Stacked Deck: The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told

([November] 1990)

The Best of the Bad (Table of Contents: 1)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 1 page (report information)

Script

Denny O'Neil

Letters

typeset

Synopsis

The noted Batman writer's forward reflects on the vilest villain in the Caped Crusader's rogue gallery.

The Joker's Dozen (Table of Contents: 2)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 4 pages (report information)

Script

Mike Gold

Letters

typeset

Synopsis

DC Comics group editor and Director of Development's introduction provides a brief history of the Joker and the challenges of collecting the best stories of the Clown Prince of Crime.

Reprints

• from The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told (DC, 1988 series) (1988 [February 1989])

[Batman Versus the Joker] (Table of Contents: 3)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson

Inks

Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

Tatjana Wood

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joker (first appearance); Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Batman faces a new criminal who succeeds in killing famous men and stealing their prized possessions, leaving them all with "a smile" on their face!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)

Indexer Notes

Title found on the Contents page (no title was provided in the original story).

The Case of the Joker's Crime Circus (Table of Contents: 4)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (uncredited)

Colors

Adrienne Roy

Letters

George Roussos (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

The Joker organizes a crime circus that performs at the homes of wealthy patrons to size up the joint, then later robs them.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #4 (Winter 1941)

[The Joker and the Sparrow] (Table of Contents: 5)

Batman / comic story / 14 pages (report information)

Script

Al Schwartz (uncredited)

Pencils

Jack Burnley

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

Nansi Hoolahan

Letters

Ira Schnapp (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joker; Alfred Pennyworth; Robin [Dick Grayson]; the Sparrow

Synopsis

The Joker's criminal repudiation is challenged by "The Sparrow" causing twice the trouble for Batman and Robin.

Reprints

• from McClure Newspaper Syndicate Batman Sunday strips #104-#110 (10/28/1945 - 12/9/1945)

Indexer Notes

Title found on the Contents page (no title was provided in the original story). The story has also been given the title "Gotham's Cleverest Criminal" in other reprints.

The Man Behind the Red Hood (Table of Contents: 6)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger (uncredited)

Pencils

Sheldon Moldoff; Lew Sayre Schwartz (uncredited); Win Mortimer (uncredited)

Inks

George Roussos

Colors

Anthony Tollin

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Red Hood [Joker] (origin); Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Batman is asked to be a guest instructor for State University's first criminology course. The students tackle one of the Caped Crusader's unsolved cases -- the ten year old mystery of the Red Hood. Their investigation lures the successful villain out of hiding as they try to use what they learned to determine his identify.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #168 (February 1951)

The Joker's Crime Costume (Table of Contents: 7)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger (uncredited)

Pencils

Dick Sprang

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

Greg Theakston

Letters

Ira Schnapp (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joker; Alfred Pennyworth; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Seeing Batman's wide assortment of costumes, the Joker decides to commit crimes disguised as comedy characters of fiction.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #63 (February-March 1951)

The Joker's Utility Belt! (Table of Contents: 8)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

David Vern (uncredited)

Pencils

Dick Sprang

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

Glenn Whitmore

Letters

Ira Schnapp (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

When the Joker's seemingly easy capture of the Caped Crusaders goes terribly wrong when Batman springs a surprise on him using his utility belt, the Crime Clown decides to outdo the Batman with his OWN utility belt!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #73 (October-November 1952)

The Crimes of Batman! (Table of Contents: 9)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

David Vern (uncredited)

Pencils

Bob Kane (Batman & Robin figures); Lew Sayre Schwartz (uncredited)

Inks

Charles Paris (uncredited)

Colors

Daniel Vozzo

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

The Joker kidnaps Robin in order to force Batman to publicly cheat, steal and kill.

Reprints

• from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #61 (November-December 1952)

The Crazy Crime Clown! (Table of Contents: 10)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Al Schwartz (uncredited)

Pencils

Dick Sprang

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

Glenn Whitmore

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

The Joker commits a series of crimes that are so outrageous and meaningless that when he finally turns himself in, he is sentenced to an insane asylum rather than prison. Batman is suspicious and finds a way to keep a close eye on his arch-nemesis.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #74 (December 1952-January 1953)

Superman's and Batman's Greatest Foes (Table of Contents: 11)

Batman; Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Edmond Hamilton (uncredited)

Pencils

Dick Sprang

Inks

Stan Kaye

Colors

Glenn Whitmore

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joker; Lois Lane; Lex Luthor; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Superman [Clark Kent]; Perry White

Synopsis

Lex Luthor and Joker go into business together making Mechano-Men, near indestructible robots. Superman and Batman believe they have not gone straight and try to figure out their master plan.

Reprints

• from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #88 (May-June 1957)

Crime-of-the-Month Club! (Table of Contents: 12)

Batman / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Dave Wood (uncredited)

Pencils

Dick Sprang

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

Shelley Eiber

Letters

Pat Gordon (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Batman and Robin investigate the Joker's newest scheme, the Crime of the Month Club.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #110 (September 1957)

The Great Clayface - Joker Feud (Table of Contents: 13)

Batman / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger (uncredited)

Pencils

Jim Mooney; Sheldon Moldoff

Inks

Charles Paris (uncredited)

Colors

Helen Vesik

Letters

Stan Starkman (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batgirl [Betty Kane]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Batwoman [Kathy Kane]; Clayface [Matt Hagen]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Clayface is back, and his current spree of robberies has made him the "Top Criminal in the Country". The Joker takes exception starting a feud that draws the attention of Batman, Robin, Batwoman and Batgirl.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #159 (November 1963)

The Joker Jury! (Table of Contents: 14)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger (uncredited)

Pencils

Sheldon Moldoff

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

Jerry Serpe

Letters

Joe Letterese (uncredited)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

The Joker uses the city's various service departments as the inspiration for his newest crime wave.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #163 (May 1964)

The Joker's Happy Victims (Table of Contents: 15)

Batman / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

E. Nelson Bridwell

Pencils

Carmine Infantino

Inks

Murphy Anderson

Colors

Shelley Eiber

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joker; Alfred Pennyworth; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Three of Gotham's wealthy citizens enjoy being robbed by the Joker and refuse to file a complaint.

Reprints

• from The Joker's Happy Victims! [Batman Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Comics] (DC, 1966 series) (1966) [reformatted], (1966) [reformatted]

Indexer Notes

Adaptated and rewritten Batman Golden Age story titled "The Happy Victims!" from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #52 (April-May 1949).

The Joker's Five-Way Revenge! (Table of Contents: 16)

Batman / comic story / 23 pages (report information)

Script

Denny O'Neil

Pencils

Neal Adams

Inks

Dick Giordano

Colors

Tom Ziuko

Letters

?

Editing

Julius Schwartz

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker

Synopsis

The Joker has escaped from the state hospital for the criminally insane and seeking revenge. A member of his old crew betrayed him, and it is up to Batman to protect them from the Clown Prince of Crime's murderous rampage.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #251 (September 1973)

Death Has the Last Laugh (Table of Contents: 17)

Batman; The Joker / comic story / 20 pages (report information)

Script

Bob Haney

Pencils

Jim Aparo

Inks

Jim Aparo

Colors

Bob LeRose

Letters

Jim Aparo

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker

Synopsis

An entire family is murdered, and it appears to be the handiwork of the Joker. Batman finds evidence that suggests that his arch-nemesis is being set-up and agrees to work with the master criminal to find the real murderer.

Reprints

• from The Brave and the Bold (DC, 1955 series) #111 (February-March 1974)

The Last Ha Ha (Table of Contents: 18)

The Joker / comic story / 18 pages (report information)

Script

Denny O'Neil

Pencils

Ernie Chan

Inks

José Luis García-López

Colors

Joe Orlando

Letters

?

Editing

Julius Schwartz

Genre

superhero

Characters

Creeper [Jack Ryder]; Marvin Fargo; Joker; Benny Khiss

Synopsis

The Creeper is blamed for one of the Joker's crimes, and he must clear his name.

Reprints

• from The Joker (DC, 1975 series) #3 (September-October 1975)

The Laughing Fish! (Table of Contents: 19)

Batman / comic story / 17 pages (report information)

Script

Steve Englehart

Pencils

Marshall Rogers

Inks

Terry Austin

Colors

Petra Goldberg

Letters

Ben Oda

Editing

Julius Schwartz

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Silver St. Cloud; Rupert Thorne

Synopsis

The Joker poisons the water around Gotham giving all of the fish his gruesome grin. The Harlequin of Hate then attempts to trademark the tainted aquatic species forcing Batman to protect the bureaucrats twisted scheme.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #475 (February 1978)

Sign of the Joker! (Table of Contents: 20)

Batman / comic story / 17 pages (report information)

Script

Steve Englehart

Pencils

Marshall Rogers

Inks

Terry Austin

Colors

Petra Goldberg

Letters

Milt Snapinn

Editing

Julius Schwartz

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Silver St. Cloud; Hugo Strange (as a ghost); Rupert Thorne

Synopsis

Hugo Strange takes his revenge on Rupert Thorne, Silver St. Cloud makes a decision about her future, and Batman puts an end to the Joker's latest scheme.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #476 (March-April 1978)

Dreadful Birthday, Dear Joker...! (Table of Contents: 21)

Batman / comic story / 18 pages (report information)

Script

Len Wein

Pencils

Walter Simonson

Inks

Dick Giordano

Colors

Julianna Ferriter

Letters

Ben Oda

Editing

Paul Levitz

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Since 1899, Gotham Police Headquarters has stood at the junction of the area called Five Points, on the lower east side of the city...

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Catwoman [Selina Kyle]; Lucius Fox; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker; Alfred Pennyworth; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

The Joker plans his own birthday party and invites all of Gotham to watch the explosive celebration with some of Batman's closest allies. It is up to the Caped Crusader to find the event before the fireworks start.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #321 (March 1980) [recolored]

Last Laugh (Table of Contents: 22)

Batman / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

Gerry Conway

Pencils

José Luis García-López

Inks

Dan Adkins

Colors

Adrienne Roy

Letters

Ben Oda

Editing

Len Wein

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; James Gordon; Joker; Olivia Ortega; Alfred Pennyworth; Arthur Reeves; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Vicki Vale

Synopsis

The planned demolition of Gotham's General Station and the computer assisted preservation of its landmark facade inspires Joker's newest scheme to leave his mark for all to see.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #353 (November 1982)

Catch as Catscan (Table of Contents: 23)

Batman / comic story / 22 pages (report information)

Script

Mike W. Barr

Pencils

Alan Davis

Inks

Paul Neary

Colors

Katie Main

Letters

John Workman

Editing

Denny O'Neil

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Catwoman [Selina Kyle]; James Gordon; Joker; Dr. Moon; Alfred Pennyworth; Robin [Jason Todd]

Synopsis

The Joker leaves his telltale calling card with a clue that sends Batman, Robin and Catwoman to the Gotham Public Library to stop the Clown Prince of Crime's newest caper.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #569 (December 1986)

The Last Laugh! (Table of Contents: 24)

Batman / comic story / 22 pages (report information)

Script

Mike W. Barr

Pencils

Alan Davis

Inks

Paul Neary

Colors

Katie Main

Letters

John Workman

Editing

Denny O'Neil

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Catwoman [Selina Kyle]; Joker; Dr. Moon; Robin [Jason Todd]

Synopsis

Batman and Robin search the underworld for information that will lead them to the Joker's hideout. Time is running out as Dr. Moon joins the Caped Crusader's arch-nemesis in an experiment designed to return Catwoman to her criminal ways.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #570 (January 1987)

Still Crazy After All These Years (Table of Contents: 25)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Dick Giordano

Letters

typeset

Synopsis

The DC Comics Vice President and Editorial Director's afterward reflects on the appeal and success of the Clown Prince of Crime throughout his long history.

Stacking the Deck: The Other Joker Stories (Table of Contents: 26)

text article / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Mark Waid

Letters

typeset

Synopsis

Former DC Comics Assoicated Editor provides a history of the Joker from the character's first appearance in Batman #1 to his role in the 1989 Batman movie.

Reprints

• from The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told (DC, 1988 series) (1988 [February 1989])

Creating the Greatest: The Men Behind the Mask (Table of Contents: 27)

text article / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Brian Augustyn

Letters

typeset

Synopsis

DC Comics Editor Brian Augustyn provides a brief biography on some of the writers and artists who contributed to the collection: Neal Adams, Dan Adkins, Murphy Anderson, Jim Aparo, Terry Austin, Mike Barr, E. Nelson Bridwell, Jack Burnley, Ernie Chan, Gerry Conway, Alan Davis, Steve Englehart, Bill Finger, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Dick Giordano, Bob Haney, Carmine Infantino, Bob, Kane, Stan Kaye, Sheldon Moldoff, Jim Mooney, Paul Neary, Dennis O'Neil, Charles Paris, Jerry Robinson, Marshall Rogers, George Roussos, Walt Simonson, Dick Sprang, and Wein.

Reprints

• from The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told (DC, 1988 series) (1988 [February 1989])