Batman # 17 2013 NM-

Batman #17, published by DC Comics on February 13, 2013, is titled "The Punchline". Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo, this landmark issue serves as the climactic final chapter of the massive "Death of the Family" storyline, which redefined the terrifying dynamic between Batman and the Joker in the New 52 continuity.

The Story & The Joker's Trap

• The Sick Dinner Party: Having knocked out and captured Batman in the previous issue, the Joker stages a horrific, Texas Chainsaw Massacre-style dinner party in the Batcave. Batman wakes up bound to a chair at the head of a table. 
• The Hostages: Surrounding the table are the captured members of the Bat-Family—Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Red Hood (Jason Todd), Red Robin (Tim Drake), Robin (Damian Wayne), and Batgirl (Barbara Gordon). Their heads are covered in black hoods, and they have been doused in gasoline. A brainwashed, "Joker-fied" Alfred Pennyworth is forced to act as the server. 
• The Psychological Mind Game: The Joker unmasks the family and unveils covered silver platters in front of them. He tricks them into believing that he has surgically sliced off all of their faces. The Joker's ultimate motivation is psychological: he claims that the Bat-Family has made the "Dark King" weak and soft, and that Batman secretly wishes they were dead so he could focus entirely on his true counterpart—the Joker. 
• The Climax: Batman manages to break free from his restraints and triggers the cave's security measures to clear the gasoline threat. He pursues a fleeing Joker to the edge of an underground waterfall. During their final confrontation, Batman claims he knows the Joker's real name and true identity from a past encounter. Terrified that the mystery and "fun" of their dynamic will be permanently ruined, the Joker throws himself off the cliff into the darkness.

The Aftermath: A Shattered Family

Though the silver platters are ultimately revealed to contain a sick joke rather than their literal faces, the emotional damage is permanent. The Joker successfully achieves his goal—deconstructing the trustholding the team together. The issue ends with the Bat-Family distant, traumatized, and unable to trust Bruce for hiding how deeply the Joker had compromised their secrets.

Creative Team

• Writer: Scott Snyder
• Penciler: Greg Capullo
• Inkers/Colorists: Jonathan Glapion & FCO Plascencia