death of the family

batman, vol. 3: death of the family
batman the new 52 issues 13-17
joker: death of the family
catwoman the new 52 issues 13-14
batgirl the new 52 issues 13-16
suicide squad the new 52 issues 14-15
batman & robin the new 52 issues 15-16
detective comics the new 52 issues 15-16
nightwing, the new 52 issues 15-16
red hood & the outlaws the new 52 issues 15-16
teen titans the new 52 issues 15-16
writers: scott snyder, adam glass, kyle higgins, john layman, scott lobdell, ann nocenti, gail simone, peter j tomasi, james tynion iv
illustrators: greg capullo, eddy barrows, ed benes, brett booth, andy clarke, fernando dagnino, jason fabok, patrick gleason, jock, timothy green, rafa sandoval
dc comics
published 2013

After having his face sliced off one year ago, The Joker makes his horrifying return in this new epic that features Batman's entire network of partners in crimefighting, including Batgirl, Catwoman, Nightwing, Robin, the Teen Titans and more.  While The Joker threatens the very existence of Gotham City, these heroes - an villains - must find a way to survive.

Now here is some phenomenal Batman story writing.  Snyder certainly has a thumb on the pulse of what is The Joker and what makes him tick.  The story is so dark and yet uplifted by The Joker's brand of humor now and then or a quick quip from Dick or Jason.

For me, Damian is a hard sell.  The kid is too serious for a 10 year old although his loyalty to his father is the one thing I can believe.  There are some truly great moments in these 23 issues.  I read them as they would have come out issue by issue instead of sticking to a whole series and finishing it out that way.  I think I like it better reading it as it should have been read instead of waiting for the compilation book to come out.  That being said, is it necessary to read the entire arc or just The Batman issues?  I'd say no, but I think you're missing some great stuff if you skip over everyone else.  Especially the Suicide Squad issues.  Harley and The Joker together again is something not be missed.