Overview: In Batman Incorporated #8, the Joker decides he needs his own international group of villains themed around himself.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): Batman Incorporated #8 begins in Shanghai, China, as a bloody rug stands in the middle of Ghost-Maker, Bat-Man of China, and El Gaucho. Ghost-Maker asks why he couldn’t keep Skyspider safe and Dr. Wu alive, but Bat-Man of China says he was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people that attacked him. After he apologizes, he’s met with sarcasm from Ghost-Maker, saying it’s ok as El Gaucho asks who was leading them. El Gaucho says it was his sister Alpaca, and he says he will meet and make it right. Ghost-Maker refuses to let him go and says he must stay put.
In London, the Knight and Gray Wolf, without their costumes, are sitting down for a meal, eating when Gray Wolf tells Knight that he will be leaving the international team and will focus on protecting his people. Before Knight can react, she gets a notification that Batman Inc. needs her.
In a different area of the country, a max security prison holding the top criminals of England called Basement 101, we see that Beefeater’s nephew was dosed with Joker gas. After they follow why Joker would have been there in the first place, they find out that he broke a villain named Dai Laffyn out.
In a hospital, Clownhunter and Batman of Japan say to Red Raven that his father was a great man. Red Raven blames Ghost-Maker for cutting him from the team and himself for not going to South Dakota. He tells them that they need to find Dusty Bronco so he can choke the life out of him.
In Paris, Nightrunner is attending an event will tons of clowns taking the people of Paris hostage. Then when they refuse to let the people go, the clowns ascend and attack. As he is fighting, he is sending out transmissions saying that he needs backup. The only people who can help are currently suspended from the team. Dark Ranger and Wingman suit up, ready to help when right as they leave, a news report says an armed man is taking tourists hostage.
Ghost-Maker and El Gaucho arrive at the Japan stock exchange in Tokyo. They are greeted by the Joker with hostages in tubes. Joker gets to the point and says that he is releasing his new blend of gas in the pipes, and before the two superheroes can say anything, Joker says if they take a step closer, they will release the gas in the big room.
Joker continues by saying that he has prepared a presentation and reveals Joker Inc., a team that Joker assembled to fight Batman Inc. He spins a wheel to who’s first, and Ghost-Maker threatens to kill Joker, and he replies by saying Batman neutered Ghost-Maker, not allowing him to kill. Ghost-Maker responds to him with a sword stopping the wheel and landing on Argentina’s man Tap Dance Man. Each team member has an enemy, and Tap Dance Man is El Gaucho’s. So, Joker takes a telephone and calls a number, and Tap Dance Man is on the other side, and when he hangs up, he points an assault rifle at a group of people and asks who’s ready to party.
Analysis: Batman Incorporated #8 was a roller coaster. Between the last story being wrapped up so quickly and now we are jumping right back into the team dealing with another team to face off against, there is a lot happening.
The majority of the characters that are part of Joker’s new team are new to the DC Universe as well. It does not go without saying that, oddly, all the members of a Batman team have a villain with similar theming to Joker. But I will not hold it against them, as the introduction of new characters is always welcome.
One thing that is great about a team book is that you don’t have to spend too much time on characters that aren’t as interesting because there are plenty of other characters to give focus to. That said, it can also be its downfall as well as when you have not only the titular team needing character development but then a new full team of villains to set up; it is a juggling act.
That said, this new team seems promising for fans of the Joker and the international flare that will come with the new team. I can’t wait for the next issue.
Editor’s Note: DC Comics provided TBU with a copy of this comic for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Comixology through Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
Batman Incorporated #8
Overall Score
4/5
The comic was great; it was more fast-paced than the last issue in the series and builds excitement for what's next in the series.
