn’t uphold the same beliefs/rules they follow. What do you think that means for his relationship with Harvey Bullock?
His relationship/history with Bullock in the comics is interesting, since Bullock has been both a good cop and one who has been crooked, at least in a similar way to Batman. Bullock has been known to bend the rules to get the bad guys, so they could be looked as kindred spirits in that way, though they’re similar to the point of getting on each other’s nerves at times.
Why do you think Harley was taken, if her captor doesn’t truly believe the Joker will come for her?
I forget if Harley is still with Joker in this series (she does have that funny thing where she compares a rat in her cell to her “ex,” which could be Joker, or any random schmo), but I suppose Harley could still be under the delusion that Joker loved her even if she’s broken things off with him.
Either way, I think Joker wants to find the person who kidnapped Harley not because of any love or affection for Harley, but because of pride and the misguided thought that Harley belongs to him.
The Joker had a bit of a point when he surmised that Batman wouldn’t drop him because of their long history of cat-and-mouse. At this point in their relationship, what do you think is holding Batman back from getting on with it, especially if he doesn’t typically follow the “good cop” rules?
I suppose the charitable and most accurate reason is due to Batman’s principles: just because he breaks a lot of the rules doesn’t mean he doesn’t believe in them or their ability to work.
Do you think it was wise for Batman to make a deal with the Joker?
Absolutely not – but he doesn’t have a lot of choice in the matter. The Joker and his connection with the kidnapper is Batman’s best lead.
In the early pages of Issue #2, we see the Joker and Batman take on a group of attackers on a rooftop. Do you think Batman and the Joker make a good team when it comes to combat? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yeah. One strategic the other chaotic giving many ways to the defeat a foe. joker is the loud distraction then bats gets them from behind.
What is your best guess as to who (or what) attacked Batman and the Joker on the rooftop?
Evil joker clones or something like that.
Do you feel like Batman is successfully keeping up with this case? Or do you think he is on the back foot–what do you think of his approach so far?
Kind of he has the pieces just need to place them in the right spot. And dig in the right section. His approach is good. He’s not ignoring leads line joker. Working with family. And looking at the small and big stuff.
In the final pages of this issue, we see Dick’s parents strung up above an industrial metal shredder. What do you think goes through Batman’s mind in situations like this? How do you think he keeps himself from panicking?
The fear of another kid loosing his parents definitely is frightening him but he knows loosing won’t save them so it’s best to stay calm.
Ummm… well… I’d give them points for how unique their performance was, but they lose a ton in teamwork and form. Considering it ended with Mr. J almost falling off a roof and Bats getting a chunk taken out of his shoulder, I can’t really say they killed it. Best to say it’s a work in progress…
Whelp, Batman described the creatures cells as “techno-organic” as they’re made up of “living cells bonded together with carbon fiber molecules.” We know that some of those living cells are replicated from the Joker’s DNA. That Joker DNA is being bonded to cells of an unknown donor. Sooooo… they’re like Techno-Organic Joker Babies…?
He definitely has clues to work with, but it kind of feels like he’s been getting led by the nose a bit. He’s spent more time reacting to new dangers than he has actually piecing the puzzle together. In fairness, he doesn’t have a lot to go on yet, but that will need to change if he actually wants to resolve this situation.
Thomas’ parents? I think Batman leans on training and experience in times like these. Training teaches him that the worst thing to do in high stress situations is panic. You need to remain calm, focus on your breathing, and concentrate on what you can control. Experience makes this easier. I’m not sure what universe we’re in here, but I’m sure this is not the first time that Batman has been given the “choice” between two victims. Deal with a similar situation enough times and it’s easier to remain calm because you’ve been through it before.
Also, the whole scenario feels more set up for Batman than for the Joker. I know Bats is supposedly “taking The Joker’s place,” but what does Mr. J care if either one or both of the parents die? And the kid’s name is Thomas??? Naaaaah… this is a set up. Whoever was behind this expected Batman to be here and that was probably the Joker’s first instruction.
While Joker is usually depicted as being able to hold his own in a fight better than you’d expect, he proves to be a liability in this instence. Joker and Batman would also never be able to work in tandem.
Definitely werewolves.
He’s on the back foot for sure. He’s keeping the Joker in check and stalling for time until he has enough information to go on the offensive.
Those very much aren’t Dick’s parents. Anyway, I imagine Batman has become desensitized to seeing people in peril at this point. Question one is “how long do I have to save them?”, question two is “can I buy more time?”, and question three is “HOW am I going to save them?”
