Batman # 100 Cover A First Printing 2020 NM-

Batman #100, published on October 6, 2020, is a milestone double-sized issue that serves as the epic conclusion to "The Joker War" storyline. Written by James Tynion IV with primary art by Jorge Jiménez, the issue marks a major turning point for Gotham City and the Bat-Family.

Key Plot Events

• The Final Duel: Batman and the Joker square off in a brutal final showdown at Ace Chemicals. The Joker taunts Batman by wearing a high-tech, stolen Batsuit and using a reanimated, design-altered corpse of Alfred Pennyworth to psychologically torture him. 
• The Bat-Family Unites: While Batman fights the Joker, the entire Bat-Family unites to retake the streets from Punchline's clown army. Dick Grayson fully returns to his role as Nightwing, and Barbara Gordon steps back into the clocktower to operate as Oracle, mobilizing Gotham's citizens and remaining police officers. 
• Harley Quinn’s Ultimatum: Harley Quinn disrupts the final battle by strapping a bomb to both herself and the Joker. She flees, forcing Batman to make a choice: chase her to save her life or stay to rescue the Joker. Batman chooses to save Harley, leaving the Joker to fend for himself against the countdown (though the Joker ultimately survives).

Major First Appearances & Setup

This issue is highly sought-after by comic collectors due to key character introductions and future status-quo teasers:

• Ghost-Maker (First Cameo Appearance): The final pages offer the very first glimpse of Ghost-Maker, a mysterious and highly skilled anti-hero from Bruce Wayne's past who arrives to challenge Batman's methods. 
• Clownhunter: The epilogue features the first major face-to-face showdown and conversation between Batman and Clownhunter (Bao Pham), a troubled, baseball-bat-wielding teenage vigilante.
• Punchline's Next Move: A backup story illustrated by Guillem March highlights how the Joker’s new sidekick, Punchline, begins manipulating public sympathy from prison, setting up her subsequent solo storylines.