{"product_id":"batman-26-2017-nm","title":"Batman # 26 2017 NM-","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBatman #26\u003c\/b\u003e (July 2017) is a crucial, early chapter in the highly acclaimed \"The War of Jokes and Riddles\" storyline. Written by Tom King as part of the DC Rebirth era, this issue serves as \"Part Two\" of the arc, documenting how a personal feud between two psychopaths spirals into a full-scale civil war that consumes Gotham's underworld.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eCore Plot \u0026amp; Synopsis\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe story is framed through a quiet, intimate moment in the present day: Batman is in bed, confiding in Selina Kyle (Catwoman) about a dark secret from his second year as a crimefighter. He recounts the escalating bloodshed between the Joker and the Riddler, revealing that his only role at the time was to track down and remember the names of the innocent citizens caught in the crossfire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe flashback begins with the Riddler recovering from a gunshot wound inflicted by the Joker in the previous issue. He kills his black-market surgeon and carved a crude question-mark scar into his own stomach. Meanwhile, the Joker, frustrated by an inability to laugh or find anything funny, orders Gotham mob boss Carmine Falcone to assassinate the Riddler within an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhen Falcone's hitmen ambush the Riddler and his new ally, Poison Ivy, Ivy uses her lethal flora to effortlessly slaughter the mobsters. In retaliation, the Joker infiltrates Falcone's office, brutally massacres his security detail, and leaves a grotesque smiley face composed of the teeth of Falcone's own mother, completely subjugating the mob boss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eRealizing that neither can kill the other alone, both villains begin actively recruiting Gotham's most dangerous rogues to build opposing armies:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eThe Riddler's Army: Recruits Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Clayface, Deathstroke, Two-Face, and Killer Croc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eThe Joker's Army: Counter-recruits Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter, Solomon Grundy, Deadshot, and Man-Bat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe issue ends with Gotham fractured in two, drawing battle lines for a catastrophic criminal war that Batman realizes he is powerless to stop single-handedly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eKey Comic Information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eRelease Date: July 5, 2017\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eStoryline Context: The War of Jokes \u0026amp; Riddles (Part 2 of 8), taking place across Batman Vol. 3 #25–32.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eCreative Team: Written by Tom King, featuring stunning, cinematic artwork by penciller\/inker Mikel Janín and colors by June Chung.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BattleBuddyComics.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49261446660196,"sku":"BW51","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/7606\/4868\/files\/IMG_2026_09_20_14_16_18_514.jpg?v=1789931860","url":"https:\/\/battlebuddycomics.com\/products\/batman-26-2017-nm","provider":"BattleBuddyComics.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}