Batman: Lovers & Madmen

Issue #1

Cover Date: September 2007
Subtitle: Lovers & Madmen part one: It's Funny
Writer(s): Michael Green
Artists(s): Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Storyline: After getting enough evidence to the police to take down a drug lord, Batman took on a new case. A gunman had killed two in a jewelry store, but had taken nothing. He was an obviously gifted marksman.
Batman moved in on an in-progress bank job. "Jack" got his first look at the vigilante.


Issue #2

Cover Date: October 2007
Subtitle: Lovers & Madmen part two: Peace in Arms
Writer(s): Michael Green
Artists(s): Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Storyline: Batman arrived on the scene too late. His new enemy left him a note: "Thanks, you made my day." He began a crime spree all over the city hitting everything from zoos to the homes of millionaires. Batman continued his search and finally got a lead from Maletesta - the man had done a few jobs for him previously.
Bruce spent the night with Lorna. When he got home, Alfred had completed their new computer.


Issue #3

Cover Date: November 2007
Subtitle: Lovers & Madmen part three: Crime's New Face
Writer(s): Michael Green
Artists(s): Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Storyline: Batman was late again. "Jack" attacked a fund raiser at Lorna's museum. Several were killed; Lorna was badly injured. Jack got away, but not before Batman hit him with a weapon, cutting his face.
Batman went to Dr. Jonathan Crane and asked about his new enemy. Crane told him the man was obviously insane. Back at the cave, Alfred took a call - Lorna was not expected to live through the night.
Batman called Maletesta.


Issue #4

Cover Date: December 2007
Subtitle: Lovers & Madmen part four
Writer(s): Michael Green
Artists(s): Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Storyline: Batman found where Jack had gone to the hospital and tipped Maletesta off. His conscience got to him and he headed out to save his new enemy. Maletesta's men took Jack to a pharmaceuticals plant and began beating him. After a struggle, he fell into a vat of anti-psychotics. Batman arrived too late. The chemicals had bleached his skin and turned his hair green. He thought he'd seen a bunny in the moon.


Issue #5

Cover Date: January 2008
Subtitle: Lovers & Madmen part five: The Apparition Come!
Writer(s): Michael Green
Artists(s): Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Storyline: Outside the pharmaceutical plant, Batman thought he saw a ghost. He gave chase, but came up empty. Back at the cave, good news: Alfred got a call that Lorna was doing better. Bruce headed to her and vowed not to leave.
Batman's new enemy attacked the city. Dozens were killed when a blimp exploded and shot out knives. Alfred convinced Bruce to get into costume when he showed him the signal across the sky.
Batman headed out thinking it would be Gordon, but instead, it was his new enemy.


Issue #6

Cover Date: February 2008
Subtitle: Lovers & Madmen part six: Punch Line
Writer(s): Michael Green
Artists(s): Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Storyline: Batman was stabbed; the blade had been poisoned. The madman began shooting people he had hanging upside-down from nearby buildings. Batman threw him from the rooftop, but saved him. He was handed over to Gordon and placed in Arkham Asylum.
Bruce visited Lorna, who'd recovered, and broke off their relationship.


notes

  • This story contradicts most every other account of the Joker's origin. I'm placing it in the continuity section for completist purposes only.
  • Issue 1 (7 of the title) places this story's start during Year One: "It's been forty-two weeks. Forty-two weeks since I finally began the work." (Batman, internal).
  • Bruce began dating Lorna Shore
  • Issue 2 notes the new villains crime spree has lasted "a few weeks."
  • The first 'bat-computer' is completed.
  • The inclusion of Dr. Johnathan Crane places this before the Scarecrow's first appearance.
  • Jack, now the Joker, paid off a girl's medical school bills. They met in a bar. her name was Harleen Quinzel.
  • Arkham Asylum welcomed its first patient: the Joker.

    • Return to continuity section 1.